My Riviera Maya Experience By Way of Photo

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so in lieu of a ton of words, here are some photos of my most recent trip to the beautiful Riviera Maya earlier this month:

Le Reve Hotel

Riviera Maya Girls Trip

This boutique property (only 25 rooms) was just 45 minutes south of Cancun and hidden in the jungle. The beachfront property was very quiet, classy and a much needed disconnected stay (with great food and even better service).

Alltournative Tours

Riviera Maya Girlfriend Getaway Mexico

It’s no secret, that Mother Nature and I aren’t BFFs. Luckily, thanks to an awesome tour company, Alltournative Tours and a great traveling partner (pictured, Erika Wiggins of the Active Explorer, we were able to coexist for a few glorious days. Within just a few hours, our amazing tour guide took us swimming in a Cenote, snorkeling, zip lining, rappelling and even let us partake in a Mayan ritual and blessing.

Unimog roughin’ it

Riviera Maya Girls Getaway

Our day with Alltournative Tours ended with an authentic Mayan lunch and a bumpy ride in a 4×4 unimog (some awesome combination of a Jeep and Mercedes).

Tulum

Riviera Maya Travel

A little bit of Mayan Ruin history (no, the world is NOT ending in December 2012) with another great traveling partner Christy Woodrow of Ordinary Traveler.

Exotic Rides

Riviera Maya

The Exotic Rides experience is where I quickly realized that dare devil attitude I thought would withstand the test of time went out the window! Thankfully there were 4ft tall bottles of champagne to ease my nerves (after the drive of course). I mean, when else will you get the chance to drive a Ferrari 360 Modena or a Lamborghini Murcielago at ridiculous speeds of 150mph+ and do winner’s circle burnouts and 360 degree turns? (Check out the video of my racing experience.)

Riviera Maya TravelPyramid of Positive Thinking 2012

Our group gave back a little, and helped add some positive karma during a visit to the Pyramid of Positive Thinking in Tulum. This do-gooder initiative I thought only existed in magazines, but alas, it also exists in places like Riviera Maya. Visitors are encouraged (at no charge) to write a positive thought inside a plastic bottle. A work of art using all of the bottled positive thoughts will be created by plastic artist Xavier De Maria y Campos, it will be exhibited in Aldea Zamá, at the very heart of Tulum. Fingers crossed for good karma to come back my way!

Quicksand

Riviera Maya Travel

Yes, this stuff is real (as you can see in the photo on the right). Why I thought this was only in movies, I have no idea, but here’s the Wikipedia definition. Just more proof that the locals in Mexico really do care about tourism as a business. This man (shame on me for forgetting his name since I offered him a kiss if he found my flip flop) spent over 30 minutes, knee and elbow deep looking for my Reef sandal. Reasons like this (along with all the other photos) are exactly why Riviera Maya is a great destination for almost any kind of travel.

For all things Riviera Maya, check out their Tourism Board website and enjoy!

*This was a full-on media trip, but the ideas and photos presented above are the honest to goodness Jayme Lamm and Girls Getaway truth – no holds barred.

Jayme Lamm is a freelance writer and marketing consultant based in Houston focusing on travel writing and is in a full-court press writing her hugely opinionated sports column, The Blonde Side. Be sure to follow Jayme’s travel and sports adventures on Twitter @jaymelamm.