What to see and do on Riviera Maya

With its 140 kilometers of coast, from Isla Blanca to Punta Allen, the Riviera Maya in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, is one of the country’s best tourist destinations. In the Yucatan Peninsula you can discover legendary Mayan cities, get lost in islands of exuberant beauty, practice sports in natural environments of incalculable value, lie under a palapa on a heavenly beach or enjoy local cuisine in traditional restaurants and cantinas. 

Chichén Itzá, the most famous Mayan city, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1988 by UNESCO and has been considered a Wonder of the World since 2007. It’s one of the best preserved testimonies to the Mayan civilization. This historic city brings together the legacy of two cultures, the Mayan and the Toltec, in three imposing buildings: the stepped pyramid, called El Castillo, which is the main construction of the complex; El Caracol, which served as an astronomical observatory, and, finally, the Temple of Warriors, next to which is the Forest of a Thousand Columns. It also houses a cenote sixty meters across, of singular beauty. Noches de Kukulkán are celebrated during the spring equinox, an event in which the buildings are illuminated at dusk while their story is told.  

The ruins of Tulum and its beaches are an ideal destination for travelers in search of somewhere to relax far the madding crowd and for those who thirst for adventure in an extraordinarily beautiful natural environment. This city was one of the largest and most impressive of the Mayan civilization, and is home to the only vestiges of pre-Columbian archaeology to be found on the edge of the ocean. Below the site and just a kilometer away is Playa Paraíso, considered one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world due to the extreme whiteness of its sand and the turquoise of its waters, which hide magnificent coral reefs. Located west of the archaeological zone of Tulum, in the middle of the dense tropical jungle of the state of Quintana Roo and flanked by five lakes, stands Coba, one of the most important Mayan capitals and an essential visit if you travel to Mexico. 

It’s hard to travel through Riviera Maya without being captivated by the beauty and magnetism of its spectacular cenotes. The Mayans called them dzonoot, which means cave with water. The Yucatan Peninsula is a porous limestone platform, where rivers flow underground, creating these beautiful natural pools with sunlight filtering through them, and which sometimes extend into spectacular caves with stalactites. Many of them have become incredible destinations for ecotourism where you can swim, snorkel, dive or canoe, while discovering the flora and fauna that inhabit them. They had a mystical meaning for the Mayans: on the one hand, they were a source of life, since they provided drinking water, and, on the other, they were a means of communication with Xibalba, the underworld. So it’s common to find them next to the most visited archaeological sites in Mexico, such as in Chichén Itzá. 

Without doubt, the epicenter of the Riviera Maya nightlife is  Playa delCarmen . Its famous Fifth Avenue is a bustling pedestrian promenade crammed with restaurants and bars. The best plan may be to dine on one of its terraces and continuing the night trying a good mezcal and dancing to the rhythm of the best music. 

But if what you’re looking for is to party until dawn at a nightclub in the area, then we recommend that you go to nearby Calle 12, where the main party venues are located. 

If you’re interested in pre-Hispanic culture, Xcaret is not only an authentic natural sanctuary, it’s also an eco-archaeological park that brings together the best of Riviera Maya. Endless adventure activities and the best example of Mexican folklore such as the Voladores de Papantla ceremony, equestrian shows or pre-Hispanic dances in the Mayan Village. As evening falls, you mustn’t miss the famous show “Xcaret México Espectacular”.

Located in the heart of Riviera Maya, this aquatic and ecological park is perfect for outdoor activities with the whole family in an environment of incalculable natural and cultural value. Xel-Ha is a beautiful sea inlet that several underground rivers flow into It’s an "all-inclusive" natural park, where the kids can enjoy fun activities such as snorkeling, zip-lining or interacting with the rich marine fauna (manatees, dolphins or rays).