NEW!! Sahara Cafe on Soliman Bay

There's a new restaurant just south of Akumal called, “Sahara Cafe”. Currently open for lunch and dinner!

Owners, Enrico & Monika provide tasteful decor, quality service and a fresh, outstanding menu (we hear the Tomato Basil Soup is a great place to start)!

Location: Use the entrance where Oscar y Lalo used to be, and then turn right at the end; go about 50 meters to the Sahara Cafe. Telephone 984 129 2744.

Akumal Direct Reservations

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Celebrate Earth Day!

Earth Day, which marks its 40th year on April 22, is a time for people around the world to celebrate the good things the earth provides: food, water, plants, animals and everything we need to survive and thrive.

There are lots of ways to get involved in the protection of our planet, from supporting reef conservation and protecting the habitats of endangered species to participating in organized clean-ups of local outdoor spaces.

Here are some simple ways everyone can celebrate Earth Day right from Home:

• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 18 glasses of water.

• Leaving a room? Turn off the light.

• Avoid plastic bags for fruits and veggies. Leave them loose or score reusable produce net bags.

• Clean the dryer lint screen with each use and don't overload the dryer. Bonus points: Use a clothesline.

• Avoid buying or using plastic silverware, styrofoam and paper plates.

• Recycle. Just by salvaging paper, we can reduce 50 percent of the waste sent to landfills. For every 10 aluminum or steel cans recycled, we save 4 pounds of carbon; for every 10 glass bottles, we save 3 pounds of carbon.

• Go for products made from recycled materials; foil, tissue and paper towels are a good start.

• Plant a tree. Select a site with adequate sunlight, and enough room for roots and branches to reach full size. Avoid overhead and underground utilities. Make sure to water it until it is well established.

Learn about your impact on the environment. Take the ecological footprint quiz to see how much "nature" your current lifestyle requires.

Additional Resources:

• Earth Day 2010
• Eartheasy - Sustainable Living
• CEA, Akumal
• Plastic Bag Reduction
• Plastic Bags: Friend or Foe?
• Earth Resource Foundation

Akumal Direct Reservations

We love weddings!

Does your dream wedding take place on a powdery white beach with a backdrop of turquoise water and blue sky?

The Akumal area has been the "picture perfect" venue for many happy couples over the years. If you are planning to celebrate your nuptials on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, visit our Getting Married in Mexico and Destination Wedding Villa’s page and we’ll help you get started!



Akumal Direct Reservations

Zama's Beach Hotel and Restaurant

For reservations or for more information email Zama's at anjalopez@gmail.com

We love the beach!

Free Massage and Dinner with your Reservation

Enjoy a free massage and dinner with your reservation! All new reservations for Casa Rosa and Casa San Francisco* will include two free massages and one night dinner prepared by the staff.

Casa Rosa, Tankah - Fresh Updates and Wireless Internet and Vonage Phone Now Available. Bright, elegant and easy beachfront villa on Tankah Bay. Pristine Beach, Swimming Pool, AC, Full Kitchen. Check Availability & Book Now!

Casa San Francisco - What a very lovely place! Located in South Akumal this is luxurious but cozy beach front villa with incredible views. 4 Bedrooms plus guest house, pool, central air and a great staff. Check Availability & Book Now

Visit our April eNewsletter online here!

*Casa San Francisco: Special discount available for all new reservations arriving prior to Nov 18, 2010. Reservation must be confirmed by April 30, 2010

The Riviera Maya Jazz Festival Presents Acclaimed R&B Musical Stars, Phil Perry and Brian McKnight

Presented by the acclaimed Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, held annually in November, internationally-renowned musical artists Phil Perry and Brian McKnight perform a free concert the evening of Saturday, May 29 at Mamitas Beach Club in Playa del Carmen.

“Music is an integral part of a vacation experience; there’s nothing like sitting on a beach listening to great music under the stars,” states Javier Aranda, general director of the Rivera Maya Destination Marketing Office. “As a precursor to the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival which showcases jazz music from celebrated international artists and Mexican musicians over a four day period, this summer concert is yet another way we hope to enhance tourists’ experiences in the Riviera Maya.”

Renowned Mexican jazz singer, Caro Montes will open the concert with the debut of her first solo project. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Montes has performed at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival for the past four years as part of the jazz/rock group Aguamala.
Phil Perry, R&B singer, songwriter and musician, got his start in the music industry as a member of the soul group, The Montclairs. Perry again saw great success a couple decades later with the number one R&B hit, “Call Me,” as well as with other top 40 R&B singles “Amazing Love” and “Forever.”

Brian McKnight, a platinum recording artist who has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide, is known for his soulful fusions of pop and R&B and has established himself with enviable chart consistency, has toured for more than a decade, and has collaborated with artists across a multitude of genres such as Justin Timberlake, Willie Nelson and Christina Aguilera, to name a few.

Mamitas Beach Club is one of Playa del Carmen’s most popular spots for lounging and relaxing just steps from the Caribbean Ocean. It is also home to the renowned Riviera Maya Jazz Festival. Drawing more than 50,000 visitors to the Riviera Maya last year, the Festival boasts internationally-renowned jazz artists such as Herbie Hancock, Kool and the Gang, Gino Vanelli, Pat Martino, Sergio Mendes, The Tower of Power, Fourplay and George Benson, among many others, while also giving local jazz musicians the opportunity to display their talents. Celebrating its eighth season this year, the Jazz Festival will take place November 25-28.

Information courtesy of the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival 2010
Akumal Direct Reservations

Brand new golf club in the Riviera Maya!

Brand new in 2010, the Riviera Maya Golf Club is the newest and most exciting golf course here in the Riviera Maya. Spanning 223 acres and set within 717 acres of tropical rainforest, this course was designed by Robert Trent Jones II who is well known for applying environmental sensibility with the latest technology. The owners Grupo Pinero describe the course as “more than a game, it’s an environmental experience.” Riviera Maya Golf Club consists of 3 championship 9 holes courses, plus an executive 9 holes Par 27 course and practice area. At the practice area, golfers will find 2 driving range tee boxes, a chipping area with a bunker and a putting green that will provide the perfect way to warm up before a round or attend golf clinics or private lessons. This pristine 36 holes course winds between lush tropical jungle, rivers, and cenotes (natural sink holes) which promise golfers of all experience levels a fun and challenging world class golfing experience.

Located only 100kms south of Cancun International airport at Aventuras Akumal, and within close proximity to Akumal, Soliman Bay, and Tankah Bay. Book Casa Mariposa and get 50% off golfing and golf rentals at Riviera Maya Golf Club. Book any other property with Akumal Direct and receive 10% discount at Riviera Maya Golf Club. Please contact us for details.

For more information visit Riviera Maya Golf Club - Bahia Principe Aventuras Akumal

Happy Easter

Easter is one of the most important religious holidays celebrated in Mexico (following Christmas). With nearly 90% of the country being Catholic, Easter has a special significance to the entire country. Semana Santa ( Holy Week ) is going on right now. It begins with Palm Sunday to Easter Saturday and then Pascua begins, which begins Resurrection Sunday until the following Saturday. Different villages, towns and cities will all have their own unique community celebration and tradition. Depending on where you are traveling in Mexico at this time you may witness a variety of different traditions.

In many communities across Mexico, locals stage Passion Plays depicting Biblical events such as the Last Supper, the Betrayal, and the Procession of the 12 Stations of the Cross, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The enactments are often spectacularly staged, costumed and acted, with volunteers preparing for their roles for nearly the full year leading up to Semana Santa. In many communities, flagellation along with real crucifixion is included. The performances are often wondrously dramatic, costumed and enacted, with contestants planning for their roles for about a year leading up to Semana Santa.

However you celebrate Easter, we wish you and your family a happy day!

Celebrating Earth Day, 2010

See Disneynature's movie, "OCEANS" during opening week (April 22-28) and Disneynature will make a donation in your honor - contributing to one of the largest conservation organizations in the world, The Nature Conservancy. Working to protect the coral reefs in The Bahamas and other critical locations throughout the Caribbean and around the world.

See OCEANS, Save Oceans - Take a friend! For more information visit Disneynature online.