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A PERFECT DAY FOR:
CULTURE ENTHUSIASTS
Morning
Kick off your day at Cobá, the ancient Mayan city that flourished
between 400 and 1100 A.D. Buried deep in the jungle, most of it
hasn’t been uncovered, lending an air of mystery. Scale the steep
stone steps to the top of Nohuch Mul, the Yucatán’s tallest pyramid
at more than 130 feet high, and puzzle over the limestone hoops
at two ball courts. Ponder the risks of the game — it’s believed the
loser (or maybe the winner) was sacrificed at the end. You can
explore on your own, but the tree-shaded site is big, so you’ll want
to rent a bicycle or get a pedicab to take you around. Or, to max-
imize your understanding and appreciation of the Maya’s history
and culture, go with a guided tour.
Afternoon
Cool off with a dip in a
cenote
. The Riviera Maya is riddled with
hundreds of these natural limestone sinkholes, which the Maya
believed were sacred gateways to the underworld. Take your pick of
the three subterranean grottoes just minutes from Cobá: Choo-Ha,
Tamcach-Ha, and Multum-Ha. These smaller, off-the-beaten-path
cenotes offer the unforgettable experience of descending into
underground depths beneath the jungle without the crowds the
more-touristed pools attract. Choo-Ha’s shallow, fish-populated
waters and stalactites and stalagmites are ideal for families with
children; Tamcach-Ha’s narrow spiral-staircase entrance and dual
diving platforms will thrill the adventurous; and Multum-Ha’s clear
waters are perfect for snorkeling. Whether you visit one, two, or
three, you’ll undoubtedly agree with the Maya — they look
absolutely otherworldly.
Dinner
Head into Playa del Carmen (“Playa” for short), the Riviera Maya’s
vibrant city hub, and stroll along Fifth Avenue. Lined with shops,
restaurants, and bars, the pedestrian promenade buzzes at night
with roving musicians, diners, and clubgoers. For a taste of Mayan
cuisine, dine at Yaxche. Its well-rounded menu of difficult-to-
pronounce dishes leans heavily on sour orange juice,
xcatic
chili
peppers, and reddish
achiote
. Try the crunchy duck served with
cucumber salad and tortillas.
Evening
End the night with a mezcal tasting at Don Mezcal, a cool little bar
off Fifth Avenue. Like tequila, mezcal is made from the agave plant,
but it’s smokier and more intense. The ancient Mayans drank
mezcal and its predecessor
pulque
as a way to celebrate the gods.
(It’s said that if you drink a lot, you could hallucinate.) Ask the
bartender to pour sampler shots of some of the numerous varieties
stocked — you might get a couple on the house.
Cosmopolitan Playa del Carmen is the
Riviera Maya’s hub for shopping, dining,
and nightlife.
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INTERVAL WORLD Spring 2016 IntervalWorld.com