With its turquoise waters and pristine beaches, who wouldn’t want to book a trip to Riviera Maya?
Trust us when we say this idyllic holiday destination is just bursting with things to do. From a vibrant night scene to ancient ruins, you can find plenty to do along the Riviera Maya. To get you going, here are our favorite things to do in Riviera Maya.
Tulum
If you are one for cozy beach towns and surfer energy, Tulum is the place for you.
Tulum is a beach town that has incredible food and a bursting nightlife. It is also well known for its holistic take on life. You may just find yourself doing yoga or meditation on the beach. You can also find some breathtaking ancient ruins close to and around Tulum.
Stand Up Paddle-boarding
Riviera Maya is bordered by white sand beaches and beautiful oceans. We highly recommend making your way to Playa-del-Carmen and hopping on a board. Here the seas are calm and beautiful and you will find yourself paddling the waves for hours.
For a bit of an insider tip: Make sure you go at sunrise or sunset. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the orange light streaks reflected on the water.
Take A Dip At A Cenote
If you haven’t heard of them, you have definitely seen pictures. Cenotes are sinkholes or pits that have filled up with water over time - and trust us, they are a great deal of fun. There are over 6000 cenotes in and around Riviera Maya.
So, it’s not a true Riviera Maya trip if you haven’t gone snorkeling, swimming, or diving at a cenote. You can opt for an open-air cenote, semi-open cenote, or underground cenote.
The Underworld Of Maya
You can’t go to Mexico and not stop by the ancient worlds whose remains are littered throughout the country.
With a Mayan Underworld tour, you can experience the culture of this ancient world, while going through the nine levels of their underworld. We highly recommend it for all travelers as you get a taste of the ancient mythology and the history of Riviera Maya.
Dive With Wild Sea Turtles
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to swim in the ocean while these majestic animals swim about you?
We suggest making your way to Akumal, a small beach town halfway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. It's really up to you whether you free dive by yourself or join a snorkeling tour, but you will undoubtedly find yourself floating alongside sea turtles and wondering how life could get any better.
Chichen Itza
Probably one of the most famous attractions of Riviera Maya, Chichen Itza is worth all of the hype. Over four square miles of exploration await you in this world heritage site, and we suggest exploring every inch of it.
Chichen Itza is one of those things that you book out the whole day to do. Book a tour to have a guide take you around Chichen Itza and give you a deep dive into its history. Some tours also take you to some of the ancient sites around it as well as a cenote.
Coba Ruins
One of the most important ancient Mayan cities and a modern favorite, you can’t pass up the opportunity to see these magnificent ruins. We found the Coba ruins to be a bit of a trek, but every moment was worth it.
Besides the fact that you can climb some of the structures (make sure to ask a tour guide which ones), the ancient stone causeways are what make this site so incredible. Raised white stone pathways lead you to different villages, all connected to the great pyramid in the middle.
See The Beauty Of Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya is one of those places that looks as if it’s been taken directly from heaven. Its tropical weather, friendly people, and layers of culture are so unique to itself. There’s no doubt that, as you travel to this beautiful part of Mexico, you will find more things to do by the day.
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