Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya

It all began over 40 years ago on a narrow spit of land with the development of Cancún's hotel zone - one of the first state-sponsored, large-scale tourism projects in the world, which was approved by the Mexican government in 1969. Numerous luxurious large hotels in the characteristic 1970s/80s concrete construction style, including the infrastructure typical of tourism, were built on the kilometer-long, wide, white, fine sandy beach. The new destination quickly became a dream destination, especially for American vacationers.

Having become very outdated, Cancún has been reinventing itself over the past few years. It has been heavily invested in and renovated, and new hotels, shopping and entertainment centers have been built. Innovative concepts such as Me Cancún are now attracting a younger audience again, and Europeans are also gradually acquiring a taste for it. Shopping and nightlife, indulgence and relaxation, contemporary luxury and a modern lifestyle have once again brought Cancún to the forefront.

From Cancún, the Riviera Maya stretches about 80 kilometers south to Tulum. Since the 1990s, the former fishing village of Playa del Carmen in particular has been booming, but the hotel zones on the Riviera Maya are now increasingly merging. Newly developed, self-contained urbanizations such as Mayakoba - currently with the three top hotels Banyan Tree, Fairmont and Rosewood - are shaping the latest tourist development. Thanks to low buildings and the fact that there is still plenty of space, these top hotels rarely give the impression of mass tourism.
Luxury hotels are increasingly focusing on an "all-inclusive concept" at the highest level, which leaves little to be desired, not only in culinary terms. The separation of families and "couples only" in different areas of a resort is becoming more and more prevalent, as demonstrated by the Paradisus of the Meliã Group in Playa del Carmen - or the hotels are "child-free", such as the Royal Hideaway in Playacar, an exclusive suburb of Playa del Carmen.

In Playa itself, there are also smaller boutique hotels, guesthouses and bungalow complexes, remnants from the time when mainly divers and backpackers discovered the Yucatan coast. However, individual travelers can still be found in the numerous cafés and restaurants of the coastal town, and a stroll through the lively 5th Avenue is not only a must for them.

Maya spirit and diving mecca
A visit to at least one of the famous Mayan sites on the peninsula, which are a World Heritage Site, is also a must. The ruins of Tulum, the last city built by the Maya, are extremely picturesque and very impressive, located directly by the sea not far from the Papaya Playa design hotel project: a double experience of looking at ruins and swimming. The archaeological site can also be reached quickly from anywhere on the Riviera Maya. Unlike the most famous temples of Chichén Itzá, which are located in the middle of the jungle, a visit requires a full day trip, but you can really feel the "Mayan spirit" here. However, it is even better to undertake a mini-Yucatan tour with an overnight stay in between.

Of course, the coast is also an Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts - all resorts offer a variety of options on the wide sandy beaches, from jet skiing to snorkeling excursions. The second largest coral reef in the world is located directly off the coast, making the Riviera Maya particularly attractive for divers. But the reef is not the only attraction. Geologically speaking, the entire peninsula is a huge water-permeable limestone plateau, which has formed a subterranean network of watercourses many kilometers long that is still fed by rain. As the limestone gradually dissolves due to the water, huge caves are formed, the ceilings of which eventually collapse, creating basin-like openings that reach the groundwater and into which you can dive. These pools, known as cenotes, are understandably far more attractive to many divers than the much-vaunted reef.

In contrast to other regions in the north of Mexico, the security situation on the Yucatan is good, you can actually move around anywhere without danger and really enjoy your trip. The warmth and above all openness of the people on the Yucatan also contributes to this. And we can dispel a widespread prejudice in this country: all cab drivers were not only entertaining, but also always absolutely correct - but it never hurts to ask about the price beforehand.

Guacomole, ceviche and co. - The finest of Mexican cuisine
Anyone who has had experience of Mexican food at Tex-Mex restaurants in Germany can dispel their prejudices on the Riviera Maya. You may find taco chips topped with lots of cheese and sour cream in some cantinas, but they are not on the menu in better restaurants. However, there is no question that Mexican cuisine, with its regional cuisines and Mexico City as its melting pot, is worth experiencing: at the end of 2010, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guacamole is everywhere. But the queen of all guacamoles is served in the chic beach restaurant at the Maroma Resort and Spa. An XL stone jar filled to the top with avocado puree. "The avocado must not be mashed during preparation, only cut into small pieces," explains head chef Juan Pablo Loza. Another secret of this guacomole is the ingredients, which are only added at the table. "This varies from region to region, but grated cream cheese is a must. Pomegranate seeds are also an original ingredient that is often added for sweetness, crunchiness and decoration," says the chef from Mexico City. Depending on taste and region, chili, coriander - extremely popular in Mexican cuisine - lime, chorizo or crispy bacon rind can also be added. According to Juan Pablo, however, tomatoes have no place in guacamole.

When it comes to beans, what you would have guessed is confirmed: they are an essential component of almost all Mexican dishes. Mexican cuisine is a simple, rural cuisine. What potatoes are in this country, rice and black beans are in Mexico. Equally indispensable: meat, braised or grilled. Fish is not quite as popular. However, there are traditional dishes that are still prepared, such as tikin-xik, which originates from the Maya. "Tikin" means fish, "xik" means wings - fish is cooked open in a banana leaf or grilled on charcoal until tender. Simply delicious!

One of the most refined and elegant culinary discoveries is ceviche. "Ceviche is actually a Peruvian dish," says Rafael Casás, former head chef at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, "there are also many Japanese living there who have brought sashimi and thus raw fish into Peruvian cuisine." Ceviche is a cold dish with raw products. The main ingredients come from the sea: fresh seafood and fresh fish are the basis, which are only marinated with lime juice - orange or grapefruit juice are also sometimes used - and thus "cooked". Other ingredients: finely chopped red onion and finely chopped chili. "We like to use coriander, even in ceviche," explains Bernardo García, head chef at the luxury hideaway Esencia. He uses it to give his shrimp and cactus ceviche as well as his perch or octopus ceviche a flavorful kick.
Ceviche dispenses with the calories, which are doubled and tripled in desserts and sweet treats - Mexico is a chocolate-loving country. Cream tarts, for example - sometimes with fruit, sometimes without - are on offer in abundance.

Text: Uwe Lehmann and Manuela Blisse

Photo: © M. Hermsdorf / pixelio.de

The name Riviera Maya has only been around for a few years. A new wind is blowing here on the perfect beaches of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Discerning travelers can once again feel like the chosen ones in elegantly designed resorts, with impeccable gastronomy and in view of the impressive ruins of the once highly developed Mayan culture.

Lage

Mexiko Riviera Maya

Fläche

Mexiko

Sprache

Amtssprache Mexikos ist Spanisch

Anreise

Airport Cancun

Hauptstadt

Mérida

Religion

87% of Mexicans are Catholics

Weather

Hurrikansaison in Mexiko ist von Juli ist Oktober

Beste Reisezeit

November bis Juli

Klima

Währung

Mexikanischer Peso

Vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations for Mexico. A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is only required if you have previously stayed in one of the countries in South America or Africa in the so-called yellow fever zone.