If you haven't yet heard of Mayakoba in Mexico, you soon will.

Mayakoba, which is located on the Riviera Maya, is a master-planned resort village that hugs the country's Caribbean coast. Mayakoba is a 40-minute drive south of Cancun.

In Mayan, the word "mayakoba" means "city on water," and its boosters are claiming it will become the Venice of Mexico.

Many of the accommodations are right on the water, and guests will be transported around in water taxis that navigate the lagoon and canals of Mayakoba.

Planned as a luxury resort destination by the Mexican government and private concerns, Mayakoba promises to be a relief from tacky, rowdy, and overcrowded Cancun. Construction at Mayakoba is expected to be completed in 2008.

Several of the world's best hotel companies have staked a claim on Mayakoba, building low-rise structures that respect the local ecology. If you're considering a trip to experience Mayakoba first-hand, these are its jewels:

• Fairmont Mayakoba - the development's anchor, 401-room Fairmont Mayakoba has lagoon and oceanside casitas overlooking sand dunes and the turquoise Caribbean waters.
• Rosewood Mayakoba - offers 128 rooms, all on the water with their own plunge pool, private garden, and outdoor shower.
• Banyan Tree Mayakoba - brings a bit of Asia to the Americas in its 136 Banyan Tree villas that all have a private pool with spacious terrace, outdoor Jacuzzi, and meditation space.

The Mayakoba Golf Classic made golf history when it became the first PGA TOUR event to ever be contested outside of the United States and Canada in February 2007. Now, as the tournament enters its third year, it continues to establish itself as one of the finest stops on the PGA TOUR schedule in the eyes of players, fans and sponsors alike

El Camaleón Golf Course at the Mayakoba resort is Greg Norman's latest masterwork. The 7,039-yard layout is unique - not just to México but to the entire world of golf. The course bends through three distinct landscapes--mangrove jungles, limestone canals and stunning, oceanfront stretches of sand. El Camaleón incorporates a cenote, a massive underground cavern, into the heart of the opening fairway. The handsome, Mayan influenced clubhouse that rises above the 18th green will feature a fine dining room with stunning views over the course. The adjoining practice facility and driving range are of international caliber. With Mayakoba's unique system of lagoons, golfers will be able to step out of their rooms and into a boat, which will ferry them directly to the first tee. El Camaleón Golf Course is managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.