Mayan Ruins
Surrounded by thick jungle, the renowned ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Coba can be reached in around 1 hour 30 minutes by car from Playa del Carmen. Located between two lakes, the city – founded in around 100AD - is home to several large temple pyramids – including the main one, Nohoch Mul, which stands at 138-feet tall! Also in the region, Tulum is an ancient Mayan port that combines fascinating history with pristine beaches. The main building is a large stone castle perched on a cliff, while the Parque Nacional Tulum is home to mangroves and cenotes.
The Great Mayan Reef
One of the great global dive spots, the Great Mayan Reef is the planet’s second largest barrier reef, stretching 450 miles from Cancun to Honduras. Thanks to the diversity in its marine life – which includes manta ray, dolphin and whale shark - the reef’s warm, crystalline waters boast sensational sites for diving and snorkelling.
Cenotes
Cenotes are striking natural sinkholes filled with crystal-blue water and illuminated stalactites and stalagmites, dotted along Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Swim, snorkel or dive in these enchanting limestone caves, once considered as sacred gateways to the underworld by the ancient Mayans. A sustainable tourism project, Parque Dos Ojos is one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world with some 30 cenotes spreading across 83km!
Beaches
Featuring more than 160-kilometres of coastline, the Riviera Maya boasts simply spectacular stretches of pristine, white sandy beaches, lapped by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Soak up the glorious Mexican sunshine or head into the wonderfully warm waves.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic direct from London Gatwick to Cancun in around 10 hours.
Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations i.e, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.