Ceiba del Mar in Puerto Morelos, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya – is a trip that, once in resort, is the most unstressful experience. To begin with, a dinners of zucchini flower and lobster frite soup, a creamy poblano pepper green topped with a dollop of salmon caviar eggs, accompanied by the sweetest violin sounds – is priceless.
A weekend of recuperation and re-birth begins with a toss on to a Cleopatra-like bed at the oceanside pool for about a half hour before heading to the beach for a long walk, watching the Pelicans kamikaze dive for dinner.
Carefree is the mood surrounding a stay at Ceiba del Mar.
One great night sleep later, you'll awake to open the bamboo door in your room -- to your dumbwaiter-delivered coffee and pastries, before heading out to bask in the morning sun on one of two outdoor terraces (one with a hammock). Following this breakfast appetizer, the breakfast buffet awaits, with servings of plantains and more tropical delights to fill up on before a nice, long walk along the beach.
But it is the spa scene that draws a crowd to Ceiba del Mar. A two-hour Balsamic massage with Coco begins with a biotenser tool and a foot soak. With a rubbery metal sword-like instrument, she tests your energy. For someone stressed and out of control, energy-wise, the long metal device pointed toward your heart should wave frantically in a circular motion. Too stressed out? You'll get smudged with lit sage before a decadent two-hour treatment, a combination of feathered strokes – literally – and a Swedish massage with eight essential oils that are shipped from the best: England and Spain. And to top the whole treatment off --- hot stones to align your chakras.
After floating out of the treatment room, snuggle in a lounge chair situated in paradise, and sipped on cranberry apple tea in the open-air transition room before heading back to your room, past the Ceiba trees, of which the resort name was derived. Ceiba del Mar means “tree of the water."
Right before the sun sets on Puerto Morelos, in the Riviera Maya, head to the Temazcal, which is not a tequila tasting, as some may guess, but a structure on the beach, parallel to the pier where sunrise yoga takes place at Ceiba del Mar.
Margarita, the “medicine woman” greets those who have arrived for the Maya Ritual. First, sage smudging for everyone before looking to the east, west, north and south, and descending the steps into a concrete bowl to sit on palm leaves that separated your butts from the sand.
The ritual begins with a hearty “Ho!” recited to welcome the Hopi Indian ritual that coincides with the “outside” man who brings in burning cinders of volcanic rock to the center of the “hut.” After about five pieces are lodged in the doughnut-hole space with five people surrounding it, the door is closed. You are then supposed to notice faces of your grandparents, your ancestors, but what you may see is nothing but reddened volcanic rocks. If you see something, you're in for a treat with an explanation by Margarita as to its meaning. And then, a series of chanting and “talk” from Margarita, followed by her throwing a bucket of water doused with sage.
More lava rocks were brought in, and this time you may see a hawk or an owl (represents wisdom) before more water douses the fire, this time mixed with chamomile. On the third round of lava rocks, eucalyptus water was tossed in. Each toss provides acoustics when the water strikes the hot stones. You may hear the sound of a rattlesnake. And then you'll be instructed to view the colors swirling around.
This is your aura. You may see a bit of pink, or purple pieces of light everywhere. And then you'll be instructed to take a few bits of a papaya (in the dark) and then rub the rest of the pulp over your body. And then with honey. More chanting and inhalation of smoke ensues before Margarita announces she would open the door.
Departing the Temazcal after 45 minutes, you'll be sure to appeciate every breath, as well as the night sky and trees and shrubbery that will look brighter and more three-dimensional than ever noticed before. This is much more than a great energy session. After sweating profusely while chanting and inhaling smoke doused with herbs, all the papaya and honey soaked bodies head to the spa for a good, long shower.
Lots of Mexican resorts offer the Temazcal ritual, but at Ceiba del Mar, it’s unique, mainly because of its location. While other Temazcal are on the rooftop of a hotel, or inside a spa, this one is situated on Mother Earth, with all elements surrounding it. The ocean site is perfect, with nature’s beauty surrounding the structure.
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