5 Yucatan Beach Towns Ideal For Your Best Late Summer/Fall Vacation

Summer vacations are most people’s favorites, since they’re the longest of the year and, consequently, the most enjoyable. Taking this into account, we’d like to share some information about five of the most paradisiacal beaches in Yucatan, ideal for long summer vacations in the land of the Maya.

Seafood and serenity in Sisal

One of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, or “Magical Towns,” Sisal — located in the municipality of Hunucmá — is a fishing port by tradition. In fact, it’s fishing that drives this town, and the freshness of its seafood lends an excellent flavor to all the dishes prepared in its restaurants that visitors find so enchanting. In colonial times, Sisal was also the main trading seaport for the rest of Yucatán. For this reason, the historical fort and lighthouse were built, and today they’re some of its main tourist attractions.

Just outside of town, guided kayak tours through nearby reserves are the best option for nature lovers and ecotourism aficionados. Bird watching and mangrove tours are other nature-based activities visitors will enjoy. In Sisal, peace and tranquility help summer vacationers reconnect with themselves, their loved ones and Mother Earth.

Exotic adventure in Celestun

Celestun is home to freshwater springs hidden in natural tunnels, formed by mangrove roots, where swimmers can cool off. The Baldiosera Spring, ton ame one, is the largest concentration of fresh water within the mangroves and is equipped with small docks that ease visitor access to the site.

It also has an extraordinary, petrified forest called Tampetén and Punta Ninúm, where clams and miniature shrimp abound. Here, 234 different species of mammals inhabit the estuary; among the main ones are the ocelot, jaguar, ocelot and spider monkey, which are considered endangered species, along with three species of sea turtles and two species of crocodiles.

Beautiful and exquisite Río Lagartos

This gorgeous beach town boasts what’s undoubtedly some of the most exotic scenery in the entire state, located right at the entrance of a wildlife reserve known as Río Lagartos (Parque Natural Reserva Río Lagartos).

If visitors are looking for a moment of adventure, we recommend the night tour by boat through the water channels of the estuary, under the light of the moon and the stars, observing crocodiles in their natural habitat — with all the necessary precautions, of course!

During the day, when hunger strikes, visitors head for Río Lagartos’ boardwalk to enjoy ceviche de chivitas, one of the most emblematic dishes of the region. The chivita is a local mollusk still harvested by artisanal Mayan fishery techniques, making it a much appreciated and delicious product.

Last but not least, a boat ride in the biosphere reserve to meet the American pink flamingo — considered an icon of the destination — is a must

Challenging adventure in El Cuyo

At the northeastern tip of Yucatán, three hours from state capital Mérida, lies this small port in the municipality of Tizimin, part of the Río Lagartos reserve and a top site for ecotourism and adventure.

In this seaside town, visitors will find several cozy hotels, ideal for couples, as well as several restaurants. It is also characterized by the urban murals that adorn the walls of stores and houses.

Those who just want to relax can take a quiet stroll to the white sand beach and turquoise sea, or camp at the seashore. For active travelers looking for paddleboarding, kitesurfing or ATV rides, El Cuyo is the best option.

Succulent and award-winning Puerto Progreso

This beach destination has worked its way up to become one of Yucatán’s favorite destinations for visitors who come to this paradisiacal destination seeking adventure and extraordinary scenery. The port has two boardwalks. The Traditional Boardwalk is home to a variety of activities for local families.

Meanwhile, at the end of the Chocolate Pier, visitors will find the beginning of the International Boardwalk, 2 kilometers chock-full of chances to spend incredible moments with family or friends. Highlights include its beautiful carousel and incredible Ferris Wheel; spaces for beach sports such as soccer, volleyball and basketball; and even a chapel ideal for lovebirds looking to seal their commitment under a beautiful sunset. Another key draw in Puerto Progreso is the fact that its boardwalk and beaches have been awarded coveted Blue Flag status.

Before booking your vacation, visit www.yucatan.travel and choose the most incredible beaches of Yucatán to enjoy an extraordinary summer, select some of the activities of the 365 Days in Yucatán campaign and discover why this is the favorite destination for 2024.

Merida, Capital Of Mexico’s Yucatan State, Among 5 ‘Best Large Cities’ At Condé Nast 2022 Readers Choice Awards

The only Mexican city on this year’s list, Yucatecan colonial gem makes top 10 for second year running

Readers of Condé Nast Traveler have selected the Mexican city of Merida as one of this year’s “Best Large Cities” in the world, thanks to its attractions, culture and extensive promotion of the state of Yucatán as a destination. Announced the morning of Oct. 4, 2022, Mérida’s ranking came in among the first four places in the 2022 Readers Choice Awards.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards, launched more than three decades ago, are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry.

In 2021, the Yucatecan capital became part of the “Large Cities” category in the prestigious awards, ranking at No. 6. This year’s edition sees Merida move up two spots to No. 4. The only Mexican city in the top 5 of the list, the charming yet cosmopolitan Yucatecan capital joins Singapore; Bangkok, Thailand; Tokyo, Japan; and Quebec City in Canada in the top-ranked urban quintet.

In 2019, Merida ranked No. 1 at the Condé Nast Traveler Readers Choice Awards in the category of "Small Cities," garnering more than 600,000 votes; it maintained its position on the list in 2020.

In 2022, attributes that earned Merida reader recognition and admiration are not only its storied urban streets, full of colorful, Spanish colonial-era facades but also the Maya history and heritage that imbues each of its corners, as well as nearby Yucatecan attractions such as the UNESCO Heritage sites of Uxmal and Chichen Itza. Also not to be missed are the Gulf Coast beaches at Progreso, as well as the state’s art and gastronomy, which undoubtedly captivate visitors who set foot in the intriguing Yucatecan capital.

The administration of Yucatan Gov. Mauricio Vila Dosal has promoted the transformation of the state’s tourism sector, ensuring its benefits reach the entire territory through the diversification of products, mainly within Yucatan, in order to reactivate local economies and create jobs for Yucatecan families.

As part of the promotion of Yucatan as an ideal place to visit, the state has participated in international travel industry events and fairs — taking along a little taste of what it has to offer — and campaigns such as “365 Days in Yucatan” and “365 Flavors of Yucatan” have been launched, seeking to promote the great variety of activities and gastronomy available statewide.

For more information, please visit: https://yucatan.travel/

State Of Yucatan Continues Tourism Reactivation Plan With New Offerings

MERIDA, Yucatan, Mexico — Following the successful completion of its “365 Days of Yucatan” campaign, the state of Yucatan has announced further work as part of its reactivation plan. The 365 Days of Yucatan effort took place in 2021 and 2022, during which time 365 tourism products — many developed specifically as part of the campaign — were promoted to local, national and international visitors, and helped return visitor numbers to pre-pandemic levels.

In the past two months, the state’s Ministry of Tourism (SEFOTUR) has announced a number of the newest additions to Yucatan’s tourism offerings, including the Sendero Jurasico. Situated close to Chicxulub — the impact crater of a large asteroid that hit Earth with tremendous force 66 million years ago. The park features replicas of many of these now-extinct animals. The Yucatan has also expanded its share of the destination weddings market with its variety of indoor and outdoor venues and the start of legal same-sex marriages and has developed adrenaline-fueled, outdoors activity routes across its many regions.

This month, SEFOTUR also launched its newest campaign, “365 Flavors of Yucatan.” Promoted under the hashtag #YucatanIsFlavor, the campaign aims to increase awareness of the state's culinary offerings, rich cultural history and modern gastronomy as an important part of its tourism offer. It positions Yucatan as one of Mexico's foodie destinations in an effort to expand tourism to all regions of the state and develop new products.

The state of Yucatan will be on-site in San Diego and Los Angles from July 11th to the 22nd promoting their culinary campaign as well as participating in Mexico's General Consulate in San Diego's "Bridge to Mexico" campaign which will feature the state of Yucatan in a number of activities, including the opening of "House of Mexico" in the Hall of Nations at Balboa Park, a booth on Little Italy's Farmers Market and very special participation at this year's Comic-Con 2022 with the presence of local animated celebrity Donia Way and the state's flamingos.

Back in the state of Yucatan, one area of great change is the Yucatan Riviera, which has seen an increase in boutique hotels, Airbnb rentals, beach clubs and event spaces. One of the most promoted projects is the expansion of the Puerto Progreso cruise port; cargo ships carrying up to 100,000 tons of freight and passenger ships with up to 8,000 passengers will be able to call at the port. There is also a letter of intent with Fincantieri to build the largest shipyard in all of the Americas through an investment of more than $400 million.

Yucatan has been proactively courting the cruise industry since its attendances at the 2018 iteration of the annual Florida and Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference with a delegation of state decision-makers, including Vila Dosal and Fridman.

From January to April of this year, 48 cruise ships arrived in Yucatan, transporting a total of 142,228 passengers. More than 100 cruises are scheduled to call at Progreso this year, including Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Enchantment of the Seas, which arrived on June 10 from Galveston, Texas, with 2,284 passengers and a crew of 861 people Carnival Ecstasy which called on the port on July 7th with 3,267 people on board.

Despite a welcome increase in tourism to the beach areas of the Yucatan Riviera, government initiatives and education efforts have helped not only maintain but enhance the health of the area’s environment. This month, it was announced that the seven main Yucatecan beaches have reduced their solid waste contamination by up to 94% and had received platinum certification for the second year in a row by the Mexican Institute for Standardization and Certification. This includes the beaches of Río Lagartos, Celestún, Telchac, Sisal, Cancunito, San Felipe and El Cuyo.

Airlift is also increasing to Merida International Airport (MID). This month, it was announced that a new daily direct flight from Mexico City’s Toluca Airport will start on Sept. 9 with Viva Aerobus. With this new route, Yucatan increases the number of available direct national air routes to nine. Air route recovery now exceeds 100% of the supply of seats that had been available on domestic routes prior to the pandemic. International routes have recovered part of pre-pandemic frequencies, with direct and non-stop flights to Merida from Dallas, Houston, Miami, Oakland and Tijuana/San Diego.

In addition, new air routes connecting the Guatemalan city of Flores operated by TAG Airlines expands access across the Maya World, and the reactivation of the flight from León Guanajuato to Mérida, operated by Volaris, connects two of the most historically rich states on Mexico’s map.

On June 13, the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory for Mexico, pointing out that there is no restriction on the state of Yucatan. “Exercise normal precautions,” the advisory reads. “There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state.”

For more inforation, please visit: https://yucatan.travel/en/

Mérida, Capital Of The State Of Yucatán Is A Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021 Winner For 5th Year In A Row

The capital City of the state of Merida ranked as one of the top Mexican Cities in this year’s Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021 making this the 5th time the city appears on the Mexico’s Top City in the annual survey.

The awards, announced this morning recognize the top hotels, islands, cities, cruise lines, airlines, spas and more around the globe, based on the results of its annual readers’ survey. Readers rated cities on the following characteristics: sights/landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value.

Home to a thriving Mayan community, culture and gastronomy rooted in the colonial era, and some of the best architecture in Mexico, the state of Yucatán is a must-see for anyone looking to emerge themselves in Mexican culture. The state capital, Mérida, also known as the White City, offers a unique duality of ancient Mayan culture and modern facilities. A popular destination in Mexico, Mérida is an excellent base of operations for visiting the rest of the state and its remote destinations, which include the Yucatan Riviera, Cenotes and Haciendas, Puerto Maya, and the Mayan World Capital.

Merida is full of history, music, and color. The Historic Center of the city is the second largest in Mexico and, among its streets, visitors will find large and beautiful French-style buildings that are testimony to the luxurious life that their owners led in centuries past. Cenotes, haciendas, cultural cities, pristine beaches and nature are the perfect cross section of all that Mexico has to offer.

“This year has been exceptionally challenging for the tourism industry; airlines, agencies and destinations have been in this together, ”said Michelle Fridman, Minister of Tourism for the State of Yucatán. "To be included in the prestigious World's Best Awards by Travel + Leisure as one of the best cities in Mexico and Latin America, especially this year, is a real honor. T + L readers have traveled a lot and, with their votes , have chosen Mérida for the fifth consecutive year as one of the main destinations to visit,” she added.

The state of Yucatan has remained proactive in ensuring the biosafety of its local community and visitors. After closing itself to visitors, it quickly developed a health and safety certificate which was soon after verified with the Safe Travels Seal from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), and creating a safe bubble for visitors.

Merida’s international airport (MID) has seen an increase in arrivals. Earlier this year it was announced that 100% of international flights had returned to the airport and this week, Aeroméxico announced that it would almost double weekly connections between Mexico City and Mérida to 33, resulting in the arrival of 3,267 passengers a week to Yucatán. Volaris also continues with a gradual increase in operations to and from Merida, bringing service to a total of 45 flights this July, a 60% increase over last June.

Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021 is featured in the October issue of Travel + Leisure, on newsstands Sept. 17, and at www.travelandleisure.com.

State of Yucatán Gets 2 New ‘Magical Towns’With Designation Of Sisal And Maní By SECTUR

MÉRIDA, Yucatán — Dec. 1, 2020 — The state of Yucatán announced this afternoon that two of its municipalities, Sisal and Maní, have been awarded the designation “Pueblo Mágico,” or Magical Town, by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR), a development Governor Mauricio Vila Dosal and his cabinet have been working towards, as the last Yucatecan town to win inclusion in the program was Valladolid, in 2012. The state’s only other city in the program is Izamal, which was designated a Magical Town in February 2002. “Yucatán adds two new municipalities under the name of Pueblos Mágicos, which will undoubtedly mean a greater economic benefit for its 42,000 inhabitants,” said Michelle Fridman, minister of tourism for the state of Yucatán. “The appointment will promote tourism with a social focus, by fostering fair and balanced progress in the communities, which will diversify the opportunities for marketing its tourism offer and sustainable development.”

Maní, located 62 miles southeast of Mérida, is home to a vibrant, living Maya culture. The town is noted for its architecture, exemplified by the church and convent of San Miguel Arcángel, built in the 16th century using the stones of pre-Hispanic Mayan buildings. In addition, Maní is renowned for its community of artisans dedicated to making and embroidering blouses, suits and traditional huipiles garments, as well as its gastronomy. Visitors must try poc chuc, a pork dish prepared in citrus marinade and cooked over a grill. Sisal, meanwhile, is a beautiful coastal town located within the municipality of Hunucmá, 30 minutes northwest of Mérida. It offers several ecotourism options, as it is located between two natural reserves. Sisal, as its name might suggest, was Yucatán’s main maritime port during the “Green Gold” boom era of henequen production. Like Maní, Sisal boasts unbeatable local cuisine.

The promotion of Maní, Sisal and other locations are part of the Sustainable Development Plan of the state of Yucatán’s Ministry of Tourism, which promotes the decentralization of tourism so that the benefits derived from the activity permeate across the state. A Magical Town is a town that, through time and in the face of modernity, has preserved its value and cultural and historical heritage and manifests it in various expressions through its irreplaceable tangible and intangible heritage, in addition to meeting the requirements of permanence in the program. It has allowed 121 destinations, in 31 states of Mexico, to work in the promotion and development of these within the tourism offering. Some of the benefits including the generation of new jobs; the national positioning of the destination through the Pueblos Mágicos brand; commercialization of local artisan products; integration of tourism development plans and strengthening of tourism infrastructure; generation of investment in the sector; revaluation of regional culture and customs; and the increase in the arrival of tourists and visitors that will generate greater economic income. To achieve this recognition, it is necessary to cover many requirements and carry out different processes required by SECTUR.

State of Yucatan’s Capital, Merida, Recognized at Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Award As One Of The “Best Small Cities In The World”

 

Ministry of Tourism is Currently Celebrating its position as Mexico’s New It Destination
 

Merida, Yucatan – Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan once again being recognized as one of the “Best Small Cities in the World”. Merida was one of only two Mexican destinations to be included on the cites list, large of small. Chablé Yucatán was also recognized as one of the Best Resorts in Eastern Mexico, the only property on the list not in Quintana Roo.
 
Yucatán’s capital, Mérida, offers a unique duality of both ancient Mayan culture and modern facilities. Also known as the White City, Mérida is full of history, music, and color. The Historic Center is the second-largest in Mexico and, among its streets, visitors will find large and beautiful French-style buildings that are a testament to the luxurious lives their owners led in past centuries. A popular destination in Mexico, Mérida makes an excellent home base for visiting the rest of the state and its remote destinations, where social distancing is a way of life rather than a concerted effort.
 
Mexico’s newest It destinations because of its diversity in sustainable tourism products, its Ministry of Tourism turned two years under the current administration October 1^st, a period of great results for the state’s tourism industry. This is reflected in the more than 3.2 million visitors who arrived by land and sea in 2019. This number — a record for Yucatán, including more than 2 million overnight visitors — represented an increase of 14.5% in overall arrivals and a 26.9% jump in international visitors over the previous year. Yucatán maintained positive numbers until the first two months of 2020, prior to the Covid-19 crisis, with an increase of 9.1% in the arrival of overnight visitors compared to the same period in 2019, when it registered the arrival of 344,978 tourists.
 
Regarding air connectivity, 104,000-plus seats and six new routes that opened new markets to Yucatán have been added. Today, the international airport of capital city Mérida is doubling the capacity of its air terminal through important infrastructure improvements.
 
To date, there is more than 770 MD of private tourism investment in hotels, restaurants, marinas, tourist parks and tourist products, among others. This is possible thanks to constant work on all the issues that give certainty and confidence to investors, such as strengthening security and various regulatory improvements, as well as the introduction of tax incentives for investors in the interior of the state.
 
The Ministry of Tourism of Yucatán invested nearly 2.7 MD in the urban improvements in the tourist area of Puerto Progreso to provide visitors and cruise passengers with recreation areas, as well as the installation of a modern lighting system at the port dock. With these improvements, the arrival of more than 40 additional cruise ships from different international shipping companies was completed for 2020 and 2021. The previous year, the cruise segment saw an increase of 6.1% with the arrival of 146 cruise ships carrying 470,418 passengers.
 
One of the main goals of the Ministry of Tourism of Yucatán ongoing efforts is innovation with a sustainable vision. More than 60 new tourism products have been developed and integrated in the state’s six tourism regions, covering market segments such as nature, culture, gastronomy, beach, adventure and “urban premium,” among others. With this effort, it was possible to highlight — and bring tourism products to — places like Tekax, which saw a new tourism surge, increasing its visitor numbers by 300%. Today, the historical city — briefly the state capital, in 1845 — has new investments and more qualified personnel.
 
More than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe.
 
“The results of this year’s survey, conducted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, are a testament to the lasting power of meaningful travel experience,” said Jesse Ashlock, U.S. Editor of Condé Nast Traveler. “The winners represent the best of the best for our audience and offer plenty of trip-planning inspiration for all the adventures we can’t wait to have next.”
 
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry. The full list of winners can be found here.
 
The 2020 Readers' Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler's website at
 www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler US and UK print editions.

State of Yucatán Continues Tourism Reopening With High Standards Of Bio-Security

During September, the state of Yucatán took a giant step in its reopening of tourist activities, operations in congress and convention centers, and increased capacity in hotels and restaurants

 During September, the state of Yucatán took a giant step in its reopening of tourist activities, operations in congress and convention centers, and increased capacity in hotels and restaurants

MÉRIDA, Yucatán — The state of Yucatán entered the second phase of its tourism reactivation plan in September, successfully reopening cenotes and archeological sites, including Chichén Itzá; most tourist activities and tours; and haciendas, hotels and restaurants, along with limited operation of its congress and conventions centers — all under strict compliance with new sanitary measures and regulations. All businesses must be certified with the Certificate of Good Sanitary Practices developed by the Ministry of Tourism of the state of Yucatán and undergo an on-site review of their facilities by the Yucatán Health Secretariat (SSY). The certification program was approved by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and its “Safe Travels stamp” effort.

To date, more than 1,200 companies and tourist sites in the state of Yucatán have registered to obtain the certification, with 400 already completing the process — after which they also obtain the WTTC Safe Travel stamp. It’s recommended prospective visitors visit website Yucatan.travel/certificado-bupsy, where they can find in detail the activities and certified operators with whom they can plan their visit to Yucatán.
On Sept. 7, Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) started to open archeological sites found across the state, including iconic Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, at limited capacities. Yucatán’s meetings and conventions sector will start its reactivation, gradually and also with limited capacity, starting Oct. 12.

As part of the reactivation campaign, the Ministry of Tourism, which is headed by Michelle Fridman Hirsch, maintained active communication with heads of different local, national and international tourism entities to keep the destination top of mind as tourism beginning to reopen. A promotional campaign was launched, with destination presentations to wholesalers and retail travel agencies. In addition, a public relations campaign was maintained to continue the destination’s position within the domestic Mexican market, while a U.S. and Canadian campaign aimed at communicating the steps of the reopening process, as well as the latest news from Yucatán, is planned.

One of the most important activities the Ministry took part in this year was the first-ever digital edition of Mexico’s annual Tianguis Turístico travel trade confab. During the event, the state of Yucatán gave two keynote conferences, presented a new brand and website, and presented both its tourism offerings in its different geographic regions and its reactivation campaigns. The Yucatecan delegation, made up of 90 representatives, made 3,027 business appointments and an estimated 150 additional appointments after the Tianguis Turístico Digital. Three Yucatecan companies were winners of the "Recognition for the Diversification of the Mexican Tourism Product 2020" award granted by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism of Yucatán has also remained in permanent contact with airlines, supporting their promotional strategies in order to contribute to the recovery of destinations and flight frequencies. To the date, 108 of the 213 flights that operated last February, prior to the Covid-19 crisis, have been recovered, representing just over 50% of frequencies on domestic flights, and the recovery trend is expected to continue with more frequencies soon to be added in October. One of particular importance is the daily flight from Miami International Airport with American Airlines, which will once again connect the U.S. and Canada with Mérida.
 
Mérida International Airport is operating more than 100 weekly flights with different airlines that have placed their trust in the state, thanks to its work to remain a safe destination, and have decided to increase and re-incorporate routes and frequencies to Yucatán.
 
Interjet recently unveiled the new Mérida-Tuxtla Gutiérrez-Mérida route with a weekly frequency. Volaris has increased its weekly flight frequency Mexico City-Mérida from 14 to 16 flights. From Guadalajara-Mérida, Volaris will increase from three to four while maintaining its frequencies with Monterrey (two flights) and Tijuana (two flights). Aeroméxico raised the number of weekly flights from 33 to 40 from Mexico City to Mérida, while VivaAerobus will increase its weekly frequencies from seven to 12 on its Mexico-Mérida route and will increase one flight on its Monterrey Mérida route, preserving its weekly flight frequencies Guadalajara-Mérida (three flights), Veracruz-Mérida (two flights) and Tuxtla-Mérida (two flights).
 

 
The State of Yucatán is a state rich in diversity of natural, cultural and heritage attractions. Impressive cenotes and 378 kms of beautiful beaches, a wide and varied fauna; archaeological sites with worldwide relevance such as Chichén Itzá and Uxmal, a cultural mosaic where the living culture of the Mayas stands out; vast and exquisite gastronomy, colonial cities, magical towns, culture and much more. It connects directly with some of the main airports within Mexico and internationally with the cities of Havana, Miami, Houston, and Toronto. For more information, please visit yucatan.travel.

For Your Post Coronaviris Travels: New Henequén Cultural Experience with Private Helicopter to Merida Available this Summer & Beyond at Grand Velas Riviera Maya

   Guests staying at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya this summer and beyond can embark on a journey back in time by exploring a historic Yucatan landmark with the resort’s new Henequén Experience.

The adventure begins with a private helicopter ride to the Hacienda Sotuta de Peon, a revived hacienda built in the late 1800s located just outside of the Yucatan’s vibrant capital, Merida. Over the course of three and a half hours, guests will dive into the deep-rooted history behind the henequen plant, known for transforming the Yucatan economy and cultural landscape in the 19^th century. While on property, guests will also tour the hacienda’s surrounding plantation on a carriage pulled by mules, stop and swim in the Dzul Ha, a Yucatan freshwater cenote, and more.

Upon return to Grand Velas Riviera Maya, travelers will partake in the resort’s signature ancestral beverage tasting featuring Mexico’s ancient liquors like bacanora, sotol, tuxca, and pox. Following, guests will enjoy a private dinner in the resort’s Mayan restaurant, Chaká, which offers modern Yucatecan dishes inspired by the region’s traditional cuisine. Standout menu items include tender leaves on papaya with piloncillo honey, toasted seeds, fresh tomatoes, sour orange vinaigrette with Xtabentun, short rib "Pibil Style," sausage Risotto from Valladolid, Huitlacoche Salbute, Cochinita juice, cream cheese "Gallo Azul", semi-bitter cocoa crumble, caramel ice cream, and more.

Accommodations are offered in the resort’s tranquil Zen Grand Suites, which boast private terraces and overlooking the sacred jungle landscape, fully stocked mini-bars, Jacuzzi tubs, Nespresso coffee makers, 24-hour concierge service, and more.

The four-night Henequen Tour Experience costs $3,488 USD per person for 2 people. Rates are per person based on double occupancy and include luxury suite accommodations, à la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, fitness center, taxes, gratuity and more.  The experience is available from April 26 until December 18, 2020. Blackout dates are from Nov 21 to 28, 2020. For reservations or additional information, call 1-888-407-4869, or visit https://rivieramaya.grandvelas.com.

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:

A member of the Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts Program and Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico is an ultra-luxury all-inclusive. Guests can choose accommodations among oceanfront, ocean view and a Zen-like setting, embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula’s jungle and mangroves. All 539 suites are more than 1,100 sq. ft., with balconies and some with private plunge pools. Eight restaurants, including five gourmet offerings, present a tour through Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cocina de Autor, at the hands of world-renowned celebrity chefs Bruno Oteiza and Mikel Alonso, holds the AAA Five Diamond Award, the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to win this prestigious distinction. Included on Forbes Travel Guide’s list of The World’s Most Luxurious Spas, SE Spa is known for its authentic Mexican treatments, offerings from around world and signature seven-step Water Ceremony. Other features include 24-hour Personal Concierge; 24/7 in-suite service; three swimming pools; two fitness centers; water sports; innovative Kids’ Clubs and Teens’ Club; and Baby Concierge. The resort offers more than 46,660 square feet of indoor meeting space plus outdoor areas for events. Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, operates Velas Resorts with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side. Explore tips, recipes, lifestyle and travel trends, and the latest news about Velas Resorts on the digital mag: www.velasmagazine.com. 

Merida Named One Of The Best Cities In Mexico At Travel + Leisure 2019 World’s Best Awards

The historic city of Merida, capital of Yucatan, has once again been named one of the top cities in Mexico by the readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine as announced this morning by the publication. Merida is the entry point to the State of Yucatan and a key part of its Six Tourist Regions which include the Yucatan Riviera, Costa Flamingo, Center, Pucc and the Maya World. The city offers a unique visit to Mexico as it exemplifies the region’s rich with culture and history, here, visitors will find a fusion of the Maya with French, German and the fusion of the Spanish-Moorish culture. Merida’s Historic Center shows off this richness in its many colonial buildings, museums, galleries, theaters, outdoor cafes, bars, traditional clothing, parks, hotels, restaurants with national and international food standards. The city is a great starting point to visiting Mexico’s next “it” travel.  The state of Yucatán is the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula. There are more than 19 archaeological sites open to the public. There are cenotes, haciendas, cultural cities, virgin beaches and nature. The perfect cross-section of everything Mexico has to offer, from beautiful beaches and ancient ruins to cutting-edge gastronomy, architecture, art, cultural cities and more. “We are excited to see that Merida has been included in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious World’s Best Awards as one of the Best Cities in Mexico,” said Michelle Fridman, Tourism Secretary for Yucatán State. "T+L’s readers are well-traveled and with Mexico being the number one international destination for Americans, we are sure they have made their selections carefully. We congratulate all the destinations that have ranked and invite T+L readers to travel to the other regions of our state.” The U.S. edition of T+L, which launched in 1971, is the only monthly consumer travel magazine in print in the U.S.; has an authoritative website, TravelandLeisure.com; and has an extensive social media following of more than 13 million. Travel + Leisure also encompasses newsletters and media collaborations. Every year, the magazine asks readers to identify their favorite travel destinations and hotels across the world. Readers are asked to share their opinions on top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas and airlines that they have experienced. The hotels recognized in the World’s Best Awards are rated on their facilities, location, service, food and overall value. The city of Merida has been included in the World’s Best Awards for the 4th year in a row, coming in atnumber 4 in Mexico in 2018, in 2017 it placed 7th in the Best Cities in Mexico and Central and South America and 5th in 2016 under the same category. For more information on the State of Yucatan, please visit www.yucatan.travel

Travelore Tips: Mexico’ MoneyBack Refunds 8.9% Of Taxes On Personal Shopping If Traveling On Business

 

MoneyBack, Mexico’s leading tax return service, provides an additional perk for travelers participating in a business meeting, convention or incentives program with the opportunity to received 8.9% sales tax on purchases made at over 6,000 stores in Mexico City, Los Cabos, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Acapulco, Ixtapa, Loreto and Merida.

Developed by Mexico’s Treasury Department, the tax refund program was created as a way to boost tourism and shopping in Mexico by refunding the value added tax. It is an additional tax break from the VAT Zero tax incentives Mexico offers meetings and conventions; both are available to US and Canadians. MoneyBack is a service provider that facilitates the steps to obtain the refund.

The purchase must take place at over 6,000 participating stores and be at least 1,200 pesos (around $100.00 USD) and a maximum of 3,000 pesos ($230 dollars), when purchasing in cash. There is no limit on credit card purchases. After purchases, shoppers can take their receipt to a MoneyBack office with the shopping incentive refund form, passport, immigration form and boarding pass to be processed. Refunds are made within 45 days, and deposited to their credit card.

Meeting Planners can download and distribute the refund forms to include in their welcome kits. In addition, MoneyBack can also join the event’s registration to educate participants on the opportunity (contact dvdk@moneyback.mx for more information on this).

Learn more about the MoneyBack program at http://moneyback.mx/