Just 20 minutes south of Cancun, where the calm Caribbean coast of Mexico meets the wild jungles of the Yucatan, the Riviera Maya has become the hot new destination south of the border and a refuge for savvy travelers in search of authenticity without the all-you-can-drink atmosphere of Mexico’s top tourist destination.
This formerly secret stretch of unsullied beach and mangrove forest lies between the airport to the north and the artsy town of Playa del Carmen to the south, and has been developed over the past five years with a commitment to the natural environment and an embrace of local Mayan culture and history. From gourmet all-inclusives that are redefining the concept, to romantic hideaways tucked into the jungle, to style-conscious resorts with trendy design and luxe amenities, the Riv Maya – as insiders call it – is living up to its evocative name and is primed to finally move Mexico onto every spa lover’s wish list.
