Journey Mexico Blog

CNN Travel recently asked the top travel experts from Orbitz, Lonely Planet, Smarter Travel and Altour for their picks for 2012. With all the recent publicity about the impending end of the Mayan calendar, it should come as no surprise that this part of Mexico, including Tulum, Chichen Itza, and Chiapas, tops the Top Travel Destinations in the World for 2012!

If you’d like to soak up the sun on an unforgettable trip to the Maya World, here are a few examples of what you might experience during your stay:

Chichen Itza – One of the New Seven Wonders of the World!
No trip to the Maya would be complete without touring the most famous ruins in Mexico. Let Journey Mexico show you the way to a private entrance where our expert guide can lead you directly to the most interesting features of this ancient city. After a leisurely lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the ancient temples of Coba, a relatively new discovery with more than 6,500 unexplored structures.

Edzna and Uxmal – Plus a Tequila Tasting!
On a different day, experience the magic of the ceremonial sites and religious temples of Edzna. Nestled within the jungle, this set of ruins houses the Platform of the Knives, the Big House and the Gran Acropolis. Once you’re done, enjoy a traditional Mexican meal before reaching Uxmal, one of the best examples of Puuc architecture in the world. As you roam through the temples, your guide will explain the intricacies of the ancient society that once called this city home. Finish off your day with some of the best Tequila in the world as you learn more about one of Mexico’s most important products.

The Biosphere Reserve of Celestun
Leave the ruins behind and discover a part of Mexico that’s full of life! This protected area contains one of the nation’s largest wetland areas. Among other wildlife, you’ll get a chance to see one of the largest colonies of charming Pink Flamingos. Afterwards, enjoy your midday meal in the shade at one of the local beachfront restaurants.

Enjoy the Riviera Maya!
Spend a day or two in luxury before or after your tour of the ruins! Relax by the pool, snorkel in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, shop for souvenirs and sample the local cuisine. No matter how you decide to spend your time in the Riviera Maya, this will give you a complete picture of the pleasures this part of Mexico has to offer!

Of course, these are just a few examples of how Mexico earned a top spot on CNN Travel’s list of top destinations for 2012. If you’d like to learn more about what you can see and do in Mexico in the coming year, contact Journey Mexico for more information.

Don’t be taken in by hyped-up claims that the world is ending in 2012 or that this is what the Mayans predicted thousands of years ago. The media and movie industry have purposely misinterpreted this historical information to attract attention, boost ratings, and scare school children. Once you understand more about this misconception, you’ll be ready to visit charming Mexico to celebrate the beginning of a whole new cycle and take the Mayan Calendar challenge!

The Real Deal on the Mayan Calendar
The Mayans, an ancient civilization that existed in southern Mexico and much of Central America from 250 to 900 A.D., used two different calendars. The first, the Calendar Round, covered a 52-year period, or 18,980 days. At that time, this period represented a single generation or the average lifespan of a typical person of that age. This was the measurement tool that this culture used on an everyday basis.

If the Mayans needed to refer to a date that was more than 52 years in the past or future, they moved to the “Long Count,” the long-term calendar. This measurement tool is based on a numerically predictable algorithm that used a beginning date of 3114 B.C. according to our modern calendar. From there, they calculated forward for 5,126 years for an ending date that just happens to be in 2012 A.D. This gave the Mayans a historical measure that reached over 3,000 years into their past and more than 1,000 years into their future.

If you think about it for a few minutes, common sense will tell you that it’s only a coincidence that the calendar is running out in 2012 A.D. The Mayans didn’t predict the end of the world; they just got tired of crunching the numbers. After all, the world existed long before the calendar started, so why shouldn’t we expect it to last long after the calendar ends? This doomsday theory has no more credibility than any of the countless end-of-the-world claims that have been proven false in the past.

Don’t Let the Doomsday Gang Ruin Your Plans
What could be better than leaving the naysayers and pessimists behind to celebrate the beginning of a whole new cycle in the very place that started all this controversy? The Mayan Long Count Calendar is scheduled to end on December 21 of next year, and Mexico is warm and sunny at that time of the year! To make this trip even more attractive, you can bet that the locals are planning quite a few festivals and fiestas to celebrate their continued existence as well as the upcoming holidays!

How can you resist the chance to snap a souvenir photo to prove you survived the “End of the World” in a beautiful Mexican paradise? Whether you’re partying on the beach or living it up in Mexico City, you’ll be able to tell everyone how you won the Mayan Calendar challenge!

Still doubtful? Well, you’re not alone. On Thursday, Mexico’s archaeology institute  acknowledged that a second reference to the date exists on a carved fragment found at a southern Mexico ruin site.  Here’s a link to the full article!

After months of anticipation, we are proud to announce the launch of Journey Yucatan, a branch of Journey Mexico specializing in the Yucatan Peninsula.

In response to an increasing number of travelers looking for unique travel experiences in Mexico’s Southeast including the Cancun, the Riviera Maya, Costa Maya, the Yucatan Peninsula, Campeche, and Chiapas, Journey Yucatan focuses on custom private tours, destination management services, and luxury transportation designed to get beyond the hustle and bustle of the typical tourist destinations. Picture the magical silence of an exclusive visit to ancient ruins outside of regular tourist hours. Imagine the thrill of a private expedition into the underground rivers and caves of the region. Envision the luxury of a helicopter, private aircraft, catamaran or luxury yacht tour of the natural and cultural wonders of the Yucatan complete with catered lunches and champagne toasts. Let our expert Cancun-based team create an authentic experience for you and your clients in this magical region.

At Journey Yucatan, we pride ourselves in our unbending commitment to seamless service and spirit of authentic adventure as you’ve come to expect with Journey Mexico. The Journey Yucatan brand combines the finest properties, private villas, expert guides and unique transportation services including luxury vehicles, charter planes, yachts and helicopters; with over 20 years of on the ground experience exploring the peninsula, we take great pride in sharing the unique and unexpected travel experiences that this magical region offers. We are a guide-owned and operated company with over 20 years of experience on the ground. Our logistics and site knowledge are unmatched and our safety and operational standards are uncompromising. We take special pride in our expertise in the lesser visited areas of the Republic. We are a company built on a deep mission of service that spans from the sales process to the seamless service on the ground that builds repeat customers.

Matteo Luthi, Journey Mexico’s Director of Operations and newly appointed General Manager of the Journey Yucatan Office, together with the Cancun-based, Journey Yucatan team are available to create the most spectacular, creative, and memorable ways to spend your holidays. Their local knowledge is extensive and they take great pleasure in sharing exclusive insights with our important guests.

Feel free to get in touch with any of our staff for an insider’s view into the exceptional experiences that await you in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Email Matteo or come visit us at our new office location:
SM 57, m 3, Lote 1, local 102
Cancun, Q. Roo
Mexico C.P. 67500

Today’s Trip Advisor Members’ Update included their Travelers’ Choice results for “Top 25 Beaches in the World” for 2011. With more than 5700 miles of coastline in three distinct coastal regions, it’s no surprise that Mexico took four of the top 25 spots – more than any other state/country on the list save for Florida, which also has four.

Mexico’s winners are:

Tulum on the Riviera Maya – Tulum is one of the most visited ruins of the Mayan world, welcoming over $2 million visitors each year. The stunning contrast between the ancient stones of the Mayan ruins and the crystal waters of the Caribbean coast make the site a photographers favorite. The rich history of the site as one of the only cities never conquered by the Spaniards make it even more significant and although you have to brave the crowds, it is well worth the visit.

Isla Mujeres just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula – This tiny island off the coast of Cancun was an ancient Mayan religious site dedicated to the goddess, Ixchel (the guardian of fertility and childbirth). Today, the island is a small fishing community and a string of small hotels with one town center, El Pueblo. The tourist infrastructure of the island has grown rapidly in recent years but it remains a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of its neighbor, Cancun.

Playa del Carmen also located on the Mayan Riviera – Once a fishing village and pristine deserted beach, Playa del Carmen has turned into one of the hottest holiday destinations in Mexico. Smaller than Cancun, “Playa” offers the nightlife and dining of a city with the charm of a seaside beach town – all with the same crystalline waters of Cancun.

Cancun located in Cancun, obvio – The sun shines over 240 days a year along the strip of fine, white sand called the hotel zone. With an average daily temperature of 80 degrees, this resort town is one of the most temperate and pleasant Caribbean destinations. The city boasts lively nightlife, high-end shops, and world class restaurants in addition to its pristine beaches and proximity to Mayan ruins.

While we agree that Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun deserve their spots on the Top 25 Beaches of the World list, we would also argue that several other beaches in Mexico also deserve international recognition. Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is one of the most unique beach towns of the world as the city has maintained its deep cultural heritage as it’s grown into its role as the most sought after retirement destination in the world. The beaches of Punta Mita, just a half hour north of Puerto Vallarta, are also some of the most breathtaking beaches you’ll ever see.

Further south on the Mexico’s Pacific coast lies Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca. This exceptional area consists of numerous beaches and small towns that have been a popular spot for surfers for some time. Lined with great hotels and restaurants, you will also find numerous palapas (thatched roofs for hammocks) and personalized seafood stands.

Across the Sea of Cortez are the legendary beaches of Los Cabos on the southern tip of Baja California. The beaches of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo have made the area a mecca for sport fishing or just a weekend getaway. Luxury resorts pepper the area and offer great locations to embark on activities ranging from hiking, golf, mountain biking, and whale watching to sea kayaking, surfing, dining out, and relaxing on numerous secluded beaches.

In addition to these internationally coveted hot spots, Mexico is home to hundreds, if not thousands, of smaller, more secluded beaches that would blow your mind. What is your favorite beach in Mexico?