Snorkling in the Riveria Maya

Best Things Nearby:
Playa Del Carmen is only about a 15-minute taxi ride from the resort. It is a quaint Mexican town with lots of shopping and restaurants with some of the most beautiful waters around.

Best Things About the Resort:
The pool areas are the best part of this resort. It is a multi-layered pool that runs right down to the beach. Calm, quiet, relaxing, with two in-pool bars, and a little cafe just off to the side.

Resort Experience:
This resort is fairly new, and still under construction. However, the construction really does not interfere in any way with your experience of the resort. Everyone (staff and vacationers alike) is friendly and helpful. The rooms are large, and very clean. The staff takes great pride in their work and do a wonderful job. There are several restaurants on the property, but I would have to say my favorite was called Tumtah. It was more seafood than anything, but did have fire-baked pizzas, which were excellent and inexpensive. It is situated right on the beach at the edge of the water, with eight or so hammocks right outside for you to lounge in when you are finished with dinner. They also had a live mariachi group that strolled through the restaurant as you ate and would play any request that you wanted.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Xel-Ha was a full day's activities. We went there for about three hours one day on a tour and found it so enchanting that we returned two days later and spent a full day at the park. Xel-Ha is sort of a nature reserve where a beautiful lagoon meets an underground river. You can swim with the dolphins, snorkel, sunbathe on the beach, or hike the extensive trails around the park. Whatever you do during the day, I am sure you will find it relaxing and enjoyable. There is a small site with ancient ruins for those who are more interested in history than swimming. But for those who like to snorkel, the experience is fantastic. You pay $52 US for an all-inclusive ticket. The park opens at 8am and closes at 5pm. With your all-inclusive ticket, you can eat at any or all of the five restaurants and bars in the park, you get your locker and beach towel for free as well as your rental of snorkeling gear or flotation devices to float down the river on. You even get to keep your snorkel when the day is over. Parrot Fish Bay is the exciting place to be when it is feeding time. There are thousands of fish all vying for a bit of food and putting on a wonderful show for the snorkelers. There is an underground cave you can swim into as well as a few cenotes to play in.