Cancun's powder-white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and impressive hotels and resorts are a major attraction for groups. But so are tours of captivating ancient cities built by the Mayan people. Tulum, a 13th-century, walled Mayan archaeological site that overlooks the Caribbean Sea, is one shining example. It was one of the few Mayan cities that was prospering when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1518.
Another fascinating archaeological site, San Miguelito, on the grounds of Museo Maya de Cancun, is a short walk from Cancun's hotel district. Towering trees, colorful flowers, iguanas, and other jungle scrub surround meandering paths leading to a variety of structures that were inhabited over 800 years ago until the arrival of the conquistadors. The museum impresses as well with 350 archaeological artifacts that took 30 years to procure.
The Mayans revered the cenotes -- ancient sinkholes that expose a series of underground rivers, unique to the Yucatan peninsula. Cenotes were considered a source of life for the Mayans because they provided water and represented an entrance to the netherworld, and center of communion with the gods. Be sure to include an afternoon at a cenote in your group itinerary.
RIU Hotels & Resorts, with 17 hotels in Mexico, recently reopened the 300-room Riu Lupita after a $5.5 million renovation, converting it into an all-inclusive property. Given the popularity of all-inclusive packages, where accommodations, meals, and drinks are covered, it's no surprise that other properties are offering this value. The Marriott Cancun Collection, which consists of the JW Marriott Cancun and CasaMagna Marriott Cancun, has an all-inclusive option for groups. The Collection offers 898 guest rooms, 80,000 square feet of event space, and a 2,000-foot stretch of sand for beachfront meetings.
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This article appears in the May 2016 issue of Successful Meetings.