Playa Del Carmen, MX:

For starters, Playa Del Carmen is NOT like Cancun.

IIn what the locals like to call 'Playa' you will find arts, culture, and several travelling Europeans. Over the last several years Playa has grown considerably from a small fishing port, to a small culture and arts rich boardwalk, unique with a laid back culture. The town is built around ancient Mayan ruins, with a long 5th Avenue boardwalk containing some of the best shops for Silver in all the Yucatan, several cafes, local restaurants, artists and live entertainment everywhere.

For those of you who are a little more adventurous, a long-time friend of both us, who operates LiahonaQuest Adventure Travel, will be around all week offering trips from your hotel in Playa to ancient ruins, under jungle cave snorkelling, scuba diving, beach horseback riding, and more. If you want to take a bus with the locals and visit Cancun, take a ferry to Cosumel, or trek along the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza or Coba - LiahonaQuest will be there for you.

TULUM, MX:

Tulum is about a 45-minute ride (by bus, taxi, or rental car) south of Playa del Carmen. This is the only Mayan City built directly on the sea and Tulum is thought to date from 400-900A.D.

This Maya city was built on the coast, possibly having housed 2000 people and once functioned as a trade centre. This port city was never conquered by the Spaniards and was one of the last Maya outposts left standing during their revolt against Mexican rule in the War of the Castes during the 1840's. There is no question why Tulum holds great significance to the Mayans. It is an impressive sight as an imposing castle standing on the edge of a 12-meter cliff at the top of the ruins.

Note: You can visit this attraction on a day trip quite easily with taking local transportation from Playa Del Carmen as the bus stops right in front of Tulum. Our ceremony will be located just outside the town of Tulum (check map) and will be on the ocean way down the coast.