Thalasso Center at Paraiso de la Bonita in Peurto Morelos, Mexico
Julie Register visited the only thalasso center in Mexico just south of Cancun in September 2002

My first thought when I entered Paraiso de la Bonita was, "this reminds me of the Banyan Tree Phuket in Thailand," which happens to be one of my favorite places in the world. My second thought was, "I don't have to travel over 30 hours to get here!" There were two main elements that brought the resort in Phuket to mind. The first was the Paraiso de la Bonita's entrance, with its soaring thatched roof, rich terracotta-colored walls, hand-hewn timber columns and the open courtyards with overflowing reflecting pools. The atmosphere in these public areas is peaceful, elegant, yet relaxed. I felt that I was in a special place. The second was the elaborate guest room bathrooms which had inviting sunken tubs and exotic open-air showers. The similarities ended there (the beach is much, much nicer and more accessible here) but, needless to say, I started the visit off on the right foot.

Thalasso Center

My experience in the Thalasso Center at Paraiso de la Bonita reinforced my good first impression. Paraiso de la Bonita, means "the paradise of a beautiful woman." The resort offers a superb spa that should attract spa-loving women and men - beautiful and otherwise - from around the world. The main thrust of the luxurious 22,000-square-foot thalassotherapy spa is, obviously, thalassotherapy treatments. Thalassotherapy is the concept of using the benefits of seawater and marine algae to encourage an exchange of minerals and vitamins for the rejuvenation of and curative benefit to the body. These sea-based treatments are used for slimming, re-energizing, physical therapy, stress reduction and sheer relaxation. Thalassotherapy's history goes back to at least Euripides and Hippocrates in ancient Greece, but the center at Paraiso de la Bonita's is the first in Mexico and only the second in Latin America (the first was in Venezuela). The center takes its seawater directly from the sea on which it is located.

The luxurious spa has an earthy, grounded feel. Be sure to take a look at the photos. Heavy stone walls give the appearance of being in an ancient temple, yet it is equipped with all the modern technologies spas have to offer including a hydrotherapy treatment area with hydro-massage, jet baths and showers, Mayan-style seawater jacuzzi, steam and dry saunas and high-pressure affusion jet showers. The large outdoor seawater hydrotherapy pool has jets at different heights so you can massage your entire body. Inviting double chaise lounges, tucked privately in the shade, overlook the hydrotherapy pool and ocean beyond - a perfect place to relax the day away. There is a Fitness Center with cardio, circuit training, free weights, classes in yoga, t'ai chi, walking and aqua-gym. There is a Beauty Salon that offers capillary treatments, depilation, haircuts, makeup, manicures and pedicures. Special spa menus are offered in all of the resort's restaurants.

The spa offers the services of a medical staff that can individually custom-design spa and fitness programs. There are a broad range of treatments - massages, body wraps, facials, shiatsu, reiki and reflexology among others. For body-wraps, there are wet treatment rooms that provide the environment required for specific treatments such as algae wraps, exfoliations, anti-cellulite treatments, and presso-therapy. Facial treatments offered include a Cold Marine treatment for sensitive skin, a hydration with a Collagen Velvet mask, an anti-wrinkle treatment with Native Marine Elastine Patches, an energizing Floral Mask, or a remineralization with marine algae. Facials may be applied in any of the three facial treatment rooms with lovely views of the sea. Reiki, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Holistic, Lymphatic Drainage, Sport and Swedish massages are all offered by professional therapists in one of eight massage treatment rooms. A massage room for couples is available as well as massage on the beach.

I enjoyed a Under Affusion Massage spa treatment at the Thalasso Center at Paraiso de la Bonita. I checked into the spa reception which is on one side of an open courtyard with a lovely fountain in the center. Across the courtyard is the medical office. At the rear is the entrance to the spa. As I entered the separate women's locker room, I was offered a choice of three herbal teas - one a diuretic, one good for digestion and one a decongestant. I changed into a robe and was led to the comfortable waiting area overlooking the outdoor whirlpool and sea beyond. My therapist then escorted me to a room with a wet table and Vichy shower. I lay under a gentle rain of seawater from the Vichy Shower while the therapist gave me a lovely, relaxing, deep-tissue massage. The benefits of this treatment are not the same as most thalassotherapy treatments in which you are immersed or wrapped in seawater or algae. However, this treatment is good for increased blood and lymph circulation and tension relief. Definitely tension relief!

Thalassotherapy History

The use of seawater and marine components goes back to antiquity. Even in 480 BCE, Euripides in "Iphigenia in Tauris" wrote: "The sea heals man's illnesses". Hippocrates, the father of medicine, evokes the beneficial effects of seawater in his Treatise on Medicine.

Until the Middle Ages, seawater was known and used for its therapeutic powers. In the middle of the eighteenth century, seawater thermal baths came into fashion in England, long before this vogue crossed the Channel. During the nineteenth century all along the French coast, thermal stations were offering seawater treatments. Then three wars and the proliferation of antibiotics and chemotherapy stopped the natural evolution of sea thermalism.

In 1899 in Roscoff, Dr. Louis Bagot founded the first Thalassotherapy center, where half a century later Louison Bobet, the French cycling champion, experienced the positive aspects of seawater treatments. He therefore decided to create a center in Quiberon in 1964. Modern Thalassotherapy was born.

Since 1986 when the "Federation Mere et Santé" was created, the number of centers has doubled. At the present time, there are about forty Thalassos in France, more than all the rest of the world's combined.

Thalassotherapy Concept

The use of seawater in Thalassotherapy consists of heating it to around 97°F (34°C), thus keeping its micro-organisms alive. It permits the passage of ions into the body through the skin, because of the chemical similarity between blood plasma and seawater. The presence of the micro-organisms makes seawater unique: they remain alive only for 48 hours, which therefore makes their transportation impossible. In addition, the fact that the density of seawater and of human cells is similar means the effect of the treatment is far quicker and more profound. Its uplifting power explains why seawater has a better physical effect than freshwater. All treatments are prescribed after an initial medical consultation.

All treatments use fresh seawater as the principal active ingredient. This is combined with different techniques and products to enhance your health and beauty:

The hydro-massage is performed while your body is totally immersed in heated seawater. As your muscles relax, your body absorbs the rich nutrients from the warm water. Two hydro-massage tubs are available at the center.

In the jet shower, you will be massaged by pressurized water from dozens of jet vents, relaxing and toning your body, and enhancing circulation. Two jet showers are located at the center.

Two affusion shower rooms offer several types of relaxation massages.

The hydrotherapy pool is specially designed to relax and invigorate you, with jet nozzles placed in the walls of the pool. Here numerous specific therapies and exercises are carried out, in accordance with the needs of each guest.

The seawater jacuzzi is located in the open air. Here men and women can relax together and enjoy each other's company while valuable minerals and nutrients are absorbed into the body.

The Resort

Paraiso de la Bonita is an intimate beach resort and thalassotherapy spa nestled on secluded sugar-white beaches along Petenpich Bay on the Mexican Caribbean in a 14-acre oasis surrounded by mangroves and a bird sanctuary. Located in Puerto Morelos in the eastern state of Quintana Roo, between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, it is just 12 miles south of the newly updated Cancun Benito Juarez International Airport. Complimentary transport is provided by the hotel for the 20-minute drive to Paraiso de la Bonita from the airport. Riding on the dirt roads in Puero Morelos leading to the resort made me wonder what I was getting into. I didn't have to worry. This is a world-class gem tucked away from the hubbub of Cancun, but every bit as convenient to get to.

The hotel's exterior reflects the Mayan culture and architecture that embodies the history of the Yucatan Peninsula. Open courtyards and intricate mosaic pathways lead guests past metal papel-picado artwork and a hand-carved fountain with six sculpted Mayan jaguars to the rest of the resort - restaurants, a huge swimming pool with jacuzzi sections, Library Bar with internet access, CDs, books on the region and DVDs available for guests, lighted dock, outdoor bar, boutique and small meeting room. There is a 24-hour concierge service to arrange private tours and airport transfers.

There are 90 luxurious suites, including the Master and Bali suites. The owner personally decorated the suites with unusual fabrics and items gathered during his travels around the world. The suites incorporate Caribbean, Mediterranean, Indian, African, Balinese and Asian design elements. Each suite provides a large terrace offering breathtaking ocean views with a double chaise, table and chair. Ground floor rooms also feature a private plunge pool while those on upper floors feature terraces with umbrellas and hammocks. The huge bathroom has two sinks, marble bathtub for two, shower with extra jets to soothe the lower back, large closet, dryer, robe and slippers, a valuables safe and bathroom amenities by Bulgari. The ground floor rooms have open-air showers. The one-bedroom suite also provides huge windows overlooking the sea, televisions in the bedroom and living room, DVD and CD players in the living room, desk, built-in sofas in the living room, a minibar and direct-dial telephone.

There are two restaurants. Each restaurant provides a dual menu, offering a wide range of choices for guests who enjoy continental cuisine, and taking full advantage of the superb local fish, shellfish, fruit and vegetables. In addition, there is a full selection of equally gourmet appetizers, main courses and desserts for low-calorie "spa" cuisine. La Canoa is open for dinner and specializes in seafood dishes. The Terrace Restaurant provides indoor and outdoor dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wide range of original Mexican and continental selections.

I am adding Paraiso de la Bonita to my list of favorites and hope to visit it often in the future.

Information and Photos

Contact Paraiso de la Bonita • Address:  Carretera Cancun-Chetumal KM 328 Bahia Petenpich 77500 Cancun QROO Mexico • Tel: +52 998 872 8300 • Fax: +52 998 872 8301 • Email • Web: http://www.paraisodelabonita.com/ Related Resources Cancun • Cancun.info	More Spas in and around Cancun • Mexico Spa Directory The Hotel Zone in Cancun • Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa • Ritz-Carlton Cancun • The Royal Sands Puerto Morelos • Ceiba del Mar • Thalasso Center at Paraiso de la Bonita Other • The Salon Spa at the Cancun Airport
Spa Entrance Tea and Juice Bar Women's Changing Rooms Women's Vanity Waiting Area Couples Treatment Room Facial Treatment Room Treatment Room Treatment Room Waiting Area Affusion Shower Affusion Shower Couples Lounge Chairs	Paraiso de la Bonita Guest Suite Balconies Guest Suite Guest Terrace Veiw from Terrace Guest Suite Bedroom Guest Suite Bathroom Guest Suite Bathroom Outdoor Shower in a Guest Suite Bathroom Another Guest Suite Guest Suite Balcony Fitness Center
Eyewitness Travel Guide to Mexico	Frommer's Cancun, Cozumel and the Yucatan 2004
Spas and Hot Springs of Mexico: Over 60 Restful Places from World-Class Spas to Simple Hot Springs	Jiffy Phrasebook Spanish
Adventure Guide to the Yucatan, Cancun & Cozumel	Hidden Cancun & the Yucatan

Photos copyright 2002, Julie Register