Viceroy Riviera Maya

The Viceroy Riviera Maya is a 41- villa resort set on the sugary-white-sand beach along the Riviera Maya. Surrounded by a lush jungle ambiance dotted with dense with ferns, palms and guava trees, it offers a luxurious retreat for guests 16 and older. Guests are treated to an ancient Maya blessing, performed by the onsite shaman - guaranteed to transform worries into a relaxed mindset to mesh with the tranquil resort. The spa employs Maya healing techniques and traditions, while a lagoon pool, fine-dining restaurant, seaside grill, private pier, fitness center and a library lounge are some of the many guest amenities. A menu of artisanal soaps offers a choice of scents. Once the selection is made, the Soap Concierge slices personalized bars from large blocks of soap for their use. Pet packages are available and include a blessing from the shaman, personalized, hand-made portable pet palapas and personalized menus designed by resort chefs.

The ancient tribes of Mexico have been absorbing the multiple physical and spiritual benefits of the temazcál for centuries, unveiling a ritual which has become very popular for visitors to the area. While there are many places where you can experience this, the luxurious Viceroy Riviera Maya has an improved version with a larger, improved “sweat hut,” the use of fresh medicinal herbs and a skilled “temazcálero.” Their enhanced Temazcál Ritual promises a powerful and intensive detox and purification experience. The ceremony takes place in an igloo-like stone structure, which participants enter forming a circle around a rock pit. Hot stones with rosemary, mint and rue are placed in the pit different four times, representing the four elements of water, earth, air and fire. Hot water, infused with the same medicinal herbs, is poured over the heated stones to create steam. Throughout the 90-minute ritual, the temazcálero invokes positive energy by chanting and herb tea and fruit are offered to prevent dehydration. At the end of the ritual, participants depart with a sense of calmness, renewal, and energy restoration. The ceremony is believed to cleanse the respiratory and digestive tracts, tone the skin, reduce stress, improve blood circulation and offers many other benefits. Spiritually, it is said to help induce a state of relaxation, provide a safe place for letting go, open the heart to the universe, and cleanse the mind and spirit.

There is no better place to get away from it all than Viceroy Riviera Maya. The luxurious hotel is tucked away in a little corner of Playa Del Carmen. Despite its proximity to Cancun International Airport, it offers an intimate and private experience. This idyllic romantic getaway is perfect for an anniversary or honeymoon because private villas are equipped with plunge pools, jungle showers, large balconies, and hammocks. It’s hard to tear oneself away from the villas but the hotel boasts of an expansive beach as well. Make sure you pick up a kayak at the hotel and go kayaking in the jewelled waters of the Caribbean Sea. The spa boasts of a variety of treatments, including archetypal Mexican experiences such as Mayan massages and Sweat Lodges. Getting a massage at Viceroy Riviera Maya is truly relaxing but you could step it up a notch for a special occasion. We’d suggest paying the minor surcharge ($15) for an open-air massage on the pier - in that case, you’ll get the spa ‘room’ in this photo.