A Comprehensive Guide to Your Exciting Vacation in Mexico’s Riviera Maya

Expedition of the beach paradise: Riviera Maya

Enchanting reefs and alluring Cenotes, a small, and pretty description of Riviera Maya, also referred to as the “Cancun-Tulum Corridor”. This Mexican region offers abode to numerous flora and faunas, making it nearly impossible to resist. The ashes of history are still floating on the surface, with ancient ruins as the top-most attraction, along with being rich in natural resources leaving imprints carved with magic on everyone. Its underwater cavern runs over 700 km, which on the way lets you discover the rock formations from ancient times, air domes and light beams.

This astonishing destination is known as a bewitched spot for divers and vacationers from all over the world, and its magic will let you crave more and more. When it comes to accommodations, its lavish all-inclusive resorts and boutique hotels are off the chart, leaving in a lap of luxury for you to escape your day-to-day life.

Unveil the iconic wonders of Riviera Maya: Top-most things for your bucket list

Words may always fall short, while making a list of sightseeing in this beachy town of Riviera Maya, but not knowing the best places, your trip might not be worth it. Be it sports, tours, swimming, snorkeling, or relishing in the delicacies of this Mexican home, with every breath you will be falling in love with it. Bundling up the trip in a few spots is no doubt a tough task, but to ensure that the fun is experienced, make certain to not miss out on these listed endeavors.

Rio Secreto: One of the many wonders of Riviera Maya, Rio Secreto, is like a magical underground river, which lets you step back in time and witness something truly astonishing. Being located right in the heart of Riviera Maya, and exploring it is a piece of cake, as no extensive dive training is required. Many guided day tours take place in this secret river of Mexico and on your journey, the local guide will let you in on folklore about the Mayan underworld.
Akumal Beach: No one says no to a relaxed beach day, and Akumal beach is just the spot for you. With white sand, turquoise water and bright sunshine, you can just apply some sunscreen and lie down for hours. Activities also take place on this Yucatan beach, namely, snorkeling with sea turtles, colorful fishes and a quick swim in the crystal-clear water. It is best to stay at the seaside resort in the same area to save time from long traveling hours.
Aktun Chen: The life of Riviera Maya does not only limit to the underwater world, but it also has some amazing landmarks above the ground and Aktun Chen is one of them. It is a beautiful natural park with fantastic cenotes and caves, in gist a Mayan with “natural well inside a cave”, located 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen. Zip lining through the forest, swirling through caves, and swimming in the cenote are some of the best of this place.
Quinta Avenida: Bustling pedestrian street life, often called La Quinta, Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen, is famous for its nightlife. The vibrant hub is a home to shopping freaks, with excellent dining and entertainment possibilities, and every step is a new adventure. The lively Coco Bongo nightclub, and the short walk from Parque los Fundadores.
Playa Paraiso: A pristine beach of Riviera Maya, with white sand and clear water, complementing every step of the vacation. With Family friendly activities such as volleyball and boating along with some beach clubs in the area, this Mexican town sets up pretty high standards, making it irresistible.

Hop on the ride of beachy town, Riviera Maya

Although this Mexican region is brimming with endeavors, be it snorkeling, swimming, diving, or tours of theme parks and adventure trips, listing a few is not everyone’s cup of tea. Every activity will make you fall in love with this place, but the itinerary must include these activities to make it more exciting. So, tip in these thrills–

Scuba diving fun off the Mesoamerican Reef: The diving sessions of Tulum is one of the best experiences one can have on the Land of Riviera Maya, as this underground cavern and offshore reef are the natural habitat of regular divers.
Trip to 3D Museum of Wonders: Head towards 3D Museum of Wonders in Playa del Carmen and fill in your camera roll with beach-soaked photos. A single-access card is your way to go to every room of this museum and explore the wonder it holds, and bringing in a camera is a must, as only leaving with souvenirs is not an ideal ending.
Cenote wonders, dive, swim, or snorkel: Riviera Maya is abode to more than 6000 freshwater cenotes, and the extensive underground cave system of the world: Sac Actun. And a dive trip in into these, is mandatory, like school uniform for entry. Hence, wonder in the wonderland of water by parallel swimming with the marine life and touching crystalline water line.
Cruise your way on Cozumel island: Cruise and romance go hand in hand, but the Cozumel Island Cruise is a surprise to always say yes to. Being known as San Miguel de Cozumel, it is one of a kind sail trip, offering snorkeling, diving, and swimming on the way. So, don’t hold back, and book romantic evenings with your love along the sea breeze and fresh air.

Foodie alert in Riviera Maya:

The water world of Riviera Maya lets you have a taste of marine life with a look up close, but it's savory and mouth-watering delicacies are a blend of culture and flavors. Mexican richness will melt in your mouth, leaving the life-long imprints on your taste-buds, so empty your appetite, and indulge in the following specialities:

Ceviche: Mid-day meal special traditional dish prepared fully in Mexican style.
Tikin xic fish: A must-try dish residing in every menu of Riviera Maya, no less than a specialty with traditional icing.
Handmade tortillas: Made from scratch is the right term to describe this delicious Yucatecan cuisine, as it is made from locally grown corn, so no cheat food, just healthy mexican sauce.
Cochinita Pibil: A famous dish characterized by its Mayan Influence and iconic ingredients, Cochinita pibil is something worthy of your taste. It is a Yucatecan stew-like pork dish cooked with achiote paste, garlic chilies, and other seasonings, and the meat is normally decorated with pickled onions, grilled peppers and handmade tortillas on the side.

Riviera Maya 6 Nights 5 Days

Itinerary:

Day 1: Advent on Riviera Maya, the Mexican beachy town

A sweet meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the hotel.
Check-in at the hotel and get ready to swirl around the Riviera Maya.
The first stop will be the “Tulum archaeological site” representing the Mayan ruins and imprinting the history of ancient trade.
The whole day will fly by with exploring the perched atop cliffs, but don’t forget to pack sunscreen, as sun exposure is at its peak.
On your way to the beach, you can have a taste of their delicacy, a local regional dish, Barcelo.
Then a relaxing time at Playa Tortugas residing near the ruins.

Day-2: Tour of Coba

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, and get set go for a full day packed with exploring the great Mayan city.
Exploring the largest Mayan city in the north of the Peninsula.
A sight of Pyramid of Nohoch Mul, the highest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula will be worth the travel time it takes.
Then seek blessings at the ancient Temple of the Frescoes, which still holds the fragments of mural paintings of archaic time.
Cenote Chac Mool, an open-air heaven, to snorkel and do some exercise, then the Cenote Las Mojarras (a natural pool) for swimming and some quality time with the family etc.

Day-3: Wandering in the wonders of Riviera Maya

Day starts with advent in the Punta Sur Ecological Park, a wonderland located on Cozumel’s southern tip, providing abode to native animals including giant turtles.
This park also entails a lighthouse, which you can climb up and enjoy the top-view and also a beach with white sand and turquoise water.
Then continue the endeavor to Isla Mujeres or the paradise for beach-lovers.
Rich history of Mayan ruins screaming, listening to the tales of piracy and forbidden love at Hacienda Mundaca and snorkeling and scuba diving adventure in the Island.

Day-4: Day of nature in Riviera Maya

After enjoying delicacies of Riviera Maya in breakfast, fuel yourself up and step outside.
First stop is the dreamlike Eden in this Mexican region, Xcaret, the most astonishing aquatic, cultural, amusement and eco-archaeological park.
Marine life and plant species live together, with sea turtles, spider monkeys, and deers, with a spectacular butterfly farm, museum of orchids and bromeliads, basically a 360-degree sustainability.
Although this park will take up most of the day, but visiting Xel-Ha is a must.
With more than 400 species of flora and fauna coexisting, totally a different attraction for a whole family.
Back to the stay.

Day-5: Splash of wellness of Riviera Maya

Trip to Holbox, a natural wonder, located in the cross-point of Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea and expedite in lots of sunlight, beaches and exuberant nature.
No cars, only bikes and golf carts, so perfect for a day out.
The end day should be relaxing after the long journey of Riviera Maya, so Barcelo is the next spot.
Wellness and fabulous spas at Barcelo Hotel Group with world-class treatment, hydrotherapy facilty and steam baths with quick jacuzzis.
Bid goodbye to Riviera with recharged battery and a stress-free body.

FAQs

How much time is needed to to and fro from Cancun to Riviera Maya?

As the name of Cancun and Riviera Maya are somehow linked since ages like twins, the travel distance between them is not too much. A bus travel may take somewhere around 2 hours and the fare of the ticket will fall from $1 to $ 3.

How many days are ideal to swirl around Riviera Maya?

At the very least a trip of 7 days is a must, as it will be far impossible to indulge in the beauty with multitude of beachy sites, ruins, and other iconic attractions. Whether you are planing a romantic surprise for your sweetheart on a cruise or relax on the beach-side or a wild nightlife, everything will go on your wishlist and there is no saying to anything. But keeping in mind a specific time-span will let you turn this trip into a perfect one.

When should you avoid your visit to Riviera Maya?

Aside from being the “ideal destination” according to many, the hurricane season does not hit the right spot, which comes in June and May and sometimes resides there until November. So, cross off Riviera Maya of your calendar during this time of the year. But if you do not wish to visit in peak-season or to not pinch your pockets, you can go, but danger might be there.

Which will be the perfect time-span to land in Riviera Maya?

Between April to November are usually considered as the ideal period, with summer and spring coming hand in hand. You may not witness the rainy season, only if you are lucky, instead a sunny weather, not too hot and perfect for diving into ocean and introduce yourself to the marine life.

How to travel around Riviera Maya, the Mexican beachy spot?

Apart from everything best, that Riviera Maya has to offer, the travel facilities are off the chart. Local taxis can be your best bet, although they may cost you much, chiefly, when you trip in peak-season. In such scenario, public transportation can be opted, it will cost less and both to and fro are easily available and done.