What To Do In and Around Rosewood Mayakoba

Secluded and service-oriented are the adjectives that best describe Rosewood Mayakoba, a resort in Playa del Carmen that opened in 2008. At 1,600 acres, the resort is expansive, offering plenty of room for guests to feel that they have their own space. Rooms, too, are spacious and have either tile or wooden floors, comfortable beds and chairs, and a layout and design that draws guests to outside spaces such as patios and balconies. The sense of privacy is reinforced by special en suite features, including private plunge pools, garden showers, and sundecks. Service, which includes butler, concierge, and valet support, is first-class. Staff can facilitate or organize a wide range of experiences, both on the hotel property and in the surrounding area. These range from horseback riding on the beach and ocean kayaking to private dining and aerial tours of the Mayan site Chichén Itzá.

Thanks to its easy-to-reach location on the main highway just fifteen minutes south of Playa del Carmen, this open cenote ranks among the most popular with locals. One half of the clear spring is shallow, with areas for climbing adjacent rocks; other spots are just deep enough for snorkeling. Elsewhere, there are still deeper waters for swimming and cooling off, complete with a sundeck and a small cliff for jumping.

If you are in search of flawless Mexican cuisine prepared with perfectly fresh ingredients, there’s no need to venture outside Rosewood Mayakoba. If you are, however, on your way to or from the Sian Ka’an biosphere or visiting Tulum for a morning, Charlie’s is a good place to stop for some fish tacos and a cold beer. The restaurant on Tulum’s main strip has a shaded, quiet patio—cool even under the Mexican midday sun. Drop by Mixik, next door, before or after your meal to check out their curated—and reasonably priced—collection of Mexican handicrafts from small gifts like handcrafted notebooks to elaborate weavings you’ll want to keep for yourself.

Playa del Carmen’s winning charm emerges all along this wide pedestrian avenue, which runs parallel to the beach. Eateries here include everything from cheap fast food like Pizza Renzo to upscale restaurants and cafes; the best people-watching is from outdoor seating at the sports bar Tequila Barrel or Chez Céline bakery. The shopping scene offers international luxury brands side by side souvenir shops, but the most interesting Mexican handicrafts await at boutiques like Sin Pecado and Sol Jaguar. Since this part of town has little shade, it’s best to avoid the midday sun; instead, try an early-morning visit with some streetside coffee in hand, then revisit at sunset to kick off an evening of dining, shopping, and bar-hopping.

With ancient traditions and a rich history, Mayan society is a fascinating, integral part of Mexican culture and history. While immersed in the Museo Maya de Cancun you’ll forget all about the resorts outside and instead find yourself transported back onto the Mayan trade route. The sleekly modern museum is situated conveniently near most hotels and is definitely worth a visit.

This pair of baby loggerhead turtles was less than 12 hours old when we saw and briefly held them. What was amazing was that no matter which direction we faced them, they instinctively knew to turn towards the ocean! There are seven species of sea turtle in the world, all of which are either threatened or endangered. Mexico is home to six of these species and the local beaches around Akumal are nesting ground for two of these species - the Loggerhead and the Green Sea turtle. Nesting season for these two turtle species is May through October so if you are staying in or anywhere near Akumal or Tulum during this time, you will likely encounter a turtle. If you want learn more about the turtles, here’s a fun way to do it - go on a turtle walk with Centro Ecologico Akumal (CEA). CEA is a non-profit organization, based in Akumal, that actively participates in a sea turtle protection program. CEA conducts nightly turtle walks where you accompany researchers to check on nests and nesting turtles. They only take groups of up to 10 people on each night’s walk and they don’t take reservations. We showed at about 8:00 and waited. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the giant female lumber up to shore and lay her precious bounty of eggs. Tip: Bring along a jacket (or wear long sleeved shirt) to keep warm and a flashlight.

Cobá holds what remains of a large pre-Colombian Maya civilization located on the Riviera Maya. Lesser known than Tulum, the name Cobá means turbid (cloudy) waters—probably having to do with the five cenotes (underground rivers) in the region, which played an important role in agriculture during the development of this region. At one time the city is believed to have had 50,000 inhabitants. Much of the area is still unexcavated, although recent excavations unearthed a stele, which is unique to the Maya world, as it is covered in hieroglyphics. A restored ball court confirms that the popular ball game was practiced here. Bloodletting rituals traditionally followed Maya ball games at Cobá and slaves were forced to participate. This differs from what was practiced at the later site of Chichen Itza, where the captain of the winning team was beheaded after the game.

Xel-Há is one of the area’s most popular attractions. The name identifies both the archaeological site and the ecotourism marine park and the site attracts hundreds of visitors from around the world, throughout the year. Ceremonial centers and religious sites extending alongside the sea are classified by groups: The Temple of the Birds showcases frescoes representing local fowl; Temple of the Jaguar highlights the descending figure of a jaguar and the Dock Group, which is thought to relate to the zone’s maritime activity. The remains of the principal archaeological site are located in the jungle across the highway from the park. Known as the “greatest natural aquarium in the world,” by savvy travelers and locals alike, Xel-Há’s chain of inlets, lagoons and cenotes (underground rivers) provide a refreshing playground in which to cavort with the friendly denizens of the deep. You can swim, snorkel, go tubing or play with the dolphins. Other options include a visit to a sea turtle camp or delving into caves, cenotes and archaeological sites. Park services include restaurants, shops, changing rooms and snorkel rentals.