Ruins So many archaeological gems to choose from, Coba, Tulum, Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Uxmal…..if history and ancient culture is your thing, look no further.
The ancient Maya were a truly advanced civilization, with dense cities, splendid art, gifted astronomers and mathematicians and their own complex calendar.
We can see the fruits of this amazing civilization not only in the 350,000 Mayas who still inhabit this region, but in the beautiful and incredible ruin sites throughout the region.
The Riviera Maya boasts home to a number of minor sites, but more importantly to the big three, Coba, Muyil and Tulum. However it is impossible to come to this region without straying a little further afield to visit Chichen Itza, one of the 7 Wonders of the World.
Diving and Snorkeling The Riviera Maya is an ideal destination for snorkeling and diving, with warm, crystalline waters and miles of breathtaking beaches.
The Meso American Barrier Reef or Great Maya Reef as it is sometimes called, at 725 km, is only second in length to the Great Barrier Reef of Australia, stretching almost 1000 kilometers along the coast of Mexico and into Central America.
It has a diverse ecosystem, with over 600 species of fish and 100 species of coral, tropical waters are warm and inviting almost all the year round.
Sun and Sea - Beautiful beaches Put on your swim suit, get out the sun block, and don’t forget your camera as there are some truly memorable and beautiful beaches in the Riviera.
From Puerto Morelos to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, there are over 100 miles of gently undulating coastline. Most beaches are curved sandy bays with rocky headlands defining the bays. Most of the bays are protected by an outer reef that reduces the surf and encourages sand to collect on the beaches. Snorkeling and kayaking are best in the bays. Akumal, Soliman and Tankah are examples of beaches with an outer reef break.
In areas of the coast where there is no outer reef the waves come in directly, sometimes crashing on a hard limestone shore or a sandy beach. Playa del Carmen and Tulum are good examples of beaches with no outer reef break but plenty of sand.
S'ian Ka'an It is the third largest protected area in Mexico, comprising 1.3 million acres of tropical ecosystems. Consisting of lowland forest, flooded savannas, mangroves, and a portion of the world's second largest coastal barrier reef-- the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef--the Reserve is home to 800 plant species and provides habitat for 350 species of birds, as well as jaguar, puma, ocelot, spider and howler monkeys, crocodiles, and many types of turtles.
Cenotes
You know the Yucatan Peninsula for its glorious beaches and ancient ruins, but under the ground there’s a completely different world to explore. The world of Cenotes.
Our Peninsula is a large limestone shelf dotted with clear blue-green pools of water. These pools are fed by an underground river system which winds through the limestone. Over the years these rivers have carved out vast caverns and tunnels.
Cenotes are filled with interesting rock formations, including stalagmites and stalactites. These systems are a Scuba Diver’s dream. There are Cenotes rated for both cave certified divers and non-cave certified divers. Exploring them can make you feel like you’re the first person to ever set eyes upon these amazing wonders.
Swim with Dolphins You can choose between 3 different dolphinariums now in the Riviera Maya to take part in a close up swim experience with these marvelous marine mammals. Less than 10 minutes by car will see you touching and playing with these unique animals.
Delphinus at Xcaret, Dolphin Discovery at Puerto Aventuras and Delphinus at Xel Ha are your choices.
Rio Secreto This is the newest Nature reserve, and an excellent opportunity to explore the underground world of the Rivera Maya.
For many years people were unable to understand how The Maya became such a great civilization without an obvious water source. Finally the discovery was made that the Yucatan Peninsula is a little like a Swiss cheese, full of holes. These cave systems are almost all interconnected in some way with each other and eventually to the ocean.
Theme Parks See indigenous species such as the ocelot, the jaguar and the famous howler monkeys. Witness an amazing festival to the history of the Riviera Maya and Mexico, swim in limestone inlets full of tropical fish or explore underground caves and river systems.
Fly down a zip line, cruise through the jungle in a real 4x4, fly across the waves in a formula 1 boat or experience the magic that our area has to offer in its numerous theme parks and day trips. More info in our “Riviera Maya Travel Guide”.
Golf Since the 1976 inception of the Cancun Golf Club at Pok ta Pok. Golf and its development have thrived here.
If you are looking to follow this most frustrating (as all of us have realized sooner or later) yet amazingly rewarding challenge please download our Travel Guide for a list of options that await you.
