Riviera Maya

Top things to do & see in Riviera Maya

Culture & history

Maya culture and legacy inform much of what there is to see and do in the Riviera Maya, especially the archaeological ruins. Tulum and the less visited Coba are the primary sites; however, there are additional ruins across the region, including more than 20 in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve alone and several on Cozumel as well. There are also tours led by Maya guides that give visitors insight into the indigenous culture, ancient and present. 

Exploring nature

Snorkeling and diving are popular Riviera Maya activities with good reason. Among the most intriguing places to swim, snorkel and dive are cenotes, the underground and semi-underground pools that dot this landscape. Taking a tour to these somewhat mystical pools, especially when led by a Maya guide, is a memorable experience. Some cenotes are highly commercialized, while others are unmarked and on private land. In addition to the cenotes, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, aka the Great Maya Reef, stretches for more than 600 miles along the Yucantán Peninsula coastline, providing excellent snorkeling and diving. In certain places, off Akumál, Puerto Morelos and parts of Cozumél, for example, the reef is especially easy to access. 

As you head south from Playa, crowds thin and beaches become even more stunning. "The immaculate strands at Xpu Ha and near Chemuyil boast white sand and clear, shallow water," travel journalist Christopher Hall writes in Via. "At Akumál, you can snorkel amid endangered sea turtles in a tranquil bay."

Parks & preserves

Riviera Maya has a collection of parks and preserves that could keep visitors engaged and exhilarated for days. Some are entirely natural, while others take advantage of gorgeous natural settings that have been creatively enhanced in a Disneyesque fashion. Whether you want to kayak natural lagoons, swing on zip-lines across the jungle, meander through recreated Mayan villages, swim with dolphins, watch today's Mayas playing the ancient ball game of their ancestors, snorkel in some of the most exquisite waters on the planet or make your way along mesmerizing underground rivers, there's a park for you to visit. Most notable: 

• A melding of aquarium and park, Xel-Ha has all kinds of water activities, including snorkeling, dolphin encounters, Snuba and walking underwater with special helmets.
• Billed as an eco-archaeological park, Xcaret is equal parts visually stunning and a little hokey with a lot of Disney "imagining" thrown in. It is possible to gain superficial insight into Maya culture here, and there are opportunities to swim in an underground river, take a snorkeling tour and swim with dolphins.
• Protected Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve extends across more than 1.3 million acres. While its compelling natural elements draw kayakers and birders, this is also a UNESCO Heritage of Humanity Site because of its ruins and thousands of years of Mayan history.
• Opened in 2009 next to Xcaret, Xplor Cancun Park is for adventurers. Zip lines, amphibious vehicles, rafts and an underground river keep visitors moving and energized.
• A more serene experience, Rio Secreto is a complex system of underground caverns and waterways that occurred naturally. The somewhat fragile ecosystem is now protected and entrance is limited to keep it that way. Visitors alternately walk and swim through this thoroughly engaging environment.
• Cozumel's land and marine park, Chankanaab National Park is a place where cruise passengers can mingle with locals; snorkel, eat and drink beachside; photograph an endless succession of iguanas; and learn a little about Mayan culture. Easily accessed by taxi from the cruise dock, Chankanaab is a nice alternative to shore excursions. 

Shopping

Playa del Carmen has a mix of chic and funky shops, especially along pedestrian-only Fifth Avenue. Whether the goal is souvenirs, beachwear, crafts, jewelry or contemporary fashions, there's a shop. On Cozumel, the city of San Miguel, where cruise ships dock, has a large mall and a slew of shops, some where good finds on jewelry are possible or, if preferred, cheaper silver jewelry at affordable prices.

Nightlife

Most of the nightlife in Playa happens along Fifth Avenue or beachside. The options for both range from the raucous spring-break atmosphere of Carlos 'n Charlie's to the hip vibe of Deseo Lounge, next to the pool at Deseo Hotel + Lounge. One longtime favorite on the beach is Dragon Bar at the Blue Parrot Hotel. Another is Tequila Barrel, where tequila and other drinks are served along with TV sports and bar food. 

YOLO (You only live once!)

Climb a pyramid. Not for the faint of heart, climbing up Cobá's centerpiece pyramid, Nohuch Mul, puts you 130 feet above the Riviera Maya jungle. From that lofty point, somehow it's possible to look out and imagine what Cobá must have been like between 400 and 1100 A.D. when some 50,000 people lived there. The trek up and down can be a little nervous-making, but there are ropes to keep you steady.  Bring a rain poncho, as downpours can occur without warning.

Don’t miss

Few things are more inherently romantic in the Riviera Maya than swimming, diving or snorkeling in a cenote. The Yucatan is filled with these sunken pools, and some are accessible from Playa del Carmen. One possibility is Gran Cenote, which, as its name suggests, is one of the area's larger cenotes. Located just outside of the town of Tulum on the road to Coba, Gran Cenote is a place of mystical beauty.

Best bets for dining

Playa and Cozumel have many restaurants to choose from. In Playa, grab a seat at Ah, Cacao, which has three locations along Fifth Avenue, where artful espresso drinks and cocoa are the specialties, along with sweets. There are coffees and cocoas to take home as gifts, too. Maya cuisine is the specialty at Yaxche on Fifth Avenue at 22nd Street. Don't expect tacos. A typical dish is grilled fish filet marinated in achiote and lime and wrapped in a banana leaf. For upscale Mexican cuisine in a sublimely romantic garden setting, there's Aldea Corazon on Fifth Avenue.

On Cozumel, located a short taxi ride from the cruise dock in San Miguel, Kinta Mexican Bistro serves chef-driven contemporary Mexican cuisine in a bright and inviting interior. Typical of dishes: slow-roasted pork tenderloin with chile pasilla-mushroom demiglaze, toasted almonds, prune marmalade and mashed potatoes.

Best time to go

Mid-December to April is the peak season for the region and the time of year when ocean waters are at their clearest.  That said, summer is when many families travel to Riviera Maya and when South American visitors arrive. It's hot and humid, and the water can be murky after a rain, but you'll be spending all your time in the water anyway. 

Fun facts

• The world’s two largest underground rivers are found in the Riviera Maya, measuring more than 435 miles.
• Before 1999, the Riviera Maya was referred to as the Cancun-Tulum corridor. The term “Riviera Maya” was developed in 1999 by the municipal president at the time, and the district was earmarked for extensive tourism development. 
• January is the coldest month in Riviera Maya. The temperatures dip all the way to an average low of 67 degrees F. Brrr!

When you arrive

Docking information

Playa does not have a deep-water port. Cruise ships dock at Calica, five miles from town, or at Cozumel, an offshore island 12 miles distant. Frequent ferries transport passengers from Cozumel to Playa, and some ships also employ their tenders (i.e., lifeboats) for the 20-minute passage. The ferry dock is conveniently located in the center of town, where passengers debark at the zócalo, or town square.

Getting around

Passengers arriving in Playa del Carmen by ferry from Cozumel can walk to everything along Fifth Avenue or take taxis, readily available. In Cozumel, it's possible to walk into the main area of San Miguel or take a taxi into town or to Chankanaab. Tours typically leave from the Cozumel cruise dock.

Need to know

Documents: U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. 

Language: Spanish, but English is commonly spoken and understood in tourist areas.

Tipping: Tipping is similar to what you'd find in the United States, especially in restaurants, where servers depend largely on tips. Be aware that some restaurants automatically add a tip. If a charge labeled “propina” appears on your bill, that's a gratuity the restaurant includes automatically and it's not necessary to tip an additional amount. 

Currency: The Mexican peso. U.S. dollars are also widely accepted.

Safety: The U.S. Department of State issues travel warnings for areas of Mexico that have seen an increase in crime and violence related to drug cartels. Riviera Maya is not one of these, but you should exercise caution in public places. See our safety tips for cruisers. 

Your take

Have you been to Riviera Maya? Please share a story, tip or photo or two. What was the highlight for you? I'd love to know. 

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