A Tropical Getaway Awaits You On The Riviera Maya – The Times

          An hour-and-a-half’s flight from New Orleans are the warm,
white sand beaches of the Mexican Riviera and the crystal blue waters of the
Caribbean Sea. And, while many locals are familiar with the large, beachfront
resorts of Cancun and the cruise ship-friendly shores of Cozumel, few are aware
of the more remote and peaceful resorts tucked along the strip of land south of
Cancun, which the locals call the Riviera Maya.

            Drive along
the road from Cancun to Tulum and you will come across a wealth of resorts
designed to help you de-stress by offering a front-row seat to the natural
wonders of the sea and tropical forest in the area. One of these wonderful spots
is Playa del Carmen.

            Whether you
opt for one of the non-stop, charter flights between New Orleans and Cancun,
which returned to Louis Armstrong International Airport last year, or a
one-stop hop on a traditional carrier such as American or United, you can be on
the road to Playa del Carmen and its laidback resorts in as little as an hour
and a half after taking off. Summertime, non-stop charter flights can be as low
as $343 per person round trip, or opt for an extended-weekend package in the
$550 range.

            Once in
Cancun, a 45-minute drive down the coast toward Cozumel will bring you to a
variety of upscale resorts such as the Viceroy Hotels and Resorts’ Riviera Maya
property. This seaside refuge extends from the azure waters and white sandy
beaches to the primitive tropical forest. The 41-villa luxury resort provides
privacy, unpretentious luxury and first-class amenities perfect for a romantic
getaway or honeymoon.

            Make your
own travel arrangements or let the staff send private transportation to fetch you
from the airport. On your arrival, you’ll marvel at the quiet beauty of this
opulent and exclusive resort hidden away from prying eyes behind lush tropical
foliage. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea from your private villa
or catch the sunrise or moonlit ocean from one of the ocean-side palapa-roofed
cabanas.

            Order a
light lunch or tropical cocktails from the Coral Grill and revel in the fresh
fish tacos and handcrafted cocktails made to order. The resort’s restaurant, La
Marea, can take you on a guided tasting of aged tequilas or pamper you with a
romantic candlelit dinner on the beach.

            Wakeup the
next morning in time for an oceanfront yoga class at the pier or schedule a
personalized Pilates or circuit training class. Follow it up with a holistic
massage that combines exquisite essential oils with the art of reflexology,
deep tissue work and stress-reducing techniques to recharge body and mind. A
variety of massages and treatments highlighting Mayan traditions, local herbs
and the healing effects of copal mud are offered at the spa.

            Once you’ve
had a chance to unwind, let the staff make arrangements for you to explore your
surroundings. Sailing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing
and scuba diving are only a few of the aquatic activities offered here. You
decide just how adventurous you want to be. Learn to scuba dive, go skydiving
or swim with the dolphins. Opt for horseback riding, a jungle tour or a round
of golf, it’s all available nearby.

            Go a little
farther and enjoy a panoramic flight and guided tour of Tulum, this ancient
Maya city is set along the cliffs of the Caribbean and its ruins feature
defense walls, ramparts and a parapet. There’s also the opportunity to traverse
the jungle and paddle a canoe across a lagoon to see spider and howler monkeys.
Climb to the highest point in this biosphere and descend across the lagoon via
a 120-meter-long zip line.

            Perhaps the
best bet is to just lounge around the sundeck of the resort’s lagoon pool, take
a nap in an ocean-side cabana or relax by your villa’s private plunge pool. If
you need more than the dozen-plus oversized bath towels at each villa, call
room service. Additional services include concierge service, laundry service, a
“tropical butler” for iced face towels poolside, dine anywhere/anytime; and a
party/wedding coordinator.

            Viceroy’s
Riviera Maya’s seven miles of beachfront provide the perfect backdrop for not
only for your wedding ceremony and reception, but for cocktail parties,
rehearsal dinners and farewell brunches. There’s even the option to have a
unique Mayan ceremony performed by a shaman that begins with a purification
ritual. The bride is dressed in a traditional handmade Mayan wedding gown and
the groom wears a fine, white linen guayabera. The ceremony is performed in the
Mayan dialect and guidance is given in English.

            Don’t
forget to inquire about the Viceroy’s honeymoon registry and check out how easy
it is to design your custom wedding registry. The resort offers a complimentary
honeymoon registry and wedding website.

            Whether
you’re looking for an easy weekend getaway, a weeklong vacation adventure or a
wedding and honeymoon destination, the accessibility and convenience of Playa
del Carmen and the Viceroy’s Riviera Maya resort make for a winning
combination.