Los Pueblos Magicos y la Cultura de la Costa Este de Mexico
The magical towns and culture of Mexico’s East Coast
By Morgan Saltz
The massive resorts in Mexico are undeniably beautiful, but as meeting professionals are picking up on the trend of attendees wanting more experiential participation in the authentic culture of the event destination and the more “off the beaten path” opportunities, international boutique hotels with exposure to worldliness are desirable. Mexico’s East Coast is a sprawling destination of history, culture, cuisine and Pueblos Magicos.
Mexico deems cities and towns with the title of Pueblo Magico, or “Magical Town”, to select locations that are seen as culturally and/or historically significant. Mexico’s East Coast provides everything the meetings industry is looking for today—exotic locations, luxury boutique resorts, and opportunities for off-site adventures with experiences that connect visitors to the local soul and culture of a beautiful location.
5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love Mexico’s East Coast
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Bacalar Lagoon and Blue Cenote, near Cancun, Mexico Bacalar, Grand Costa Maya As one of the chosen few “Pueblo Magicos,” the name Bacalar stems from the Mayan word to describe “place of reeds.” The Lagoon of Seven Colors is famous for its colorful cenotes such as Cenote Negro and Cenote Azul where visitors can kayak, boat and swim.
- Cancun Cuisine In addition to the luxury resort peppering the East Coast’s famous destination of Cancun, Kukulcan Boulevard and its surrounding areas have fresh modern Mexican fare. Restaurante Natura serves authentic and vegetarian food such as fajitas de nopal – Mexican cacti, onions and sweet chilis with beans and cheese.
- Island of Cozumel Surround yourself in Mayan culture in this tropical paradise that is steeped in ancient Mayan history. A place revered by many for its connection to the Mayan Moon Goddess Ix Chel, visit the ruins of the past and the luxury resort of the present on the island just off of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
- Underwater Museum of Art Cancun’s hotel zone is home to Mexico Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) featuring sculptures on the ocean floor surrounded by coral reefs and only accessible by snorkeling or scuba diving. With life-size human sculptures and more abstract installations like Elier Amado Gil’s “Blessings”, the museum is one of a kind.
- Chichen Itza Full Day Tour Experience Mexico’s history with a full-day tour exposing visitors to Mayan history in Chichen Itza as well as the Spanish colonial town of Valladolid. With group activities such as tequila tasting, swimming in a cenote and sampling Mexican cuisine, the tour will represent the complexity of Mexican history.
5 Fantastic Places to Stay and Meet
In Riviera Maya, Xel-Ha is a natural cove with the world’s largest natural aquarium. Named by ancient settlers as “where the water is born,” Xel-Ha is home to La Casa de la Playa, a boutique hotel on the coast with direct access to all of Xel-Ha’s benefits.
2 boardrooms; 3 event spaces with 200 capacity
Etereo, Auberge Resorts Collection
For an incentive trip one can only dream of, visit the private studios and suites in Riviera Maya. Both styles feature private patios, plunge pools and full ocean views. Guests can enjoy a drink from Flavors & Spirits of Etereo.
1,400-3,900 sq. ft. suites; 875 – 1,500 sq. ft. studios
Only 20 minutes from Cancun is an all-inclusive resort on its own private island. With three restaurants representing different approaches to Mexican cuisine and a spa with therapies and treatments incorporating natural and organic elements, Isla Mujeres gives you the best of Mexico’s East Coast.
164 guest rooms, suites and villas
With more than 30 years in the industry, the Cancun Center is prepared for groups of any size to utilize its indoor and outdoor areas and top-of-the-line AV abilities provided by Encore Mexico. The blend of a Mexican paradise and modern event technology makes the term “bleisure” come to fruition.
8 rooms divisible up to 6 sections each
La Zebra Beach Hotel & Restaurant
This boutique hotel boasts that it offers the best culinary event with its “Chef’s Table” concocted by Chef Eleazar Bonilla and his eight-course tasting menu. Paired with signature cocktails and locally brewed beers, the resort is a perfect place to experience high-end Mexican fare on Mexico’s East Coast.
6 different styles of suites; Rooftop available for corporate events
This article appears in the December 2023 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
