CubaPLUS Magazine

In spite of the fact that some pessimists keep thinking that the world will stop turning with the end of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012, Riviera Maya is getting ready to receive the almost 4 million visitors this beautiful destination located on the east coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is expecting for the coming year.

For 2013 a wide variety of festivals and Special events will be organized offering an added value for those who opt to vacation in Riviera Maya.

The first event of the year is the Cancúnndash;Riviera Maya Wine amp; Food Festival, where, in its second edition, Europe meets Mexico. One of the special guests is Top Chef Massimo Bottura who was named Chef of the Year 2010" by the International Academy of Gastronomy.

Massimo Bottura is the creator and the owner of the restaurant La Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, ranked number six in the list of the Best restaurants of the World and proud holder of 2 Michelin Stars. Another Special invitee is Mexican Chef Enrique Olvera, owner of the restaurant El Pujol" located in Mexico City. El Pujol is the first Mexican restaurant with a Mexican chef to appear at number 36 of the 50 best restaurants of the World according to the prestigious San Pellegrino List.

In the year 2009 Expansion magazine considered Enrique Olvera one of the 30 Mexican Talents and GQ magazine considered him among the 15 most important men in the year 2012.

With the presence of 37 wineries, four of the top sommeliers in the world and over 30 different culinary events, Cancún-Riviera Maya Wine amp; Food Festival is definitely an event you should not miss.

One of the main events is the OHL Riviera Maya Mayakoba Classic, the only PGA Tour event held in Mexico. For the last six years Riviera Maya has hosted this prestigious tournament and in November 2011 the PGA signed a contract extension for 6 years Starting in 2013, the tournament is rescheduled for the week of 11-17 November and will be integrated into the FedEx Cup autumn tournament series.

As a result of this change, the event now has its own unencumbered date in the calendar of the PGA Tour and offers any PGA Tour player who meets the qualification criteria and want to play, the opportunity to compete in the only event in PGA of Mexico, regardless of world rankings.

One of the most desirable destinations, Riviera Maya is located on the east coast of the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico.

Facing the Caribbean Sea and protected by the jungle, Riviera Maya extends for 130 kilometers from south of Cancún International Airport, to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere, Mexico's first established Reserve and a UNESCO world heritage site.

Riviera Maya boasts the tranquility of uncrowded beaches, the vast network of underground rivers, over 100 cenotes and eco-adventures such as kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, bird watching and fishing. It has a wide selection of accommodation, from luxury hotels, all-inclusive properties, to boutique hotels with excellent facilities offering the first class hospitality of its people.

Many of Mexico's significant archaeological sites are nearby, providing visitors the opportunity to experience the fascinating Maya culture. For eight consecutive years, Riviera Maya has been named as the best destination in Mexico" by Travel Weekly (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 y 2011), named Best Mexican Destination by Crystal Apple en 2008 y 2009; one of the best beaches by Orbitz en 2008 and considered Sexiest Destination" by Recommend Magazine in 2009, 2010 y 2011.

For more information please visit www.rivieramaya.com