Families Dive Into Maya Culture With New Package at Hotel Marina El Cid

PUERTO MORELOS, Mexico (April 16, 2008) - Families soak up the savings along with the sun with the Maya Discovery Family Adventure Package, now through June 30, 2008, at Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Offering discounts of up to 30 percent, this package includes three excursions. You'll immerse yourself in cultural and ecological wonders, while exploring the region's ancient civilization, pristine beaches and vibrant underwater life.
 
Hotel Marina El Cid is located midway, or roughly 20 minutes, from the Cancun International Airport and chic restaurants and shops of Playa del Carmen. Spanning 617 acres, the 342-room, deluxe all-inclusive resort boasts mangrove forests and white sandy beaches. A $50 million expansion, completed in December 2007, has added new junior suites, beachfront bar, convention center and spa.  Other amenities include a 22,000 square-foot freeform pool, four restaurants, four bars, 120-slip private marina, Kids' Club and comprehensive activities program.

Maya Adventures
The Maya Discovery Family Adventure includes three exciting expeditions for a total of $150 USD per person, including taxes, in addition to the all-inclusive rate, down from $215 per person for these excursions booked separately

The Arrecife Day Trip takes guests on a sailing cruise to the white sandy shores of Playa Maroma, cited by the Travel Channel as one of the world's most beautiful beaches.  There, travelers spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling and kayaking through the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The second excursion, the Snorkeling Trip, explores vibrant underwater life in the protected Puerto Morelos National Reef Park.  Located 500 yards offshore from Hotel Marina El Cid, Puerto Morelos is the world's second largest barrier reef system. You'll get up-close views of exotic sea life, including brightly colored tropical fish, sea turtles, stingrays, purple sea fans, coral and more.
 
Finally, the third excursion, the Chichen Itza Day Trip, brings visitors to these Maya ruins, recently named one of the wonders of the world.  The famous temples and pyramids here are more than 1,500 years old. Chichen Itza's main attraction is the central pyramid, the massive El Castillo (the castle). While Europe was still in the Dark Ages, the advanced Maya civilization had mapped the heavens, developed a writing system and mastered mathematics. Mayans invented the calendar. Without metal tools or the wheel, they built vast cities in the jungle with pyramids, like El Castillo, showing an amazing degree of architectural diversity and perfection.

Each of the Maya Discovery Family Adventure excursions includes transportation and lunch. The Chichen Itza tour leaves from the lobby, while the snorkeling and sailing tours depart from the El Cid Marina, located one block from the resort.  This private, state-of-the-art marina accommodates up to 120 slips. In addition to catamaran and snorkeling tours, the full-service facility offers sport fishing expeditions, organized fishing tournaments, private trips, water sports, and dive center.

The Maya Discovery Family Adventure Package is valid for guests who pre-book and pre-pay for a junior, one-, two- or three-bedroom suite. It also applies to Platinum Club guests.

All-Suite Resort
Hotel Marina El Cid is set along 1,969 feet of Mexican Caribbean beachfront.  Its low-rise buildings surround the magnificent 22,000 square-foot, free-form pool.  The resort's suites mix Mexican Colonial and contemporary architectural design.  Each of the new, elegantly appointed Junior Suites have contemporary décor, a king bed, a queen Murphy bed, kitchenette and private balcony with views of vibrant tropical gardens or the Caribbean Sea.  The bathroom features a capacious shower and marble walls, floors and countertops. In-room amenities include luxury bedding and linens, wireless Internet access, satellite TV, air conditioning and a mini-bar stocked with snacks and cold beverages.
 
For larger families, Hotel Marina El Cid also houses one-, two- and three-bedroom suites.  Each of these suites has a spacious living and dining area, fully equipped kitchen and private terrace with Jacuzzi. For all guests, room service is available 24 hours daily.

Deluxe All-Inclusive
With four restaurants and four bars, Marina Hotel El Cid offers an array of culinary options, from casual to gourmet. The newly expanded, family-friendly Hacienda Arrecife celebrates the traditional hacienda in grand style with brightly colored walls, original Mexican art and gourmet Mexican cuisine accompanied by a selection of more than 100 different tequilas. Guests dine indoors or al fresco at the casual, family-style La Alhambra, featuring a gourmet buffet and freshly prepared dishes to please all ages and palates. El Alcázar is a favorite for romantic dinners and special occasions, with chic décor and creative blend of Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. Situated on El Cid's private marina next to the resort, La Marina serves up fresh seafood and stunning sunset views overlooking Puerto Morelos Bay. Also outdoors, guests linger in the new Scaramanga Moon & Beach Lounge, enjoying cocktails, carpaccios, cool ocean breezes and live music.

Hotel Marina El Cid's Kid's Club provides supervised activities daily, such as snorkeling lessons, Spanish and Mexican cooking classes, games and more. Most activities take place around the central 22,000 square-foot pool with waterfall and children's area with giant water slide. The teen program features supervised trips to Cancun's popular nightspots; windsurfing lessons; kayaking tours; and bike trips to Puerto Morelos, a charming, nearby fishing village and home to artisans selling local foods and handmade goods at weekly markets. Activities change bi-weekly for added variety.  There are babysitting services too and even a doctor on call.

For more information on Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort, visit the Web site   HYPERLINK "http://www.elcid.com"  www.elcid.com.  For reservations, call toll-free 1-800-525-1925 or 1-888-733-7308.
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