Car & Moto Rentals

Rent a car, jeep or moto to move along Riviera Maya coastline more comfortably by dismissing predicament and avoiding traffic jams.

Searching for where to stay in Riviera Maya? Check these hotels and hostels in Riviera Maya beach resorts for all budgets and all tastes.

Riviera Maya is also known for its rich gastronomy and deliciously cuisine. Check out these bars, cafes, and restaurants on Riviera Maya.

Nightlife, Clubs & Bars

Discover the best nightclubs and bars on Riviera Maya. Check out some of these cozy places for rambling around, letting loose and dancing.

Excursions, Tours & Transfer

Find popular guided tours and excursions on Riviera Maya. Book a transfer from the airport to any destination on Riviera Maya or vice versa.

Education & Language Schools

Language schools and other educational institutions and centers offering Spanish language courses and cultural programs in Mexico.

03/02/2023

Riviera Maya Travel Guide

Boat ride fun on Riviera Maya

A boat ride on a tropical resort can be a thrilling and scenic experience. Typically, boat rides on Riviera Maya offer several options, including:

Sunset Cruise: A sunset cruise is a popular choice for those looking to enjoy the beautiful colors of the sunset over the ocean. Guests can relax on the boat and take in the views while sipping cocktails and enjoying live music.

Snorkeling or Diving Tour: For those interested in marine life, a snorkeling or diving tour is a must-do activity. These tours take visitors to the best snorkeling or diving spots in the area, where they can explore the underwater world and observe colorful fish, corals, and other marine life.

Island-Hopping Tour: An island-hopping tour is a great way to explore the tropical islands surrounding the resort. Visitors can visit several different islands, each with its own unique landscape and attractions, and enjoy activities like swimming, sunbathing, and exploring local villages.

Wildlife and Nature Tour: For those interested in wildlife and nature, a boat tour of the local mangrove forests, lagoons, and other ecosystems is a must. Visitors can see a variety of birds, monkeys, and other wildlife in their natural habitat, as well as learn about the unique ecosystem and its importance to the local area.

Overall, a boat ride on Riviera Maya can be a fun and exciting way to explore the area and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. With several different options available, there is something for everyone on a tropical resort boat ride.

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Discover the thrill of jet-skiing in the beautiful waters of Riviera Maya. Experience the excitement and adventure as you glide through crystal-clear waters on a high-speed jet-ski. Book your jet-skiing tour today and make memories that will last a lifetime. Riviera Maya is a premier destination for adventure seekers, offering a wide range of thrilling water sports activities. With its warm waters and pristine beaches, the region is the perfect place to experience the rush of gliding across the water on a powerful jet ski. Feel the Thrill of Jet-Skiing in Riviera Maya’s Glistening Waters One of the best places for jet-skiing in Riviera Maya is the famous Playa del Carmen. This bustling beach town is home to a variety of water sports operators, offering jet-ski rentals and guided tours. Explore the turquoise waters and scenic coastline of the region on your own, or join a guided tour and discover hidden coves, secluded beaches, and breathtaking views. For those seeking a more tranquil jet-skiing experience, Tulum is a must-visit. Located on the south end of Riviera Maya, Tulum offers a serene and uncrowded beach, surrounded by lush vegetation and clear waters. Rent a jet-ski and explore the coastline, or join a guided tour and discover hidden cenotes, underground rivers, and ancient Mayan ruins. Whether you’re a seasoned jet skier or a first-timer, Riviera Maya offers a safe and accessible jet-skiing experience. Many water sports operators offer equipment rental, lessons, and guided tours, making it easy to get started. With its warm waters and stunning coastline, jet-skiing in Riviera Maya is an unforgettable experience. In conclusion, jet-skiing in Riviera Maya offers an adrenaline-fueled adventure for thrill-seekers. From the bustling beaches of Playa del Carmen to the serene waters of Tulum, the region offers a variety of jet-skiing experiences to suit all levels. Book your jet-skiing adventure today and feel the thrill of gliding across the water in Riviera Maya’s glistening waters.
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Extending across the northernmost tip of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Riviera Maya is an 83-mile sweep of coastline running from the south of Cancún all the way to the Belize border. The tourist corridor is a magnet for sun-seeking travelers with its powder-puff white sand beaches, legendary ruins, and the world’s second-largest coral reef. What makes the Riviera Maya all the more appealing is that it’s a year-round destination – although the best time to visit is between February and June when temperatures are mild and crowds thin out. Beyond the sparkling strands, the Riviera Maya entices an impressive lineup of well-preserved Maya ruins, world-class dive sites, and fun-filled cenotes (natural swimming holes). Let’s just say you won’t ever run out of things to do. Riviera Maya is an idyllic little slice of paradise with activities at the most visited locations including jet-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming in cenotes, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, horse riding, sailing, and guided jungle tours. But if you don’t know where to start, we’ve handpicked the best things to do in Riviera Maya – including both quintessential must-dos and unusual experiences for those who like to stray off the well-trodden trail. Time travel at the Tulum ruins Ranked high as one of the most prominent ruins in Mexico, Tulum is a great place to start your Riviera Maya journey. The Tulum ruins are perched on the top of rocky cliffs, high above the azure waters of the Caribbean – an uncommon location for an ancient Maya city. With evidence of habitation dating back as far as 564 CE, Tulum’s heyday as a Maya city was in the 1200s and it has withstood the ravages of time and retained its grid-like layout, main structures, and a strong sense of history in every corner. The compact archaeological site can be seen in a couple of hours; aim to get here before the tour groups arrive at 11 am and bring a swimsuit for a refreshing dip in the inviting water beneath the ruins. There is very little shade at the ruins and the opportunity to cool off in the sea is most welcome. Start with the waterfront temples and meander clockwise through the site – the real prize is the view that awaits along the cliff-edge trail of the Castillo, the tallest structure in Tulum, backed by cobalt waters and a spiny-tailed iguana or two. Get a digital experience at Mystika Tulum After exploring the Tulum ruins, make a stop at the new-age interactive digital museum, Mystika Tulum. It delivers a one-of-a-kind sensory experience designed to take you on a journey through the Maya cosmology through multi-sensorial rooms and installations. The venue is modest, and the entrance fee is higher than local museums, but it captures your imagination like no other, with outstanding visuals that both adults and kids will appreciate. This gallery is the brainchild of Pepe Soho, one of the most celebrated photographers in Mexico. Float in the ancient Maya canals at Sian Ka’an One of the most biodiverse places in the world, Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka’an is a 1.3 million-acre reserve of mangroves, savannahs, spearmint lagoons, and virgin beaches. Just south of Tulum, this patch of wilderness is the largest protected area on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and an eco traveler’s dream come true. The majority of the Sian Ka’an is out-of-bounds, and only a fraction is designated for sustainable eco-tourism. Sian Ka’an is best explored on a guided tour, as the rugged trails and waterways are challenging to traverse on your own. Maya-run Community Tours Sian Ka’an runs kayak tours through the lagoons and birdwatching tours that directly benefit the local community. While drifting down canals dug by the Mayas centuries earlier, try to spot giant land crabs and manatees, and listen out for howler monkeys. Swim in a cavern Underneath the lush jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula lies a secret underworld of turquoise pools and mystical caves. Cenotes were revered by the Mayan civilization and used as a portal to communicate with the gods. Today, you can see why these underground caverns played a pivotal role in the Maya world. In the crisp mineral-rich water of Cenote Dos Ojos, you’ll get the chance to weave through narrow passages and swim between illuminated stalactites and stalagmites. What you’re seeing is just a fragment of the world’s largest underwater cave systems – book a guided snorkeling tour run by the local Maya community or a scuba dive session if you’d like to venture deeper into the cave system. The trio of cenotes near Playa del Carmen tends to receive fewer visitors: Azul, Cristalino, and Eden are all open-air cenotes with clear-as-glass water and skin-nibbling tropical fish darting around. They’re great for people of all ages – adventurous adults can dive off mini cliffs into the water, kids can wade in the shallow pools or meander along the jungle paths, and seniors have plenty of space for a picnic. Step back in time to Punta Allen Located at the end of the Boca Paila Peninsula, the remote fishing village of Punta Allen gives a glimpse of how the Riviera Maya used to be. The picture-perfect beaches are empty except for a few stray dogs and a fisherman or two. A sandy main drag cuts through the sleepy pueblo, lined by crumbling wooden houses, simple loncherias (eateries), and grocery stores. Getting here is not easy: even though it’s just 25 miles (40km) from the Sian Ka’an entrance, most people take at least two hours to traverse the bumpy dirt track to Punta Allen. B ut the village is well worth the arduous journey for its low-key atmosphere, traffic-free tranquility, and absence of mass tourism. Rise early for a dolphin-watching trip or go snorkeling over the technicolored reef. After that, join the village’s seniors on a fishing trip, and end the night under the starry skies in a bell tent at Hotel Cielo y Selva. Swim in the magic waters of Laguna Bacalar For >>Read more
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The Riviera Maya is a tourism and resort district south of Cancun, Mexico. It straddles the coastal Federal Highway 307, along the Caribbean coastline of the state of Quintana Roo, located in the eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula. Historically, this district started in the city of Playa del Carmen and ended in the village of Tulum. The Riviera Maya includes the municipalities of Solidaridad in the north and Tulum in the south, and extends approximately 40 km inland, to the border with the state of Yucatán. Although the towns of Puerto Morelos, situated to the north of Playa del Carmen, as well as the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, situated 40 km to the south of Tulum, are both currently being promoted as part of the Riviera Maya tourist corridor. The Riviera Maya was originally called the “Cancun-Tulum corridor”, but in 1999 it was renamed the Riviera Maya with the aid of Miguel Ramón Martín Azueta. At the time, he was the municipal president of Solidaridad, Quintana Roo. Tourism The Riviera Maya is famous for its large-scale all-inclusive resorts and a historical tourism base of smaller boutique hotels as well as the many fine-dining restaurants available along the Fed 307 and on or near the beaches. Luxury travel entities have been instrumental in increasing luxury villa rentals and yacht charters in the area however these only represent a small fraction of the total tourism accommodation available. Government development plans include establishing a number of medium-sized cities within the Riviera Maya with initial planning spanning 20 years. Target areas for urbanization include the towns and villages of Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Chemuyil, and Tulum. A major attraction throughout the Riviera Maya is coastal and aquatic activities. Activities at the most visited locations include jet-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming in cenotes, swimming with dolphins, zip-lining, horse riding, sailing, and guided jungle tours. Archeology is also a big tourist draw in the area, including the popular archeological sites operated by the Instituto Nacional de Archeological such as Tulum on the coast, and Chichen Itza and Coba located some distance inland. Eco-parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha also include some smaller archeological ruins as part of their attractions, but these natural water theme parks operated by private business consortia attract much larger crowds due to the diversity and range of activities provided. History The history of Riviera Maya dates back to over 10,000 years ago when the first hunter-gatherers arrived in the region. Yucatan was home to several powerful Mayan city-states, including Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. These city-states were known for their impressive architecture, which included monumental pyramids, palaces, and temples. The Mayan civilization reached its peak between 600-800 AD. All city-states in the region were important centers of trade, and the Mayan people were skilled in agriculture, writing, and astronomy. However, in the 10th century, the Mayan civilization started to decline, and the city-states were eventually abandoned. After the decline of the Mayan civilization, the region was largely uninhabited for several centuries. It wasn’t until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century that the area was re-populated. The Spanish brought with them Christianity, and many of the ancient Mayan structures were destroyed or repurposed for Catholic churches. In the 19th century, the Yucatan Peninsula, which includes Riviera Maya, was a hotbed of political unrest. The Caste War of Yucatan, a long and bloody conflict between the indigenous and the Mexican government, raged on for over 50 years. The war had a profound impact on the region, and many of the ancient Mayan structures were damaged or destroyed during the conflict. In the early 20th century, Riviera Maya was still a relatively unknown and undeveloped area. However, in the 1970s, the Mexican government recognized the potential of the region as a tourist destination and began investing in infrastructure and development. Today, Riviera Maya is a thriving tourism hub, with over 4 million visitors every year. The region is known for its luxurious resorts, world-class restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. However, despite its modern amenities, the area still retains its ancient roots. Many of the ancient Mayan structures have been restored and are open to the public, providing visitors with a glimpse into the region’s rich history. Climate The mean annual temperature is 24–25 °C. The climate is dominated by a rainy season from May through November, and within the dry season, there is a period dominated by northerly winds, called El Norte, which usually occurs in the months of January and February. The maximum mean annual precipitation throughout the Yucatán Peninsula occurs along the coast of the Riviera Maya with 1,500 mm of rainfall with a general decline to the NW with only 400 mm per year or less on the opposite side of the Peninsula. While the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán experiences a large number of tropical storms and hurricanes, the storm tracks and therefore landfalls of these are divergent to both the north (Cancun) and the south (south of Tulum and down to Belize) striking generally outside the Riviera Maya. Groundwater and therefore cenote water temperatures are 25 °C year-round. Coastal waters range from 26 °C in January to 29 °C in August. Geography The Riviera Maya is completely within the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. The terrain is flat and covered by a low tropical jungle. The geology is high-purity carbonates down to a depth of 0.5–1.5 km below the surface. Mean annual rainfall is 1.5 m per year and the efficient infiltration results in the complete absence of any surface rivers. As is common in karst, underground river networks have formed by dissolution, and these have been explored and mapped by cave diving through sinkhole collapses, locally called cenotes. The whole of the Yucatán Peninsula is underlain by a density-stratified coastal aquifer system with a lens-shaped freshwater body floating on top of intruding saline water. The formation of caves within this coastal carbonate aquifer is principally associated with carbonate dissolution at >>Read more
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When people think of Mayan culture, the first thing that comes to mind is often the ancient ruins scattered throughout Mexico and Central America. While these sites are certainly impressive and worth visiting, there’s much more to Mayan culture than just the ruins. But Mayan culture is beyond only ruins. So, let’s explore the hidden gems of Mayan culture in Riviera Maya, from traditional crafts and medicinal plants to temazcal ceremonies and local communities. Traditional Crafts One of the best ways to learn about Mayan culture beyond the ruins is through their traditional crafts. In Riviera Maya, there are several communities where visitors can see artisans at work and purchase handmade crafts. Another must-visit is the Mayan local community, where visitors can see traditional weaving and embroidery techniques. Here, artisans use natural dyes and cotton or sisal fibers to create intricate patterns and designs. There are also several cooperatives in the area that support local artisans and provide fair wages for their work. Medicinal Plants Mayan culture has a deep connection to nature, and many traditional medicinal practices involve the use of plants and herbs. In Riviera Maya, visitors can learn about these practices by visiting botanical gardens or taking guided tours of the jungle to learn about the traditional uses of plants and herbs, including how they were used for medicine, food, and ritual purposes. Visitors can also participate in a traditional Mayan sweat lodge ceremony, known as a temazcal (some kind of steam bath), which uses medicinal plants and steam to promote physical and spiritual healing. Local Communities Beyond the tourist destinations, there are several Mayan communities in Riviera Maya that offer a glimpse into daily life and traditions. One such community is the village of Pac Chen, which is located near the ruins of Coba. Here, visitors can participate in traditional ceremonies, learn about the local way of life, and even go on a jungle hike to explore the local flora and fauna. Another option is the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, which is known for its Mayan language and culture. Visitors can explore the local markets, where traditional foods and crafts are sold, and even take a language class to learn some basic Mayan phrases. Conclusion Mayan culture is rich and diverse and extends far beyond the famous ancient ruins. In Riviera Maya, visitors can explore traditional crafts, medicinal plants, and local communities to gain a deeper understanding of this ancient culture. Whether you’re interested in learning about traditional weaving techniques or participating in a temazcal ceremony, there’s something for everyone to discover beyond the ruins. So next time you visit Riviera Maya, be sure to venture off the beaten path and explore the hidden gems of Mayan culture.
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