Westworld Alberta

sime/estock photo, laureen morgane/maxx images S P R I N G 2 0 1 5 | W E S T W O R L D A L B E R T A 13 Discover the mysterious beauty of Tulum and the Xel-Há aquarium. From US$149 for adults; US$75 children (aged five to 11). AMATravel.ca/Activities Hit the Beach in the Mayan Riviera The water doesn't get much bluer nor the sand much finer than in this far-flung cor- ner of Mexico. Set along the northeast edge of the Yucatán Peninsula, Cancun and the Riviera Maya form a postcard-perfect vacation paradise. But it's not just about the beaches. With a fascinating Mayan history and a geography unlike any other in the Western Hemisphere, there's plenty here to hold your family's attention. Plus, the beaches are lined with family-friendly, all-inclusive properties. The Iberostar Paraiso Beach is a sprawling, colonial-style hotel that boasts one of the largest pools in the region. Or consider the Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda, which offers a family concierge ser- vice, child-sized amenities and rooms stocked with kid-friendly snacks, juices and milk. Begin your off-resort adventures at Tulum, the area's premiere Mayan site. Perched atop 12-metre- high cliffs and dating back to pre-Columbian times, the site includes the ruins of some 60 buildings within its three massive walls, including the impres- sive El Castillo, where an ancient civilization per- formed religious ceremonies. There's also a pretty amazing beach right below it. From there, dive into a cenote (pronounced "see- no-tay"), one of dozens of underground sinkholes and caverns that dot this part of Mexico – some with water so clear that it's possi- ble to see down as far as 60 metres. Make sure to get off- shore, too – snorkel and dive boats leave regularly for the nearby Mesoamerican Reef, where you can swim with dolphins, green sea turtles, more than 500 species of fish and the largest population of manatees on earth. Don't Miss: Rio Secreto, a recently discovered "secret" river that runs for several kilometres underground. Strap on a life jacket and a headlamp and take the remarkable tour, which involves scrambling past stalagmites and stalactites and swimming through the fresh, clear waters. Insider Tip: Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres preserves old Mexico. Rent a golf cart and spend the day enjoying a slower pace, checking out the roadside food stands, a turtle farm and practically deserted beaches that go on for miles and miles. The Best Part: While most of your meals will probably be eaten at an all-inclusive resort, you can get a taste of authentic Mexican cooking on a tour of Playa del Carmen's famous Fifth Avenue with a gourmet dining tour. You'll visit three restaurants from among dozens that line this four-kilometre pedestrian stretch, giving you a sampling of tradi- tional recipes – some of which date back to Mayan times. (Visit AMA Travel, at amatravel.ca/Activities, to book.) iPad readers: Check out a fifth family trip: exploring Quebec City. 2

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