riviera maya

A Spectacular Spa on the Riviera Maya

VIDEO: On the Beach in the Riviera Maya

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon CJ Travel Editor The sun’s out. And so is a pair of swimmers, bobbing in the cerulean sea near Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. The breeze is strong, and as frothy waves lap the shore a pair of …

The 10 Best Getaways to Try in Mexico

All inclusive Mexico: it’s a different part of the country, and often a very comfortable and luxurious one. We’ve always said that there’s no shortage of top All Inclusive Mexico resorts, particularly the eastern coast of Mexico. Indeed, the 81-mile stretch between Puerto …

Playa del Carmen Resort Names GM

Playa del Carmen’s Mahekal Beach Resort has named Julian Smaldoni its general manager, the property announced. Smaldoni will be managing all operational aspects of the 196-room property on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. The property recently completed a $16 million renovation project. …

Your New Year’s Day Hangover Cure Is This Rum Cocktail

The Kraken cure By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon CJ Travel Editor If you celebrated New Year’s Eve right, chances are you’ll be feeling a little worse for wear when January 1 rolls around. To make sure you don’t carry that feeling over …

A New Look at This Riviera Maya Resort

The Riviera Maya’s Mahekal Beach Resort is set to reopen in December, following the completion of a three-year, $16 million “re-imagination.” The project, which first launched in 2013, is slated for completion in mid-December. It will include the addition of …

A New Beach Lounge at Occidental Grand Xcaret

The Occidental Grand Xcaret resort has expanded its beach facilities. The property recently completed a $280,000 upgrade to the Arena Beach Lounge areas at the all-inclusive resort, which is adjacent to the Xcaret Park near Playa del Carmen. The lounge, …

The 10 Best Caribbean All Inclusives for Beaches

Some islands have beautiful beaches. Some islands have great all inclusive resorts. These two things don’t always come together — but sometimes, you find places with both. Indeed, a big part of the all-inclusive experience is having everything you need — …

New Spa Cabanas Coming to the Grand Velas Riviera Maya

The Mexican Caribbean’s newest spa By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon CJ Travel Editor Mexican all-inclusive Grand Velas Riviera Maya will add new spa cabanas later this month. Debuting on November 23, the trio of cabanas will be located above the Ambassador pool, …

Thompson Playa del Carmen Is Now Open

A very cool new opening in Mexico By the Caribbean Journal staff A major addition to Playa del Carmen is now officially open. Thompson Playa del Carmen, the brand’s first Caribbean region hotel, debuted on the Riviera Maya this weekend. The …

Secrets Opens Secrets Akumal

By the Caribbean Journal staff A major new all-inclusive resort has debuted in the Mexican Caribbean. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya officially opened and welcomed its first guests on Nov. 4. It is the 17th Secrets-branded all-inclusive resort. The adults-only property …

The 10 Best Caribbean Nude Beaches

Going to a nude beach is something of an art. And while there are nude beaches all over the world, the best nude beaches anywhere are on the sands of the Caribbean. Of course, there are varying degrees of what …

Is This the Caribbean’s Most Powerful Spa Treatment?

By the Caribbean Journal staff It might be one of the rarest spa treatments in the Caribbean — and among the most powerful. It’s Viceroy Riviera Maya’s Temazcal Ritual, now offered in a larger and improved sweat lodge. The treatment, which …

How to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos on the Riviera Maya

A special package for the holiday By Dana Niland CJ Contributor In celebration of the Día de los Muertos, the Grand Velas Riviera Maya will be offering a special package with an exclusive itinerary of tequila tasting, Mexican cooking classes, …

The Grand Velas Riviera Maya’s Newest Hire

CJ’s top luxury all-inclusive By Dana Niland CJ Contributor The Grand Velas Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast has appointed Natalie Smith as its East Coast Sales Representative. In her new role, Smith will take on the responsibility of overseeing …

Tulum’s Real Estate Market is Surging

The bohemian beach town is growing quickly By the Caribbean Journal staff Tulum, the tucked-away bohemian enclave of Mexico’s Caribbean-coast Riviera Maya, is seeing its property market surge. The beach town is experiencing a major lift in values of both …

The Caribbean’s Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts

Sometimes an all-inclusive resort is best for a luxury experience. There is that extra degree of luxury, the one of never having to reach for your wallet, of leaving nothing to chance, so you can completely relax and soak it all in …

New All-Inclusive Resort Coming to Tulum

Karisma to debut new property in Mexican beach enclave By Dana Niland CJ Contributor A new beach resort is coming to Tulum on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Karisma Hotels & Resorts has introduced the new El Dorado Seaside Suites located …

The Coolest Perk at Grand Velas Riviera Maya

The Grand Velas Riviera Maya gets cooler By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon CJ Travel Editor We’ve seen butler service, speedboats and spa treatments but what’s next in all-inclusive perks? At Mexico’s Grand Velas Riviera Maya, the latest inclusion is a sweet one …