Riviera Maya Resort Bets on Pétanque for a Luxe Spring Weekend
A luxury resort in Mexico's Riviera Maya is putting a French twist on its spring calendar, and the event may catch the eye of Caribbean travelers weighing where to spend a long weekend beyond the Dominican Republic.
According to Caribbean Journal, the St. Regis Kanai Resort in the Riviera Maya will stage Pétanque – Torneo del Sol in April, a tournament centered on the traditional French boules game that has become a fixture of leisurely Mediterranean afternoons. The competition pairs the low-key, accessible sport with high-end hospitality touches — expect rosé pours, caviar service, and a beach club celebration to close out the weekend.
Why DR Travelers Might Care
For Dominican Republic residents and frequent visitors, the tournament offers an easy add-on to a broader Caribbean itinerary. Direct flights from Punta Cana and Santo Domingo to Cancún run several times a week, and the drive south to the Kanai enclave — home to the St. Regis and several other new luxury properties — takes roughly 90 minutes from Cancún International Airport.
Pétanque itself is straightforward to pick up: players toss weighted metal balls toward a small target ball, aiming to land closest. That accessibility makes it a natural fit for a resort event where guests of varying skill levels can participate without prior experience.
Planning Notes
Travelers interested in attending should book directly with the St. Regis Kanai for tournament packages, which typically bundle accommodations with entry, tastings, and the closing beach club event. Spring is high season across the Yucatán, so room availability tightens quickly around themed weekends like this one.
For those staying closer to home, the Dominican Republic's own luxury enclaves — Cap Cana, Casa de Campo, and the emerging Miches corridor — continue to roll out their own signature spring events, from polo cups to gastronomy weekends, giving travelers plenty of reasons to explore without leaving the island.
More details on the Riviera Maya tournament are available via Caribbean Journal's original report.