Everyone chooses to travel for different reasons.  Some venture into travel with the idea of adventure; others seek to find connections with group tours; some crave the hot nightlife of vibrant cities; and others simply want to get away, relax and be pampered.  In a world with approximately 190 countries, the options are endless. But endless travel destinations like Cancun and the Riviera Maya in Mexico offers travelers not only a beautiful destination, but the ideal getaway for relaxation and pampering with a spa vacation.

Spa Vacation :: Choosing Correctly

Although some hotels may offer spa treatments that will surely help you relax, not every hotel has a full-service spa on site for that perfect relaxation getaway you seek.  Choosing a resort with a comprehensive spa and wide range of services is vital for the perfect spa vacation. As far as choosing a spa vacation, there are important things to consider when planning your dream spa vacation. For example, the longevity of the resort, the quality of the spa facilities and products, and the type of services offered at the spa.

Ya’ax Che Spa :: In harmony with nature

This resort spa offers both traditional and innovative treatments that combine advanced spa technology with healing techniques from ancient Mayan civilizations of the region.  “Ya’ax Che” refers to the Mayan tree of life, which symbolizes man’s connection to nature.  In keeping with the Mayan belief that pain is the result of disconnection, spa treatments focus on reestablishing the balance between a person’s mind, body, and spirit with nature.

Spa Resort :: Investing in World class

A genuine spa resort should be part of a financially sound, successful company that invests in a world class spa. A destination spa should provide a relaxing, pampering experience while you enjoy a luxury vacation and a total immersion in healthy living. The right spa resort for you should feature aerobic activities, fitness centers, and a unique menu of treatments. It also should feature quality, natural products with top of the line technicians with specialized training in spa techniques to provide the most effective results.

Spa Services :: Reconnecting body, mind, & spirit

Ya’ax Che Spa* offers a wide variety of spa services, providing not only personalized individual services but also custom designed spa packages, including established treatments such as:

• Massages for couples under the moonlight
• Reflexology for head, hands, and feet
• Zen hot stones therapy
• Detoxifying or purifying body wraps
• Mineral or 100 % Natural wraps
• Complete beauty and health facials
• Mesoamerican Temazcal Treatment

*Additional fees apply

Tell us, how do you choose your ideal spa treatment?

In the last 20 years, spas in the Riviera Maya have been given a whole new meaning. The ancient Mexican Temazcal bath ritual, Aztec for “steam bath” has become increasingly popular in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Although sweat baths are renowned in various cultures around the world, the traditional Mexican sweat bath differs in several ways.

Temazcal bath rituals take place inside round mud structures that resemble large bee hives, specifically designed to prevent heat from escaping . Their center is slightly elevated for participants to move around and the entranceway is low and small for the symbolic role that it represents, the re-entry into the womb.

Temazcal Philosophy

According to this ancient Aztec doctrine,when entering a Temazcal we return to our mother’s womb, presided over by the goddess Temazcaltoci, the great mother of both gods and humans. She aims to cure physical and spiritual ills by separating us from the outside world so we can reconnect with our inner self.

Physical Benefits

In addition to spiritual healing, Temazcal baths offer great physical benefits: they cleanse the body from toxins and protect against most skin infections. The vapor of the bath purifies your respiratory system through the inhalation of aromatic vapors from curative plants. Temazcal baths heal headaches and their soothing effect may alleviate conditions of the nervous system.

While most sweat baths may generate these results, the Temazcal ritual is more effective due to the regulated precision by which the healer guides the ritual bath. Its fundamental method consists in the way heat and humidity are combined. The sauna, for example, reaches higher temperatures but since it is a drier process, its curative capabilities are lower. Other types of steam bath procedures combine heat and humidity as well, but the Temazcal is more efficient for two reasons: the healer in charge of the bath adjusts heat and humidity to meet the patients’ specific needs, and the herbal teas used for vapor are carefully selected for their effect on each individual patient.

After Temazcal

Traditionally, one leaves a Temazcal by crawling out backwards and is led to a resting place. At Hacienda Tres Ríos, we provide you with an added benefit once the session is over; a refreshing dive into our cenote to cool down. Herbal tea and fresh fruit are also served to replenish and rehydrate the fluids that were lost during the session.

The length of time spent inside the Temazcal will depend on the heat of the bath, the constitution of the individual and the condition that is being treated.

No two people visit a spa for the same reason. While one person may decide to attend a spa for aesthetic purposes, some may opt for spiritual relaxation or physical rejuvenation, whereas others may want to lose unwanted pounds. There are many different types of spas available, from health to weight loss or from a resort spa to a destination spa. Since it can get confusing for many travelers, we’re here to help you choose the spa that caters to your needs!

Resort Spas

Resort Spas are spas located inside a resort. This type of spa has become increasingly popular, since there are numerous resort spas throughout the world, from small to fancy, in popular travel destinations like México. Resort Spas are often the preferred choice for people wishing to escape their hectic schedules. They are usually larger in size than day spas and offer their guests overnight accommodations. They also offer a wide range of treatments and services, so guests are able to relax and enjoy. Resort Spas frequently feature aerobic activities, fitness centers, and restaurants. Like any other type of spa, resort spas offer their own unique menu of treatments.

So which should I choose: destination spa or resort spa?

A resort spa is a place where you can enjoy spa treatments while staying overnight at an upscale resort.  While a destination spa offers an overall immersion in healthy living and an opportunity for personal  transformation, resort spas are more about providing a relaxing, pampering experience for people staying at the resort while on vacation.

At a resort spa, you usually pay for your spa treatments a la carte since they are not provided as part of the all inclusive vacation package. Large resort spas will have a wide range of activities, including golf, swimming, tennis, and sometimes watersports, horseback riding, and skiing. Some also have a day camp for kids, so you can have a spa vacation without having to worry about your kids being alone or bored.

Resort Spas are a great choice if:

• You want to eat and drink whatever you want (all inclusive plan).
• You vacation with friends and family; this way, one can get a massage, while others can go snorkeling.
• You have children.

Destination spas are a good option if:

• You want to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
• You want to be with like-minded people.
• You are traveling alone.
• You need to address specific health issues.