Tour the Mayan Riviera
There are many exciting things to do in the Mayan Riviera, also known as the Riviera Maya or the Maya Riviera. The attractions are spread out over a vast expanse of jungle and coastal shoreline. You can travel to the attractions on your own or hire the services of a tour company.
Eco Attractions
Tres Rios Ecopark is located 10 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Explore nature in this tropical reserve.
Xcaret is an Eco Maya theme park. It is a great place for children and you can spend the whole day there with your family. The attractions include a re-enactment of a traditional Maya ballcourt game, a butterfly pavilion, traditional Mexican dance and music, a zoo, and much more. The swimming is excellent and includes water theme park, rival to Disney World.
Xel-Ha is a great place to go snorkeling or swimming. It is a fresh water bay that meets the ocean. Many sea creatures make their home in the bay and its tributaries. It is well worth the trip and a great place for kids as there are well-trained lifeguards on duty.
Aktun Chen is a beautiful underground dry cave with stalactite and stalagmite formations and a spectacular fresh water cenote. You might even be lucky enough to see spider monkeys. Poisonous and non-poisonous snakes can be seen at the serpentarium, located in the jungle between Akumal and Xel-Ha.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is just south of Tulum, the reserve has an abundant amount of flora and fauna and several distinct natural ecosystems. The reserve contains unexcavated Maya ruins, freshwater canals, cenotes, mangroves, lagoons, and inlets. The fishing village of Boca Paila is within the reserve. The town of Punta Allen is the end of the Maya Riviera found at the southern tip of the reserve.
Xaman-Ha Aviary is home to exotic birds including scarlet macaws, flamingos, and herons. Xaman-Ha is in Playacar, which is south of Playa del Carmen.
Punta Laguna: Spend time with spider monkeys and howler monkeys in their natural habitat. You can trek in the jungle and travel Punta Laguna by boat. Birds, deer, turtles, and crocodiles are among the other wildlife to be seen. Punta Laguna is northwest of Coba.
Nohoch Jungle Crossing: Snorkel into one of world's largest discovered subterranean river systems. In this ancient natural miracle, you will experience its spectacular geological formations and crystal clear fresh water.
Jardin Botanico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera: Beautiful botanical gardens located a few minutes south of Puerto Morelos on the east side of highway 307. Experience exotic species of tropical fauna displayed in the natural settings of the tropical rainforest.
Mayan Archeology Sites
In order to assist you with developing your itinerary for visiting Mayan Archeology Sites we have created a page that presents information regarding all sites opened to the public located within driving range from anywhere in the Mayan Riviera.
To review the Mayan archeology sites please take a look at our Mayan Riviera Archeology Sites page
Diving/Snorkeling
There are a number of great snorkeling locations along the Mayan Riviera. Xcaret, Xel-Ha and Ya Kul Lagoon all have snorkel equipment for you to rent so you do not have to bring your own. Also most of the cenotes have snorkel gear for you to use and some have diving as well.
The best diving is closer to Cozumel so most divers generally stay on Cozumel Island when diving although there are numerous dive shops and tours that will take you out from anywhere on the Riviera. Dive shops are located all along the Mayan Riviera and at most hotels/resorts.
Fun Stuff
Skydiving is available at Sky Dive Playa located at Plaza Marina by the dock, behind Señor Frog's.
Golf at Playacar which boasts an excellent golf course. It is a little pricey, but well worth the fee, as it includes food and a cart. Worth trying.
The Cedam Maritime Museum in Puerto Aventuras houses an interesting display of various artifacts and wreckage from shipwrecks along the coastline. The museum can be found at the northern end of the marina.
ATV & Speedboat Maroma is an exciting journey riding through the jungle, the mangroves, a lake and a private beach on 4 wheelers. Later you will ride in a speedboat to visit the reefs and actually snorkel there.
Deep Sea Fishing boat charters for day or half day.
Rancho Loma Bonita has horseback ride through the jungle mangroves, lakes and the Caribbean Sea. You can also ride a 4-wheeler, snorkel, bicycle or kayak around lagoons or swim in the pool. There is also a restaurant. Located at km 45 on the Cancun-Tulum highway.
Pac Chen is where you can get a traditional meal cooked the Mayan way at an authentic Mayan community tucked away in the jungle.
Crococun Crocodile Park and Regional Zoo is located on Hwy. 307 just south of Puerto Morelos. Similar to the crocodile parks in Florida. This one features regional animals as well as some imported ones. Guides speak English. It is an interesting place to visit if you have never been to a crocodile farm.
Shopping & Nightlife
Playa del Carmen is where you go for nightlife if you are staying anywhere on the Mayan Riviera. There are lots of clubs and restaurants offering an eclectic array of party possibilities.
Playa del Carmen is an excellent hopping off spot for all the attractions found on the Riviera Maya. The bus terminal in Playa is serviced by several bus companies and you are able to get buses to almost every destination in Mexico from here. The 45 minute ferry trip to Cozumel leaves the dock every hour.
Shopping has to be Playa's biggest attraction. Avenida Quinta is a pedestrian mall lined with little shops and malls. Bargaining is expected here.
Cozumel is a short ferry ride away from Playa del Carmen. Renowned for its excellent diving and snorkeling Cozumel also has a large number of interesting shops selling everything from hammocks to jewelry. You can find items in Cozumel that you do not find on the mainland.
Cozumel has lots of restaurants and a few clubs to party in. Due to the fact that the ferries do not operate all night people tend not to stay late partying in Cozumel but tend to go for the day.
There are also some minor Mayan ruin sites and a nice Eco Park on Cozumel.
Tulum Pueblo is the last town before Hwy 307 turns into a desolate jungle road. There is good shopping in Tulum. Prices are generally cheaper here for the same stuff as in Playa del Carmen. There are lots of restaurants and convenience stores here. Most of the partying at night is done on the beach here.
Tulum Ruins also has a good crafts market. If you are planning on going to Tulum ruins then you may want to consider looking around the shops here.
Hacienda Isabela is a re-creation of a traditional Mexican hacienda.
Top Beach Cancun, Mexico Resort
The Cancun area is home to many resorts. You can stay in a Cancun beach resort, Cancun Caribbean resort, Cancun family resort, or a Cancun golf resort. Whatever your interest may be you'll find an excellence resort in the Riviera of Cancun. You can enjoy a well known luxury Cancun resort including top resorts in Cancun such as a Cancun villa marina resort.
