You can experience the magic of the ancient Mayans and get a taste of the rich culture of Mexico at the Occidental Grand Xcaret.  Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, surrounded by dense jungle and lush tropical foliage, this all-inclusive resort sits along the Caribbean Sea on white sand beaches that fade into the turquoise waters.  The canals of the subterranean river wind through the Grand Xcaret’s premises, which are scattered with Mayan ruins and adventurous pathways.  With an attentive team and an all-inclusive plan, where nearly everything is included, you will build memories that will last you a lifetime.  This resort perfectly submerges you within the deep, rich history of an ancient civilization, while still pampering you lavishly.

 759 rooms make this resort and supply you with first-rate service all throughout your stay.  The grand Romance Junior Suite will make you feel like top priority, offering you with added perks such as a chilled bottle of bubbling champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, in-room couple massages, breakfast in bed, a romantic dinner for two, turndown service, along with other surprise amenities.  For an upgrade with more customized service, you can opt to move up to the Royal Club.  These suites come with a Jacuzzi style bathtub and admittance to the restricted-access VIP area, an exclusive restaurant, a dedicated concierge, a special pool, a fully-equipped business center, on-demand room service, and private check-in/check-out service.

 With all the free access included with the all-inclusive plan, and so many onsite aspects of this resort, you won’t have any need to step off the grounds.  Some of their facilities include: a large lagoon, private beach club (with bar and butler service), non-motorized water sports, two lake-shaped pools, tennis courts, gym, solarium, archery, shuffleboard, disco, sports programs, mini-golf, supervised kids activities (for children ages 2 to 12), eleven themed restaurants (serving everything from Asian fusion dishes, local Mexican cuisine, fresh caught seafood, and more), ten bars (with all drinks free of charge), a business center, conference facilities for up to 1,800 people, the world-class Occidental Grand Xcaret spa, free weddings, and a variety of honeymoon packages

 With your stay, each guest is given a pass to the neighboring, famous Xcaret Park, where you can explore nature through their butterfly farm, by snorkeling the ancient waterways, swimming with the dolphins in the lagoon, and spotting howling monkeys, flamingos, parrots and more throughout the park.

 RIU Hotels & Resorts has over 100 hotels in 17 countries, 13 of which are in Mexico.  They feature Mexico properties in Cancun, Los Cabos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Maya.  Their “sun in the sand tourism” oath, they appeal to families, couples, and adventure-seeking adults alike. 

 Their Mexico Resorts include:  Hotel Riu Cancun, Hotel Riu Caribe, and Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas in Cancun; Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas and Hotel Riu Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas; ClubHotel Riu Tequila, Hotel Riu Lupita, Hotel Riu Palace Mexico, Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya, and Hotel Riu Playacar in Play del Carmen; and ClubHotel Riu Jalisco, Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico, and Hotel Riu Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta.

 Their all-inclusive plan is different from others, as it has levels.  The first, and basic, plan includes all meals and snacks, mini-bar, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, daytime land and sea activities (such as gym, air gun shooting, tennis, sailing and more), supervised kids’ program, nightly entertainment and all taxes and gratuities.  And their 24-hour all-inclusive program is similar but more luxurious amenities and services are offered.

 Palace Resorts has been a popular all-inclusive destination for travelers to locations such as Cancun, Cozumel, Nuevo Vallarta, Playacar, and Riviera Maya.  And after many renovations and enhancements, it’s growing even stronger.  These resorts offer a deluxe environment for couple, families, and those looking for relaxation.  They are also a top pick for the wedding and honeymoon department.

 Among their resorts are Beach Palace, Cancun Palace, Sun Palace and Moon Palace & Spa Resort in Cancun, Aventura Spa Palace, Xpu-Ha Palace, and Playacar Palace in Riviera Maya, Cozumel Palace in Cozumel, and Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (opening Fall 2008).  They also have a separate brand, the adults-only Le Blanc Spa Resort, which caters to the more demanding guests who request extra attention and more refined surroundings.

 Included in their all-inclusive plan is all meals and snacks, domestic and international drinks and liquors, 24-hour room service, non-motorized watersports, day time activities, wireless internet, live shows and theme parties at night, supervised children’s activities in the kids’ club, and taxes and gratuities.  Also included in the all-inclusive package are select excursions, specific to the resort, as part of the package.  Among such excursions are visits to Chichen Itza, horseback riding, and snorkeling.  They also offer, through December 2008, their Palace Passport promotion, which rewards you with vouchers and discounts on car rentals, tours, spa treatments, golf, and more.

 The luxury Karisma hotels & resorts feature five all-inclusive properties in Riviera Maya.  These resorts offer a cozy atmosphere with a details-driven mentality.  The resorts are separated into two brands, El Dorada and Azul Hotels.  El Dorada is exclusively for adults, and seeks to please couples and honeymooners.  Azul Hotels are adults-oriented, but welcomes children just the same.  These hotels offer upscale accommodations and services, and feature a high-end take on the standard all-inclusive experience.

 They adopted the oath of “gourmet inclusive,” which shows their attention to top cuisine and creativity.  And their all-inclusive plans include pre-stocked bars, daytime and nighttime activities (such as Spanish lessons, live music shows, beach parties, cooking classes, tequila tastings, and more), non-motorized watersports, unlimited local and selected international premium liquor brands, concierge services, kid’s activities and taxes and gratuities.  Also, included in select properties are iPods prepared with your music predilections, pillow menus and wireless internet.

 Along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline you will find eight all-inclusive Iberostar properties, five of which form part of the Iberostar Playa Paraiso complex.  These resorts are located in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya, and include:  Iberostar Cozumel, Iberostar Paraiso Beach, Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar, Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, Iberostar Paraiso Maya, Iberostar Queztal, Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso, and Iberostar Tucan.

 The Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in the Riviera Maya is the brand’s first adults-only, all suite hotel in Mexico.  This resort offers luxury to all their guests.  All the other resorts gear towards families, singles and couples alike.  Their all-inclusive plan includes all meals and snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, treats from mini-bars, room service, nighttime shows and entertainment (including access to onsite dance clubs for teens and adults), non-motorized watersports, gym access, daily activities (like dance classes, table tennis, archery, beach games and more specific activities to each resort), taxes and gratuities, scuba clinics at the pools, and children’s club, where they offer a variety of supervised games and activities.  Some activities and accommodations are specific to the resort, for example, the entire Playa Paraiso complex and it’s resorts have their own shopping center, and a 18-hole P.B. Dye golf course for an additional fee.  The complex also offers complimentary shuttle rides to nearby Playa del Carmen.

 Barcelo has become a big name in All-Inclusive Resorts, and though not all of their properties are all-inclusive, their hotels are still at the top for Mexico destinations.  Their all-inclusives are geared toward families with or without children and couples alike.  All of their ocean side locations have been carefully chosen to give you the beauty and luxury you expect. 

 In Mexico, the Resorts offered are Barcelo Costa Cancun, Barcelo Tucancun in Cancun, Barcelo Hautulco Beach, Barcelo Ixtapa Beach, Barcelo Los Cabos, Barcelo Karmina Palace in Manzanillo, Barcelo Maya Beach, Barcelo Maya Caribe Beach, Barcelo Maya Colonial Beach, Barcelo Maya Palace, Barcelo Maya Tropical Beach, and Barcelo La Jolla de Mismaloya in Puerto Vallarta.

 Included in their all-inclusive plans are meals and snacks at any of the resorts, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, daily and nightly activities (such as entrance to dance clubs, mini-golf, volleyball, live shows and more), snorkeling lessons, non-motorized water sports, kid’s club for ages 4-12, and taxes and gratuities.  They also offer their Premium Club services, which include: preferred reception desk area, personalized concierge service, access to the exclusive Premium Club Lounge (with internet service, snacks and drinks), priority seating and reservations at restaurants and more.

 In 2006, Jamaica experienced a record-breaking year with more that three million arrivals, one million of which were from the U.S. alone.  Last year about 1,000 new rooms were added to the island, and there are 1,200 more planned.  Also, the JAPEX, Jamaica’s annual tourism exchange meeting, featured a number of Spanish-owned all-inclusive chains that are building on the island, and that are aiming at attracting visitors from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Eastern Europe and North America.

 A few of the big names in Jamaica are Riu and Iberostar, and Gran Bahia Principe.  Riu has two resorts in Negril – Club Riu and Riu Tropical Bay – and one in Ochos Rios.  The Riu group will also be opening a resort in Montego Bay, Hotel Riu Montego Bay.  All of these resorts are 24-hour all-inclusive, offering meals at one of their many restaurants, and activities on Bloody Bay beach in Negril, and Dunn’s River Falls in Ochos Rios.  The Iberostar has the Iberostar Rose Hall in Montego Bay.  This all-inclusive resort offer 3 specialty restaurants, 1 buffet restaurant, and infinity pool and more.  The Gran Bahia Principe is a five-star, all-inclusive resort, with nearly 600 rooms, seven restaurants, five bars, a disco and an amphitheatre.

 Strawberry Hill, Irish Town, Jamaica is a luxury 50-acre, hill top resort set amongst stunning surroundings.  This resort allows you to escape the congested life, and retreat to the beauty of Jamaica.  Set amongst the mountains, the resort offers views such as the Blue Mountains, the Caribbean Sea, and panoramic views of the neighboring mountains and streams.

 The Resort consists of 12 traditionally designed cottages, all with an interior decorated in 19th century Georgian architecture, with the walls adorned with several pieces of Jamaican art and many photographs.  Each cottage differs in their style, and are categorized into one bedroom, deluxe villas and studios.  They all come equipped with TVs, DVD players, mini bars, in-room safes and drawers, high-speed wireless Internet access, and deluxe bathroom accessories.

 The dining at the Strawberry Hill is an arrangement of exotic dining with a Jamaican menu, which also features several international recipes.  They also offer their Aveda Concept Spa, which is dedicated to building up and maintaining a good physical and mental health.

 The Kapalua Resort in Maui is appealing more and more to active and eco-conscious travelers by the day.  This January the Kapalua Resort opened its Kapalua Adventure Center. 

This 4,500-square-foot Adventure Center features one of the largest and longest (2,200 feet) zipline systems in North America.  This zipline system consists of eight dual-tack runs, two suspension bridges, a comprehensive high ropes challenge course and a four-station climbing tower.  This system allows guests to view the plant and bird life without disrupting the ecosystem.

The entire Kapalua Adventures is designed to impact the natural environment as little as possible.  The ziplines let you learn without disrupting, and guests are transported from the Adventure Center to the Mountain Outpost in biodiesel vehicles.  Kapalua Resort has even pledged 10 percent of the profits generated by the Adventure Center to the Puu Kukui Watershed Preserve, which houses several of the world’s rarest plants and insect in its delicate ecosystem.

The Center also offers their Mountain Outpost experience, where guests can lean about the geological, natural, and cultural history of the area from guides who have been trained in the history, culture, flora and fauna of the area, as well as safety and first aid.  And soon there will be 100 miles of hiking, mountain biking, equestrian trails, outrigger paddling and sailing canoe programs.  And after your adventurous day you can rest and enjoy the great dining options in the destination.

 Mazatlan is one of the top hot spots for Mexico tourism.  Since 2002, this historic coastal city has undergone an extreme renovation, making tourism the top local industry, and making it actually surpass the longtime standings as the shrimp capital of the world.  In 2004, the city’s occupancy rate was at 41 percent, but has consistently jumped an estimated 10 percent each year.  And the hotel association expected to close 2007 at nearly 70 percent occupancy.

 Credited to all the new tourism, The Mazatlan Hotel Association and the State of Sinaloa hosted the 13th Annual Gran Fiesta amigos de Mazatlan in November, honoring national and international travel partners.  The four-day fiesta started off with a dinner catered by Los Arcos Restaurant in Machado Square (also known as the art and cultural hub of the city).  It was followed by a gala dinner the next evening held at The Inn at Mazatlan, where fireworks and a 14-piece band accompanied the dinner.  The band played the region’s own brand of Latin music named “Banda,” a cross between polka music and mariachi. 

 The ceremony was finished off on the last night with The Annual Deer Awards ceremony at the El Cid Marina Beach Hotel & Yacht Club.  The Awards honored airlines and tour operators for their contributions to Mazatlan’s growing popularity.  Frontier Airlines won a Golden Deer Award for their direct flights, and the tour operator Pleasant Holidays also was awarded.  Guests of the fiesta were offered excursion options from Pronatours, such as day trips to nearby pueblos in the Sierra Madre mountains.