Magellan Missed Out on the True Peaceful Sea

History tells us when Magellan began his search across the Atlantic Ocean for a trade route to the Spice Islands by going around South America, he became impressed with the large, peaceful body of water he encountered on the other side, naming it the Pacific. With Portuguese Brazil his first landing point, Magellan didn’t really know the Riviera Maya Mexico on the Caribbean.

The impression you receive when gazing at the Caribbean for the first time is that this incredible sea is like blue glass. The warm waves barely nibble at the shore making it seem more like an unbounded lake than an ocean body.

The Caribbean’s Natural Shelter

The Caribbean owes its placid nature to the Great Mesoamerican Reef, which shelters the mainland coasts from most storms. This reef system begins at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, and extends down to the Bay Islands of Honduras. The Great Mesoamerican Reef is the home to more than 65 species of stony coral, as well as over 500 species of fish and 350 species of mollusk. The vigorous bio-diversity includes the world’s largest group of manatees, as well as a number of endangered or protected species.

About the Riviera Maya Mexico

Originally called the Cancun-Tulum corridor, the Riviera Maya Mexico snuggles along the coastline of Quintana Roo, in the Yucatan Peninsula, where it basks in the uninterrupted miles of glittering white sand beaches, an amazing bio-diversity, and exposure to an ancient, technically advanced civilization.

The Riviera Maya Mexico has something for everyone. It is a favorite area for scuba diving, jet skiing, and snorkeling. For the adventurer, there are more serious pursuits.

Natural Wonders of Aktun Chen

Deep in the rain forest of the Riviera Maya Mexico, close to Tulum, is the incredible natural park, “Aktun Chen”. The Mayan name means cave with an underground river inside. There are three cenote caves at the park, with million year old stalagmites and stalactites and crystal clear water pools. For wildlife lovers, there are spider monkeys, white tail deer, wild boars, iguanas and flocks of brightly colored birds.

Cenotes, which are naturally forming sink holes, sometimes containing water, sometimes not, are found throughout the Riviera Maya Mexico. The Yucatan Peninsula is flat; so flat, it sometimes appears the only separation between land and water is the color and the towering palm trees. This creates an absence in surface rivers. They sink underground, revealing their presence only in the swirling holes dotting the landscape. Cavers have discovered a thrilling adventure in descending into the dry cenotes, that usually contain a sparkling pool of water at the bottom, delicious for swimming and for examining further underground pieces of paradise in the tunnels cut by the rivers.

Archeological Flavor

While sun-bathing on the beach is delicious, the biggest tourist attraction in the Riviera Maya Mexico is the Mayan ruins. Its ancient architecture rivals the best in Mediterranean history, stunning the viewer with its mastery of building and design, its astonishing understanding of hydraulics, its exquisite art and the massiveness of its enterprise.

Although a huge number of the Mayan ruins are still covered with growth, making it difficult to comprehend the full system of canals, roads, observatories, business and social establishments, an appreciation of their elaborate civilization can be found at Chichen Itza.

The Temple of the Jaguar

Located close to Merida, but within a day’s drive of Cancun, Chichen Itza is one of the most popular tourist destinations. The excavation site measures a mile from west to east, and approximately a mile and a half from north to south, revealing a number of buildings, some pyramids, temples, and an observatory.

Reaching the flattened summit of The Castle, a pyramid 75 feet tall, is a labor of love. At the top is a temple. In the middle of the temple is a jaguar, painted red and gleaming with inlaid jade and turquoise. Perhaps it’s just the cool shade from the sun, but you feel suddenly transformed to another dimension. The little jaguar, staring brightly, seems real, and his quizzical look seems to ask why you entered his domain.

The Highly Advanced City of Coba

The tallest pyramid in Riviera Maya Mexico resides in Coba. Reaching over 125 feet in height, a hike to the top reveals dozens of structures still moldering under jungle growth and the accumulation of sand and earth brought by the winds of time.

The most remarkable aspect about the area, however, is the remnants of a road system that had once covered the entire Yucatan Peninsula. The roads were raised, ran in a straight line, and included ramps and intersections.

The Castle by the Sea

A visit to the Riviera Maya Mexico ruins really isn’t complete without dropping into Tulum. Completed in 1,200 A.D., Tulum was a busy port and trading center during the Post Classic period. The greatest appreciation lies in the beauty of the architecture. Set precisely on the coastline, with the sea rolling close to its walls, it creates both a romantic and strategic setting. The Castillo, built on the highest point of the site, is believed to have been a lighthouse or a marker for seafarers. It has a watch tower vantage point, with views in every direction.

Life at Its Fullest

The traveler to the Riviera Maya Mexico is as versatile as the many natural wonders and modern services the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer. You’ll find anthropologists and biologists rubbing shoulders with adventure seekers, naturalists, cavers and scuba divers. For the more social, there are dazzling night spots, cozy beach clubs, and broad avenues filled with shops and restaurants.

A final touch to add to the Riviera Maya Mexico experience is visiting a spa. Located throughout the region, the Mayan spa has become a favorite destination among travelers. As much a cultural experience as a treatment, the temazcal – or house of steam – incorporates a shaman, ritual chanting and herbal remedies. The treatment may involve covering yourself with mud to help draw out the toxins. The benefits are said to include ridding toxins, cleaning the nervous system, relaxing muscles, reducing fat and stimulating the digestive and respiratory systems.

The Unforgettable Appeal

With a coastline like no other and an egg-shell sea in front of it, those features alone are enough to set up lawn chairs all over the Yucatan Peninsula. The wild bio-diversity that includes rain forest and cenotes, the open plain feeling, are the bonus features, adding dimension and versatility to the region. The ruins give silent testimony to the fact that at least two thousand years ago, a people saw the potential of this equatorial zone. They built a civilization with technologies we are only just now beginning to understand and appreciate for their precision and functional applications. Although remnants of this civilization are scattered throughout Central America, none so far have been found quite as spectacular as the giant pyramids and elaborate city hubs on the Riviera Maya Mexico.

The stunning beaches of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum have brought tourists to the Yucatan for years. Unfortunately the popularity of these white sand and clear ocean beaches have brought development which has all but spoiled some areas. It’s easy to associate Cancun with drunk college kids and high rise hotels.

Despite this reputation the Yucatan in Mexico is an incredible destination for beach lovers, outdoor adventurers, foodies, and culture seekers.

Here is why.

The Natural Wonders That Are the Cenotes

Few places in the world contain the incredible natural phenomenon that is a cenote, and the Yucatan is home to over 6,000. A cenote is a natural pool created below the Earth’s surface from the collapse of limestone. The water is crystal clear and glows blue or green. It is an incredible site that simply cannot be put into words.

Dos Ojos cenote is one of the most famous and is a short drive from Tulum. Tours are possible as well as self guided snorkeling and cave diving. Imagine swimming through water as clear as Aquafina among limestone stalactites.

The Beautiful, Undeveloped Islands

With crystal clear turquoise water for miles, perfectly combed white sand beaches, and incredible marine life, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel have all the allure of popular Caribbean islands but with Mexican culture and Latin American prices. Swim with whale sharks on Isla Holbox which has no cars, walk down the endless pristine beach on Isla Mujeres, and dive or snorkel at the second largest barrier reef in the world at Cozumel.

The Food

The food here is incredible. This is Mexico after all. If you stay outside of the all inclusive hotel zone in Cancun you will find amazing chile rellenos, sopas, and tacos for less than a dollar. In Tulum chicken stewed in mole or chile verde is served with steamed rice and freshly made tortillas. Walk along the winding colorful streets in Isla Mujeres to find whole roasted spiced chickens and perfectly charred corn. Cinnamon dusted churros, perfect tacos al pastor, and crispy crepes slathered in nutella are cheap and everywhere.

The Ruins

The Mayan ruins in Tulum are on a cliff overlooking a stunning backdrop of the Caribbean sea. Where else can you sip a Margarita on the beach then walk through the ruins of an ancient city?

Chichen Itza, located a few hours from Tulum, was named one of the new wonders of the world and with good reason. It was one of the largest Mayan cities, with an extremely diverse population, and remains relatively well preserved.

photo by Nick Chik

If you’re a would-be expat who’s searching, not for a promise of what a tropical destination could be, but for the world-class lifestyle it delivers today…look no further than the beaches of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

This popular retirement haven and tourist hotspot already has almost every luxury for which the other destinations yearn.  At only a slightly higher price tag.  Recently named one of the top overseas retirement options by the longtime former editor of International Living, Puerto Vallarta was also named AARP’s best place to retire internationally and was dubbed the world’s friendliest city by Conde Nast Magazine.

Puerto Vallarta’s Location

Puerto Vallarta lies on Mexico’s Pacific Coast at the junction of the states of Nayarit and Jalisco.  Situated in Banderas Bay, the region is divided by the River Cuale.  It sits at the foot of the Sierra Madres, so as you move inland its pristine beaches give way to quaint hillside villages.

The area shares the same latitude as the Hawaiian islands and enjoys an almost perfect climate.  It’s mostly dry and sunny year round, with temperatures ranging from 80 to 85 degrees by day, which drop to between 55 and 65 degrees at night.  Summers (roughly June to October) are hotter and more humid.

Another important factor to note about Puerto Vallarta’s location is that it is comfortably removed from most of the more dangerous cities in Mexico, many of which are in close proximity to the U.S. border and whose crime rates and drug trafficking are well documented by U.S. news sources.

Accessibility

A more appealing aspect of Mexico’s proximity to the U.S. is the ease of access for those who wish to make it their retirement destination.  Not only could you inexpensively travel back and forth as needed, but you’d have no trouble convincing friends and family back home to come and visit.

Now given the fact that Puerto Vallarta offers the same or better amenities than many desirable U.S. cities, you might have some difficulty getting them to leave.  Luckily you won’t have to go far to drop them off at the city’s own international airport, which has direct flights to many major cities across the U.S.

Development

While the climate and accessibility of Puerto Vallarta are great, they’re not what sets this desirable retirement destination apart from the rest.  Unlike many similar tropical locations, this region does not claim to be up-and-coming.  Puerto Vallarta, by contrast, has already arrived.

Thanks to decades of investment into the area by developers, as well as the Mexican government itself, the area boasts a highly developed infrastructure and many modern amenities.  Its paved roads, power plants, high-speed internet, water treatment and distribution facilities, cable television and other features easily rival that of any U.S. city.

In addition, the area offers quality healthcare, including modern hospitals, highly-trained English-speaking physicians, and even those practicing alternative healing methods.

photo by risket O

Puerto Vallarta’s Cost of Living

So, exactly what is the price tag on this piece of Latin American paradise?  You might be surprised to find out that you can get by on a mere $2000 per month in Puerto Vallarta and that decent housing can be found for as little as $700 monthly.

While this is still higher than the cost of living in nearby Panama, and certainly more than that of countries like affordable Ecuador, it’s considerably less than its U.S. counterparts.  By comparison, this is a far cry from what you would pay for the same lifestyle in any U.S. city situated on the picturesque Pacific Coast.

Activities and Amenities

Essentially it isn’t the cost that should be compared to other retirement cities in Latin America.  It’s the amenities.  Few other places offer the same number of dining, entertainment, and other leisure options.

For instance, it would be absurd to imagine renting a boat slip in a California bay for as little as $100 per month.  In addition to the high level of infrastructure and other conveniences, Puerto Vallarta boasts a wealth of options for your amusement.

With seven golf courses, numerous marinas, world-class dining, shopping malls, beachside restaurants and nightlife, there’s no shortage of things to do.

Due to its location, the region offers activities such as hiking, zip lining, horseback riding, and other attractions.  Also available are opportunities for absolutely anything you ever wanted to do in the water.  From snorkeling to surfing to fishing to boating to scuba diving…Puerto Vallarta has it all.  Due to the established expat community, the area also has numerous cultural attractions such as museums, theaters, and festivals.

Puerto Vallarta’s Expat Community

Speaking of expats, Puerto Vallarta has its share.  More American retirees relocate to Mexico than any other country.  The influx of U.S. retirees has rendered the need for Spanish almost useless in Puerto Vallarta.  In addition, the country, and Puerto Vallarta specifically, is also home to expats from nations across the globe.

The area is a melting pot of cultures, and has greatly benefited from their influence.  Those who have gone before have only paved the way for the hosts of expats that are to come.  For that, we thank them.