Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo, also called The Mexican Caribbean is a state of Mexico that is part of the Yucatan Peninsula, with a shoreline along the Caribbean that has grown in just a few decades into a major tourism destination. It includes large resort cities built specifically for the Yanqui/Euro tropical vacation business, small communities with a more local Maya-Mexicano character, and fascinating ancient Maya archaeological sites. The Mexican Caribbean is divided in some micro-tourist destinations that are: Cancun, the Riviera Maya, the Maya Zone and the Great Costa Maya.


Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya is a tourist corridor that goes from Puerto Morelos until Tulum. The Riviera Maya´s heart is Playa del Carmen, an eclectic and seductive city that mixes the Mexican flair with a Caribbean ambiance influenced for all possible cultures from all over the world.The Maya Zone includes some small towns and the Great Costa Maya is formed by Chetumal (capitol of the state), Bacalar and Mahahual. Riviera Maya, also known as the Mayan Riviera, is a tourism district following the coastal Highway 307 which parallels the Caribbean coastline of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, located on the eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula. This district historically started at the city of Playa del Carmen and ended at the village of Tulum, although the towns of Puerto Morelos situated to the north and between Playa del Carmen and Cancun as well as the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto situated 40 kilometers (25 mi) to the south of Tulum are both currently being promoted as part of the Riviera Maya tourist corridor.


Cancun

Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo, was previously a long strip of forest flanked by beaches. Cancun's history as a resort area dates back only to 1970, when the Mexican government chose the spot for development as a tourist destination. It is now the biggest resort area in the country, with a population near 500 000, but receiving over 3 million visitors annually. Cancun Island is a 15 mile-long sandbar located off the mainland and connected by causeways on either end. The body of water between Cancun Island and the mainland is called the Nichupte Lagoon. Ciudad Cancun has economical hotels and markets, but most visitors stay in the hotel zone, along the main road, Tulum Avenue, a strip of elegant hotels and modern resorts. This is where tourist amenities, upscale shopping and nightlife is concentrated.


Holbox Island

Located to the northwest of Cancun, Mexico, Holbox Island is just 26 miles / 42 km long. Holbox is separated from the mainland coast of Mexico by a shallow lagoon which gives sanctuary to thousands of flamingos, pelicans and other exotic birds and creatures. Most of the people of Holbox Island make their living fishing. It is common to see fishermen walking through Holbox Village with their catch of the day or carrying their nets. The streets of Holbox Island are made of white sand, common of Caribbean islands, and there are very few cars. Holbox is considered a virgin tourist destination because very few outsiders visit the island. In spite of Holbox' natural beauty, inaccessibility has left it unspoiled by mass tourism. The most incredible attraction in Holbox from June to August are the whale sharks. They come near Holbox Island to spend the summer season. They arrive in small groups and they are also known as domino sharks. Fishermen?s of the island know how to view and swim near them without bothering or hurting. This spectacular show is available only in this island of the Mexican Caribbean from June to September only.


Bacalar

Located in the southern part of the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, just 15 min from the state's capital Chetumal and 3 hours from Cancun, it sits near the coast just before Belize and the river that divides Belize from Mexico. Lake Bacalar, Q. Roo MEXICO, Lagoon of the seven colors, is a retirement paradise. With a length of some 50 miles from North to South it seems like a wide turquoise river flowing through the jungle. Bacalar´s turquoise waters are enhanced by the deep green tone of the mangroves and reed beds. Laguna Bacalar is the second largest sweet water lake in Mexico and still the best kept secret. Its breathtaking scenery is still little known by international tourism.


Tulum

With its beautiful beaches, fascinating jungles and a low-stress feel, Tulum is hard to resist. Tulum, less than two hours south of Cancun, has some of the most beautiful beaches along this coast. With pure white sand and turquoise waters, these beaches are the stuff of dreams.


Akumal

Akumal is located just one hour and ten minutes south of Cancun on the Mexican Caribbean coastline of the Yucatan peninsula. Akumal has long been a secret getaway, discovered only by those who dared to travel down the coastline in search of adventure. Yet once discovered many travelers found themselves returning to Akumal year after year. Why...? Because Akumal has "Magic", tropical therapy for the soul! And Akumal cares about its precious environment. Akumal is the home of Centro Ecológico de Akumal CEA, a non-profit group dedicated to environmental marine research, education and sea turtle protection. Now Akumal is leading the way with The Akumal Council, our community organization dedicated to keeping Akumal the magical place it is today, with vision to the future