The Travel Gallery

Here’s our monthly gallery showcasing some of the region’s many natural and historical attractions. How many have you visited?  Which ones would you like to explore on future visits to Cancun and the Riviera Maya?

Cancun Underwater Sculpture Museum (MUSA)

The Cancun-Isla Mujeres National Marine Park has an iconic attraction to offer snorkelers, the Underwater Sculpture Museum (MUSA).  Over the years, over 500 statues by British sculptor Jason deCaires-Taylor and artists from Cancun, have been submerged in “galleries” at Punta Nizuc and Manchones Reef. Corals, algae and brightly colored sponges have colonized them, completely transforming them into living art and they are now a habitat for lobsters, octopus and a variety of fish including sergeant majors, butterfly and damsel fish, blue tangs and angel fish.

Akumal

“The place of the turtles” in Maya, Akumal is a picture-perfect palm-lined bay protected by offshore reefs. Green and loggerhead turtles swim among the corals and graze on sea grass beds in the shallow waters and you may be lucky enough to spot one while snorkeling. For more snorkeling adventures head for Half Moon Bay and Yalku lagoon to the north of Akumal.

Muyil

A 20-minute drive south of Tulum along Highway 307, Muyil is the largest of the 23 archaeological sites found to date in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Still covered by jungle creepers, its crumbling temples lie in clearings that are a short walk away from the Muyil or Chunyaxche Lagoon. In ancient times, Muyil was a shipping point for trade goods from Central America and the Caribbean, which were transported inland to the cities of the Yucatan. The Maya widened and dredged a natural canal winding through the mangroves to Boca Paila on the coast for their trading canoes to use.

Xplor Park

Spend a fun-packed day at this Riviera Maya adventure park. Fly through the air on two different zip line circuits, one of which is the highest in the area. Splash down into a cenote. Swim and steer a raft in an underground river flowing through spectacular caves and board an amphibious vehicle for a thrilling drive through the jungle. There is also an evening trip called Xplor Fuego where you get to zip line under the stars and explore the forest.

Your Concierge can help you arrange tours to these locations and many more throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.