Mexico is making a comeback in 2011. It seems that the public paranoia that once pigeonholed Mexico’s 761,000 square miles into a single homogenous mass unsafe for travel has finally died down. While caution should always be exercised when traveling, the majestic Yucatan Peninsula thrives as a safe environment, enchanting globetrotters who venture beyond the pre-packaged cruise ship path. So forget the Taco Bell stereotypes and the embellished media frenzy—venturing south of the border circa 2011 is freakishly fun, romantic, and Lady Gaga ‘Alejandro’ fierce. In fact, the recent legalization of gay marriage has rendered Mexico especially attractive for same-sex couples looking to honeymoon or vacation in a country where their lifestyle is accepted and legally supported. Stealing the spotlight in front of the rainbow curtain – Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Maya, and Cancun!

Spring break references to Cancun are about as dated as Sisqo and Sir Mix-A-Lot videos. Much like Fort Lauderdale, in the early nineties, Cancun realized that destructive teens having hot, casual sex in drunken stupors was more entertaining on MTV than fueling the backbone of an economy. Cancun was desperate to ditch the image of underage heretics swallowing foot long frozen margaritas at Senor Frogs when Mother Nature intervened in the form of Hurricane Wilma. True, Wilma brought destruction. But she also purged the city of the unwanted riff raff and endowed dilapidated hotels with oodles of insurance money for significant changes and improvement. Combine this funny money with a massive city beach recovery project, development aid, and the exceptionally rapid growth of Mexico’s economy….and voila! A new Cancun was born circa 2010.

Though ties to the past remain (like the Wet n’ Wild eyesore), Cancun has quickly transitioned to its intended stature. At the heart of this re-invention lies the Ritz-Carlton Cancun (www.RitzCarlton.com/Cancun, + 52 998 881 0808). Though the Ritz survived as a small oasis of luxury on Cancun’s bustling beaches for over 20 years, Cancun’s grand dame stepped up her game in the post Wilma years to elevate the guest experience. Meanwhile hotels, restaurants, and shopping malls to the north and south upped the ante to try and match the new sophistication level of the neighborhood’s most renowned tenant. Mission accomplished.

Less than a year ago, the Ritz-Carlton, Cancun unveiled an amazing $71 million beach as part of the city's beach recovery project. Considering every room here boasts unobstructed views of the ocean and private balconies, the majestic vistas of rejuvenated turquoise and downy sands are easily venerated for hours on end. Along with the new beachfront arrived the spectacular Culinary Center, the expanded Kayantá Spa, and the Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center. And of course the fabulous Casitas - a steakhouse on the sea, where dining takes place in open aired, dining cabanas at the edge of the rising tide. Casitas’ magic notwithstanding, Cancun’s superlative dining experience is still at the Ritz-Carlton’s signature restaurant, Fantino. The white glove service and intricately choreographed food presentations complement a beautiful menu of Mediterranean fine dining. The revered sixcourse Degustation Menu is a mouth watering journey to gastronomic heaven with dishes like the “Crayfish, Spring Beans and Mascarpone Dumplings” (perfectly paired with 2006 Santa Julia Torrontes from Mendoza, Argentina) and the “Escargot Lasagna, Wild Mushrooms, Parsley and Young Garlic” (paired with 2005 J.C. Bravo, Ensenada Baja California, Mexico).

With six bars and restaurants, an expansive 17,000 square foot private beach, the spa, the fitness amenities, two swimming pools, an oceanfront world pool, and decadent rooms in traditional Ritz style, the Ritz-Carlton Cancun is a self-contained world of fun, pampering, and relaxation. Nevertheless, the bigger Mexico picture awaits just miles from the hotel - astounding archaeology, diverse cultures, and world-class spelunking that merit the hackneyed “once-in-lifetime” label. None more so than a trip to Rio Secreto (www.riosecretomexico.com) - an awe-inspiring underground river within earth’s second largest underground cave system, discovered but three years ago. Rio Secreto is a far cry from the cheese-ball intro to underwater caves provided at touristy parks like Xcaret and Xelha; it’s the real deal – hardcore spelunking through thousands of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites, swimming and hiking through subterranean labyrinths, sometimes in the pitch black and dead silence. While it may sound a bit scary and claustrophobic, this is geologic rhapsody like you’ve never known before and an excursion that could very well top your list of awesome travel experiences.

To be continued - summer 2011.