Category Archives: Riviera Maya News

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.

New Adults-Only Section at Barcelo Maya Grand Resort

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The plan is still on for the new adults-only section of the Barcelo Maya Grand resort to open either this Dec. 2019 or Jan. 2020.  Those who visit the wonderfully informative site of Unofficial Barcelo Maya take note–there is a newer entry dated Dec. 2018 by Phil in Ottawa (look in the discussion section) that has recent pics of what the construction looks like.  If you haven’t yet registered to post/respond in the discussion section, it is worthwhile to do so since you can then ask questions and get info from vacationers who have spent multiple trips going to this resort and are quite knowledgeable.

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Chichen Itza Entrance Fees Increase in 2019

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Starting Jan. 1, 2019, the entrance fee to Chichen Itza will double going from USD $12 to $24.  There is some speculation this huge increase will negatively impact tourism to this famous site, but only time will tell.  Would you still go given the new fee?

New Water Park Opens at Hard Rock Riviera Maya Location

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Anyone looking for a Mexican all-inclusive resort with a new water park feature?  The Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya just opened one–the minimum height requirement for slides is 3′ 5″.  All kids under the age of 8 must be accompanied by their parent(s).  Looks like there are three sections with a total of 23 water slides.  Here’s the link.

New Valentin Resort Approved

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Fans of the adults-only Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, take heart–final approval has been given for the completion of the originally planned complex conditionally approved back in 2005.  While only the Valentin was built and eventually opened in 2007, the rest of the originally planned complex consisted of two additional resorts (745 guest rooms in the second resort and 704 guest rooms in the third).  The second originally planned resort is supposed to be called Valentin Playa del Secreto and will be located north of Playa del Carmen.  No official opening date has yet been set.

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THE Royal PDC Is No More

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While THE Royal Playa del Carmen will still be welcoming guests, it will now be doing so under the Hilton brand name.  Playa Resorts and Hilton have now partnered in order to expand both businesses–Playa Resorts hopes to benefit from being part of Hilton’s global portfolio/78 million Hilton Honors members, while Hilton hopes to become a known name brand in the very lucrative all-inclusive resort market.  Guests who stay in the PDC resort can now accumulate or use their Hilton Honors points, a definite plus for those who are Hilton Honors members.