Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe

Mexico offers visitors the chance to explore its wealth of natural landscapes of rivers, lakes and freshwater lagoons, Mayan archaeological ruins and pyramids. Guests will also love its delicious gastronomic specialties and the friendliness of its people - all of this within 1,964,375 square kilometers of terrain.

Along its 11,122 kilometers of coastline, bathed by the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, you'll find countless beaches and fabulous bays. Mexico also boasts numerous protected natural areas and 16 UNESCO World Heritage sites. This country, so rich in resources and with such a privileged location, offers a harmonious combination of nature and culture in an earthly paradise blessed with a delightfullly warm climate.

The Riviera Maya lies to the south of Cancun on the Yucatán Peninsula. Here you can visit several archaeological sites from the ancient Mayan culture and enjoy endless kilometers of fine sandy beaches, tiny coves and delightful bays, all bathed by the crystalline turquoise waters of the exotic Caribbean Sea which turns silver in the moonlight.

Culture and beauty come together in this special place, with a multitude of natural parks filled with exotic vegetation and a gloriously long coastline off of which lies the second largest coral reef in the world.

 Sian Ka'an. An ecological reserve that is unique in the world for the diversity of biological species which inhabit it.

Xcaret. A natural park with a fabulous night-time Mexican folklore show and a traditional "pelota" game played by the Mayans. Boasting a multitude of natural species, it is a perfect location for lovers of nature and scuba-diving enthusiasts.

Xel-Ha. A beautiful natural eco-park crossed by rivers, offering a dolphin show as well as an archaeological site where a number of buildings and monuments and a Mayan road, or "sacbé", can be seen.

Aktunchen. A cave with an artificial lagoon known as a "cenote" forming part of an ecological reserve that is home to numerous animal species and large numbers of stalactites and stalagmites.

Playa del Carmen. A picturesque village with a wide range of bars, restaurants and shops selling local crafts and souvenirs.

Tulum. One of the most beautiful archaeological spots on the Riviera Maya, combining the mysteries of ancient Mayan culture with the stunningly unique beauty of the Caribbean Sea.

Coba. Archaeological center close to Tulum, this was one of the Mayan cities of the classical period.

Mexican gastronomy is one of the tastiest and most varied in the world. Tortas (flour tortilla wraps) form the basis of its cuisine, which features grilled meats with spicy sauces, salads, legumes and a wide variety of delicious fruits.

Octopus, calamari and shrimp, marinated in lemon, grilled, fried in bread-crumbs or served in sauce, as well as flavorful freshly-caught lobsters in the coastal regions, are other mouth-watering examples of the country's gastronomy.

Highlights of Riviera Maya gastronomy include pork-based dishes such as "Cochinita Pibil" (baked marinated pork) and "Poc-chuc" (mixed grill), steamed tamales, "Tikin-xic" (fish marinated in anchiote and sour orange) and a wide variety of succulent shellfish.

These and other more international specialties can be found in the restaurants of the Riviera Maya and on Fifth Avenue of Playa del Carmen.

Genuine wonders of traditional craftsmanship can be found in Mexico, made from ceramics, copper, leather, fabric and macramé.

Taxco's exquisite silver creations are a fine example of expert Mexican silvermaking.

The most popular souvenirs from the Riviera Maya are hats, straw bags, Mayan figurines and silver and ceramics from Talavera, as well as typical Mexican liquors such as tequila, mezcal and xtabentun.

Time Zone: UTC - 7.

Official Currency: The official currency is the Mexican Peso although US dollars are accepted in most parts of the country. 1 US$ = Approx. 10 Pesos.

Official Language: Spanish, although English is widely used.

Population: Approximately 87 million inhabitants.

Electricity/font>:The electricity supply is 110 V. Plugs have 3 flat prongs.

Payment options: VISA and American Express credit cards are accepted in most establishments and travelers checks are also widely accepted.

Banking Hours: Monday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. .