Costa Maya: Mexico's New Eco Tourism Hotspot

As the world becomes more and morelocated in or near the Costa Maya that will make
overcrowded and cities of concrete have evolvedyou feel as if you've taken a step back in time.
to become our natural habitat, the eco-tourismOther natural adventures include a visit to the
industry has exploded. Eco tourism is a form ofnumerous freshwater cave pools called ceynotes,
tourism focused around natural activities such asbeachside horseback riding, and fishing excursions.
scuba diving, rock climbing, and horseback riding.Running parallel to the Costa Maya coastline is the
Mexico has been at the forefront of theMeso American Reef, the largest coral reef in the
eco-tourism industry for years and hasNorthern Hemisphere. The warm Caribbean
successfully developed several eco-tourism basedweather and crystal clear waters make snorkeling
vacation destinations, the latest of which is theand scuba diving along the reef an absolutely
Costa Maya.breathtaking experience. After immersing yourself
If you haven't heard of the Costa Maya, it's ain the slow motion world of the colorful Caribbean
name that will no doubt become as well known asfish, sea turtles, and anemones, you may leave
Cancun or Cozumel in the near future. Likethe Costa Maya with a new hobby – or
Cancun and Cozumel, the Costa Maya region isdecide never to leave at all.
located along the Caribbean Sea in Mexico'sPerhaps the most exciting opportunity in the
Yucatan peninsula. But unlike Cancun, theCosta Maya is the real estate investment
nightclubs, bars, and skyscraping hotels aren't partpotential. The Costa Maya is one of the last
of the development plan for the Costa Maya.remaining stretches of unexploited coastal land
Instead, the majority of the 57 mile long Costaanywhere in the Caribbean. Part of the Mexican
Maya will be gently developed to retain itsgovernment's investment in the area included
Caribbean coastal beauty.brining power and water to this stretch of
Majahual, located toward the southern tip of thebeachfront, now zoned for residential living. As the
Costa Maya, is where most of the structuraleco-tourism industry in the Costa Maya has
tourism development is taking place. Once a small,grown, so too have the real estate values. At this
sleepy fishing village, Majahual is now a majorpoint in the area's development, beachfront lots
focus of the Mexican government's efforts toare still selling for as little as $50,000 US dollars
promote eco-tourism in the area. Like the Mexicanand are expected to sell for values in excess of
government's former tourism expansion projects$1 million in 10 to 15 years.
in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, the once sleepyIf you're starting to feel run down by deadlines,
village is quickly growing into a nature-inspiredschedules, and traffic jams, an eco-tourism
resort town.adventure in the Costa Maya may be just the
The name "Costa Maya" literally means, thething to revive your spirits. Perhaps you'll find
Mayan Coast. Remnants of this enchanting ancienteven more than a week-long adventure and
Mayan culture can be found all over the Yucatanstake a permanent claim to your own little slice of
peninsula. There are 5 different Mayan ruin sitesCaribbean paradise.