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Riviera Maya Mexico As A Romantic Getaway
oday Norm Goldman, editor
of href="http://www.sketchandt
avel.com" NORM:
title="http://www.sketchandtravel
.com"
target="_blank">www.sketchandtrav
el.com and href="http://www.bookpleasures.co you give our readers a brief
m" description of the area?
title="http://www.bookpleasures.c
om"
target="_blank">www.bookpleasures
.com is pleased to have as
our guests Lubo Krstajic of
Karisma Hotels and Julio Trujillo Julio:
of the Riviera Maya Convention
and Visitors Bureau.
Easily accessible from many
cities throughout the U.S., the
eighty-one mile stretch, known as
the Riviera Maya is situated in
Thank you both for accepting our the Mexican Caribbean on the
invitation and share your coastline of the Yucatan
knowledge about Riviera Maya. Peninsula in the state of
Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Beginning eleven miles south of Lubo:
the Cancun International Airport
in Puerto Morelos, the Riviera
Maya extends to Felipe Carrillo
Puerto, a small town near the I agree. Mexico has something
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. to offer for everyone and it's so
accessible for U.S. travelers.
From Miami, where the Karisma
Resorts management offices are
The region features the based, the flight is barely an
tranquility of uncrowded beaches, hour. The Riviera Maya is really
a vast network of underground such a spectacular destination,
rivers, over 100 "cenotes" or and you'll find that it gets
sinkholes, the action of better each time you go.
eco-adventure sports including
kayaking, mountain biking, scuba
diving, snorkelling, trekking,
bird watching and deep sea NORM:
fishing, proximity to many of
Mexico's most significant Mayan
archaeological sites, the varied
activities of the Could you tell our readers
eco-archaeological parks, plus something about your expertise
golf courses, shopping, gourmet pertaining to the area?
dining and a range of
accommodations to suit every
lifestyle and budget.
Julio:
became the company's executive
The Riviera Maya Tourism Board vice president in charge of
has been the official board since worldwide sales & marketing.
1996, with the original mission
to promote a 71 stretch mile
area, beginning with Playa
Paraiso and extending to the
small fishing village of Punta NORM:
Allen, located in the biggest
ecologically protected Biosphere
in Mexico, "Sian Ka'an" (which
literally means in Maya: " where Why would you consider Riviera
the sky was born " or " the door Maya a good choice for a romantic
of the sky"). getaway or wedding and honeymoon
destination? What is so unique
about this area of Mexico?
Lubo:
Julio:
With almost twenty years
experience in hotel management in
destinations around the world, I The white sandy beaches,
think I've seen just about every turquoise waters and lush
scenario pertaining to the hotel tropical surroundings of the
business. I started in the 80's, Riviera Maya all set the stage
as a property development manager for the ideal wedding or
with the Allegro Resorts honeymoon, the kind that couples
Corporation and over the years dream about. Pristine,
un-crowded beaches caressed by it means further enhancing our
calm, turquoise waters and bathed menus, our amenities, or even the
by gentle breezes. Stretches of property. In fact, we just
white sand fringed with palm opened a resort called Azul,
trees and protected by a chain of which gives a very special focus
coral reefs. Miles of untouched to its cuisine. Our menus were
powdery white sand as far as the developed to feature over
eye can see beckons vacationers seventy-five unique dishes per
in search of quiet and day, meaning a guest staying at
relaxation... These are the Azul for an entire week will
unspoiled beaches of the Riviera never encounter the same dish
Maya. twice.
Lubo:
NORM:
Let's not forget about the
spectacular services and
amenities. I think travelers What is the best time to visit
that visit the Riviera Maya again the Riviera Maya from the point
and again realize that it is a of view of weather, costs, and
destination with consistently top crowds?
services and amenities. At
Karisma hotels for example, we
are constantly working to
providing our clientele with the Julio:
best experience possible, whether
NORM:
We are so fortunate in this
area. The weather is great almost
year-round with warm If you had to choose 5
temperatures. It is less crowded unequalled areas in Riviera Maya
and costly during the fall season for a romantic getaway and
and is most crowded and costly honeymoon, where would they be
from the last week in December and why?
through March.
Lubo:
Julio:
I agree, people looking to visit
the Riviera Maya should try and "· Tulum - As a unique
book far in advance if they want place bounded by wild nature and
to come during the weeks of beautiful beaches, it is quiet,
December through March. There natural and private as well, with
are specials that run on occasion small cabanas and hotels
for those looking to book including some with Caribbean
last-minute travel but more often spas. Close to the archaeological
than not it pays to book in site, you can feel the energy and
advance. mysticism of this historical
region.
del Carmen, the perfect
"· Playa Paradise - Wide combination between the leisure
white beaches, comfortable and romance of a private hotel
facilities and the marvellous zone with twelve different hotel
Caribbean Sea options to enjoy a wedding and
honeymoon on the beach. Each
resort has its own unique
tropical style and amenities.
"· Punta Maroma. - Features Golf and water sports are always
small luxury resorts and spas only a few minutes from you
with unexpected personal service touch.
and impeccable privacy
"· Playa del Carmen. - Lubo:
Beautiful beaches, fun nightlife,
close to everything. This is the
"Corazon" - "the heart" - of the
Riviera Maya, where the beaches Some people choose to never even
are spectacular and romance leave their hotel... (laughter).
floats along with the Caribbean But really, there are so many
breezes. Coming to life at night, undiscovered regions of the
gourmet restaurants abound along Riviera Maya yet to be explored
with Cuban nightclubs, fun beach and enjoyed. All the areas he
clubs, live music and more mentions are spectacular, but
then again, with the amazing
waters and beaches you can enjoy
almost any part of the region.
"· Playa car. - Just
minutes from the town of Playa
arrange it!"
NORM:
Lubo:
Are there any unique or exotic
venues in Riviera Maya where
couples celebrate their marriages Weddings and honeymoons are our
and why are these unique? As a business... For this reason,
follow up, how popular are Karisma Resorts has introduced
destination weddings in Riviera various properties over the past
Maya and where do the couples few years, which specifically
come from? cater to couples. The Riviera
Maya is ideal for weddings and
honeymoons. And because of its
proximity, we find many couples
Julio: are coming from the U.S.
Yes, it is a popular place to To better cater to this group, we
have a wedding and couples come have a Karisma Wedding Planner
from all over the world, not just who helps couples every step of
the USA, to be married on our the way. We have individuals
beautiful beaches in our tropical from the U.S. who coordinate with
paradise. They can even have onsite planners to ensure every
Mayan wedding with a Mayan Shaman single detail is taken care of.
as well. As one wedding planner You can find more information on
says, "If it is legal, we can our WEBSITE or via email at
weddings@eldorado-resort.com. ceremonies, only a few weeks or
months are needed.
Lubo:
NORM:
Of course, this also depends on
How far in advance should a how many people are attending or
couple prepare themselves for a how elaborate the ceremony is.
honeymoon or romantic getaway in But again, wedding planners can
Riviera Maya? be a tremendous assistance.
Julio:
NORM:
They can plan a few weeks in
advance or months. Certain
months are busier than others, as What tips would you have for
everywhere. If they wish a civil destination brides who plan to
wedding, especially for the bring along a wedding party to
months of April and June, they Riviera Maya? It's a growing
truly should start planning at trend for destination weddings to
least 6-12 months in advance. For now have a fairly sizeable
renewal and commitment wedding party—sometimes about
50—so it would be great to get you have a large party. There
their tips on group airline are specials, but they are often
discounts, hotel blocks. very popular. For example, for
couples that can stay a week in
Mexico, Karisma offers free
weddings. This is particularly
Julio: popular at our flagship property,
the El Dorado Royale, where
couples that purchase a Casita
Suite for a minimum of seven
Most of the large resorts have nights receive a free wedding
wedding planners on premises and package. Then again, the Casita
offer packages for large groups, Suites are very popular so I
which can be booked over the would recommend booking 6 months
Internet or through their in advance.
personal travel agents. If they
wish a more personalized and
private experience, there are
several professional wedding
coordinators in the area who can
work with them to plan the NORM:
weddings of their dreams.
How does one go about checking
Lubo: on the reliability of a hotel or
resort in Riviera Maya when it
pertains to service, food, etc?
Book in advance! Especially, if
great source of information.
Julio:
NORM:
Our suggestion is to research
this on the Internet to find
hotels and destination wedding What should people know about
planners web sites, such as href="http://www.weddings-in-play Maya as far as legal requirements
a.com/" are concerned?
title="http://www.weddings-in-pla
ya.com/"
target="_blank">http://www.weddin
gs-in-playa.com/. There are Julio:
many websites and chat rooms,
which share experiences, and
information and they are a
wonderful source of information. The Riviera Maya offers several
Most importantly, it's really up options in regard to wedding
to the couple to do their arrangements, including working
research. with a particular resort,
coordinating your own affair or
enlisting the assistance of a
professional wedding coordinator.
Lubo: For couples that want to set up
their wedding on their own, the
cost for a wedding service at the
civil register's office is $225
I agree, I think the web is a plus the costs of the required
blood tests and doctor's "· Original passport plus
certificates. There is a three- two copies of your passport OR
day waiting period for a civil
ceremony as well. In addition,
due to a favorable arrangement
between Mexico and the U.S., "· Original birth
Mexican civil marriages are certificate with raised seal and
considered wholly valid in the two copies of your birth
U.S. certificate;
Catholic weddings are usually "· Two copies of your
organized by private wedding tourist card, which you obtain
coordinators and require specific upon arrival into Mexico;
documentation at least one month
prior to the ceremony. Catholic
ceremonies here are recognized in
the USA through a reciprocal "· Medical certificate
agreement between the USA and issued in Mexico (including a
Mexican church. blood test);
Following are the requirements "· Completed application
for a Civil marriage on the form;
Riviera Maya:
"· If divorced, a
certified, Apostilled copy of the
divorce decree;
Lubo:
"· Four witnesses (can be
provided locally); Again, wedding planners are a
great resource and can guide
couples every step of the way.
They are very informed with the
For those who would like most up to date information on
assistance with their wedding the regulations, requirements and
planning, a number of hotels, costs involved.
resorts and inns in the Riviera
Maya offer special wedding
packages and the services of a
wedding coordinator as well as
honeymoon packages, should the
bride and groom wish to stay at NORM:
the property immediately
following their marriage. For
more information on these
packages as well as contact Is there anything else you would
information for personal Wedding wish to add as it pertains to
Coordinators, please contact the romantic and wedding destinations
Riviera Maya Tourism Office at in Riviera Maya?
011-52 (984) 85-92170, email us
at info@rivieramaya.com or
visit our website our WEBSITE
Romantic weddings on the beach,
with the Caribbean breezes
embracing the love of a man and a
woman and the spirit of the Maya Lubo:
guiding their path into the
future is the experience the
Riviera Maya brings to each and
every couple. For the Maya, the The great thing about getting
union of man and woman represents married in Mexico is that you
the union of Mother Earth with find people who really want to
the Cosmos and they become one. make sure you have the ultimate
This spiritual union is our gift wedding experience. Catering to
to each and every couple that the every need of our guests is
chooses to share this paradise for us, the most important thing.
with us all. And I think it's this type of
attitude that keeps people coming
back to this spectacular region.
About the Author:
Norm Goldman is editor of the book reviewing site, www.bookpleasures.com and the travel site, www.sketchandtravel.com.
Bookpleasures.com comprises over 25 international book reviewers and author interviewers who come from all walks of life.
Sketchandtravel.com is a travel site wherein Norm's words are melded with his wife's art work focusing on romantic and wedding destinations.
Source: www.isnare.com
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