A selection of excursions that brings together beautiful ecological parks, spectacular beaches and islands to have a great time, sites of archaeological interest, pre-Hispanic Mayan rituals and nightlife.
1. Xel-Há
This wonderful park, which is a gigantic natural aquarium, lives up to its Mayan name, which translates as "where the water is born."
A beautiful mythological account indicates that the Mayan gods had reserved the place for their private use, but the men insisted so much that they be allowed entry that the divinities took pity on them and gave them access.
It is located about 50 km from Carmen beach and it is a paradise for diving and snorkeling among multicolored fish that accompany you swimming through the transparent waters.
In the surroundings you can observe the flora and fauna, ride a bicycle and the mini train, and practice other outdoor entertainments.
The regular ticket "Xel-Há All Inclusive" with the operator Experiencias Xcaret has a price of 1,602 Mexican pesos (91.18 US dollars) and if you want transportation to and from your hotel in the Riviera Maya you must add 700 MXN (US $ 39 , 84).
2. Xcaret
Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, a short distance from Playa del Carmen. The park has caves and underground waters, rivers to navigate in rafts, an archaeological zone and a jungle area where the replica of a Mayan town is located.
In Xcaret, children will be able to enjoy a particular space called “Children's World” with hanging bridges, tunnels, slides, labyrinths and other diversions.
From the Park's Scenic Tower, an 80-meter-high structure that is the highest point in the Riviera Maya and has 360-degree movement, there are spectacular views with the sea in the background.
Other Xcaret attractions include the Casa de los Murmullos, the Hacienda Henequenera, the chapels and even a Mexican cemetery.
With Experiencias Xcaret, the price of the “Xcaret total” package that includes entrance, buffet and an optional activity, is 2,808 MXN (US $ 159.83), plus 450 MXN (US $ 25.61) if you want transportation.
3. Xenotes Oasis Maya
The Riviera Maya is the world paradise of cenotes, beautiful aquatic bodies that are formed by the dissolution of limestone rock by the effect of rain and underground waters.
The cenotes were of great importance for the Mayans, since they constituted their reserve of water for life and were considered gateways to the underworld.
On this tour, Experiencias Xcaret takes you to Xenote Fuego K’áak ’, Xenote Agua Ha’, Xenote Tierra Lu’um and Xenote de Aire Iik ’, 4 of the most spectacular cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula.
The base price of the excursion is US $ 119.00 and includes transportation from the hotel, bilingual guide, recreational activities (swimming, rappelling, zip-lining, kayaking), a snack when leaving the first cenote and a picnic at the end.
- The 10 Most Impressive Cenotes In Playa Del Carmen
4. Xplor fire
It is a captivating night tour that begins just after sunset and allows you to know several wonderful attractions of the Riviera Maya from the perspective and the spirit that you only have with darkness.
Xplor is a 59 hectare park located 5 minutes from Playa del Carmen, with incredible places both on the surface and underground in its intricate network of caverns and underground streams.
On this excursion you will be able to enjoy zip lines, rafts, amphibious vehicles, cavern walks, hammock landing and swimming in a river of stalactites, all in the haunting atmosphere provided by the lighting with torches, fireflies and stars.
The Xplor Fuego All Inclusive is priced at MXN 1,603.80 (US $ 91.29) with Xcaret Experiences.
5. Tulum and Cobá
The two main archaeological sites in the Riviera Maya are Tulum, facing the luminous Caribbean Sea, and Cobá, nestled in the jungle.
Tulum was a Mayan walled city and among its main buildings are El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of the Descending God.
In Cobá you will stop at cenotes and lagoons and at the archaeological site you can admire the highest pre-Hispanic pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula.
The Civitatis operator offers the tour to these two sites in a comfortable and inexpensive way, dividing it into two days, in both cases picking up participants at their hotel in the Riviera Maya first thing in the morning.
The first day is the visit to Tulum with return to the hotel around 2 PM and the second corresponds to Cobá, returning to the hotel around 4 PM.
The total price is US $ 49.00 and includes round trip transportation, guide in Spanish, breakfast in Tulum and picnic lunch in Cobá.
- Playa Paraíso, Tulum: The Truth About This Beach
6. Xcaret + Catamaran to Isla Mujeres
This Civitatis tour allows you to visit the fantastic eco-archaeological park of Xcaret and the enchanting Isla Mujeres in two consecutive days.
In Xcaret, apart from the enjoyment of the extraordinary natural spaces and facilities, the visit includes the pre-Hispanic ritual of the flyers, folk dances and mariachi music.
The trip to Isla Mujeres is on a comfortable catamaran and includes free time to swim, snorkel and get to know the center of the island.
This tour is priced at US $ 136.00 and includes roundtrip transportation, entrance to Xcaret, snorkel gear in Isla Mujeres, and lunch at both destinations.
- Playa Norte (Islas Mujeres): The Truth About This Beach
7. Party at Coco Bongo
Coco Bongo is probably the liveliest nightclub in the Riviera Maya, although it is much more, since it also offers cabaret shows and circus numbers.
At Coco Bongo you can enjoy tropical music until dawn, dancing until your feet hurt, with an open bar on national drinks between 10:30 PM and 3:30 AM.
The place is only for people over 18 years old and the price with Civitatis is US $ 116.00; including admission to Coco Bongo and open bar.
Coco Bongo is the ideal place for your outing to have fun with friends in the Riviera Maya and if you go on long weekends and holidays you should hurry to make your reservation since the quotas are sold out.
- The 12 Best Clubs And Bars In Playa Del Carmen
8. Swim with dolphins in Playa del Carmen
Swimming with these friendly and intelligent animals is one of the most interesting ecological experiences that exist and provides children and young people with an unforgettable experience that helps to forge an environmental attitude towards life.
The destination is Punta Maroma, located less than 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen, where there is a natural dolphinarium where you can interact for about 45 minutes with the playful dolphins.
The Civitatis tour is priced at US $ 99.00 and includes an encounter with dolphins and lunch in a restaurant with a menu to choose between hamburger, fish ceviche and chicken fajitas, plus salad. Likewise, the use of hammocks and sun loungers is included in the beach club.
9. Snorkeling in Cozumel
This tour is offered by Viator, an affiliate of the prestigious company and travel portal TripAdvisor. The tour begins at the pier, where participants board a glass-bottom boat for a half-day excursion for a price starting at US $ 49.02.
The basic package includes transportation to and from the Cozumel pier, drinks and snorkeling in the Palancar, Colombia and El Cielo coral reefs, belonging to the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park.
In Palancar you can swim among multicolored fish, while in El Cielo you can bury your feet in the sandy bottom next to the starfish. In the Colombia reef you will have the opportunity to see sea turtles.
10. Self-drive buggy tour in Cozumel
This Viator excursion allows you to visit interesting places on the island of Cozumel driving a buggy yourself, with a guide pointing out the route in another vehicle.
On the tour you will visit Mayan ruins, get to know the Mayan town of El Cedral and stop to snorkel on a paradisiacal beach.
At El Cedral you will enjoy a Mayan style aperitif and then you will be served a Mexican beach lunch. Don't worry if you are not an expert in buggy driving as Viator people are very patient and friendly with newbies.
11. Early access to Chichén Itzá
Chichen Itza It is one of the fundamental archaeological sites of the Mayan culture in Mesoamerica and is close enough to the Riviera Maya to visit it on a round trip the same day.
The site is located 181 km from Playa del Carmen traveling inland to the west and this Viator tour lasts approximately 9 hours, leaving very early to avoid the crowds.
Viator guides have solid knowledge of pre-Columbian archeology and history and at the archaeological site you can admire the sacred cenote, the impressive Kukulkan pyramid, the ball court and other magnificent pre-Hispanic buildings.
This excursion is with departure and return to the hotels in Playa del Carmen, it has a price of US $ 57.94 and includes lunch.
- Top 5 Tours For Chichen Itza
12. Mayan ritual
Finding yourself in the Riviera Maya, it would be most appropriate for you to end your excursion program with one of the most representative rituals of the Mayan civilization.
This tour will allow you to participate in a “temazcal” ceremony conducted by a true shaman, the man trained to understand the spirits in these cultures.
The temazcal is a steam bath carried out in a typical pre-Hispanic room in which the steam is produced by hot stones. It is a purifying experience for the body and spirit and has great importance in traditional Mayan medicine.
This Viator tour costs US $ 83.80 and includes round-trip transportation to and from Playa del Carmen, snacks, and drinks.
We hope that you can take several of these excursions on your trip to the Riviera Maya and that you briefly share your experiences with us. See you very soon again.
Discover more about the paradise of the Riviera Maya !:
- Tulum, Quintana Roo: Definitive Guide
- The 42 Best Things to Do and See in Cancun
- Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo - Magic Town: Definitive Guide
