PEOPLE AND LANGUAGE

The original inhabitants of this part of Mexico were Mayan and although Spanish is the official language, most of indigenous population still speak their native tongue. In the past few years, people from all parts of the world have settled here, giving this region a cosmopolitan atmosphere. It is fairly easy to encounter English, German, Italian and French speaking people, especially in hotels and in the larger towns.

LOCATION

The over 100 kilometer stretch known as the Riviera Maya is in the middle of the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It begins 32 kilometers south of the Cancun international airport and ends at a quaint fishing village called Punta Allen, located on a small peninsula within a large Biosphere Reserve.

Between these two points, there are many towns different in style and size, each with its own unique character, as well as a variety of beautiful bays and solitary beaches. The largest towns are Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum.

This magical region is also surrounded by many interesting places, such a Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Holbox, Contoy, Palenque, Chichen Itza, Uxmal, Guatemala, Cuba and Belize. There are numerous travel agencies and tour operators throughout the Riviera Maya that offer different tours and travel facilities.

HISTORY

The region known today as the Riviera Maya was an important commercial and religious center for the ancient Maya during the Post Classic Period (1000-1550 A.D.). Tulum, a Mayan fortress that looms over the Caribbean sea, is the most impressive site from this era, but there were other important towns such as Xaman-Ha (today Playa del Carmen), Xcaret (known by the Mayan as the port of Pole) and Xel-Ha, which was the first European settlement in the peninsula. Further inland is Coba, a city which had 50,000 inhabitants during the Classic Period (300-1000 A.D.).

Cozumel island, 45 kilometers long and 16 kilometers wide, lies quietly on the horizon in front of Playa del Carmen. During the Post-Classic period, it was a Mayan place of pilgrimage for paying homage to Ixchel, the goddess of fertility. There are many archaeological sites along the coast; vestiges of the many outposts which were established to accommodate the pilgrims.

The Riviera Maya was still a busy trade route when the Spaniards arrived in the XVI, Century, although the great "Classic cities, (Chichen Itza and Uxmal in the state of Yucatan, and Coba in Quintana Roo)," had long since been abandoned due to wars and conquests.

During the next three hundred years, under Spanish colonial rule, the lack of adequate roads deterred any significant demographic growth in this region, which suffered a long period of partial abandonment.