With white sand, turquoise water and luxury hotels, the Riviera Maya is a beach-lover’s dream. Visitors may be tempted to spend their entire vacation sipping margaritas on their hotel’s beach, but it’s worth venturing out of the confines of your resort. Those who do will find much to explore, including ancient ruins, world-class scuba diving and incredible biodiversity.
As its name suggests, the Riviera Maya is a great place to explore Mayan ruins. The scenic Tulum ruins are perched on a cliff overlooking the the Caribbean Sea. The site was built as a fortress during the Mayan's Late Classic period. Visitors can explore 60 Mayan structures, snap photos of iguanas and swim at the site's beach. Another option is to head inland to the Cobá ruins. This jungle city, which is one of the largest from the classic Mayan period, contains temples, ancient roads, a ball court and the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. Visitors can climb a pyramid and bicycle on the Mayan-built roads.
Freshwater pools known as cenotes are ubiquitous in the Riviera Maya. An underground river system flows through much of the region. Over the centuries, the limestone roof that covered it has collapsed in numerous places, creating natural water pits. Although each cenote is different, they are usually crystal clear and great places to dive, snorkel or swim. Scuba divers can swim through underwater caves at Gran Cenote near Tulum and Dos Ojos Cenotes near Playa del Carmen. Divers can also explore the Great Maya Reef, one of the largest coral reefs in the Northern Hemisphere. Cozumel Island is one of the most popular scuba diving locations in the Caribbean; the national marine park there is home to more than 500 species of fish.
Sian Ka'an is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve consisting of jungle, marshes, mangroves and barrier reef. The Mayans called this place, with its abundant flora and fauna, “Origin of the Sky" and "Gift from Heaven.” There are more than 300 species of bird in the park and many other animals including howler monkeys, pumas, anteaters, tapirs, jaguars and crocodiles. The park lacks trails and is best visited with a tour guide.
The Riviera has numerous ecoparks. Several parks, including Selvatica, Hidden Worlds and Xplor, offer zip-line adventures. Another option is the Xel-Ha Park, a lagoon and inlet with more than 90 species of fish. This commercial aquatic park offers saltwater and freshwater snorkeling, as well as tubing and the chance to swim with dolphins. The Xcaret eco-archaeological park also offers dolphin swims, as well as beaches, natural pools and a butterfly pavilion. It also has a Mexico Spectacular show, which presents the country’s history using more than 300 actors.
