http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/living-green-in-mexico.html http://www.articletrader.com/finance/real-estate/living-green-in-mexico.html Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0500 As always with the influx of people is an increase in consumerism and waste. However it seems that the Riviera Maya has a fairly good handle on all things “green”. Here are few examples
Xcaret, an eco theme park uses biodegradable plates, cups and utensils for their guests and has exceptional conservation efforts for native flora and fauna.
The Ak Luum School built a jungle campus just outside of Playa del Carmen that is self sustained in terms of electricity, water, sewage treatment and waste recycling. They are passing on these valuable lessons to their students
Akumal is home to a conservation center (CEA – Centro Ecologico Akumal). Their main efforts are to ensure the health of the regional environment and monitor the impact of development on the ecosystem. They have a very successful Sea Turtle Protection plan.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere is a 1.3 million acre protected area, their ecological center operates using ecologically responsible technologies, including systems for wetland waste management, rainwater collection, and solar and wind energy generation.
Puerto Morelos has a protected national marine park.
Many of the hotels in and around Playa del Carmen have signs up asking their guests to be environmentally conscious by turning lights and air conditioning off when they are not in the room and to preserve water by not requesting fresh sheets and towels every day.
Recycling is also a community concern; the municipal has trucks at the ready in the main Plaza every first Friday of the month to fill up with recyclables. There are bins around town for plastic bottles and cans. Mega (Mexican Supermarket) also has bins in the parking lot to collect recyclables.
All this from a state in Mexico that is no bigger than Rhode Island!
Now it seems that the latest trend is eco-villages; self sustained communities of jungle homes living entirely off-grid and with alternative energy. Why not? The Riviera Maya is sunny 90% of the time if not more; there is plenty of rain, the breeze of the Caribbean Sea is constant, plenty of fruits and vegetables grow easily here, cenotes (fresh water wells) provide clean water, natural building materials and techniques are plentiful and modern conveniences wouldn’t be too far away should the need arise!
How neat would it be to go back to living the way people did decades ago but with all of the modern commodities people have grown accustomed to?

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Mary works for Rancho Mayab in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Rancho Mayab is an eco-development company currently developing a jungle property just south of Playa del Carmen on the Riviera Maya.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/playa-del-carmen-vacation-rentals.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/playa-del-carmen-vacation-rentals.html Thu, 07 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Choose from a variety of rental properties ranging from a simple condominium to a lavish beach side villa with a private pool, which will make your Riviera Mayan vacation a memory that will last a life time. Enjoy the intimacy of being in a secluded villa away from it all, or choose a more centrally located vacation rental and be near the buzz of 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. There is a choice and option for everyone; from the budget traveler to the extravagant vacationer that spares no expense.

Choosing a private vacation rental has many perks and advantages, one of which is having a kitchen at your disposal, especially if traveling with small children. Don’t want to cook so you can walk on the beautiful Caribbean beach with margarita in hand? Not to worry; hire a personal chef and concierge that can create specialty menus, arrange activities and excursions, and be on call 24 hours a day. Most vacation rentals in, and around, Playa del Carmen are also used throughout the year by the owners of the vacation property so they are well-maintained, and are kept clean and updated, which creates an ideal environment for rest and relaxation. Either way, whether you choose to spend your vacation exploring the cenotes, Mayan ruin sites, secluded alabaster beaches, the eco-parks of Xel-Ha and Xcaret, or if you spend the day in a hammock, with a good book, and an ice cold bucket of beer nearby, a private vacation rental in Playa del Carmen, or other part of the Rivera Maya, will not only make your vacation memorable one, but it will certainly leave you planning your next trip.

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Monica Hartlief owns and operates Latido de Mexico, which offers Playa del Carmen vacation rentals, property management, catering services and tours.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/diving-in-the-rivera-maya-and-playa-del-carmen.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/diving-in-the-rivera-maya-and-playa-del-carmen.html Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500
There are more than 70 named dive sites between Punta Maroma and Tulum right along the Rivera Maya. The majority of the marked dive sites located on the Riviera Maya are only a short boat ride away from such resort areas as Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. Some of the more popular dive spots are Cerebros, Los Arcos, Pared Verde (Green Wall), Moc Che Deep, Moc Che, Chum Zumbal, Jardines, Sabatos, Tortugas, Barracuda, and Mama Vina.

Not only are there amazing coral, plant, and fish life in the warm waters of the Caribbean, but the underground caves and river system brings a whole other element to diving and exploration. With over 200 miles of underground caves and rivers the Riviera Maya has become a top destination, not only for open water ocean dives, but for cavern and cave diving as well. There are no rivers, or fresh water sources, that run above ground in the Riviera Maya so the cenotes, or sink holes, were the only way the Mayans got their fresh water. Because of this they were considered sacred to the ancient Maya, and still play a significant role in modern life and celebrations. Divers and explorers can now enter this underwater world through the cenotes, which can be located right on the shores of the Caribbean, or deeper into the jungle flora. The Rivera Maya has more then 75 known cave systems which have been mapped and surveyed and they cover approximately 611 kilometers/ 380 miles. Even with that impressive number it is estimated that there is as much as 50% or more that has yet to be explored and documented. Discovered just a little over twenty years ago, the underground river system has very little current, temperate waters (25 degrees Celsius/ 78 degrees Fahrenheit), and the water is so clear that visibility is virtually unlimited. Add this to the fact that all you need is an open water certification to experience the exhilaration of cave diving, and it has become a major attraction to the Rivera Maya for divers from all parts of the globe.

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Sara Moen is a travel journalist and the editor of Playa Maya News located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, updated daily with local news, real estate, hotels and tours in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/playa-del-carmen.html http://www.articletrader.com/travel/destinations/playa-del-carmen.html Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500 Playa del Carmen is located on the Mexican Caribbean coast, 40 miles south of Cancun. This area, known as the Mayan Riviera, is an ideal destination for weddings, honeymoons or just to relax in a gorgeous setting. Playa del Carmen's original name was Xaman-Ha or waters of the north;. Playa del Carmen's location and natural beauty make it the perfect vacation spot for travelers of all ages and all budgets.
Playa del Carmen used to be a tiny fishing village, but the increasing rarity of unspoiled beaches, such as the one found there, have put it on the map as a vacation destination. Technically, Playa del Carmen is made up of the village area and the resort area. Both of these combined allow the traveler to experience the quaint charm of small town village life in this part of the world while experiencing all of the luxuries of a resort.
Accommodations vary from small seaside cabanas and large and luxurious four star resorts. Because of this, the savvy traveler can tailor his or her vacation exactly to their needs. Depending on the time of year, well appointed vacation rooms can be as little as $60 a night. There are also many places to please the palate. Playa del Carmen offers many different types of cuisine, from the adventurous to more simple manifestations of traditional Mexican cuisine.
A visitor to Playa del Carmen will never be at a loss for something to do. The Tank Ha Dive Center of Playa del Carmen offers scuba diving classes, the first of which is free if you are a guest of the Hotel Riviera Caribe Maya. All of the diving instructors are fully certified, guaranteeing safe, educational fun. In addition to diving near the shore, they also offer cavern diving for the more adventurous visitor.
Golfers can visit the Playacar Golf Club to play on the beautifully designed course that is surrounded by and integrated with the natural beauty of the surrounding tropical jungle and Mayan ruins.
The Mayan ruins offer their own entertainment in the form of a fascinating history. A short trip away from Playa del Carmen, guests of the beautiful seaside community can visit the spellbinding ruins of the Mayan cities. Xcaret, an eco-archaeological park, is adjacent to Playa del Carmen. Xcaret boasts a natural aquarium, underground rivers, horseback riding, and the once in a lifetime opportunity to swim with dolphins! They also have a botanical garden, a chance to see regional wildlife and a museum celebrating the local history.

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Sara Moen is a travel journalist and the editor of Playa Maya News located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, updated daily with local news, tours, real estate and hotels in Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>