July is shaping up to be one of the liveliest months of the year on the Mexican Caribbean. That’s thanks to several national and international celebrations being commemorated with a Mexican flair.
For example, clients heading to the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort can experience an American-style Fourth of July. The beachfront resort is hosting a traditional picnic and fair along Mamitas Beach during the day.
On the evening of the Fourth, the resort hosts a barbecue on its infinity pool deck. The menu will include all-you-can-eat American summer time classics, as interpreted by the culinary team at La Cocina. Barbecued ribs and chicken, Cajun shrimp skewers, grilled corn, meatballs, and mac and cheese are a few highlights, along with a Jack Daniels open bar. Entertainment will include live music and a magic show. And kids can celebrate at Camp Hyatt Tortuguita with water games, cupcake decorating and a family Olympics.
Tennis enthusiasts looking for a last-minute getaway might consider Royal Hideaway Playacar. The adults-only property is featuring a Tennis Advantage Package to coincide with Wimbledon’s July calendar. It includes a Breakfast & Wimbledon Watch Party, a daily tennis tournament complete with a referee plus traditional Pimm’s Cups and daily high tea. The offer is available from July 3-16.
Also on the July calendar is the third annual PADI Women’s Dive Day. Events take place globally on July 15 to support the female dive community (and to highlight the still-extant gender gap in the adventure sport). Several Mexican resorts are offering special dive packages in July to coincide with Women’s Dive Day. Among them: Allegro Cozumel and Occidental Cozumel.
Dive enthusiasts (or future enthusiasts) at Allegro Cozumel can enjoy premium guest room accommodations, in-room wetsuit drying racks, private check-in, one free dive tank per day, plus free dive equipment storage and care at the dive shop. Access to the Santa Rosa Lounge includes continental breakfast, daily snacks, a self-service bar in the afternoon plus a weekly cocktail reception with a dive professional.
The recently renovated Occidental Cozumel is notable for its prime location near the Palancar Reef. The natural phenomenon is considered one of the world’s top five diving spots. Guests booking Royal Level accommodations at the property enjoy private check-in, a dedicated concierge, adults-only pool plus special restaurant access.
Stephanie Phillips, leisure sales manager at Occidental Cozumel and Allegro Cozumel, emphasizes the uniqueness of the destination.
“Cozumel is home to the second largest coral reef barrier in the world, giving divers a variety of verticals to explore. Being so close to the popular reefs gives guests a customized experience to truly understand Cozumel as a diving destination,” Phillips tells Travel Agent.
The "Catch of the Day" program at Mahekal Beach Resort
The waters of the Caribbean hold other enticements for guests of Playa del Carmen’s Mahekal Beach Resort. The jungle-meets-the-sea property is known for its palapa-style bungalows connected by meandering stone pathways.
Newly launched, there is the “Catch of the Day” program. It’s a “fish-to-fork” experience that takes place twice weekly. Local fisherman come ashore at Fuego beach in front of the resort. Executive chef Crescenciano Nerey selects menu items from the day’s bounty. Guests get to dine on fresh fare that includes grouper, tuna, lobster and octopus, among other selections.
Chef Nerey also prepares his signature ceviche, infused with tales about the Mayan philosophy of gathering and preparing food.
He shared a bit of that philosophy with Travel Agent.
"We have always been passionate about using local, authentic ingredients. Our guests expect nothing but the best and we're proud to deliver locally-sourced seafood that can exceed expectations. We’ve had a tremendous response from guests and locals alike to the Catch of the Day. It has become a much-anticipated weekly ritual and we love having the opportunity to really interact with everyone. It’s a great time to take pictures, chat with the culinary team and most importantly select, what’s for dinner,” said Nerey.
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