Hyatt Cancun Caribe is an elegant boutique resort, located on the Caribbean Sea, facing a half-kilometre of white sand beaches and landscaped gardens. It is the perfect destination from which to visit the famous Mayan ruins. http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Cancun_Mexico/hyattcancuncaribe/hotel/445/16/ en-us Copyright 1998 e-TravelMedia.com/CaribbeanMag.com Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:03:56 EST Cancun is Mexico's top tourist destination. Located on the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, its beaches are unparalleled. Cancun's beaches offer gleaming white sands and the clear blue-green waters of the Caribbean. Hyatt Cancun Caribe is an elegant boutique resort, located on the Caribbean Sea, facing a half-kilometre of white sand beaches and landscaped gardens. The hotel is 22 kilometres (13 miles) from Cancun International Airport, five minutes from Cancun Convention Centre and the main shopping malls, 10.5 kilometres (6.5 miles) from downtown and just five minutes from the Hyatt Regency Cancun. The hotel features 226 Ocean Front View rooms, including 139 Deluxe rooms with private balcony or terrace, 28 Beachfront rooms with a spectacular view and 59 Villa rooms which include Regency Club® rooms and Regency Club® Suites with individual access to the beach. Hyatt Cancun Caribe also offers a wide range of restaurants and exciting nightlife, together with a host of hotel facilities that includes three pools, tennis courts, an infinite variety of water sport opportunities and impressive meeting facilities. The hotel is a paradise for any celebration. The Hotel has been recognized with the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award. This Award reflects an exceptional degree of hospitality, service and attention to detail, while offering upscale facilities and a variety of amenities. It has been named a winner of Incentive magazines´s prestigious Platinum Partner Award for 2002. AMENITIES: All rooms are air-conditioned, with two double or one king bed, full bath, hairdryer, telephone, satellite television, private balcony or terrace with ocean view, minibar and 24-hour Room Service. Hyatt Cancun Caribe's magnificent setting on the beachfront, overlooking the Caribbean Sea, features a marina and a variety of water sports right in front of the hotel. An array of recreational facilities include a magnificent pool area with three pools, two jacuzzis and a poolside bar, three tennis courts, one of which is floodlit, a jogging track and massage facilities. Golf is also available nearby. Services and facilities: - Laundry and dry-cleaning - Three tennis courts - Marina and water sports in front of the hotel - Golf course reservations - Free valet parking - Ice machines - Telefax - Voicemail and electronic wake-up service - Sending mail and packages - Disabled facilities - 24-hour currency exchange - Physician on call 24 hours a day - Travel agency - Beauty salon - Car rental services - Boutique - Gift shop - 24-hour Room Service - Concierge service Babysitting Services Services may be arranged with 24 hours' advance notice by contacting our Concierge. ACTIVITIES: Archaeological Sites The most frequently visited sites (with the exception of Tikal in Guatemala) are all in Mexico and can be reached by air from Cancun. Some are also connected to Cancun by road and highway, including Tulum and Chichen Itza, two of the largest Mayan sites ever uncovered. Chichen Itza This is perhaps the most famous Mayan cultural site in the world, and one of the richest and largest archaeological remnants of that civilisation. Founded in 445 BC, and inhabited until 1204 AD when it was mysteriously abandoned, Chichen Itza lies about 192 kilometres (120 miles) west of Cancun. The site's most impressive structure is the 75-foot pyramid, the Temple of Kukulcan, whose stairs lead up to two large serpent heads. In an impressive display of ancient Mayan science, the temple accurately predicts the spring and autumn equinoxes in a spectacle of light and shadow. Thousands gather at this time to see the snake-like shadow of Kukulcan, the greatest of the Mayan gods, descend the main pyramid. When Kukulcan had completed his descent, the Mayan people knew it was time to plant corn. Another outstanding feature is the Ball Court, the largest in Central America, where ancient Mayans played a mysterious and complicated game that is still the subject of debate. The Ball Court's history is no less intriguing than its acoustics: you can hear someone talking from the far side of the field, even though it is over a football field in length. Tulum Just over 129 kilometres (80 miles) south of Cancun is Tulum, believed by archaeologists to be one of the most important ceremonial centres of the Mayan people. Dating back more than 1700 years, the remains indicate what was once a massive walled city by the sea, with roads, homes and businesses. Its geographical location, right on the Caribbean Sea, enabled Tulum to become a major Mayan trade centre. Thousands of canoes travelled there from around the region. One of the highlights of Tulum is El Castillo, an impressive pyramid perched on a 40-foot cliff and thought to be one of a series of lighthouses that guided seafarers. Here too is the Temple of the Dios Descendente, named after a carving of an upside-down winged deity over the doorway, and the Temple of the Frescos, which still bears traces of colour from ancient palettes. Also at the site is the Pueblo de Tulum (Tulum Village) with a restaurant and a colourful market. Uxmal Considered one of the most striking of all the ancient cities of the Maya, Uxmal dates from the Classic Period and is seen rising magnificently from the hills of the Puuc Range. The buildings and structures here are in excellent condition and one, the Piramide del Adivino (Pyramid of the Seer), offers the most breathtaking view in all the Yucatan. The nightly Light and Sound Show will provide you with a different outlook on this mysterious and captivating archaeological site. Uxmal is situated about 81 kilometres (50 miles) directly south of Merida on highway 261. Coba Three hours south of Cancun is Coba, an early Mayan site yet to be fully reclaimed from the jungle. Begun in 600 AD, Coba is a combination of the leading attractions of Uxmal and Chichen Itza, but its geographical location, 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Cancun, provides an added sense of adventure as it was built in the heart of the jungle. The outstanding feature is the Pyramid of Nohoch Mul, the highest of its kind on the Yucatan Peninsula. Kohunlich Discovered less than three decades ago, Kohunlich is one of the finest sites in the south of Quintana Roo, specially notable for the enormous gargoyles on the main pyramid which are supposed to represent the Gods of the Underworld, rather like the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. It is 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Chetumal, the capital of Quintana Roo, and can be reached from Cancun by air in 50 minutes, or by road, a distance of 360 kilometres (224 miles). Kabah Kabah is a large classic site, reaching its highest period of development around 800 AD, which has been only partially excavated. A collection of structures designated Grupo de Palacio (Palace Group) is now completely uncovered and shows the architectural advancement of the Mayan builders, called the Korbel Arch. The edifice, Codz-Pop, is located here, and has a facade that features 250 intricate masks representing the rain god Chaac. Kabah is situated on highway 261 about two hours' drive south of Merida. There are other smaller, but no less interesting sites, such as Sayil, Labna, Chunyaxe, Oxtankah Kinichn and Dzibanche, all in the state of Quintana Roo. El Rey, San Miguelito and El Meco are three other places, easy to reach from Cancun, and with a rich history. DINING/RESTARUANTS: Type: Resort Beach Location: Beach Front (Directly on Beach/Water Front) http://www.caribbeanmag.com/search/hotels/Cancun_Mexico/hyattcancuncaribe/hotel/445/16/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:03:56 EST