Category Archives: Riviera Maya News

Akumal Bay Drone Video–With Buoys

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I love drone videos of resorts since it gives me an overall view of the surrounding area as well as the resort’s general layout.  Here’s a good video of Akumal Bay with its system of buoys to delineate where one can snorkel–my last visit to Akumal Bay in 2015 was before the “madness” started about beach access/snorkeling restrictions implemented by the Mexican government.  While the new rules help keep the turtles less stressed, it can be confusing for snorkelers.

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What Is Sargassum?

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What is sargassum?

Although my first response to this question is “irritating and a potential vacation disaster for beach lovers”, here’s a scientific explanation to the phenomena we all hate to see when we visit Cancun/Riviera Maya.  Hope this helps answer questions about where it comes from.

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Riu Palace Riviera Maya Closes for Renovations

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FYI:  Since I made this post, I’ve done more checking into the resort’s renovations and have found out it is a total gut job.  Yes, everything is going.  I’ve watched videos of the pools being decimated, another floor is being added to some guest room buildings, and seen computer generated pics of the lobby area which keeps none of the elegant charm that I loved about this resort.  If you want more moment-by-moment info on this renovation, the best place to get it is on Facebook–ask to join the Riu Palace Riviera Maya page.

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FB Site With Sargassum Information

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I found a FB (Facebook) page which gives satellite information on the sargassum situation in Cancun/Riviera Maya.  Given the satellite pics, there is a huge amount of brown algae headed into the Riviera Maya area in the next few days.  If you want to keep track of this type of information, you will need access to Facebook.  In the FB search box/bar, type in Red de Monitoreo del Sargazo Cancún.  Hope this helps for those of you wanting into about the algae situation prior to your vacation.

New Barceló Maya Grand Resort Map

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Here’s a new map of the Barceló Maya Grand Resort with the addition of the new adults-only section (Barceló Maya Riviera) which is scheduled to open Dec. 2019.  850 rooms, four pools, five restaurants, five bars, a new convention center, plus access to the rest of the entire resort. I’m going late Feb. 2020 and staying in a swim-up suite–can’t wait to see it and the rest of this great resort.  I have my favorite hangouts which I discovered on my trip here July 2018, and looking forward to adding more favorites to my list!

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How to Avoid Being Scammed In Mexico–Some Tips

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I found a very helpful blog, Two Expats Mexico, which is chock full of great info.  Here’s a video they put out on how to avoid being scammed while visiting Mexico–I thought it gave some very necessary reminders.  What do you think about the info Paul presented?

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New Xavage Park Opens

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Grupo Xcaret officially opened its newest park, Xavage, April 15, 2019.  It is located approximately 5-10 min. south of the Cancun airport and is intended for ages 5 and up.  The park includes six major activities including kayaking (Crocodile), an intense ropes course (Howler Monkey), zipline (Hawk), fast jet boats with wild careening turns of up to 180 degrees (Dragonfly), white water rafting (Barracuda), and an SUV/large jeep traversing various obstacles (Puma).

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How to Navigate Xcaret Park

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Xcaret Park is one of the most popular destinations in the Riviera Maya with approximately one-third of all vacationers to this area spending at least one day, if not more, visiting its vast 200 acre grounds.  Xcaret Park is located just south of Playa del Carmen (a 45-50 min. ride south of the Cancun airport) and has great road signage–you cannot miss the exit off the main road if you are renting a car.  I visited the park when I was a guest at Hotel Xcaret Mexico with the resort’s “All Fun Inclusive” plan; in translation, this means that I didn’t have to pay anything extra to enter the park since my hotel stay already included the price of admission.  There is even a separate entrance to the park for Hotel Xcaret guests.

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AM Resorts To Re-Brand Several Oasis Hotels and Resorts

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AM Resorts (re. Secrets, Now, Breathless, etc.) is going to take over two Oasis brand resorts–Grand Oasis Sens will become Now Emerald Cancun, while Grand Oasis Tulum will become Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort and Spa.  Renovations will be done and the rebranding is supposed to take effect June 1, 2019.