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Places of interest – Grand Sunset Princess
Discover the must-see places around the hotel
The Grand Sunset Princess is very close to Cancun and Tulum, as well as some other truly wonderful destinations. Historical gems and natural wonders are just a few miles away. Whether you like adventure or you prefer archaeology and nature, there’s plenty to choose from. Halfway between Cancun and Tulum, there’s much more to discover.
If you fancy a leisurely stroll, the heart of Playa del Carmen is 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida), which runs along the waterfront and is mainly pedestrian, making it the perfect place for enjoying a spot of shopping and soaking up the local atmosphere. It’s lined by restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, where you can pick up some local crafts or a bit of diving gear. A meeting place for visitors and locals alike, 5th Avenue is bustling with life all day long.
Cozumel
Once you’ve picked up all your diving accessories (don’t forget the essential snorkel), head over to Cozumel, a breathtaking island just an hour away from Playa del Carmen. Cozumel is surrounded by a stunning coral reef waiting to be explored by snorkelers and divers.
Xcaret
Also nearby is a place brimming with magic and history, Xcaret, a port that dates back to Mayan times and which is home to a fantastic biodiversity. In Xcaret you can see countless types of birds, felines such as jaguars and pumas, a cave full of bats, or the mythical sea turtles. It’s also home to an aquarium where you can observe local and international species in their marine ecosystems. You can also swim with dolphins, take a dip in a cenote, admire underground rivers and lagoons, and unwind on the beaches here.
Xel-Há
Xel-Há means ‘the place where water is born’ and is full of an amazing magnetism that can only be found in Rivera Maya. Its peculiar relief means that underground springs and rivers mix with the salty water of the sea, creating an ecosystem as beautiful as it is original. It’s all sheltered by a verdant rainforest, with quirky caves and cenotes, and there’s a sprinkling of well-preserved archaeological remains, such as ancient walls and altars devoted to Chaac, the Mayan god of rain. In Xel-Há you can also enjoy sports and leisure activities. Whatever takes your fancy, you’ll be able to do it here. And always surrounded by refreshing water and the sounds of nature.
Sian Ka’an
If Xel-Há is the ‘place where water is born’, Sian Ka’an is ‘the gift of heaven’, a must-visit eco-tourism park that covers more than 120 kilometres of coral reef and the towns of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Cozumel and Solidaridad. Here you’ll find wetlands, underground rivers, rainforests, mangroves and lagoons that are home to all the life and exuberance of nature in Riviera Maya. The beaches lapped by spectacular turquoise waters and the immaculate natural landscapes here are bordered by the Mayan ruins of Coba and Tulum.
Cobá
Coba means ‘waters stirred by the wind’ and dates from 600-900 AD, which in Mayan time corresponds to the Classic period. It flourished into a large city covering 100 square kilometres that was inhabited for hundreds of years and for a long time even rivalled Chichen Itza. Today, there are six square kilometres of archaeological remains with low-level houses built on limestone, pyramids such as Nohoch Mul, or ‘great mound’, which at forty-metres high is the tallest on the peninsula. The Mayan pyramid known as ‘the church’ is another highlight and commands fabulous views over the Macanxoc lagoon.
Tulum
Perched on the cliffs of the Quintana Roo coastline is the breathtaking fortress of Tulum, from where you can marvel at the Caribbean in all its splendour. Dating from the Postclassic period (1000-1500 AD), the fortress of Tulum was the epicentre of Mexico’s trading activities. It’s excellently preserved, which is why it’s famous across the world. More than sixty structures, such as the Castle, the Temple of the Descending God and the Temple of the Frescoes, are must-sees on this historical site that seems to float on the waters of the Caribbean
