The Tides Condos Selling Well in Playa del Carmen

PLAYA DEL CARMEN -- Confirming its status as one of the Riviera Maya's most sought-after resort-residency properties, The Tides Playa del Carmen achieved record-breaking sales results over its opening weekend. Pre-construction sales totaled an all-time high of $50 million for this forthcoming project from Kor Hotel Group, which accounts for over 40% of the total 209 residential units. These figures establish The Tides as the most successful real estate project to date for downtown Playa del Carmen.

With striking architecture by the award-winning firm Legorreta+Legorreta and interiors by tastemaker Kelly Wearstler Interior Design, this Yucatecan sister to Kor’s original Tides in Miami's South Beach promises one-of-a-kind chic by the shore. Ground-up construction of the oceanfront property is scheduled to commence spring 2007 and is set for completion winter 2008.

Read more about this story here.

More:
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

Riviera Maya Mentioned as Celebrity Hot Spot

From this month's Forbes:

"Around Dec. 14, the holiday parties stop. After that, celebrities decamp to perennial hot spots like the Caymen Islands, St. Bart's, Aspen or Playa del Carmen--or hunker down to spend time with their families and close friends. "Christmas itself is sacred," says Lori Levine, whose company Flying Television plans celebrity events."

Read the full story.

More:
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

A Year of Development for The Riviera Maya

PLAYA DEL CARMEN - Local officials report that the Riviera Maya will have approximately 35,000 hotel rooms in by the middle of 2007. In September of 2006, it had 29,462, with 31,400 expected in operation by December 31, 2006.

This marks the second most rooms ever added to the region's inventory, just after 1998, with more than 5,000 rooms were constructed.

The Riviera Maya is on the cusp of passing Cancun (which has around 30,000 rooms) as the largest largest destination in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which also makes it one of the nation's largest.

Tourism officials forecast that the region will finish with 2,821,000 visitors in 2006, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 78%.

More:
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

NEWS FLASH: Fire Dancers Return to Blue Parrot

PLAYA DEL CARMEN -- For many Riviera Maya travelers in the 1990s and through to 2005, the fire dancers at Blue Parrot nightclub were one of the highlights of their trip. This all changed a year ago when an errant fireball thrown from one of the dancer's torches ignited the palapa roof above the bar and spread to neighboring hotels and bars. The area was evacuated and there were no casualties, but the fire caused millions of dollars of damage.

In August, the management at Blue Parrot petitioned city officials to return their license to perform their fire show. After several months of negotiations, the popular night spot has been granted the permit and the shows have returned, much to the delight of Playa del Carmen travelers.

The bar has agreed to have a crew of fire extinguishers at the ready and has taken out a $2 million USD insurance policy. The show must also take place 50 feet from the main bar, which puts it out on the beach near the waterline.

More:
Blue Parrot Hotel
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

Parking Meters On the Way for Riviera Maya

In yet another sign that the Riviera Maya is growing up, local government officials have announced plans to install nearly 1200 parking meters in the Playa del Carmen and Tulum areas. The meters will charge five pesos (about 50 US cents) per hour for parking. The move is designed to increase local tax revenue and help fund future public works improvements, including roads, sidewalks and beautification projects. The meters will not cost the government anything, since that will be installed by a concessionaire, who will be paid from future profits. Motorists will use a pre-paid debit card or cash to pay for parking at the meters.

They will be installed in heavily populated tourist areas, primarily near Fifth Avenue and surrounding areas of Playa del Carmen and the strip of Highway 307 that passes through downtown Tulum. Officials downplay the affect the change will have on the local population, noting that it is mostly tourists that park cars in these areas and that these travelers are already accustomed to paying for parking in their cities of origin.

Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

Riviera Maya Filling up for Jazz Festival

Riviera Maya tourism officials estimate hotel occupancy in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya to top 80% during this year’s Jazz Festival, which takes place November 22-25. The Jazz Festival, based in Playa del Carmen, will host numerous major jazz artists and will feature public displays throughout the region.

Schedule of events:

Wednesday, November 22: Performances by jazz and funk music icon Screaming Headless Torsos with guitarist David Fucinzcky.

Thursday, November 23: Mint Condition performs with Wet Paint.

Friday, November 24: Kool & the Gang plays with Tom Coster.

Saturday, November 25: Tom Coster performs a Beatles tribute set then Nacho Mendez and special guests play to close the festival.

Travelers planning on traveling to the region during this period should book their trips as soon as possible, to make sure they get the hotels they prefer.

More Info:
Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook

Travel Agents Rank International Destinations

Carlson Wagonlit has released results of a travel agent survey from Fall 2006. The Riviera Maya ranks as the third most popular international travel destination, while Cancun is number two and Playa del Carmen is tied for tenth.

Complete List:

1. Cruise - Caribbean

2. Cancun, Mexico

3. Riviera Maya, Mexico

4. Rome, Italy

5. Montego Bay, Jamaica

6. London, England

7. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

7. Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico

9. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

10. Cruise - Mexico (tie)

10. Playa del Carmen, Mexico (tie)

Riviera Maya Hotels
Airport Transportation
Tours & Activities
Riviera Maya Guidebook