How to Make the Most out of the Summer | Top 10 Activities

The radio is playing those happy, summer songs that are sure to make you feel a little warmth at the pit of your stomach and fill your head with memories of sun, fun, and friends—summer is here.

Every summer has a story and this is not any different. With such an important date as 2012, these months of flip flops, beach, music, and friends must become the most important and exciting of any year.

If you’re planning a vacation to sunny Cancun and Riviera Maya, let us suggest the top 10 must-do activities for 2012 summer.

FLY.

Summer is freedom. And nothing represents freedom as flying. The Mexican Caribbean offers some of the most spectacular views to enjoy from atop the longest zipline in Latin America. Feel the adrenaline of a 30 km/hr zipline and land in a refreshing cenote in Xplor.

EXPLORE.

The Yucatan Peninsula is filled with history beginning with its very formation. Discover an ancient underground path and be dazzled by the beauty created by nature. You will live the intense emotion of uncovering the process behind these rock formations in Xplor that were shaped, drop by drop at the full sight of nature’s patient eye.

DISCOVER.

Living a unique adventure is a goal for any summer, not just this one. Imagine yourself immersed in underground rivers in Xcaret and exploring caves filled with water like a pro without previous training. Discover the underground scenery that lies beneath and be marveled by Earth’s wonders.

DIVE IN.

The Xel-Ha Park in the Riviera Maya is nature at its best. Known as the most beautiful natural aquarium in the world, the Park’s inlet is home to 14,258 organisms of different species. It is a unique setting where the mixture of fresh and salt water offers a space to see two eco-systems co-exist. Take your adventure to the next level with snuba: the perfect combination between snorkeling and scuba.

FEEL.

Paradise can be described as the place where nature is inspired to build the most amazing biodiversity. With love and care, both nature and men have built heaven on Earth. Xcaret is a sacred space for environmental conservation where dedication and human ingenious come together. Admire a great diversity of native species while aiding in the conservation of their eco-systems.

KISS.

Swimming with dolphins is a bucket list must this 2012. Xel-Ha invites you to swim in one of the best dolphin swim programs in the Riviera Maya. Nature is a priority, therefore, Xel-Ha takes special care not to disturb the natural environment of the dolphins and have the best treatment to ensure a friendly and respectful interaction between our visitors and dolphins.

TASTE.

Delight your senses with a delicious meal and the best and refreshing beverages. The world’s most beautiful natural aquarium not only offers the perfect setting to be awed, but also invites you into a worry-free haven where you can enjoy a limitless variation of food and drinks. When you arrive to Xel-Ha, we recommend you order our house drinks: Xel-Ha or Maravilla Natural, Xcaret, Xplor and Xichen. Cheers!

CHILL.

Relax! That’s what the summer is all about. Xcaret offers an enormous variation of activities for you to enjoy, but if it’s relaxation you’re looking for, the white-sand beach at Xcaret Eco Theme Park is your spot. Grab a hammock and enjoy the gorgeous light turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea, the soft sea breeze and the soothing sounds of the waves. Chill.

RELAX.

You’ve worked hard and it’s time to reward yourself. A holistic experience awaits you in Xel-Ha. The relaxing spa, Xpá, is the ideal location for those yearning purification, liberation, well-being, harmony and renewal. Enjoy the latest blend of aromatherapy and physiotherapy fusions with the ancient wisdom of the Mayans.

LIVE MEXICO.

Get wrapped up in the knowledge and culture of the Mayans this 2012, their year. Feel the drums of traditional dances and colors. Xcaret Eco Theme Park preserves the choreography and meaning of ancient Mayan traditions held by native people in pre-Hispanic times. In addition, Xcaret invites you enjoy a grand Mexican fiesta with its wide variety of live shows representing the country of Mexico. Visit Xcaret and get to know Mexico.

Enjoy this summer in Xcaret.

Experiencias Xcaret President

Receives Important Tourism Award

Architect Miguel Quintana Pali, president of Experiencias Xcaret, received the 2012 Tourism Leadership Award given by the National Tourist Business Council (CNET), a distinction that recognizes his significant contribution to the tourism development in Mexico these last 20 years.

The award was presented by the Federal Government Secretary of Tourism, Gloria Guevara Manzo, accompanied by the Chairman of CNET Pablo Azcarraga and Rodolfo López Negrete, the Deputy Director of theTourism Promotion Council of Mexico.

During the ceremony, Guevara referred to Quintana as “an entrepreneur with a social responsibility and a great love for his country. He will be remembered as a Mexican who left a great legacy in Mexico and a great example to follow. ”

In turn, Mr. Pablo Gonzalez Carbonell was asked to present Quintana’s work and took this time to showcase the Experiencias Xcaret Parks as an example of sustainability. Carbonell recognized the vision of rescuing natural resources, turning it into an international appeal and how it’s possible to innovate with a high level of environmental commitment.

During his speech, Architect Quintana marked his pride of being Mexican and sent a special message to entrepreneurs:

“I am convinced that there is no better time to be alive, no better place than our home: Mexico. We must seize the opportunities our country offers and heighten them in the tourism industry, as well as the business and social aspects with full respect for the environment.

As entrepreneurs, we have a responsibility to our country, which needs us now more than ever. How should we respond? We must create jobs that move the economy. We must remember that is not the property that creates wealth but rather its rational and productive use.”

The Architect Quintana thanked the recognition and said: “this award motivates me to keep going on the road to share the treasures of our Mexico, to give our visitors more reasons to extend their stay and that as Mexicans, we become even more proud of our country.”

Getting Close to Marine Life in Xel-Ha

Did you know that 14.258 organisms of different species on average live in the inlet at Xel-Ha?

Xel-Ha, the largest natural aquarium in the world, presents a great natural laboratory for its mixture of fresh and salt water, which is very attractive to scientists and biology students.

For this reason, scientists from Mexico and France chose this beautiful place as the perfect setting for research in highlighting the habitat, reproduction, and evolution of the queen conch. With this in mind, on May 26th, biologists, staff and guests gathered for the 1st Academy-Company Work Day, where staff, scientists and university students took part in 6 playful workshops that enabled participants to recreate the work of researchers where they got to observe, quantify, verify and present their results of each activity.

The workshop topics were:

• The Inlet
• Microscopic World
• Queen Conch
• The Mangrove
• The Fish
• Water quality and environmental education

Accompanied by a specialist in each area, participants were able to verify the methods used by marine biologists and were able to dive, swim, and explore the rainforest and micro organisms collected under a microscope.

The purpose of this meeting was to raise awareness and teach people of all ages, the work of a biologist and integrate science and technology directly into society.

At the end of the day, Dr. Dalila Aldana, a representative of the Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico and her group of scientists thanked everyone for the support and respect for the work they do. Dr. Aldana and her group of scientists participate in research and conservation of species in Xel-Ha Park and throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.

What suggestions can you think to take care of our oceans and their species?
Share 5 species that inhabit the oceans that you like.

Learn and Raise Awareness | June 5: World Environment Day

“Take care of the Earth and she will look after you.” – Author Unknown

Since 1973, June 5, the world opens its consciousness to mark the celebration of World Environment Day and look back at the damage we have done and what we do to start taking care of the Earth.

In celebration of this date, Experiencias Xcaret is proud to present the results of the socially responsible actions from January to December 2011. We are a 100% Mexican company dedicated to sustainable tourism, with over 25 years in the market.

Our goal is to raise awareness about the environment and communities that have given us the beautiful scenery to offer our visitors magical moments.

The Environment in Numbers

The Environment in Xel-Há

• 152.506 samples of free of biodegradable sunblock exchanged with visitors
• 354.238 pesos invested in biodegradable sunblock program
• 88,000 plants reforested
• 104,000 plants produced in nurseries
• 0.7 tons of CO2 per visitor per year. The world average for similar companies is 1 ton
• 557.000 liters of water treated per day
• 71% of our waste is recovered – the world average is 50% – of which we accumulate a year:
  • 36 tons of glass
  • 79 tons of paper and carboard
  • 44 tons of plastic
  • 17 tons of metal

Philanthropy

With our philanthropic arm, the civil association, Flora Fauna y Cultura de Mexico AC, we have conservation programs, environmental education and awareness:

• 858.000 sea turtles released only in 2011
• 5,539,355 turtles released from 1996 to 2011
• 1,250 participants sensitized to environmental education with the “Hall of Nature”
• 56.76 hectares reforested and rehabilitated
• More than 100,000 trees grown for reforestation state campaigns in 2011
• 61 public schools reforested, 1.747 and 570 trees planted ornamental plants, 44.950 m2 of coverage, 13.073 students participating from 2009 to 2011

In addition, Xel-Há manages several programs of social responsibility and environmental protection and conservation program of queen conch, recycling waste and water programs.

The Natural Wonder in Numbers

The Natural Wonder in Numbers | What Best Defines Us

• 14.258 organisms of different species on average in the population of the creek
• 10 years implementing the Queen Conch conservation program in conjunction with CINVESTAV
• 9.690 Marked queen conch from 2001 to 2011
• 1st place in the nationally recognized for its waste recycling program, recognition granted by SEMARNAT and COPARMEX in 2008
• 80% recovery of solid waste. The world average is 50%.
• 0.7 tons of CO2 generated per visitor per year.

Did you know that Xel-Há is the first park in the world to be certified by EarthCheck Sustainable Tourism?

This has been achieved thanks to the awareness and responsibility placed in each of our visitors. So do not forget when you visit, bring your biodegradable sunscreen (or trade it at the park), say no to straws, throw garbage in containers, and take care of wildlife around you.

To learn more about our social responsibility activities, download the complete report.