Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a sun-drenched coastal stretch of the Yucatan Peninsula, encompasses soft sand beaches and tropical forests stretching from south of Cancun to the Mayan ruins at Tulum. Daydream on a quiet beach at a resort ringed by palm trees along this Caribbean coastline in the peninsula’s eastern state of Quintana Roo. Set off on a solo or family adventure of scuba diving, swimming in an underground pool or climbing the stone steps of an ancient pyramid. Two airports serve the Riviera Maya. From the airport at Cancun, travel by rented jeep, taxi, hotel shuttle or tour bus. From the airport on the Riviera Maya island of Cozumel, ride a ferry to mainland attractions.
Dive into the ocean and discover hundreds of colorful species of fish and undersea creatures on a snorkeling or scuba diving expedition. Or take the plunge in a cenote (say-no’-tay), a fresh water pool unique to the Yucatan that forms in sinkholes in the porous limestone over underground rivers that define much of the region’s subterranean geography. Climb down and jump in to swim, snorkel or float on a rented inner tube at Gran Cenote for a refreshing break from the region's steamy summer weather. Experienced divers can explore an underground cave system below the Dos Ojos cenote. Xcaret Park, in addition to its cenotes, has wildlife and plant exhibits, river rafting and a nighttime music and lights show.
At Coba (ko-bah’), you can climb uneven stone steps to the top of a Mayan pyramid more than 100 feet high for a wide view of the dense green jungle that is home to hundreds of species of exotic birds and other wildlife. The ruins at Coba cover 30 square miles. To cover more ground during a brief visit, rent a bicycle or three-wheeled cart with a driver to explore the remains of temples and villages hundreds of years old. Tulum (too-loom') is the more famous of the pre-Columbian ruins of Riviera Maya because of its dramatic perch on a cliff overlooking the ocean. Wooden steps have been built below its temple on the rocks to give visitors an easy path to the beach below.
Cozumel is a small island packed with big island-style resorts and attractions. Take the ferry from the Riviera Maya’s centrally located mainland city of Playa del Carmen to Cozumel to play on its beaches, sign up for a deep sea fishing trip or play 18 holes at the Nicklaus Design Group’s Cozumel Country Club. The club, a designated Audubon International Sanctuary Golf Course, also offers bird-watching tours. At Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, named for a lagoon on the beach property, you can navigate a glass-bottom kayak, watch a sea lion show or visit the on-site spa.
Playa del Carmen, the biggest city along the Riviera Maya, has the largest concentration of the region’s mainland shopping, dining and resort attractions. The city of about 150,000 has its own Fifth Avenue, called Quinta Avenida, lined with boutiques, upscale restaurants, hotels and nightclubs. Play golf at Playacar Golf Club or the Grand Coral Riviera Maya Resort. In Playa del Carmen, you can also stock up on supplies at a convenience store, visit an Internet café or arrange guided tours to the region’s ruins, cenotes, the lagoon at coastal Xel-Ha Park or inland ecological preserves. Before traveling to any foreign country, visit the U.S. State Department's website for any travel advisories.
