Over the last few years, the SPA concepts popularity has blossomed. An acronym for ‘Salud por agua’, or ‘health by water’, the SPA concept dates back to the Romans and pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas.

Many ancestral techniques have returned to favor, including the use of natural ingredients in cosmetics and treatments for body and spirit. Hydro therapies and massage, exercise and nutrition help relax, detoxify, hydrate and purify the body while shoring up it’s natural strengths to fortify it against illness.

There are many SPA oriented vacation plans available, in a variety of formats. SPA hotels feature holiday stays based on SPA itineraries, while many hotels now offer sophisticated SPA facilities that guests may use ‘a la carte’. To get the best effect at either, we suggest you dedicate a full day to your SPA. Relax by the brilliant Caribbean and treat yourself to the ‘full treatment’. A full week or a weekend in Cancun or in the Riviera Maya are full of wonderfully restorative possibilities.

Leave your work at the your office, forget your cell phone, computer, pagers and worries. Your only task is to prepare yourself for the delightfully different treatments available to you — whether you choose an exclusive SPA hotel, or a hotel with SPA services!

SPA SERVICES:

TEMAZCAL: This ancient ‘sweat lodge’ was a popular ritual in Mesoamerican cultures. Available in specialized hotel spas and in natural and rustic settings away from the hotel zone, this sauna technique uses hot rocks to steam herbal infusions to gently activate circulation, respiration, detoxify and enliven the body.

DRY AND WET SAUNAS: The sauna process activates the body’s circulatory system, detoxifying and cleansing as it relaxes and provides reflection. Available in almost all 5-star and Grand Tourist hotels, in Cancun and Riviera Maya.

THALASOTHERAPY: An immersing treatment, thalasotherapies combine water, precious oils, marine salts and algae in specific temperature ranges designed to reduce stress, nervousness and depression. The treatment also has found great success in rheumatism and bone treatment. Available at the specialized spas. The most popular thalassic therapies are:

FLOAT: this unusual therapy consists of floating in body temperature saline solution in an isolation capsule. Free of sound and excess light, the mind and body are able to completely relax. Currently unavailable, for now, in Cancun or Riviera Maya.

BODY WRAPS: For slimming, toning, exfoliating, nutrition or detoxification of the skin, body wraps use a range of natural materials.
• Exfoliates: based on mineral sales, essential oils and marine algae, exfoliation removes dead cells while it revitalizes and tones the skin by oxygenating and improving circulation.
• Paraffin: a warm coating of paraffin softens the skin and provides a healthy ‘glow’.
• Mud: to detoxify, relax and stimulate circulation, a mud compound rich in minerals, water and oils are used to coat the entire body. Available at many hotel and specialized spas.

FACIALS: Facial wraps that feature all the nutrition and hydration benefits of body warps, but tailored for the skin. Most area spas feature many types of facial treatments.

MASSAGES

SHIATSU: an acupressure based massage that re balances the body’s energy points.
REDUCTIVE: A dynamic massage that loosens body fat and forms an essential part of any slimming or reducing SPA program.
THERAPUETIC: realigns and strengthens the spinal column. Primarily for healthy back care, either preventative or restorative.
SWISS: the most common massage features fruit and seed with essential oils to relax muscles and tension.
REFLEXOLOGY: hand and foot massages that reactivate the body’s natural energy, reduce chronic pains and tension.
VICHY: This classic shower massage uses precision jets of water to stimulate circulation.

All five star and Grand Tourism hotels and spas offer different types of massage therapies and treatments. More specialized treatments like Vichy and reflexology may be available only at specialized spas.

AROMATHERAPY:
A favorite accompanying many other types of therapy. An oil base carries essences of herbs, flowers and fruits and can be applied directly to the skin with massage, as an atomized scent or in a bath. Aroma therapy reduces stress. Available in most spas in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.