Riviera Maya News & Events

There are hundreds of circumstances that could cause you to cancel your trip, return home early or force you to seek emergency medical treatment while traveling.  To demonstrate the importance of purchasing travel insurance, and emergency travel services, here are 10 common examples of what could go wrong.

1.  It’s 10 p.m. and you and your immediate family arrive at the airport for a connecting flight, only to find that your flight has been cancelled. Who can assist you with finding new flights to get everyone home?
2. Your bag was lost with your insulin inside. You need help to locate your bag as soon as possible and have your emergency prescription filled. Who do you call?
3. This is your first visit out of the country and your passport and wallet are stolen. Where do you turn for emergency cash, and how will you get your passport replaced?
4. You’re involved in an accident and adequate medical treatment is not available. Who will help arrange and pay for a medical evacuation?
5. If your sister-in-law becomes seriously ill and you must cancel your trip, what happens to your non-refundable deposits or pre-payments?
6. You arrive in Mexico and your luggage doesn’t. If it’s lost, who will help you find it? If it’s delayed, who will pay for your necessities? If it’s stolen, who will pay to replace it?
7. You lose your job and now can’t afford to go on your trip. Is there a way to recoup some of those pre-paid, non-refundable deposits?
8. You’re walking down a street in Cancun and twist your ankle. Who can help you find an English-speaking physician?
9. You’re in the Army and during your scheduled leave, you plan to take a vacation. Three weeks before your scheduled vacation, your orders change and you are called back to active duty. Is there any way for you to get a refund for your non-refundable trip costs?
10. You are forced to evacuate your rental unit due to an approaching hurricane. Who will help you evacuate and who will reimburse your lost vacation investment?

The Policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions.  Full details of coverage are contained in the Policy.  If there are any conflicts between the contents of this document and the Policy (form series T30337NUFIC), the Policy will govern in all cases. Insurance underwritten by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa., with its principal place of business in New York, NY.  Coverage may not be available in all states.

Please join us tomorrow, Saturday June 26th at 11:30am, in front of CEA on Akumal Bay.   Bring a clean bottle of water so we can make a blessing for our oceans and join hands at noon.

“Hands Across the Sand” is an international collaboration of over 700 separate events unified to support healthy oceans and marine life, shoreline ecologies and coastal economies. The event is endorsed by Oceana, Greenpeace, Sierra Club and many other environment advocates and is open to all communities, not just those near the beach.

Visit Hands Across the Sand website or Hands Across the Sands on Facebook to find or organize an event near you.

The ruins of Chichen Itza are a large pre-Columbian archaeological site built by the Maya civilization located in the north of the Yucatán Peninsula.  Chichen Itza means “At the mouth of the well of the Itza” in Maya, which was probably a reference to the three cenotes which provided plentiful water for the settlement. The most popular cenote with visitors is the “Cenote of Sacrifice” which would draw worshipers of the Maya rain deity, Chaac.

Chichen Itza contains many buildings in various states of preservation; including temples, palaces, stages, markets, baths and ball courts. Dominating the center of Chichen is the Temple of Kukulcan (the plumed serpent god), often referred to as “El Castillo” (the castle). On the spring and fall equinox, at the rising and setting of the sun, the corner of the structure casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent along the side of the North staircase. 

The Temple of Kukulcan also signals the precise moment of the summer solstice, when the sun shines on the north and east sides of the building, it casts a shadow over the south and west sides. From the sky, it would look as if the pyramid were diagonally split into two parts.

Chichen Itza is about a 3 hour drive from Akumal.  It’s easy to get there by bus or with your rental car, or you can book a guided tour from Akumal.  Wear comfortable shoes, hat, sun block and bring a water bottle.  Try to visit in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the hot sun at midday.  The site is open every day from 9am-5pm.  Light and sound show begins every night at 7pm (winter) and 8pm (summer).

We are about to launch our fully translated Spanish Website. Please let us know if you notice anything amiss.

Ready and waiting. That’s the word on the street in the small coastal village of Akumal situated in the heart of the Riviera Maya. With Cancun – the world’s hottest vacation destination – undergoing various stages of rebuilding, not much attention has been given to the Mexican Caribbean in the world of travel. However, just a few miles south of Cancun lay the powdery white stretches of the Riviera Maya ready and waiting to show you the time of your life!

Akumal, the place of the turtle in Maya, is actually the oldest resort town along the Quintana Roo coastline, attracting travelers before anyone had ever heard of Cancun. First accessible only by boat from Cozumel, this coconut plantation transformed into a diver’s paradise for those lucky enough to be privy to its existence.

Through the past 30 years, eclectic groups of “expats” from around the globe have melded their styles with the local materials and traditional architecture to create a place like none other. Funky shops, sheik boutiques, worldly restaurants, legendary bars, and the finest accommodations along the coast are just part of Akumal’s charm. Combine those with an ecological center, dive shops, jungle tours, sailing adventures, and two stunning protected bays as well as Yal-Ku lagoon for snorkeling splendor and you’ve got a vacation spot for the whole family.

Still a one road town, Akumal has avoided the booming growth of other coastal towns and managed to hold onto much of its original relaxed, unhurried atmosphere synonymous with Mexico itself. Happy hour is a way of life. Golf carts and bicycle rentals are as prevalent as rental cars as chosen means of transportation. And, people are happy to help.

The residents of this coastal haven invite you to see how brightly Akumal shines. The two category 4 hurricanes of the season did their share of damage, however Akumal residents have taken this as an opportunity to make their town cleaner and more beautiful than ever before. The flowers are blooming, the palm trees are swaying, the ocean breezes are blowing, the margaritas are icy-cold…the only thing missing is you!