Prime Issues to Do in Riviera Maya & Finest Locations to Go to

A Riviera Maya trip is a lot greater than attractive white sand seashores and margaritas! There are various enjoyable issues to do in Riviera Maya and locations to go to.

Riviera Maya is a coastal vacation spot in Mexico the place vacationers will discover white sandy seashores and the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Additionally it is one among our favourite locations on this planet. We beforehand lived right here and now go to yearly for a month.

Tens of millions of vacationers come to the Mayan Riviera yearly to calm down on seashores, repel into caves, swim in cenotes, hike via lush jungles or take a buggy tour, scuba dive amongst implausible coral reefs, and be taught extra in regards to the Mayans by exploring their historic civilizations and Ruins.

You may get pleasure from world-renowned Mexican delicacies at many native eating places within the vibrant cities situated alongside the jap coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

If you’re searching for a steadiness of historic websites, pure wonders, and trendy facilities akin to effective eating, then Riviera Maya is the right vacation spot to get pleasure from a tropical paradise.

We’ve traveled to Mexico over 40 occasions up to now 15+ years and lived in Playa del Carmen; listed here are a few of our favourite issues to do in Riviera Maya and the perfect locations to go to.

Finest Issues to Do in Riviera Maya Mexico

1. Discover the Seashores

Residence to a few of the finest seashores within the Caribbean, they’re the right place to get pleasure from swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and stress-free with the coastal surroundings. Some Riviera Maya seaside cities you’ll want to go to embody Tulum, Akumal, and Playa del Carmen.

2. Go to Mayan Ruins

The creation of the Riviera Maya is deeply rooted in historic Mayan historical past and, due to this fact, is house to many necessary ruins and distinctive archaeological websites to go to.

Some websites you’ll want to discover embody the temples, pyramids, and constructions of Tulum that overlook the Caribbean Sea, the Mayan ruins of San Gervasio in Cozumel, the tallest pyramid Nohoch Mul in Coba, or lastly, the Acropolis pyramid in Ek Balam.

Some of the in style websites tour Chichen Itza, which is a brief day journey tour from the Riviera Maya. We expect Chichen Itza is probably the most spectacular ruins and a should go to, make a day journey out of it and add just a few close by cenotes.

3. Swimming in Cenotes

There are over 6,000 cenotes in Mexico! These pure sinkholes have recent water, good for diving, swimming, and snorkeling. Some of the epic issues to do is leap right into a cenote.

There are a ton of cenotes across the Tulum and Valladolid areas. You may simply add in just a few cenote stops when visiting Tulum Ruins, Coba Ruins, or Chichen Itza. A number of of our favourite cenotes are Cenote Suytun, Cenote Calavera, Casa Cenote, and Cenote Ik Kil (pictured above).

If you’re a licensed diver, a bucket checklist dive ought to embody diving in a cenote. Most dive outlets in Tulum and Playa del Carmen supply cenote diving with two tanks and go to two cenotes. Adam is open-water dive licensed and loves cenote diving; it’s means completely different than some other dive.

Listed here are just a few of his favourite cenote dives: El Pit, Cenote Angelita, and Carwash.

In case you go to throughout the best time of yr, you’ll be able to go swimming with whale sharks or diving with the bull sharks. We now have all the time liked going to Akumal and swimming with the ocean turtles.

5. Go to Xcaret Eco-Parks

There are many distinctive eco-parks that enable guests to discover pure landscapes, work together with wildlife, and expertise cultural experiences via a wide range of out of doors actions akin to mountaineering and snorkeling.

Some eco-parks you don’t need to miss embody Xcaret, Xel-Há, and Xplo Ecoparks, which train vacationers about Mexico’s numerous ecosystems via sustainable tourism practices.

• Xcaret: Actions embody snorkeling, swimming in cenotes (underground rivers), Mayan ruins, and conventional Mexican performances.
• Xel-Ha: It is a pure aquatic park that provides snorkeling in an inlet, cliff leaping, and swimming in cenotes and lagoons whereas being surrounded by a lush jungle.
• Xplor: That is the right place for individuals who like journey tourism, as they will expertise ziplining, discover historic caverns, or take a guided tour via the Mexican Jungle.

6. Eat Tacos

In case you have been to ask me what my final meal could be, it might be the above! Al Pastor tacos with cilantro & onions, chorizo taco, queso fundito con chorizo, chips & guacamole, and a margarita on the rocks from El Fogon.

No matter you do, be sure that to go to native taco eating places and taco vans/carts. you might be in the best spot if there’s a lengthy line of locals. Don’t count on white linens; more than likely, it will likely be plastic chairs and plastic forks.

Tipping is a typical apply in Mexico. We’ve put collectively a tipping in Mexico information to assist clarify who to tip and advised tip quantities.

In case you’ve by no means been to a few of the well-known Mayan ruins, it is best to contemplate a cenote tour that mixes Coba Ruins, Tulum Ruins, or Chichen Itza.

Riviera Maya FAQ

The place is the Riviera Maya?

The Riviera Maya is a 120km (75 miles) in style vacationer vacation spot situated on the jap coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico.

The Mayan Riviera stretches from simply south of Cancún to the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Main cities and cities within the Riviera Maya embody Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel, and Akumal.

What to put on in Mexico?

If you’re not sure what to pack, learn our Riviera Maya packing checklist. Right here, I cowl what to pack based mostly on the season, actions, and the place you might be staying within the Riviera Maya.

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When is the Finest Time to Go to?

The perfect time to go to the Riviera Maya is between the months of December and March, when it’s the dry season, so the climate is heat, with low humidity and little to no rainfall.

The dry season brings heat, sunny climate with common temperatures of mid-70s to mid-80s Fahrenheit (mid-20s to low 30s Celsius), which is right for out of doors actions however not too scorching to get pleasure from.

Nevertheless, if you wish to snorkel and see whale sharks, you’ll want to go to between Could and September once they migrate via the world.

Sadly, the perfect time of yr can also be the height vacationer season for Caribbean journey, so resorts, eating places, and points of interest are sometimes very crowded and could be very costly presently of yr. In case you can journey throughout shoulder season (barely earlier than/after) peak season, you can see extra budget-friendly lodging.

What’s the Greatest Airport in Riviera Maya?

Most vacationers to the Riviera Maya fly into the foremost airport in Cancun, Mexico. Cancun is the foremost residential space, the place the Mayan Riviera to the south is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot.

Company both take a shared or non-public switch from the airport to their resort or lease a automobile in Cancun to begin their journey. We even have used and advocate this firm for airport transfers. If you’re on a price range, the ADO bus leaves from the airport and stops at many of the finest locations within the Riviera Maya; see how-to guides beneath for extra particulars.

The Tulum Worldwide Airport opened in late 2023. There nonetheless should not many worldwide flights to Tulum from the USA. We’re but to fly into Tulum airport. The Tulum airport code is TQO.

What’s the Finest Strategy to discover the Riviera Maya?

Renting a automobile in Cancun and driving your self provides you a lot freedom to discover! You may go the place you need to go once you need to go. Renting a automobile in Mexico can sound intimidating, however within the Riviera Maya, it’s simple.

We now have an entire information to stroll you thru the method. Our Mexico Rental Automobile Information could be discovered right here. For the perfect costs and free cancelation, we all the time e-book on-line right here with Discovercars.com

Finest Locations to Go to in Riviera Maya

Cancun and Tulum

The 2 hottest locations within the Riviera Maya are Cancun and Tulum, and every provides distinctive experiences. If you’re searching for a high-energy occasion, then Cancun is the situation to go to, as Tulum is a tranquil place to be taught extra about Mayan tradition however is changing into increasingly in style by the day.

Cancun is the entry level to the Riviera Maya for many guests to Mexico. Cancun attracts guests searching for a mix of rest and journey. In case you favor all inclusive resorts, right here you can see many choices and the perfect costs.

Cancun is a crowded, busy vacation spot with a full of life occasion scene identified for its nightlife, busy markets, and superb eating places that characteristic a wide range of flavors.

Cancun provides numerous journey actions, together with snorkeling, underwater museums, swimming in cenotes, exploring ruins, visiting eco-parks, and rather more! Tons of excursions and excursions are simple day journeys from Cancun.

Tulum is a seaside city that appeals to each price range and luxurious vacationers and is a well-liked vacation spot for yoga, wellness, meditation, and therapeutic remedies. It’s situated on the cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea and is understood for its historic Mayan ruins and delightful seashores.

We first visited Tulum in 2012 and liked every part about it. Nevertheless, it is best to know that Tulum is not a small seaside city it was. It’s nonetheless attractive; it simply isn’t what it as soon as was.

Tulum has change into more and more costly during the last 5 years. All of the Tulum beachfront motels and eating places are luxurious with excessive value tags. There isn’t a public transportation from Tulum City to Tulum Seaside, so that you both have to take a taxi ($25+ USD a method) or lease a automobile/bike, however parking could be robust and costly.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect seaside in Riviera Maya, the attractive white sand seashores of Tulum are the place you need to go. No different seaside within the space compares.

Be certain to learn our The place to Keep in Tulum information to grasp the distinction between staying in Tulum City and Tulum Seaside. If you’re touring with youngsters, listed here are our favourite Tulum household resorts.

The Tulum ruins are one of many distinctive Mayan websites to go to, because the walled ruins embody a fortress and watch tower. Tulum has many boutique motels, a implausible culinary scene, and pristine seashores like Playa Paraíso which are good for sunbathing and water sports activities.

You may simply go to each locations on a one-week journey by splitting your time. This may be the right journey, and you possibly can get a style of each locations in Riviera Maya.

We might recommend renting a automobile in Cancun (airport or downtown) and drive from Cancun to Tulum. That means, you’ll be able to discover the Tulum Ruins and cenotes in Tulum in your schedule and see many extra issues to do in Riviera Maya.

If you’re staying in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, you’ll be able to take a day tour to Tulum. We recommend this Tulum full day tour. Which visits the archaeological ruins, seaside, and a cenote.

Xpu Ha

Xpu Ha (pronounced as “shpoo-ha”) is a secluded seaside vacation spot situated on the jap coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Xpu Ha is situated between two different well-known locations: Playa del Carmen to the north and Tulum to the south.

Vacationers get pleasure from visiting the Riviera Maya for its sandy white seashores with clear water and many marine life, making it the right place to sunbathe, swim, and snorkel. The seaside and water actions are much less crowded right here than in Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

For many who love journey, Xpu Ha has kayaking, paddleboarding, and plenty of cenotes for distinctive diving experiences. Company can even get pleasure from unwinding at one of many many seaside golf equipment that provide solar loungers, eating places, and beachside bars.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is without doubt one of the hottest places to remain within the Mayan Riviera because the resort and eating places are glorious high quality and reasonably priced, in addition to the situation could be very accessible permitting visitors to take a wide range of day journeys to additional discover the area.

We love every part about Playa del Carmen. That is the place we used to stay and the place we come for the month each February to flee winter in Wisconsin. We lease a automobile in Playa del Carmen and a condominium on the seaside for a month, however listed here are a few of the finest household resorts in Playa del Carmen.

Playa del Carmen has a vibrant nightlife that enables visitors to get pleasure from dancing and socializing at a wide range of bars, music venues, and golf equipment.

Playa Mamitas is without doubt one of the hottest seaside golf equipment in Playa del Carmen that provides visitors the chance to sunbathe, swim, or simply calm down on loungers.

You gained’t need to miss visiting Quinta Avenida, which is a pedestrian-only avenue with procuring, eating places, and avenue performances. Playa del Carmen has a big choice of eco-parks to select from, together with Xcaret and Xel-Ha, which provide eco-adventures akin to snorkeling and cultural experiences.

Generally known as the “Place of Turtles” within the Mayan language, Akumal has a lot pure magnificence below the ocean because the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is house to a colourful array of tropical fish, sting rays, and sea turtles.

Sian Ka’an

This UNESCO World Heritage Web site is over 1.3 million acres of numerous ecosystems that enable guests to rise up near marine life, observe over 300 chicken species, quite a few reptiles, mammals, and amphibians, and be taught extra about Mayan tradition at a small fishing village known as Punta-Allen.

Sian Ka’an is a good location to take a ship tour via mangroves and lagoons to look at wildlife and the pure landscapes of the reserve. The Sian Ka’an is over 120 kilometers (75 miles) of gorgeous ocean water that acts as a nesting space for loggerheads, inexperienced turtles, and sea turtles.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a a lot quieter location to discover the neighboring Cancun. One of the simplest ways to discover is to lease a golf cart that lets you transfer at your personal tempo to take a look at all of the superb points of interest.

The downtown space often called El Centro is a implausible space to walk in and take a look at the colourful buildings, outlets, eating places, and native environment.

Soar throughout the ocean, you zipline via Garrafon Pure Reef Park or get pleasure from swimming within the infinity swimming pools with lovely views of the ocean. Head to Panta Sur on the cliffs to discover the lighthouse, sculpture backyard, and breathtaking views.

In case you get pleasure from marine life, then you’ll be able to swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery or be taught extra about turtles on the sanctuary.

Cozumel

Cozumel is an island finest identified for world-class diving and snorkeling; happily, it is just a brief ferry trip away from Playa del Carmen. Click on right here to be taught extra in regards to the Cozumel Ferry from Playa del Carmen.

Divers will get pleasure from watching fish, sting rays, turtles, and generally even small sharks as they swim across the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The next places supply distinctive underwater landscapes, together with Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, Paradise Reef, and Chankanaab Seaside. At Chankanaab Seaside, you’ll be able to get pleasure from swimming with dolphins and exploring the Mayan ruins and botanical gardens, making it a full-day journey.

If you’re searching for a distinct kind of tour, you could contemplate visiting Panta Sur Echo Seaside Park to benefit from the lovely environment of the southern tip of Cozumel, a historic lighthouse, and even some crocodile habitats. In case you get pleasure from historical past, then make sure you go to the traditional archaeological web site of San Gervasio to be taught extra about Cozumel’s historical past.

Cozumel can get busy as it’s a in style port on many cruise ship itineraries. If you wish to discover the island by yourself, e-book your automobile far prematurely. Renting a automobile in Cozumel is in style, and automobiles promote out every day.

Two Different Nice Locations to Go to Close to the Riviera Maya

Whereas these two places should not technically within the Riviera Maya, they’re price contemplating on your subsequent Mexico trip.

Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox, located on the Northern Shoreline of Mexico, provides a tranquil and laid-back environment. The island has miles of pristine white sandy seashores and clear Caribbean turquoise waters, making it a super vacation spot to unwind and revel in nature’s magnificence.

The world has no paved roads or automobiles, so it’s undoubtedly a hidden gem to go to. The Holbox ferry takes solely quarter-hour and runs all through the day.

Whereas exploring this charming island, you’ll be able to get pleasure from numerous boat excursions that will let you witness unbelievable wildlife, akin to whale sharks, and discover gorgeous landscapes, together with lovely cenotes good for swimming.

Strolling across the city provides an opportunity to admire distinctive avenue artwork, lovely murals, monuments, and the colourful colours that give Isla Holbox its distinct attraction. Take pleasure in genuine Mexican delicacies on the glorious native eating places with out of doors patios steps away from the attractive seashores.

Some of the interesting elements of Isla Holbox is its relative lack of vacationers in comparison with the Riviera Maya. This makes it an exquisite place to discover on foot with out the effort of automobiles, and it maintains a extra genuine and fewer developed environment than different elements of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Bacalar

This small city is situated within the close by state of Quintana Roo and is known for its breathtaking Lagoon. Bacalar is named the “Lagoon of Seven Colours” because the calm, tranquil waters are various shades of blue and inexperienced and are a pure marvel to discover.

Bacalar is off the crushed path, so it has a extra relaxed vibe to unwind and escape the crowds that flock to the resorts within the Mayan Riviera. Get pleasure from strolling down the cobblestone streets previous colourful buildings which have a wealthy historical past way back to the pre-Columbian period.

There are many enjoyable issues to do in Bacalar for guests to discover, together with the close by historic fortress often called San Felipe Fort, which protected Bacalar city from pirates. A should go to spot is the Canal de los Pirates.

Take a Bacalar boat tour via the lagoon, the place you’ll be able to see the seven shades of water up shut and consider cenotes and mangroves. On the lagoon, you’ve gotten the choice of a guided boat tour, kayaking, or paddleboarding.

You too can get pleasure from swimming within the pure sinkhole often called Cenote Azul, which has deep recent water and is a couple of minutes from the city heart. Float down the rapids at Los Rapidos. Lastly, in the event you get pleasure from vegetation, then you’ll be able to go to the Botanical Backyard to see native vegetation and fruit timber in Mexico.

Whether or not you might be searching for relaxation and rest, out of doors actions, or to be taught extra in regards to the historical past of the world, you might be certain to get pleasure from Bacalar as it’s a nice possibility for the touristy Mayan Riviera.

Now that we’ve got proven you all of the enjoyable issues to do in Riviera Maya and the perfect locations, what can be your first exercise, and the place will you go to? Depart a remark beneath, we’d love hear about your journey to Mexico!

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