Dive into the Riviera Maya.

Explore every corner of the Riviera Maya with our essential checklist

The turquoise blue of its Caribbean beaches and the sensation of white sand between your toes should be reason enough for you to take the plunge into the Mexican Riviera Maya, 35 km away from Cancún. And there’s so much more to it, from ruins which emanate a special kind of energy, to unique shows and performances, to the spirit of Frida Kahlo... We share all the insider secrets, so you don’t miss out on anything.

Hotel Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla [1]

Located in a small bay, this idyllic, all-inclusive, adults-only resort has been designed to make you feel at one with your surroundings, and a part of nature in its purest form. The perfect day could begin with a trip to the beach, followed by a treatment at the hotel’s YHI Spa and dinner at any of its 14 restaurants. Of course, you could also take up a new activity during your stay, with tequila and wine tasting sessions, tango, meditation, Peruvian cooking or Aqua Zumba classes all available through the Life Enriching Activities programme.

Playa del Carmen [2]

This is the coast’s true metropolis, so you’ll find absolutely everything here, from typical artisanal craftwork to the trendiest hotspots—open right until dawn. Almost all of this takes place on the same street: the Quinta Avenida, a pedestrian road that extends for about 4 km and is bustling with restaurants, bars, art galleries and shopping centres. In Playa del Carmen you can also visit L'Aquarium and the Frida Kahlo Museum (museofridakahlorivieramaya.org). Plus, it’s the point of departure for ferries heading to the island of Cozumel, perfect for those keen to brush up on their scuba diving skills.

Tulum [3]

You absolutely do not want to miss out on a photo of the archaeological ruins of Tulum, nor the dozens of likes you’ll reap on social media. Although the ancient Mayan city—formed at the end of the classical period (around 1000 AD)— was not a major empire, its privileged vantage point over the Caribbean renders its ruins utterly unique; especially El Castillo, located right on the edge of a cliff. But there’s so much more to do besides exploring Tulum’s archaeological site. For instance, take a walk around the beautiful town, which still retains much of its original charm and bohemian spirit, with small cafés, craft shops and local businesses.

Chichén Itzá [4]

It would be no exaggeration to say that Chichén Itzá, 181 km from Playa del Carmen, is the Riviera Maya’s crown jewel and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It was erected at the height of the pre-Columbian civilization (between the eighth and ninth centuries) and was hugely important in its time. Thanks to its careful restoration we’ve been able to learn a lot from this site. The juego de pelota (a Mayan ballgame) court, the Temple of the Warriors, the El Caracol ‘observatory’ and, above all, the Temple of Kukulkan, chiefly known as El Castillo (which houses an even older temple inside of it), are all great ways to deepen your understanding of the Toltec and Mayan civilizations’ worldview. Go at the most special time of year—during the equinox—when the light creates a curious effect on the steps of Kukulkan, making it look as though a zigzagging snake is slithering down towards the earth.

Joyà (Carretera Federal Cancun, Playa del Carmen km. 48) [5]

Mexico is colour, music and cuisine all at once. You can see this combination in action in Joyà, the first resident show of Cirque du Soleil in the Riviera Maya (also showing nationwide), a dinner-theatre experience to excite all the senses. The story delves into the magical cultural history of Mexico, which is depicted through the adventures of a girl living in her grandfather’s fantasy world, surrounded by local flora and fauna and mysterious, half-animal, half-human creatures inspired by alebrijes (a kind of Mexican folk art), mariachis, pirates and masks.

Taquería Honorio (Satélite Sur, Tulum) [6]

You simply can’t leave without a taste of the best traditional local cuisine you’ll ever try. This place is a little off the beaten track, but worth it to sample their delicious tacos—the best in Tulum. We also recommend the cochinita pibil, a traditional Mayan roast suckling pork recipe, marinated with annatto seeds, garlic, spices and bitter oranges, and all wrapped up in a banana leaf.

Sian Ka’an [7]

The Riviera Maya’s defining quality is its enormous wealth of diversity. Such richness can also be observed in its wildlife, especially in this jungle, which was declared a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve in 1987. It’s home to over a thousand species of plants, 345 species of birds and felines (including jaguars, pumas, ocelots and jaguarundis), 115 species of mammals

(such as howler and spider monkeys), 90 local bee species and 318 species of butterflies... and the list doesn’t end here. There are many different ways to enjoy and explore Sian Ka'an: go kayaking or diving, get to know the local community, follow the ancient Mayan route on a boat trip through the mangroves or simply head down to its beaches for a swim. If you’re a responsible traveller and love sustainable tourism, this is the destination for you.

Coba [8]

Half an hour from Tulum stands the tallest pyramid in the entire Yucatán peninsula: Nohoch Mul, which is approximately the same height as a ten-storey building. This city’s population grew to 50,000 between the years 600 and 900 AD in the Classical Mayan period, and now visitors can go for bicycle rides through the sacbeob (a kind of Mayan paved road) and walk the ancient pathways, all the while surrounded by the jungle. Since there’s still so much to excavate, what you can see now is a mere fraction of what the city once was. But some of its most popular attractions are its trails, of which there are over 30, allowing visitors to trace the daily lives and customs of the former inhabitants. The most famous of the trails is trail number one, where an inscription can be found declaring that 12/12/12 would mark the beginning of a new era; this was later interpreted as the end of the world.

Aktun Chen Natural Park [9]

Cancún isn’t just hotels and shopping centres. Very nearby, in the middle of the tropical rainforest, you’ll find the oasis Aktun Chen, which is home to much of the local flora and fauna. You can take part in all kinds of activities and combine nature with fun: zip-line through the treetops alongside spider monkeys, dive into the crystal-clear waters of sacred cenotes, or walk through a cave teeming with stalactites and stalagmites—formed over thousands of years—following an underground river.

Señor [10]

This beautiful Mayan village—located less than two hours away from Tulum—makes for a very interesting visit. Walk through the village and become familiar with the inhabitants’ culture and lifestyle, including production of the sisal yarn, which has been made here by hand for centuries. Hear the locals’ stories and legends firsthand, or discover the miraculous natural remedies used by their healers to cure certain ailments. Trying a homemade dish of the village’s typical cuisine is essential, as is a visit to the Melipona (stingless) bees, which were hugely important in the religion, cosmology and medicine of ancient Mayan culture in the Yucatán Peninsula. Still hungry for more? The Laguna Azul and its cenote are very close by—perfect for snorkelling or a canoe ride.

THE RIVIERA MAYA’S DEFINING QUALITY IS ITS ENORMOUS WEALTH OF DIVERSITY.