Tourist Attractions

Beauty spots yet to be discovered...

The Gran Bahía Príncipe Akumal HOTEL is located in an unspoilt area of the Mexican Mayan Riviera.

This area invites you to explore, enjoy, relax and learn, with its nature reserves, theme parks, outstanding archaeological areas, deserted beaches, pools of cool, crystal-clear fresh water (cenotes), marinas, small villages and developing towns. Another well-kept secret of the Mayan Riviera is the Great Mayan Reef, which stretches from the Yucatán peninsula as far as Honduras and is the second largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere. Coral formations all along 680 kilometres make this reef, full of cenotes, an irresistible temptation for any diving enthusiast.

The Mayan culture imbues this area with all its splendour: whether in the midst of the jungle or on the coast with its spectacular sea views, everywhere one feels the presence of a culture that cultivated the arts, mathematics, religions, astronomy and time-measuring techniques.

Some of the sights not to be missed during a stay on the Mayan Riviera are:

• TULUM: a walled, cliff-top city with stunning sea views. In ancient times it was called Zama (dawn in Mayan), because the sun rises from the sea, bathing all the buildings in its light. 20 minutes from the Bahía Príncipe Hotel, this is one of the most popular archaeological sites with tourists.
• COBÁ: a monumental, 42-metre pyramid (the highest on the Yucatán peninsula), Nohoc Mul rises amidst the largely unexplored jungle. This city also contains other buildings.
• SIAN KA'AN: the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve is only 11 km from Tulum. It covers 653 thousand hectares and was inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1987. The beaches, lagoons, swamps, mangroves and wide variety of wildlife are fit to grace any postcard.
• XCARET: Ean eco-archeological park standing on what was known as Polé in ancient times, a spot where the Mayas held important ceremonies. Underground fresh-water rivers, a beach, Mayan town, birds, pumas and jaguars, dolphins, horses and other animals coexist in this park's harmonious natural environment. And at night, a show transports visitors to the mystical Mayan world.
• XEL-HA: this word means "where the water rises" in Mayan and there could be no more appropriate name for this wonderful nature park. Only 15 minutes from the Bahía Príncipe Hotel, Xel-Ha offers you this region's most breathtaking natural landscapes.
• CANCÚN: México's best-known destination. This tiny but extraordinary stretch of land is bathed by turquoise waters. Cancún (which means "vipers' nest" in Mayan) is split into two main areas: the hotel district and the inland region, where the locals live and one can savour the day-to-day life of the Mexican people.

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES

• Chichén Itzá. 75 mi. from Merida, Yucatan.
• Dzibilchaltún. 10 mi. from Merida, Yucatan.
• Mayapán. 29 mi. from Merida.
• Labná. 75 mi. from Mérida, Yucatán.
• Kabáh. 63 mi. from Merida, Yucatán.
• Oxkintok. 43 mi. south from Merida, Yucatan.
• Chacmultún. 80 mi. southeast from Merida. Yucatan.
• Uxmal. 48 mi. from Merida, Yucatan.
• Sayil. 15.5 mi. southeast from Uxmal.
• Xlapak. 70 mi. from the city of Merida, Yucatan.
• Alenque 70 mi. from Villahermosa and 130 mi. from San Cristobal.
• Ednza. 37 mi. from Campeche.
• Tulum. 74 mi. from Cancún.
• Ek Balam. A 184 km. de Mérida.
• Xcambó. 3 mi. from Telchac Puerto and 43 mi. from Merida, Yucatan.

Typical Mexical Foods

• Adobo
• Birria
• Chorizo
• Bean Enchiladas
• Enchiladas
• Escamoles
• Guacamole
• Horchata
• Mexican Chicken
• Mexican Chocolate (includes champurrado)
• Mexican Lasagne
• Mole Poblano
• Pico de Gallo
• Quesadillas (Grilled Chicken Tortillas)
• Sopa de Nopales
• Tamales

THE AREA

Playa del Carmen:

Playa del Carmen lies on the beautiful coast of the Mexican Caribbean, 66 km from Cancún. It is the perfect base from which to visit the fascinating sights along the Cancún-Tulum corridor.

Playa del Carmen is a fertile natural environment, with its white sandy beaches and tepid, crystal-clear water. You'll be able to enjoy pleasant strolls along its beaches, or, if you fancy diving, you can learn this sport and marvel at the largest coral reef in the western hemisphere. And if you like golf, you'll be dazzled by the 18-hole course of the Playacar Golf Club.

You'll also get the chance to visit Cozumel on modern boats that leave "Playa del Carmen " every hour.

Quintana Roo:

Quintana Roo is the youngest state in the Mexican Republic and the only one with a Caribbean feel. It's a place where the white sand and tropical vegetation are bathed by turquoise waters.

In the state of Quintana Roo you'll be able to visit stunning Mayan ceremonial sites, or beaches where you can swim, dive, sail, ski and windsurf, etc.

Riviera Maya:

México, a country whose cultural, historic and natural heritage is famous throughout the world, opens its doors with a new tourist destination: the Riviera Maya.

This stunning region, located on the far eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, is made up of small independent communities where there are infinite possibilities for exploration and enjoyment. The most beautiful sea in the world, the Caribbean, extends out to the horizon while its incredible turquoise waters softly caress the brilliant white sand of miles of beautiful beaches.

In the past few decades, the northern portion of the coast has been the object of intensive tourist development, mainly the internationally famous city of Cancun.

Toward the south, leaving behind the luxurious hotels and shopping centers, another world opens up. Here the towns are smaller and there are fewer tourists with miles of solitary virgin beaches, sparkling white sand and crystalline turquoise waters stretching out before one's eyes. The second largest reef system in the world, the Great Maya Reef, runs along the coastline and an unrestrained jungle surrounds the towns and beaches. In this part of the Mexican Caribbean, full of exotic tropical animals peering or flying through the branches, there are many places to explore. A unique and complex underground river system flows beneath the surface and surprises visitors with magical caverns, caves and cenotes (sinkholes). There are also hundreds of archaeological sites, remnants of the incredible and timeless Mayan civilization, amd a spectacular and plentiful marine life.