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Top 25 Destinations — World

The 2016 Travelers’ Choice award by Tripadvisor is out. This list could have been taken straight from my bucket list of places in the world to see. Most are far away, distant lands but one destination close to your home made the list. And not to be biased but it is my favorite place… Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Here is the top 25 worldwide destinations;

1. London, United Kingdom
2. Istanbul, Turkey
3. Marrakech, Morocco
4. Paris, France
5. Siem Reap, Cambodia
6. Prague, Czech Republic
7. Rome, Italy
8. Hanoi, Vietnam
9. New York City, New York
10. Ubud, Indonesia
11. Barcelona, Spain
12. Lisbon, Portugal
13. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
14. St. Petersburg, Russia
15. Bangkok, Thailand
16. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
17. Buenos Aires, Argentina
18. Hong Kong, China
19. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
20. Cape Town Central, South Africa
21. Tokyo, Japan
22. Cusco, Peru
23. Kathmandu, Nepal
24. Sydney, Australia
25. Budapest, Hungary

photo PDC_zpslkkf000b.jpg “Playa del Carmen is one of the top dive destinations in the world, thanks to vibrant sea life and dazzling underwater caverns. On dry land, Playa is a hipper and more modern version of the fishing village it once was. Spend some quality time on the golf course or wave hello to the playful spider monkeys at The Jungle Place sanctuary. Explore the ancient ruins of the Coba Mayan Village, or get in some quality people-watching as you shop and stroll along 5th Avenue.” Commented Tripadvisor about the destination hotspot Playa del Carmen.

Top 25 Beaches — World

Some of the most exotic and beautiful beaches made the list. Coming in at number 21 is Playa Paraiso in Tulum, Mexico. It is known gorgeous turquoise blue water, white powdery sand and breathtaking views.

Here is the top 25 worldwide beach destinations;

1. Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
2. Baia do Sancho in Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
3. Playa Paraiso in Cayo Largo, Cuba
4. Anse Lazio in Praslin Island, Seychelles
5. Cayo de Agua in Los Roques National Park, Venezuela
6. Flamenco Beach in Culebra, Puerto Rico
7. Playa de Ses Illetes in Formentera, Balearic Islands
8. Ngapali Beach in Ngapali, Myanmar
9. West Bay Beach in West Bay, Honduras
10. Nacpan Beach in El Nido, Philippines
11. Maho Beach in Cruz Bay, St. John
12. Whitehaven Beach in Whitsunday Island, Whitsunday Islands
13. Sharm El Luli in Marsa Alam, Egypt
14. Elafonissi Beach in Elafonissi, Greece
15. Playa Manuel Antonio in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica
16. The Baths in Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands
17. Camp’s Bay Beach in Camps Bay, South Africa
18. Praia da Marinha in Carvoeiro, Portugal
19. Kata Noi Beach in Karon, Thailand
20. Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, Florida
21. Playa Paraiso in Tulum, Mexico
22. Agonda Beach in Agonda, India
23. Horseshoe Bay Beach in Southampton Parish, Bermuda
24. Tumon Beach in Tumon, Mariana Islands
25. Praia de Santa Maria in Santa Maria, Cape Verde

“One of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. Swim, take a nap, read a book. You’ll be happy to just be here.” Commented one Tripadvisor client about Playa Paraiso in Tulum.

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“Best time to go: Year-round”, states Tripadvisor… can you imagine a gorgeous beach that has weather so nice it can be enjoyed year-round.

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How many places have you been to on these lists? To experience beautiful places you don’t have to travel across the world, just go to the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Explore the culture and cuisine, wonderful sights such as ancient Mayan ruins, cenotes and pristine beaches. Enjoy the near perfect weather year round… leave those frigid winters behind. Many Americans and Canadians are not just exploring the area but are choosing to retire here. They have selected a place where their social security, pensions, and saving will go much further. See what so many are talking about, explore the Riviera Maya.

If you are interested in exploring properties in the Riviera Maya contact a Top Mexico Buyers’ Representative today.

We Make It Happen!

If you are visiting or live in the Playa del Carmen area, be ready to have a different Christmas experience. Many celebrations are still attached to religious dates and traditions, some of them are similar to other countries and some others are very unique.

We have listed some of the holiday celebrations you will find in Mexico, and the meanings of the celebrations; so if you get invited to a Posada, or get the “Mono” in the King’s day bread you know what people are talking about.

Guadalupe- Reyes:

This is the name given to the festivities that surround Christmas: starting on the 12^th of December celebrating the Virgin of Guadalupe and including Christmas, King’s day (January 6th) and for some people even Candlemas (February 2nd).

The Virgin of Guadalupe:

Christmas Celebrations in Mexico start with the festivities offered to the Virgin of Guadalupe on December 12th. The Virgin of Guadalupe is the Patron Saint of Mexico, and has millions of devoted followers, every year in the Riviera Maya you can see guys running or biking on the roads carrying her image.

In the city, you might see groups of people marching in the streets carrying the image of the virgin, and using fireworks before arriving to the church to pray and hear mass. These celebrations go for many days previous and after the 12th of December.

Posadas:

Mexico celebrates Christmas with a variety of religious events, to commemorate the birth of baby Jesus and one of the most traditional is the Posadas.

Posadas starts on December 16th, and it commemorate the 9 day journey Joseph and Mary took to Belem. According to the tradition, Joseph, accompanied by his wife Mary, walked from the town of Nazareth in Belem to meet their tax obligations. Upon arrival, the Virgin was about to give birth, and they went to inns and homes asking for shelter. After being rejected many times, they took refuge in a barn where baby Jesus was finally born.

Posadas can come in any shape, from traditional style with the figures of Joseph and Mary being carried away from home to home, the traditional song asking for shelter and finally praying the rosary; followed with a party with food, drinks and a pinata.

If you have human contact of any sort, expect to be invited to many posadas a week; they can be organized by work, school institutions, and so on. Not surprisingly, people put on some extra pounds in this period!!!

Cena de Navidad (Dec 24th):

One of the things that confuse foreigners the most is the fact that Mexicans celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve: there is a big dinner with friends and family, then presents are opened and everyone stays up late!

For dinner, Mexicans have traditional offerings such as: turkey, pork tenderloin, ham or they go for Mexican Christmas dishes such as: Bacalao, Romeritos or traditional Tamales.

Dia de Reyes (King’s Day, Jan 6th):

According to the Gospel of Matthew, the three wise men found the divine child by following a star across the desert for twelve days to Bethlehem. Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar — representing Europe, Arabia, and Africa respectively– travelled by horse, camel, and elephant in order to present baby Jesus with gifts.

In Mexico, this festivity closes the Guadalupe- Reyes period and it is celebrated by joining friends and family and sharing some “Rosca de Reyes”, a traditional bread that has dried fruit on top and a hidden figure of baby Jesus is baked inside. If you get the baby Jesus figurine, prepare yourself to offer a party with Tamales on El dia de la Candelaria!

Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas, Feb 2nd):

If you haven’t eaten enough by now, Candlemas brings one last celebration. The people that got the baby figurine in the Rosca de Reyes has to offer a party with Tamales and Atole, and the festivities are finally over!

Celebrating Christmas in Mexico can be surprisingly different or familiar, depending of your country of origin. What is important is keeping an open mind to enjoy everything the festivities have to offer.

Here at Top Mexico Real Estate, we hope you have a wonderful time! Happy Holidays!