At a glance

HIGH SEASON: Dec. 20–April 19

LOW SEASON: April 20–Dec. 19 TOTAL HOTELS: 366

TOTAL GUEST ROOMS: 37,666

Sophisticated nightlife and dining

Virgin of Guadalupe Day, opened in 2009 and can hold 600 people for special events. A fourth addition to Xcaret is the Hacienda Henequenera and Mexican Folk Art Museum, home to a large exhibition that celebrates the works, creativity, and craftsmanship of Mexican artisans. For culture-lovers, the recently launched

Coba Sunset tour, offered by The Mayan Ex- press, is a must. Groups are escorted through

the Mayan archaeological site of Coba, setting out in the afternoon in order to take advantage of the cooler post-sunset weather. The tour includes a guided visit to Coba on foot or by bicycle; a Maya Ceramic Workshop, where ex- perts share the ancient Mayan pottery-making technique; and a delicious dinner of regional Mayan dishes topped off with a sunset view over the lagoon of Coba. A theatrical presenta- tion by actors of the Mayan community Tiho- suco rounds out the experience. Topping it all off, the Riviera Maya has a

new convention facility, Cancun Messe, and, launching in 2011, a new department within its Destination Marketing Office devoted entirely to meetings. For more information, call (984) 206-3150, e-mail meetings@rivieramaya.com, or visit www.rivieramaya.com.n

TRANSPORTATION: Cancun International Airport makes the Riviera Maya a highly accessible destina- tion. The second- largest airport in Mexico in terms of volume, Cancun International offers direct or nonstop service to destina- tions across the globe. Visitors can also easily take advantage of daily bus service from the airport to Playa de Carmen, just 45 minutes away, or take a taxi to the other nearby cities of Puerto Morelos and Puerto Aventuras.

(aka sinkholes). The “Avatar-One” zip-line at Hidden Worlds, the world’s only “roller- coaster” zip-line, made its debut last summer. The Riviera Maya

also is famous for its unique subterranean features. The entire Yucatan Peninsula is built on a limestone shelf, whose porous nature has allowed for the creation of an entire network of underground caves and waterways. These dramatic natural

features can be explored at attractions such as Rio Secreto, where tours take visitors walking and swimming amid beautiful stalactites and stalag- mites, coral formations, and more. Exploring the intricate underground river network is a popular activity for scuba divers. Because of all these fun and memorable ac- tivities, the Riviera Maya compels visitors to ex- plore new horizons and dare to enjoy unprec- edented adventures.n

Aquatic exploration