Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel, located 12 miles off the shore of Playa del Carmen, is the largest island in Mexico. Coral reefs, eco parks, shopping, sunbathing, and dining are top activities for visitors to Cozumel. Planning a day trip to Cozumel during your vacation to Riviera Maya is easy. Ask the concierge at Grand Velas All Suites & SPA Resort for information on water taxis and activities.
By Yenny Gaona
Out of 12 contestants who fought for a pass to the grand finale of the 2011-2012 “Mexico Chef of the Year” Xavier Pérez Stone of Quintana Roo took first place in this tough competition, held on November 29th and 30th at the Universidad Tecnológica of the Riviera Maya (UTRM).
Xavier Pérez Stone
Eva García Cuervo, national director of the competition, mentioned that now in its third year, it has been more difficult than ever to choose the winner, as each year the competing chefs have better results in the kitchen.
The competition consists of providing the chefs their Mexican cuisine ingredients just as they enter the kitchen; therefore each chef must be agile and creative in order to achieve a new dish that places them as a finalist in each of the seven semifinals.
On this occasion, Enrique Olvera, president of the judging panel, indicated that the panel was very strict in qualifying the way that each chef made optimal use of the raw products.
Xavier Pérez Stone, chef of restaurant Cocina de Autor at Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort, first created an appetizer made of lionfish with pumpkin and a small amount of orange. He then prepared a main course of venison and achiote, and finally presented a dessert of chocolate with spices.
The winner indicated that after winning second place in the 2009-2010 Mexico Chef of the Year competition, he was provided with better professional opportunities and was motivated to continue to do his best day after day.
Next year Xavier Pérez Stone will participate in the grand finale of the competition, to be held in June in the Centro Banamex in Mexico City.
His goal: to win first place as a representative of the Riviera Maya during the grand finale.
by Manuel Calderon de la Barca
From the amazing natural marvel of the largest aquarium in the world at Xel-Ha to the mysteries of the caves of Aktun Chen and the majesty of Tulum, the only ocean-front ancient Mayan site, the Riviera Maya has something for everyone.
1. Visit the only Mayan archeological site found on the edge of the sea: Tulum
2. Spend a day full of amazement and fun at Xcaret, and view astonishing Mexican riches.
3. Snorkel in the largest natural aquarium in the world: Xel-Ha.
4. Soak up the sun on the white sands of Akumal, “place of the turtles”.
5. Explore life and mystery in the caves of Aktun Chen.
6. Stroll along Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue, and enjoy a variety of bars, restaurants and boutiques.
7. Go back in time and experience the culture of an authentic Mayan pueblo.
8. Snorkel or dive along the largest coral reef in the Americas.
9. Get in touch with nature at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere.
10. Pamper yourself in the hands of professional therapists at a Spa, such as the one named Best Spa in the World by Virtuoso, Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
This amazing visual spectacle is made up of thousands of stalactites and stalagmites, creating an air of mysticism in this enigmatic place. Don’t miss the chance the presence this magnificent display of Nature.
www.holboxtiburonballena.com
De junio a septiembre, los espectaculares tiburones- ballena, visitan las magníficas playas de Cancún en Quintana Roo, haciendo de esta temporada una de las favoritas por los turistas que llegan hasta este paraíso tropical mexicano y que gozan de la oportunidad de nadar en compañía de estas nobles criaturas.
Considerado como una de las especies más grandes que habitan el planeta, el tiburón-ballena mide 15 metros de largo y tiende a buscar las aguas cálidas para su reproducción, razón por la cual, cada verano emigra a la Isla de Holbox, en donde lleva a cabo su proceso de apareamiento.
www.holboxtiburonballena.com
Tome cualquiera de las múltiples embarcaciones que se encuentran en la playa y diríjase mar adentro para encontrarse con estas amigables especies y nade en su compañía mientras disfruta de las inigualables aguas del Caribe mexicano; hay guías que le orientarán y si lo prefiere, estarán con usted en todo momento para proporcionarle la ayuda que necesite.
Una experiencia inolvidable que lo pondrá en contacto con la naturaleza.
Holboxtiburonballena.com
From June to September, the spectacular whale sharks visit the magnificent beaches of Cancun and Quintana Roo, making this season a favorite of tourists who arrive to the tropical Mexican paradise to have the opportunity to swim in the company of these noble creatures.Considered one of the largest species to inhabit the planet, whale sharks measure up to 15 meters long. Preferring warm waters for reproduction, each year whale sharks migrate to the island of Holbox, where their mating rituals take place.
Holboxtiburonballena.com
Take any of the many boats found on the beach and head for the sea to find this friendly species and swim alongside them while you enjoy the incomparable waters of the Mexican Caribbean; guides are available to orient you and provide assistance at any time.
This is an unforgettable experience that will put you in direct contact with nature.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
por Julieta Del Toro
Uno de los sitios favoritos para el buceo es sin duda la fantástica Isla de Cozumel; dentro de ella existen sitios como Yucab, Maracaibo, Santa Rosa, Paraíso, Palancar y Punta Sur que destacan por sus majestuosos paisajes que atraen a miles de buzos cada año.
Dentro de Cozumel, destaca por su magnífica belleza coralina la Isla de las Golondrinas, con aguas que albergan un acuario natural sin comparación. Más hacia el occidente, se encuentra un fascinante e intrincado sistema de arrecifes vivos y petrificados que se sumergen de manera parcial o total en las cristalinas y tranquilas aguas del Caribe durante todo el año; ésta es una de las zonas favoritas de los buzos, debido a que es el refugio de las más diversas y hermosas especies marinas como tortugas, delfines, mantarrayas, tiburones y millones de peces multicolores que se concentran debido a la corriente que predomina en esta parte del arrecife.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A unos cuantos metros más, se ubica el talud continental que desciende abruptamente hasta 150 m, creando una pared que alberga en su penumbra a las más caprichosas y extrañas formas de vida; debido a la inclinación de esta pared, en ciertas áreas, da la impresión de estar nadando debajo de ella, lo que crea una ilusión óptica que convierte esta experiencia en algo fantástico.
Lo que hay que ver desde la superficie es tan hermoso como puede serlo desde cerca. Viva y disfrute esta mágica aventura bajo el agua que le revelará un mundo maravilloso.
by Julieta Del Toro
The fantastic island of Cozumel is undoubtedly a favorite site for scuba diving, home to the renowned sites of Yucab, Maracaibo, Santa Rosa, Paraiso, Palancar and Punta Sur, which attract thousands of divers each year.
Within Cozumel is the island of Las Golondrinas (Island of the Swallows), surrounded by waters that hold an incomparable natural aquarium. Towards the west is found a fascinating and intricate system of live and petrified reefs that are either partially or completely submerged in the crystalline, tranquil Caribbean waters all year long; this is a preferred spot for divers, as it is a refuge for diverse marine species such as sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, sharks and millions of multicolored fish that concentrate here due to the current that dominates this part of the reef.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A few meters farther and you see the continental slope that descends abruptly 150 meters out, creating a wall that shelters in semi-darkness some of the strangest and most interesting life forms. Due to the incline of the wall, divers in certain areas feel as though they are swimming beneath it, creating an optical illusion that turns the experience into something surreal.
What can be seen beneath the surface is so beautiful it must be seen up close. Experience this magical underwater adventure, as a marvelous hidden world is revealed before your eyes.
Travesía Sagrada Maya, retoma una tradición milenaria y lleva a cabo una recreación de la antigua peregrinación maya. ¡Un recorrido que no puede perderse!
Travesía Sagrada Maya, or the Sacred Journey of the Maya restores a thousand-year-old tradition and recreates the ancient Mayan pilgrimage. A show you cannot miss!
Single Package at Grand Velas Riviera Maya is ideal for those guests seeking an array of green activities!
Posted By:Jihan | 
No Comments | 
Cozumel, Entertainment, Events, Festival, Home, Riviera Maya Specials | 
Del.icio.us | 
Print | 
Trackback
Tue, 6 Dec 2011
