Is living in the Riviera Maya beneficial for your health?

First of all, I would like to give you a context of the place we will talk about in this blog, starting by explaining that the Riviera Maya is a Mexican tourist destination that started in the early 1990's after centuries of being one of the best kept secrets by Mexican and foreign travelers.

Although it was already an area known for its extraordinary beauty and beaches, the Riviera Maya emerged due to the tourist movement of the region known as Cancun - Tulum, which in the 80's began to have greater relevance among visitors.

What is so magical about the Riviera Maya?

Much has already been said about green spaces and their positive impact on physical and mental health, but living near the sea brings many more benefits than just relaxation and a sense of well-being. If you are exploring the option of living and working in Cancun, this article will be of interest to you. Have you heard of Blue Spaces and their benefits?

Blue Spaces, refer to bodies of water such as seas, coasts, rivers, lakes and waterfalls - and even fountains - and their positive effects have been studied by scientists in various fields for at least a decade. The research that has been conducted in this regard yields convincing conclusions: being by the water is beneficial for both the body and the mind. Just to name a few of these conclusions:

1. People who visit or live in blue spaces report feeling happier.

2. The most intense physical exercise takes place in green spaces. However, studies have found that being near water helps prevent diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, obesity and cancer because it increases the likelihood of exercise.

3. Living near the coast can have particular health benefits and is associated with more frequent water use and more activity that is physical.

4. Proximity to the coast provides renewing experiences, as the soundscape by the sea reduces the "noise of the mind". The most intense physical exercise takes place in green spaces. However, studies have found that being near water helps prevent diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, obesity and cancer because it increases the likelihood of exercise.

5. Living near the coast can have particular health benefits and is associated with more frequent water use and more physical activity.

6. Proximity to the coast provides renewing experiences, as the soundscape by the sea reduces the "noise of the mind".

2. What about the benefits of living near the sea?

• Breathe cleaner air

The air is cleaner by the sea, as the large sea salt particles in the air attract the smaller water droplets that form around air pollution particles.

• Boost your vitamin D levels

Being by the sea instills a desire to enjoy the outdoors, which means you're soaking up more of the sun's rays. The body uses the ultraviolet rays from this celestial body to manufacture vitamin D in the inner layers of the skin.

• Improve your physical health

The natural beauty of seaside landscapes inspires you to be near them and exercise. Add to the equation swimming in its waters and breathing the cleanest air, and you have a winning combination.

• Helps you sleep better

The gentle cadence of the water is relaxing, and taking a walk along the seashore improves sleep quality.

• May be an aid for depression and anxiety

Being near the ocean is restorative and uplifting, and promotes dopamine production. In fact, it helps calm your nervous system as you inhale the sea breeze and listen to the gentle, soothing sound of the waves.

3. What about the best cities to live?

The Riviera Maya is a mystical place, full of tourist attractions and recognized worldwide for its beauty. Here are some of the cities that you can visit on your next trip and their main attractions.

1. Cancun

One of the main tourist destinations in Mexico and recognized worldwide for its resorts, nightclubs, beaches and extraordinary biodiversity. We recommend spending a couple of days in an all-inclusive hotel and then travel by car to different tourist spots in the area. Whether you want to do ecotourism, rest, aquatic or cultural activities, you can do it all.

Within Cancun you can visit the Mayan Museum, which has great treasures of this culture, after this you can visit some of the archaeological sites and beaches in the Riviera Maya. Cancun has direct flights from the main cities in Mexico and worldwide. During your stay in Cancun we recommend you visit the Underwater Museum of Art, as well as visit Isla Mujeres and take some walks to nearby beaches such as:

• Tortuga Beach.

• Linda Beach.

• Ballenas Beach.

• Las Perlas Beach.

• Delfines Beach.

• Chiquila (Holbox)

2. Holbox

Is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, joining the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. You can give a 1-day visit or spend the night in one of its hotels that have incredible beaches to relax. We recommend visiting Playa Mosquitos, where you can even see flamingos. To get to Holbox, rent a car in Cancún and take a 2-hour drive to Chiquilá, where you'll take a ferry to the island.

Walk through its picturesque streets full of urban art and a very relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a meal with the locals. Some of Holbox's attractions are:

• Practice Kitesurfing.

• Bioluminescence at Playa Cocos (the best season is from September to November).

• Cenote Yalahau.

• Kayak in its calm waters.

• Swim with whale sharks (the best season is from June to September).

3. Tulum

If you travel from Cancun it is a 2-hour drive or if you go from Chiquila it is 2 and a half hours, passing through Punta Laguna, where you will find responsible tourism activities with the Mayan community, and Cobá, a town that currently closed its doors to the archaeological area for maintenance work, but it is undoubtedly an excellent destination for hiking due to its immensity of jungle that will immerse you in the Mayan culture.

Arriving in Tulum, one of the main attractions is undoubtedly the archaeological zone, at the foot of a small cliff that gives an incredible view of the turquoise waters, where we can find representations of the most important gods of the culture and that also in its great peak in pre-Hispanic times, it was a great place for both land and sea trade, due to its geographical position. Some of the beaches near Tulum that you can visit if your stay is for more than 1 day are: Solimán Bay, Las Palmas Beach or Chemuyil Beach. You can also visit a cenote such as Cenote dos ojos or Gran Cenote.

4. Akumal

Located 30 minutes by car from Tulum or 1 hour and a half from Cancun. Known for its beauty in its waters and for having protected areas for turtles, where you can even swim with them under the supervision of a guide and following the rules of coexistence with the ecosystem. You can also snorkel, since the beauty of this area in the Mesoamerican reef is worth admiring. This is the second longest barrier reef in the world. We recommend visiting Media Luna Bay and taking a kayak ride in the clear and calm waters, followed by a visit to Yalku Lagoon, which is home to a wide variety of tropical fish, starfish and corals.

5. Playa del Carmen

Located 1 hour from both Cancun and Tulum, Playa del Carmen is an emblematic tourist destination in the area. Walking through its streets and enjoying an afternoon in a restaurant is just one of the things you can do in this place. As expected, the beaches in this area are beautiful, since the Mexican Caribbean is especially distinguished by this. You can also spend an afternoon at a beach club directly in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos or Playa de Xpu-ha. We recommend you take advantage of this location and spend a few days on the island of Cozumel, taking a ferry from Playa del Carmen or simply taking a day trip to the waters near the island and enjoying activities such as snorkeling. Below we will tell you a little more about the activities you can do on the island of Cozumel.

6. Cozumel

Arriving by ferry, the island of Cozumel is an ideal tourist attraction for ecotourism, as it is recognized as one of the best destinations for diving in the world and has also been declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Whether you decide to spend 1 afternoon, 2 days or more on the island, you can enjoy virgin beaches, excursions in the jungle, water activities, an afternoon at the Beach Club or a well-deserved rest in a hotel with excellent views. We recommend you visit the Punta Sur Reserve, which houses different beach areas, a lagoon, an archaeological zone, sea tours, bird and reptile watching, and endless activities.