So you want to vacation where the celebrities do — who doesn’t? It’s not hard to find out where some of Hollywood’s most elite like to jet off too, but what about once they get there; what do they enjoy doing? What would they recommend to you? Thanks to Rosewood Hotels, the brand has a select group of curators for an assortment of Rosewood properties around the globe where they share their insider tips, tricks and secrets. Recently, the brand announced that Jessica Alba would be the curator for Rosewood Mayakoba, the luxury Riviera Maya resort that serves as one of Alba’s favorite locales to vacation at. As an America actress, founder of The Honest Company and mother of two, it’s no surprise that Alba needs to escape every now and then.
“From Mayan ruins and Mexican cuisine to white sands and tropical lagoons, the Riviera Maya is my idea of the perfect retreat,” says Alba.
Keep reading for some of her tips and advice when vacationing to the Riviera Maya. For the full interview by Rosewood Hotels, click here.
The best children’s activity in the Riviera Maya: We love exploring the Mayan ruins! Ek-Balam is a bit more off the beaten path than Chichen Itza or Uxmal, so it’s a fun site to visit. Afterwards, we might go kayaking or take a bike ride through the jungle – the lush scenery makes even a quick ride an adventure.
Most memorable family activity at Rosewood Mayakoba: One of our favorite things to do together is cook as a family. We recently had a family dinner at Rosewood Mayakoba where we picked herbs and vegetables from the resort’s garden and helped the chef prepare an authentic meal. It was such a fun night for the kids, and it was also educational since they got to learn about traditional Mexican cuisine.
Favorite cocktail, snack or local dish: I like to start my day with a green chaya juice – it’s the perfect way to refresh before heading to the beach! For a special treat, the kids and I love a scoop of Yucatan honey ice cream.
For first-time visitors, what is the one “must-do” activity: Swimming in the cenotes, which are natural swimming holes. We didn’t actually get a chance to do this on our first trip to Playa Del Carmen so we jumped at the opportunity this year. We went to Cenote Azul and swimming in the fresh water through the underground river systems is something I will never forget. It was magical.
Favorite local spa treatment: For something really local and authentic to the area, try the Mayan Healing Hands Experience. It’s inspired by a traditional Mayan healing practice and is not only detoxifying but restorative.
Ideal day in the Riviera Maya: I like to wake up early and go for a run on the beach. Then we’ll ride our bikes to breakfast with the kids. The morning is all about the beach before lunch, and then maybe I’ll treat myself to a massage. In the afternoon, we’ll do some snorkeling, or poke around the boutiques in Playa del Carmen before dinner.
For more information on Rosewood Mayakoba, visit: rosewoodhotels.com/mayakoba-riviera-maya