Riviera Maya-Adventure near Cancun,Mexico including the El Dorado Seaside Suites (4/09)

I had never been to the world famous Riviera Maya, with the second largerst coral reef in the world, and just one hour outside of Cancun Mexico. So when Karisma hotels told me they had four properties in that area I selected the El Dorado Seaside Suites Hotel. This all inclusive resort was voted one of the most romantic destinations, and with a coral reef right off the beach I could snorkel with tropical  fish to my hearts content. The color of the water was stunning, that beautiful aqua reminded me of Tahiti. Arriving in the Cancun airport was a delightfully easy. I was quickly through customs and there are many shuttle vans to take you to your hotel. I recommend Gray Line and Lomas Travel, I used Gray Line arriving and Lomas departing. Best to book shuttles in advance on line. My Hotel was an hour ride away. The shuttles are brand new, air conditioned, the trip cost $50 each way. The good news is the roads are good so you might want to just rent a car. Although the boarder cities in Mexico have recently been very unsafe, Cancun and the Riviera Maya have not had these problems. In fact I met many Canadians who own winter homes in the area and love it down there.

My longtime greatest fear in Mexico is to be on vacation and get sick from the food and water. Upon arriving at the Seaside Suites Resort I was thrilled to learn that nobody gets sick, the water is purified, I can enjoy the many-blended mango and Strawberry drinks. To play it safe I did brush my teeth with bottled water. I spent 5 glorious nights eating and drinking away and never got sick. My room was a swim up Jr. suite, with a king size bed, large Jacuzzi tub, slate shower that could hold five, your room wont disappoint. And the service is wonderful. Just outside your sliding glass door is a pool with 2 private lounge chairs in the pool for you to sun on while cooling in the water. These small delightful touches run throughout the resort. I enjoyed the many resort pools but I spent most of my mornings by the oceanfront beach beds, and snorkeling. Others enjoyed playing beach volleyball and ping-pong with the staff. Breakfast is served outside with a view of the ocean. Bacon and eggs, Omelets, local fruit, it was all wonderful. There are five dinner restaurants, Italian, Asian, Mexican, International, and Garden Bistro. I ate each night at a different restaurant and enjoyed them all. Reservation not required and the dress is casual. Beware some of the fish have bones but the taste of fresh caught local fish is amazing. And the best part is all the food and drinks are included. Enjoy champagne or a fine wine with dinner; still in a beach mode have a mango daiquiri, or watermelon Margarita. The staff whether it is the waiters, front desk, chambermaids, everyone is polite and very good at their job. The service throughout the resort is quick and efficient. Stroll around and the staff greets you with Olla (hello) there are hammocks to swing in, coconut trees and iguanas abound. At dusk the tree tops fill with chirping birds while you sip cocktails at the bar on a swing and watch the sunset. This truly is paradise. One afternoon I enjoyed a massage outside on a beach bed with the sounds of the ocean in my ears while my body melted under the tender touch of my female masseuse. It was sheer heaven and cost only $90, half of what I would pay at a first class resort in the States. The Spa has everything, from manicure, pedicure, haircuts, facials. Firteen different massages including hot stones, body treatments that include papaya, cucumber, exotic grape or delicious chocolate.

Right in the hotel lobby you can find Gabriel at the Lomas travel desk, he is the man to see for your day trips. You want to see the Mayan ruins in Tulum, maybe fly through the air on a  Zip line, or swim with Dolphins, how about a Jet ski/snorkel trip, scuba dive, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding, or Parasail. They have all these activities and more within an hour. All Lomas trips include shuttle to and from your hotel lobby.  I have done dolphin encounters in Hawaii and Florida but here in Mexico you experience much more interaction. Hold your arms out and fly through the water as a dolphin comes under your feet and lifts you for feet push ride around the lagoon. Here in the states they don’t approve of that.

Gabriel had the perfect snorkel trip for me. A sailboat in Maroma harbor took 20 of us out on the reef, we snorkeled where the sea life was teeming with colorful tropical fish, and on the ride back you can fly on the spinnaker (like parasailing off the front of the boat) quite a thrill to be floating on a sail10-20 feet above the boat, then just jump off into the ocean below. Back at the harbor they served a beautiful buffet lunch, all for $75. Almost all the activities in Mexico are much less than say Hawaii or the Caribbean. Your American dollar goes further. Just 10 minutes from the Hotel was the harbor in Akumal known for its large turtles and nice snorkeling. I wasn’t disappointed when I swam with a 4-foot turtle in the harbor. Five-minute drive from there was the Akumal lagoon, small entrance fee allowed you to snorkel with many fish including a school of little barracudas. I took the bus, but a car would have been easier.

You can easily spend 10 days and still not do all the activities, see all the sites. Some days my girlfriend and I just enjoyed relaxing on the hotel beach, sipping cocktails, reading a book while swinging in the hammock, laying on the huge beach bed  overlooking that gorgeous aqua water. Stand in knee-deep water and toss some bread and these beautiful angelfish come out of nowhere. An exciting bonus was to discover the Hotel had an all-nude sister resort right next door. We spent a day over there where everyone was nude sunbathing or swimming in the pool. No tan lines here. If you are wondering the staff stays dressed and there are no cameras allowed.

The five days went quickly. I know I want to go back to the Riviera Maya. I can’t get enough of that stunning tropical water, and the price in Mexico is definitely right. Go to Karismahotels.com or 888-280-7558 to find out about the El Dorado Seaside Suites and their other properties including family Hotels. Lomastravel.com to book your shuttle and day trips.