Approximately 20 minutes due southeast of Puerto Peñasco rests a calming oasis stretching along perhaps one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, where each greeting is met with a hand over one’s heart. Mayan Palace – also now featuring the Grand Mayan, and with plans to open Grand Bliss mid-2017. Fortunately, the road from Puerto Peñasco to the Mayan Palace has been repaved and it’s pretty smooth sailing across the desert to the vaulted entry of the resort. The Mar de Cortés International Airport can be found across from the entrance to the winding road that guides one to the beach palace, with an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus designed golf course hugging the Pinta estuary just behind the inviting vacation destination.
Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco, which is part of the Vidanta Group with at least 7 destinations across Mexico, was recognized once again this year with the distinguished Gold Crown honor awarded by RCI®, one of the largest vacation exchange networks in the world. According to local Mayan Palace staff who had contacted us to drive out for the recent Sunday morning ceremony, RCI® has recognized Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco with the Gold Crown award every year since 2009. 
The award, presented by RCI® representatives Karla Reyes, Account Executive for affiliate resorts in Baja California and Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco, along with Miguel Angel Loya, Director of Business Development for the Pacific Region, is noteworthy as it is based upon evaluations from visitor experiences at the resort – examining everything from housekeeping to fine dining, and from activities to the grounds themselves.
Resident Manager Cyntia de Cayón graciously and enthusiastically received the 2015 RCI® plaque awarded to Puerto Peñasco Mayan Palace, and then the RCI® representatives presented additional acknowledgements to four of Vidanta’s outstanding staff members: Hortencia Sanchez from housekeeping, David Ulises Soto Navarrete from the reception area, bellboy Francisco Javier Ramírez, and William Jesus Oxte from the wait staff. These awards were also a result of customer evaluations, and warmly received by the beaming honorees.
Mayan Memories
As a timeshare experience, Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco is a highly sought after destination for families particularly from across the southwestern US, and Mexican adventurers during the summer months. Yet we were reminded, as we made our way past the apparently neverending lazy river of the Grand Mayan and cozy fireplace settings next to the beach, the resort is a fantastic place – open to the public – for Sunday brunch at the Bakal restaurant. Plus, explained Chef Neftali, there are theme nights at Bakal that also welcome visitors who may not necessarily be resort guests. Cyntia de Cayón added the Mayan also provides a perfect setting for beachside weddings, and oh did I mention the spa is open to the public as well?
I recall shortly after the Mayan opened, on Sunday mornings it was just about the place to be seen in (well…just outside of) Puerto Peñasco, with mimosa in hand and marimba in the background. Plus, there was that one birthday gift for a spa day at the Mayan, attending weddings on the pristine beach, and lounging on the deck just outside the club house on the golf course as one or another tournament came to an end. Ah yes, the Mayan – now offering Grand Mayan…and with Grand Bliss coming soon. A Gold Crown experience, indeed!
Venture out! Mayan Palace Puerto Peñasco is located along the Peñasco – Caborca highway approximately 20 minutes east of town.
