Following our visit to the Riu Dunamar in February 2018 (if you want to read my review of that property just click here), my husband and I took a private shuttle to another new all-inclusive resort which also opened December 2017. Hotel Xcaret Mexico is the first stage of a six stage project (Destino Xcaret) designed and built by the Mexican firm Grupo Xcaret. The entire project will eventually consist of a multipurpose stadium, a shopping center, and 6,000 guest rooms across 12 hotels. Hotels will range from luxury accommodations to those with four star ratings.
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Airlines Operating Out Of The New Terminal 4
I took notes since I arrived/departed from the new Terminal 4 at the Cancun airport during my spring vacation. Here are the confirmed airlines operating out of this new terminal: Continue reading
Hotel Riu Dunamar is Another Riu Hit
Okay. Despite an impressive backlog of work which accumulated while on vacation and succumbing to the flu upon my return (has anyone needed a vacation from a vacation?), I have finally gotten around to writing this review which I should have completed several weeks ago. Mea culpa. Believe me, Hotel Riu Dunamar is worth the wait.
Temporary Restriction to Akumal Bay Snorkeling
For the months of February and September 2018, snorkeling tours will not be allowed to enter Akumal Bay in a further attempt to try and allow the ecosystem to recover from overuse (an estimated 22-23 million visitors each year visit the Akumal area, while snorkeling with the turtles in Akumal Bay is supposedly ranked the 10th most visited destination in the world for international tourists). If you’re going to only swim and/or snorkel by yourselves without a tour guide, that is still permitted as long as the buoy restrictions are respected.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico Room Category Clarification (Hopefully)
For those of you wondering about the room categories or guest room buildings at the new Hotel Xcaret Mexico, here is a quick review of what I have discovered about them.
Colectivos Becoming Unsafe?
Use caution when choosing to take a colectivo/combi in the Riviera Maya; there has been a recent report of a robbery of a driver/passengers in the route from PDC to Puerto Aventuras on a Saturday night around 9:15 p.m. Three individuals reportedly stopped the vehicle on the pretense of wanting transportation, got inside, then threatened to use force/guns if valuables including cell phones/purses, etc. were not handed over. The robbers got away, so if they were successful once they may decide to do the same crime again. Others may also see this as a quick way to make money and follow suit.
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya Resort Review
My daughter and her husband (age range 25-30) visited this resort from the dates of Oct. 14-21, 2017. This is a review of their stay at the Valentin.
DreamWorks Theme Park Is Out, Amikoo Resort Is In
While everyone expected the Mexican government to give the official OK to a DreamWorks theme park in the Riviera Maya, they have instead decided to authorize the building of a Mayan-inspired amusement park and resort in the area of Punta Maroma in the Riviera Maya (located north of Playa del Carmen).
Fire at Oasis Cancun
A short circuit was to blame for a fire which broke out on the 4th floor of the Grand Oasis Cancun hotel. While the flames spread to several rooms, the three responding fire units helped to keep this one under control with only room damage. The last big fire this hotel experienced was in 2013 when the entire hotel was evacuated.
Map of Akumal Bay Snorkeling Restrictions
For those interested in where the buoys/roped-off areas are for snorkelers in Akumal Bay, here is a pic which was posted by Kay Walten of Locogringo.com. For the month of Sept. 2017, all guided tours are officially suspended from the bay (but that doesn’t necessarily mean there won’t be any out there), while general visitors may still snorkel outside the roped-off areas. Here is the map I found on Kay’s Facebook page. Notice how these areas extend onto the front sea area of the Secrets property.