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Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya is a 72-mile stretch along the coast line along the Yucatan Peninsula in the Sate of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The Riviera Maya is located 30 minutes south of Cancun’s International airport and starts from Playa del Secreto all the way to Punta Allen, a small fishing village within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
The region features the tranquility of uncrowded beaches, a vast network of underground rivers, over 100 cenotes, the action of eco-adventure sports including kayaking, mountain biking, scuba diving, snorkeling, trekking, bird watching and deep sea fishing, proximity to many of Mexico's most significant Mayan archeological sites, the varied activities of the eco-archeological parks, plus golf courses, Spa’s, shopping, gourmet dining and a range of accommodations to suit every lifestyle and budget.

TIME: Central standard time, Day-light saving time is not observed.

CLIMATE: The average annual temperature ranges from 77°F (25C) to 86°F (30C).
Cenote water temperature for snorkeling or diving is around 76°F (24°C) year-round.
Offshore water temperatures range from 78°F (26°C) in January to 84°F (29°C) in August. May through November is the rainy season.

SAFETY: Riviera Maya and the Quintana Roo area is very safe to visit, due to the rapid growth of this Destination, unemployment is not an issue. Worldwide renown Mexican hospitality applies to the area, the majority of the people in the service area are bilingual. Like any other beach resort, do not leave money or valuables unattended on public areas.

FAMILIES: If you’re traveling with children, you’ll be pleased to know that all the All inclusive resorts have playgrounds, miniature golf courses and mini theaters with special kids-only entertainment programs. All the tours welcome children while accompanied by their parents.

CURRENCY:  Our official currency is the Mexican Peso (MXP), although the U.S. dollar is accepted almost everywhere. Exchange rate is approximately 10 pesos to 1 USD, depending on the fluctuations of the foreign exchange rate. Credit cards are widely accepted except in smaller establishments, so it is best to travel with travelers' checks and some cash.

BANKING: Most Banks are located on Avenida Juarez in Playa del Carmen. Banks are usually open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Many now have Automatic Teller Machines for 24-hour cash withdrawals in Mexican pesos. Sometimes ATMs are out of service, so plan ahead. American dollars and travelers checks are accepted in many places.
PIN accepted cards at bank machines: Cirrus and Plus systems
Credit card and bank card cash-advance service is available inside the banks.
ATM Machines may be found on the outside of the banks, the cash will come out in Mexican pesos based on the day’s bank exchange rate.

COMMUNICATION:
Telephones
The area code for Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya is 984. All local numbers have seven digits, and all numbers begin with 8. If a number is written (984) 873-1234, when in Riviera Maya you must dial 873-1234. International code while calling from the US dial 011 + 52 . While calling home from Mexico dial 001 before the area code and US phone number.
Internet Access
There are plenty internet café’s in town. All the large hotels offer internet service.
Newspapers
Most hotel gift shops and newsstands carry English-language magazines, and Mexican newspapers in English.
Post Office
The main post office is located in Playa del Carmen on Juarez between 20th and 15th. Open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5pm and Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm

ELECTRICITY:  110V/60 Hz with North American-style outlets

LANGUAGE:  Spanish is the official language and Mayan is the local language, but English, French, Italian and German are also widely spoken.

MEASUREMENTS:  Speed limits are posted in kilometers. Dive operators generally use both feet/psi and meters/bars when communicating dive data.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:   Proof of citizenship is necessary to cross the border into Mexico. Either a current passport, birth certificate or voter's registration will suffice (for citizens not arriving from USA and Canada please check with your local consulate or embassy). Minors traveling alone or with one parent need notarized consent from their parent(s) indicating that the parent(s) who have legal custody knowingly approve of the child's visit to Mexico. Upon arrival, visitors are given a Tourist Card that must be turned in upon departure at the airport. At that time, a departure tax is charged and payable in U.S. dollars or Mexican pesos.

TAXES & SERVICE CHARGES
A 10% value-added tax called IVA is added to all goods and services within the State, including hotel rooms and rental cars. Be sure to ask if the tax is included in the quoted price on the menu in restaurants.

TIPS: It’s customary to leave 10 to 20% in tips, depending on service.

TAXIS AND DISTANCES: ( rates are approximate) FROM PLAYA DEL CARMEN:
To Xcaret: 7 kms / 4 miles / 7 minutes / Taxi $6 US
To Puerto Aventuras: 19 kms / 11 miles / 18 minutes / Taxi $11 US
To Akumal: 32 kms / 20 miles / 28 minutes / Taxi $17 US
To Xel Há: 49 kms / 30 miles / 43 minutes / Taxi $21 US
To Tulúm: 62 kms / 39 miles / 55 minutes / Taxi $27 US
To Valladolid: 160 kms (Playa-Tulúm-Cobá-Chemax) / 99 miles / 2 hours
To Puerto Morelos: 32 kms / 20 miles / 28 minutes / Taxi $17 US
To Cancún: 67 kms / 42 miles / 1 hour / Taxi $30 - 35 US
To Paamul: 17 kms / 10.5 miles / 15 minutes / Taxi $10 US
To Coba: Taxi $50 US

The travel times are those which it normally takes, based on an average speed of 80 to 110 kilometers per hour, the maximum limit authorized, and on the current conditions of the highways.
If you want to convert from kilometers ( kms ) to miles, multiply the kilometers by 0.6214
If you want to convert from miles to kilometers, multiply the miles by 1.6093

DRIVING:  Rental cars and taxis are available. Driving is on the right. There are several car rental companies, r ates will depend on availability, size and type of car. You will be expected to pay for any gas, insurance, taxes, or extra equipment.

GETTING THERE:  Several air carriers and charters offer direct services to Cancun.

DRESS:  Casual dress is the norm for the Riviera Maya. Cover-ups are required when leaving the beach areas. Some restaurants have dress codes that prohibit sandals and require men to wear long pants. During the winter months (December. through march) temperature may drop at night. Light Sweaters are recommended and comfortable shoes while going on tours.

MEDICAL:  A recompression chamber is located in Playa del Carmen. Air evacuation is available from the Cancun airport or the small airport in Playa del Carmen.

WEDDING REQUIREMENTS:
For the Religious Service / Mass depending on the Religion you wish to be married under, the majority of the hotels have their own contacts according to your needs. As well as for flower arrangements, video, photography, and all of your specific needs.

Required for civil office:
Home address and occupations (bride & groom)
Birth Certificates (original or certified copy of each one)
Valid Passports (although passports are not reacquired for US citizens to enter into Mexico,they are mandatory for weddings)
Original blood test (to determine blood type, HIV and STD) Tests must be taken in Mexico and results are ready within 24 hrs. (approximate fee of $50 USD)
Original or certified copy of former spouse’s death (if applicable)
Original divorce decree (if applicable)
Legal documentation of adoption or name change (if applicable)
Tourist ID (provided by customs upon arrival at Cancun International Airport)
Name, age, nationality, home address, occupation, passport and tourist ID of 4 witnesses. Witnesses must arrive 2 days prior to ceremony if they are traveling from abroad.
Bride and Groom must arrive at least 3 working days prior to the wedding ceremony to submit all documents. Ceremony cannot proceed unless all documents are in order. (no exceptions)
If the Bride or Groom are Mexican, additional documents are required.

TOURS AND ATTRACTIONS:

FIFTH AVENUE:
It’s the main street where you will find bars, restaurantes (mexican and international food), shops, a variety of services offered to visitors and you will feel the cosmopolita atmosphere. This famous five Avenue is just a block from the beatiful turquose sea ! Since this street is pedrestian, any kind of vehicules are allowed.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES:
Muyil – Coba – Tulum – are the most visitated Archaelogical Sites in the Riviera Maya.
Mostly open from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm from Monday to Friday. The Entrance is from 27 to 35 mexican pesos approx.

ECO-ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARKS:
Riviera Maya is a destination blessed by nature. These parks contain the three most wonderful features of Riviera Maya: Lush jungle, underground rivers that lead to the ocean and the flora and fauna of the region.
XCARET more than a park it’s an experiencefor all your senses. Immerse yourself in tradition, nature, wonder, adventure and beauty in one of the world’s most unique and friendly eco-archaeological parks.
XEL-HA The Park is open at their  regular schedules  from 9:00 to 17:30 hrs. You are welcome! Come enjoy the world's most spectacular Natural aquarium: Xel-Ha , a nature lover's paradise. Embark on an aquatic adventure, Explore creeks, lagoons, natural wells and ancient caves fed by subterranean rivers flowing to Mexico's beautiful Caribbean Sea.

TOURS :
If you like adventure, there are plenty of activities you can do, from jungle riding ATV`s, Kayaking ,Trekings , Visits to protected natural reserves , Rappel , Zip-lines , swimming in sea and cenotes, Snorkel in caverns, scuba diving, diving in cenotes (caverns) Sian Kha’an natural biosphere reserve, Harley Davidson Motorcycle tours, Archaeological Sites, the list is endeless......for further information..Tours Destination Riviera Maya

 GOLF:
The following courses are open in Riviera Maya:
PLAYACAR GOLF CLUB:This is an 18 hole, par 72 championship golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge. This course is carved through the lush Mayan jungle where it awaits any golfer to come and tame it. Driving range and putting green.
PUERTO AVENTURAS GOLF COURSE: Open from 7:30 am until 3:00 pm.
Marina, Tennis / Golf Club. Features a par 36, 9 hole course designed by Thomas Leeman. Maximum length 3,236 yards. Also features a putting green.