Car & Moto Rentals

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

Accommodation

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

Food & Drinks

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.

11/10/2022

Excursions

One day trips to take around Riviera Maya

Like it? Then share this with your friends!

Use these tags to read more related posts and reviews:

admin › https://rivieramayatravelguide.com

Travel and discover Riviera Maya. Here you can find all tourist and historical information about Riviera Maya, places of interest, suggested excursions and recommended routes, and much more.

Read related categories for more information:

Excursions

Use these tags to read more related posts and reviews:

Comments are closed.

Escape to the paradise of Riviera Maya for the ultimate sunbathing experience. Discover the best beaches for sunbathing, including Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Xpu-Ha, and get tips for safe and enjoyable sunbathing. Riviera Maya is a perfect destination for a getaway. Riviera Maya, located along the Caribbean coast of Mexico, is a paradise for sun-seekers. With its warm weather, pristine beaches, and turquoise waters, it’s the perfect destination for those looking to escape the daily grind and soak up some sun. Riviera Maya is an experience that you’ll never forget. The atmosphere of a Riviera Maya beach is typically relaxed and laid-back, with a tropical vibe. The sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the warm sun provide a sense of peace and tranquility. The beaches are often surrounded by lush vegetation and palm trees, adding to the tropical feel. The Riviera Maya is a great place for sunbathing with its warm climate and beautiful white sand beaches. Enjoy lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun, and taking dips in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Sunbathing on a tropical beach can be a relaxing experience. The warm sun and the sound of the waves can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm. The atmosphere is lively but not hectic, with people sunbathing, swimming, playing beach games, and enjoying the scenery. There is also usually a mix of local and international visitors, adding to the diverse and culturally rich atmosphere. There may be vendors selling souvenirs and local crafts, as well as restaurants and bars offering refreshments and drinks. There are also plenty of beach clubs and resorts with amenities like sun loungers, umbrellas, and beach bars, making it easy to spend a day relaxing on the beach. Riviera Maya is also known for its excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities. Where to Sunbathe in Riviera Maya? Riviera Maya is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and each beach offers a unique experience. Whether you prefer a secluded stretch of sand or a bustling beach with plenty of activities, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. Some popular beaches for sunbathing in Riviera Maya include Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Xpu-Ha. Playa del Carmen is known for its lively atmosphere, shopping and dining options, and stunning beaches. Here, you’ll find plenty of loungers and umbrellas for rent, as well as beachside bars and restaurants where you can enjoy a refreshing drink or bite to eat. Tulum, located on the southern end of Riviera Maya, is known for its picturesque beaches and crystal-clear waters. This bohemian beach town is perfect for those seeking a more relaxed and laid-back sunbathing experience. Xpu-Ha is a secluded beach with crystal-clear waters. This place is perfect for those looking for some peace and quiet. With its lush vegetation and calm waters, Xpu-Ha is an ideal spot for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. Tips for Sunbathing in Riviera Maya When sunbathing in Riviera Maya, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Make sure to apply plenty of sunblock with a high SPF, wear a hat and sunglasses, and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Another important consideration is the timing of your sunbathing. The sun is at its strongest from 10 am to 4 pm, so it’s best to plan your beach time either in the early morning or late afternoon. Finally, be respectful of the environment and take care not to leave any waste behind on the beach. This will help to keep Riviera Maya’s beautiful beaches clean and pristine for future generations to enjoy. In conclusion, sunbathing in Riviera Maya is a must-do experience for anyone looking to relax and rejuvenate. With its stunning beaches and warm weather, it’s the perfect place to escape the daily grind and soak up some sun. Book your trip to Riviera Maya today and start making memories that will last a lifetime.
>>Read more
Yucatan cenotes are sinkholes found in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, and are known for their crystal-clear water, stunning beauty, and cultural significance to the ancient Maya civilization. Cenotes were considered sacred by the Maya and were used for religious ceremonies and as a source of fresh water. Today, they remain a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who are drawn to their beauty and mystique. Swimming in cenotes is a popular activity in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. These natural sinkholes are filled with crystal-clear, refreshing water that is inviting for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Many cenotes also have unique underwater cave systems that can be explored by experienced divers. Swimming in cenotes is adventure and excitement as you explore the underwater caves and clear turquoise waters, serenity, and peace as you float in the cool and quiet waters surrounded by nature, fear, and adrenaline as you take a leap into the unknown depths of the cenote. Swimming in a cenote is a unique and memorable experience, surrounded by lush jungle vegetation and stunning rock formations. It is important to keep in mind that cenotes are fragile ecosystems and to follow guidelines for responsible tourism and environmental protection. Make cenote diving the highlight activity of your stay in Mexico Cenote diving is an incredible experience. Cenotes are a fantastic place for diving and are still pretty good for snorkeling. You won’t see much fish, but the cave formations visible from the service are quite dramatic. Cenote means sacred well – a place to worship natural wonders and the breathtaking beauty of the Mayan landscape. The opportunity to swim and snorkel in cenotes attracts tourists from all over the world. Unlike the ocean where there can be big waves or a strong rip current, the cenotes are closed – inside the caves – that protect the calm and blue waters from external factors. This usually makes them an ideal place for a relaxing swimming experience. Experience unforgettable dives inside the magical world of cenotes. Cave diving is an extreme sport and is a way for divers to explore flooded caves for scientific investigation, research purposes, search, and recovery, or for technical challenges. Cave diving combines the thrill of scuba diving with the wonder of spelunking for a truly unique experience. Cave and marine environments each hold some of the most unusual and diverse ecosystems on the planet. Underwater caves have very little light, food, or oxygen. Be aware – the water is cold. It will start out refreshing, but can quickly get cold without a wetsuit. The water temp is around 21° C. It is not recommended that you go exploring the cenotes on your own. Without the knowledge of an expert tour guide, you run the risk of getting lost and endangering the health, safety, and environment of your surroundings. Cenotes are addictive and once you discover the Mayan underwater world, for sure you will be back for more.
>>Read more
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
>>Read more
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
>>Read more