Riviera Maya

A visit to Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya’s vibrant and cosmopolitan waterfront capital is a Mexican Caribbean must

Spend time at one of the stylish beach clubs and then get ready to hit Quinta Avenida, Playa’s Fifth Avenue. This is the heart of Playa, and it stretches for miles. Lined with craft shops, boutiques, open air plazas, cafes, restaurants and bars, for shopping, dining and people watching, this is the place to be.

For a fun day in Playa, there are three very different museums to visit in town: the 3D Museum of Wonders on 10th Avenue, the L’Aquarium with 45 spectacular aquariums in Plaza Corazon Mall and the Frida Kahlo Museum.

In the days of the ancient Maya, Playa del Carmen was a thriving port, and you can see the crumbling temples of Xaman-Ha in several neighborhoods. It is still the crossing point to Cozumel, and it only takes a 30-minute ferry ride to reach the famous island.

Enjoy endless days of beach bliss in the Riviera Maya. Find your own piece of paradise or go beach hopping in search of more pristine stretches of sand and sheltered bays. From Punta Maroma and Xcalacoco in the north to Playa del Carmen and then heading further south to Paamul, Xpu-Ha, Akumal, Xcacel, Bahias de Punta Soliman and Tulum, there are so many beaches to choose from.

The picture-perfect palm-lined bay at Akumal is one Riviera Maya family favorite. The bay and the offshore reefs are popular for snorkeling and scuba, and you can often watch sea turtles swim by. Akumal means “the place of the turtles” in Maya and they come ashore in the summer to nest here and at nearby Xcacel, which is a state designated turtle sanctuary.

The beaches of Tulum are legendary and there are more beautiful crescents of white sand in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

The Mesoamerican Reef runs south along the Riviera Maya coast and wherever your snorkeling and scuba adventures take you, you’ll see a wealth of colorful marine life.

Start with a day snorkeling in a turquoise lagoon and chain of cenotes rimmed by the jungle, that is a huge natural aquarium and snorkel paradise. Families will have hours of watery fun spotting different species of shimmering rainbow-colored fish.

When you are ready to go diving, there are incredible reefs to explore off the coast of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Sian Ka’an. If you are staying in Playa, don’t miss the island of Cozumel, one of the world’s dive capitals. The coral reefs clustered along the west coast of the island are magnificent. Rich in marine life, including 500 species of fish, they range from easy snorkeling spots to advanced open water dives.

During your Mexican Caribbean vacation, travel back in time to the days of the ancient Maya. Start with the cliff top city of Tulum and its breathtaking sea views. Inhabited as far back as A.D. 564, Tulum reached its peak during the post-Classic period (1250 – 1521) as a port and sacred center.

Inland from Tulum, lies the huge jungle site of Coba, where pyramids and temples are clustered around four shallow lakes and many more lie hidden, adding to the air of mystery. The city reached its peak during the Maya Classic period, A.D. 250-900 as a major trade center.

Coba is famous for the Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest in the northern Yucatan, and the views from the top are spectacular. Also worth a visit, Muyil is the largest archaeological site in Sian Ka’an and Yucatan’s famous cities such as Chichen Itza are easily accessible.

Spend the day in the area’s famous eco and adventure parks. All offer watery fun, endless thrills, the chance to see local wildlife and a dash of Mexican culture.

Imagine swimming in underground rivers, coming face to face with the colorful birds of southeast Mexico and fish from the coral reefs and seeing the creativity of the country’s craftsmen all in one place. To end an unforgettable day, an evening show of traditional Mexican music and dance, all here in the Riviera Maya.

Adventure parks in the jungle are the place for an exciting zip lining flight through the canopy, biking, horseback riding, snorkeling, kayaking and more.

For nature lovers, an eco-tour to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve south of Tulum is a must. This huge reserve is home to over 350 species of birds and rare creatures such as the jaguar, howler monkey and manatee.

Venture into the Riviera Maya jungle to cool off in crystal-clear cenotes and to explore caves, once held sacred by the ancient Maya as the gateway to the Underworld, the home of the gods.

Formed by erosion over millions of years and the collapse of cave roofs, cenotes are everywhere, especially in the Puerto Aventuras and Tulum areas. Some are turquoise lagoons open to the sky, others have a small opening in the cave roof through which sunlight filters.

South of Playa del Carmen, a forest trail leads you to Rio Secreto, a chain of caves with cenotes, an underground river and impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Between Akumal and Tulum, Aktun Chen and Dos Ojos are other parks where you can swim and snorkel in cenotes.

The world’s longest underground rivers discovered to date are in the Tulum area and are a magnet for cave divers and archaeologists who have made amazing discoveries.