In most Mexican jungles the terrain makes it difficult or impossible for guided tours to take place from a bus or a car.  Hiking or biking is often dangerous or impossible.  If you are interested in scheduling a Mexican jungle tour, you will find that most tours are known as ATV jungle tours. The all terrain vehicles are what make most jungle tours fun and exciting. 

If you are interested in scheduling an ATV jungle tour, you will have to find a tour guide or company. ATV rentals are available, but you are advised against touring the jungles on your own.  Professional ATV tour guides not only know where to look in the jungle for exciting adventures, but they also know how to keep you safe. To find an individual or company that specializes in ATV jungle tours, you can contact your travel agent or do the research yourself.

While researching ATV jungle tours, it is likely that you will come up with a number of tour companies.  When selecting a tour guide, it is advised that you determine the location of each tour and then compare it to your intended Mexico vacation destination.  ATV jungle tour guides are popular, but they can only be found in limited areas.  If you are interested in scheduling an ATV jungle tour, you may have to be prepared to travel to the intended tour site.

Few places on earth cause as much amazement as the Riviera Maya. This is a 125-mile-Iong coastline that extends along the incredible turquoise blue waters of the Mexican Caribbean, on the eastern shores of the State of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula.

What makes the Riviera Maya so different from other coast­lines around the world? It has a large quantity of beaches with glistening white sand and mild surf. Near the shore, a low-ele­vation jungle, typical of the tropics, acts as a wall to the sea.

Practically impenetrable, it’s a habitat for a rich variety of flora and fauna and for geological formations. Here are the “cenotes”-deposits of capricious shapes and different sizes, produced by the subterranean rivers that emerged to the surface over the course of millions of years. Facing the Riviera Maya’s coast is the world’s second-largest coral reef, making it an ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling.

The starting point of the Riviera Maya is Puerto Morelos. Just south is Playa Maroma, a 370-acre eco-park of tropical jungle, mangroves and cenotes, where travelers can enjoy biking, canoeing, kayaking, trekking and horseback riding. Playa del Carmen, the largest town in the Riviera Maya, offers the flavor of a small fishing village mixed with a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Shopping, restaurants and nightlife center around Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida). The resort area of Playacar is home to a number of upscale and all-inclusive resorts, more than 100 small archeological sites, the Xaman-Ha Aviary (home to more than 200 bird species)and Cavernas Sacbe, a rock cavern.

Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park offering a unique glimpse into the region’s natural surroundings and inter­active activities like snorkeling in under­ground rivers, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding and scuba diving. There’s also a natural aquarium, museum, botanical garden, Mayan village and unique folkloric shows at night.

Continuing south, visitors will note Xpu-Ha, a large beautiful bay and beach with calm waters and great visibility, as well as Kantenah, another secluded beach area. Xpu-Ha is home to the Cenote Manatee, one of the largest cenotes in the region, and the Xpu-Ha Lagoon. Kantun Chi is a remarkable eco-park in the heart of the Riviera Maya that is excellent for snorkel­ing in freshwater cenotes and exploring the underground caverns. Its name means “yellow stone mouth” in Mayan. Aktun­Chen features three caves filled with stalac­tite and stalagmite rocks, cenotes and an opportunity to see the Riviera Maya’s diverse wildlife.

The small town of Akumal, known as “the place of turtles,” is a favorite place of the endangered marine turtles, as well as for divers. It’s also well known for its eco­logical center, Ukana-I, which is used for both research and as a community center. Just north of Akumal is YaIku Lagoon, ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

The beaches of Soliman Bay and Tankah are favorites for both locals and tourists. Further south is Xel-Ha (“the place where water was born”), a l50-acre eco-archeological park. An incredible nat­ural aquarium where the ocean combines with the freshwater springs and under­ground rivers, Xel-Ha is ideal for tubing, snorkeling and swimming. Xel-Ha is also home to macaws and is surrounded by a thick jungle, caves and cenotes. Archeological sites containing altars dedi­cated to Yum Chac are located nearby.

The archeological site of Tulum (“walled city”) offers some of the most impressive Mayan ruins anywhere. Built on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this site contains more than 60 well-pre­served structures. Tulum also offers beauti­ful beaches and cenotes, including the well known Calavera, the Grand cenote and the Car Wash. Located inland, Coba is one of the most important archeological sites in the Riviera Maya. The main pyramid, Nohuch Mul, is 138 feet tall, the highest on the west side of the Peninsula.

To the extreme south of the Riviera Maya on a small peninsula is Sian Ka’ an Biosphere Reserve, which offers an oppor­tunity to explore mangroves, ancient Mayan canals and the almost untouched wilderness of the jungle. Only a limited part of the reserve, a large protected area of 1.5 million acres with more than 62 miles of the Great Maya Reef, is open to tourists. Located within the Reserve are Boca Paila and Punta Allen, a village with only 600 inhabitants whose livelihood is dependent on spiny lobster fishing.

The southernmost point in the Riviera Maya is the town of Felipe Puerto Carillo, considered a central point for all Mayan communities of the area. It provides a glimpse into the past, as the town has pre­served much of its ancient Mayan culture. Its numerous historic and archaeological sites include The Temple de la Cruz Parlante (Temple of the Talking Cross) and a cultural center from the last century.

J. Bernhardt

In Mexico, scuba divers are often able to swim with the dolphins and sea turtles. To many, this alone is worth the cost of scuba diving.  Aside from swimming with sea animals, you can also spend your scuba diving trip examining the life and environment underwater.  Just a few of the many sea animals that you may see in Mexico include lobsters, eels, sting rays, and a large number of different kinds of fishes. The fishes found in underwater Mexico often include puffer fishes, spotted fishes, and parrot fishes. 

 While the sea animals found underwater are the most exciting part of scuba diving, there are other underwater activities that you can participate in.  Many scuba divers enjoy diving along coral reefs that are found along the coast of Mexico.  Coral reefs are not only home to a large number of sea animals, but they also make for great adventures. You may find it exciting traveling in, over, or around the many different sized reefs. For good reef diving, you’ll love scuba diving and snorkeling in the dazzling waters of the Caribbean in Cozumel, Mexico.

A large number of island visitors return to their cruise ships by the early evening. After the ships weigh anchor and light up their rigging as they sail off, the nightlife in Cozumel begins.

Although it is not quite as much a party town as Cancún – perhaps because alcohol and diving don’t mix well – it still swings. The hottest eating, dancing and “ass-kicking” party place is Carlos & Charlie’s rooftop dance and grill restaurant, near the ferry dock on Av. Melgar. It’s up a steep set of stairs that guarantees a problem coming back down after a few drinks! Dine on the terrace overlooking the harbor and the main drag below.

When Carlos closes at 1 am the sleepless from Seattle may wander over to find you at Joe’s, a crowded bar and live-music super party place on Av. 10 between 1 & 3 South; or at Raga, the live reggae, salsa and rock music Caribbean restaurant and bar, on Av. Salas between 10 and 15 (opens at 10:30 pm). The oceanfront drive boasts a popular Hard Rock Café and a Planet Hollywood, both smaller and more intimate than their Cancún counterparts.

The latest entry in the late-night fun search is Hooks, a restaurant/bar (see restaurant review, above) that becomes a disco around 10:30 until closing at 3 am. Less strenuous is the Laser Karaoke Bar at the Fiesta Inn Hotel, a little south of the city. Follow the sounds of singing. If you’d rather listen to real singers go to Tony Rome’s (Av. 5 South No. 21), where the duo of Bryan and Tony Rome himself croon relaxing music with two shows nightly at 7:30 and 9:30. Tony’s offers good food and loaded drinks.

If you’re traveling with children or just prefer to party early, the Hotel El Cozumeleño (phone 987/2-00-50) has great nightly beach parties with live music. Locals and visitors alike love to spend hours at night people-watching downtown. If that appeals to you, go to the Aladin Video Bar on the northeast corner of the main square. Actually, any of the plaza-side or street-side places on the island are great for absorbing the environs in the evening .

Discos

The disco dance floors can become very crowded in Cozumel. Scaramouche opens at 9:30 and closes at 3 am, two blocks south of the square on Av. Melgar. Neptuno Disco, five blocks south of the plaza, was remodeled a year or so ago and is always filled with a good mix of locals and tourists who love to dance and mingle. They have huge TV screens and a sharp laser light show.

Our Signature Dolphin Swim allows you to develop a personal relationship with your dolphin in the smallest group sizes anywhere! Take a journey into the intriguing world of the dolphin through amazing face-to-face encounters in which you can touch, feed, play, learn and swim with dolphins.

Your 90 minute journey of discovery transports you to a place where people and dolphins make lifelong connections and dreams of touching and swimming with these magnificent beauties of the ocean come true. Our environment of fun mixed with education and emotion touches hearts and minds in an experience that creates memories to last a lifetime!

The Signature Dolphin Swim begins with an interactive presentation on dolphin characteristics as well as how to use hand signals and positive reinforcement to communicate with your dolphin. Then, in groups of no more than 6 people per dolphin, you will head down to our Dolphin Lagoons for a 40 minute in-water experience with the dolphins.

Interacting with our dolphins leaves a lasting impression on everyone who visits the Dolphin Adventure Center in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, home to over 25 of these amazing marine mammals.

Vallarta Adventures’ Signature Dolphin Swim Program is intimate, exhilarating and enlightening; a personalized experience all rolled into a swirl of shared laughter, caring, and learning. Don’t miss this magical adventure - make your reservations NOW!