The Riviera Maya offers wonderful Caribbean beaches and a host of entertainment options off the sand. We invite you to get to know it fully with this guide.
What is the Riviera Maya?
It is a beautiful 140 km long coastal tourist corridor, located in front of the Caribbean Sea, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.
Its extremes are to the north the town of Puerto Morelos and to the south that of Puerto Allen. The most important urban center of the Riviera Maya is Playa del Carmen, a cosmopolitan coastal city of 150 thousand inhabitants, which offers all the first-rate tourist services.
Along the Riviera Maya there are charming beaches and cenotes; magnificent archaeological sites of the Mayan culture, biosphere reserves, coral reefs, exclusive tourist developments, ecological parks and restaurants of all the cuisines of the world, which provide tourists with a complete package of attractions and services.
Is Cancun in the Riviera Maya?
The city of Cancun is the main international tourist destination in Mexico and one of the places in the world with the highest density of hotels, and people frequently ask if it is part of the Riviera Maya.
Although geographically it could be said that Cancun and the Riviera Maya form the same space, with spectacular Caribbean beaches in both places, promotionally they can be managed as two separate entities.
Puerto Morelos, the northernmost city in the Riviera Maya, is located just 20 miles from Cancun and just 14 miles from its international airport. With such closeness, there are few visitors who do not know Cancun and the Riviera Maya in a single trip, at least partially.
Which is better, Cancun or the Riviera Maya?
The question may not make much sense, precisely because of the proximity of the two destinations. Cancun is a city 4 times bigger than Playa del Carmen, which is the largest in the Riviera Maya.
In both places the services are first class. It could be said that Cancun offers a more attractive profile for tourists who want to isolate themselves at all in a beach hotel, while the Riviera Maya, due to its breadth and variety of attractions, is more convenient for the more restless visitor, who wants to go out from the hotel to know everything.
However, the distinction is still something academic, precisely because by staying in the Riviera Maya you can perfectly know Cancun and vice versa.
- The 42 Best Things to Do and See in Cancun
How do I get to the Riviera Maya and what weather awaits me there?
The most practical way to get to the Riviera Maya is by taking a flight to the Cancun International Airport, which serves both destinations.
From Mexico City, travel time by air to Cancun is 2 hours and 15 minutes. The journey by land is long, since the distance between both cities is more than 1,600 km.
The climate in the Riviera Maya is Caribbean, with an average annual temperature of 26 ° C. In winter it cools a bit, but never below 18 ° C, while in summer the heat rises to 28 ° C. the Riviera Maya is very light clothes.
What is the history of the Riviera Maya?
The territory that is now called Riviera Maya was one of the main settlements of the Mayan civilization in Mexico, which is splendidly attested by its archaeological sites, especially that of Tulum.
The development of the coastal corridor as a tourist destination began intensively in the 1990s, 20 years after the one in Cancun began.
At that time, the circuit was called the "Cancun-Tulum Tourist Corridor," a name that was difficult to translate and to market.
Tourism authorities hired marketing expert Servando Acuña, who had the brilliant idea of proposing the name "Riviera Maya." This short and expressive name combines the tourist glamor of the word "Riviera" (recalling the famous French Riviera) with that of the great pre-Columbian civilization that lived in the territory. The name hooked perfectly and today it is one of the most used terms in the world tourism dictionary.
What can I do in the Riviera Maya?
The first thing you have to do is settle in a comfortable hotel in Playa del Carmen or in one of the wonderful lodgings located in Playa Paraíso or in any other sandy area of the tourist corridor.
The beaches of the Riviera Maya are white and soft sands, with warm, clear waters and beautiful blue tones that go from turquoise to dark.
The ecological parks of Xcaret, Xplor and Xel-Ha, and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, offer natural beauty and multiple possibilities for relaxation and fun.
Tulum and Cobá are two great witnesses to the past splendor of the Mayan civilization, with their pyramids, temples, observatories and buildings with evidence of the art and scientific development of that culture.
Running parallel to the coast is the Mayan Reef, the second largest in the world, a paradise for observing marine life and near the coast is Cozumel, Mexico's main tourist island.
In the Riviera Maya you may not have time to get to know so many spectacular places.
- Tulum, Quintana Roo: Definitive Guide
- The 20 Best Things to Do and See in Playa del Carmen
What is Playa Paraíso like?
Paradise Beach, located just 7 km from the municipal seat of Tulum, is considered by much of the world tourist opinion as the best in Mexico and one of the best on a planetary level.
In a few tens of meters from the shore, the waters of Playa Paraíso offer the eyes a beautiful gradation of the color blue and its wide sandy area, with white, fine and smooth grain, is magnificent to lie down to take the warm and dazzling sun of the Caribbean.
The services on the beach are first class and there you can enjoy your favorite cocktail or an ice cold beer, in the company of some delicacy from the sea.
Near the beach there are excellent hotels and restaurants to stay in total comfort and enjoy unforgettable meals in a totally relaxed and informal atmosphere.
What does Playa del Carmen offer?
Settling in Playa del Carmen to get to know the Riviera Maya has the advantage that you will have all the charming beaches of the corridor within a short distance, while you will be in a city with everything you need at hand.
The vital artery of Playa del Carmen is Fifth Avenue, which does not go out of tune compared to its counterpart in New York. If you cannot forget the shops even on a beach trip, in La Quinta you will find boutiques, galleries, jewelers, clothing stores, souvenirs, cafes and restaurants.
- The 12 Things to See and Do on Playa Del Carmen's Fifth Avenue
If you want to take a look at the traditional part of Playa del Carmen or attend a Catholic service, at the intersection of Avenida 15 and Calle 12 Norte is the temple of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, patron saint of the town. Many people are going to get married at this church, taking advantage of all the charm of Playa del Carmen.
What can I do in the ecological parks?
Xcaret is a beautiful ecological park located 5 km from Playa del Carmen, which is both a wildlife refuge and a Mayan archaeological site. In Xcaret some emblematic species of the Mexican Atlantic forests and coastal ecosystems are conserved, such as the spider monkey, the manatee, and the sea turtle.
Very close to Xcaret is Xplor, a place where you can take an incredible tour of caves and cenotes, as well as practice diving, canoeing, zip-lining and other entertainment.
50 km from Playa del Carmen is Xel-Ha, which is a beautiful and immense natural aquarium. The beautiful ecosystem is formed by the union of a river with the sea, so there are species of salt water and fresh water.
The Jungle Place is located near the town of Chemuyil, a place to admire and play with the monkeys of the coastal jungles of the Mexican Caribbean, especially the spider monkey, which is in danger of extinction.
What are the best cenotes?
Throughout the Riviera Maya there are dozens of cenotes, precious open or hidden bodies of water that are formed by the dissolution of limestone rocks by the action of groundwater and rainwater.
Chaak Tun is a cenote near Playa del Carmen, formed by two caverns, one naturally lit and the other with artificial light, creating a beautiful light effect.
The Dos Ojos cenote is so named because it has two water springs connected through a cave called the Murcielagos. In a magnificent place to swim and practice sub water sports.
Another beautiful cenote in the Riviera Maya is the Nohoch Nah Chich, with interesting rock formations and a showy biodiversity.
The list of cenotes of tourist interest in the Riviera Maya is long and also includes Casa Cenote, Cristalino, Aktun Chen, Kantun Chi, Angelita, Cenote Azul and Río Secreto.
What is the most interesting thing about archaeological sites?
The archaeological site of Tulum is located within the National Park of the same name and was one of the main settlements of the Mayan civilization in Mesoamerica.
Tulum was a walled city and the building that best withstood the passage of time is El Castillo, a tall construction that helped indigenous sailors to steer their boats through the dangerous and huge coral reef located near the coast.
Another relevant construction of the archaeological site of Tulum is the Temple of the Frescoes, in which there are some pre-Columbian paintings that show the talent of Mayan artists.
Cobá, whose ruins are 110 km from Playa del Carmen, in the jungle, was an important Mayan city that had about 50 thousand inhabitants. The most important structure of the site is the pyramid of Nohoch Mu, which at 42 m high, is the tallest among the Mayan constructions in the Yucatan peninsula.
What can I do in Cozumel?
This island located in the Caribbean Sea off the Riviera Maya, 20 km from the continental coastline, is the third in size in Mexico, but the first in tourist importance.
The travel time by sea to Cozumel is less than an hour and in the “Land of the Swallows”, charms await you that only the islands can offer.
The municipal capital, San Miguel de Cozumel, is a welcoming city of about 75 thousand inhabitants, which organizes one of the most colorful and joyful carnivals in the entire Caribbean.
Cozumel's beaches have transparent waters and on the island there are cenotes, archaeological ruins, comfortable hotels and magnificent restaurants where you can taste the fresh fruits of the sea.
- The 15 Best Things to Do in Cozumel
What are the main festivals in the Riviera Maya?
The Cozumel Carnival splendidly mixes pre-Hispanic artistic and cultural manifestations with later expressions, in a dazzling celebration of overflowing animation.
The Playa del Carmen carnival has not wanted to be left behind and its stops stand out for the striking testimonies of the Mayan culture.
Playa del Carmen also holds a beautiful La Guelaguetza party, with the participants dressed in typical costumes executing a beautiful choreography to the beat of the music.
During two days in May, the Sacred Mayan Journey is carried out, a thousand-year-old pilgrimage by sea in which more than 400 canoes take part to Cozumel to venerate the Mayan goddess Ixchel.
What if I have to choose between the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana?
Punta Cana is a Latin American tourist destination located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic that has attracted great international tourist interest due to the quality of its hotel offer and the beauty of its beaches.
The two destinations share conditions such as a wide hotel offer at similar prices and magnificent beaches. The main difference is in the variety of tourist attractions.
While in Punta Cana almost everything revolves around beach entertainment, in the Riviera Maya, apart from its wonderful sandy beaches, it has archaeological sites, cenotes, spectacular parks and jungle tourism.
We could say that Punta Cana is basically for you to be in the hotel and on the beach, while the Riviera Maya encourages you to go out and see a lot of places of interest.
Of course, an important variable in deciding where to go is the cost of air travel and this obviously depends on where you reside.
What are the best hotels in the Riviera Maya?
In Playa del Carmen, the Hotel Barrio Latino, located two blocks from Fifth Avenue, offers excellent location, comfort, cleanliness and very good service from its staff.
The BRIC Hotel & Spa, on Calle 28 in Playa del Carmen, is praised for its small but cozy rooms and for the warmth of its attention.
Other good alternatives for you to settle in Playa del Carmen are Hacienda Paradise Boutique Hotel, Hotel Cielo, Apart Hotel Casaejido, La Pasión Hotel Boutique, Soho Playa Hotel and Taj Oceanfront & Beachside Condos Hotel.
Very close to Playa Paraíso are the Villa Pescadores cabins, which provide optimal accommodation in a pleasantly rustic environment.
Also near Playa Paraíso there are other excellent lodging options such as Cabañas La Vita e Bella, Cabañas Zazilkin, Ana y José Charming Hotel & Spa, El Mezzanine Colibrí Boutique Hotel, Hotel Diamante K, Mestizo Gallery and Hotel Acuario Tulum.
And the best restaurants?
In the Riviera Maya you can unleash the pleasures of the sense of taste. The award-winning Spanish chef Martín Berasategui has a stove at the Hotel Paradisus, on Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen, where his restaurant Passion by Martín Berasategui has a menu of Basque-French delicacies.
In Mexican food, La Cueva del Chango, on Calle 38 Norte in Playa del Carmen, serves excellent chilaquiles, muffins with beans, fruit juices and fresh waters.
- The 12 Best Places to Eat in Playa Del Carmen
Frida Kahlo Restaurants, specialized in contemporary Mexican cuisine, has two houses in the Riviera Maya, one in the Hotel Grand Velas Riviera Maya, at km 62 of the Cancún-Tulum Highway and another on Fifth Avenue, corner with Avenida 8, in Carmen beach.
The Sensaciones Restaurant, in Playa Paraíso, is mentioned for its fish fillets, its ceviche, and its chicken fajitas. The Kitchen Table, a rustic restaurant in Playa Paraíso, is famous for its grilled octopus and stuffed avocados.
The best Mexican food in Playa Paraíso is at Revolución Pancho Villa, a restaurant that operates in a huge palapa and also serves seafood.
Near Playa Paraíso you can also eat very well at Restaurante Mi Amor, Restaurante Santa Fe and La Coqueta.
How much does it cost to go to the Riviera Maya?
Assuming you are in Mexico City, the trip from the capital to the Cancun International Airport costs in the order of $ 185 for the current date, mid-July 2017; obviously the cost varies with the season.
In the Riviera Maya, an accommodation like the Hotel Barrio Latino costs $ 58 per day, including breakfast, while the Apart Hotel Casaejido costs $ 26 and at the Soho Playa Hotel the daily rate is $ 132.
An option that is frequently used in the Riviera Maya to lower the costs of accommodation and meals are the “all inclusive”, among which there are different prices depending mainly on the quality of the hotel.
Outside of the “all inclusive”, it must be taken into account that eating on the street in the Riviera Maya is somewhat more expensive than in Mexico City and in any other large city in the country. Then you have to add the ground transportation costs and decide if you want to have some sprees or if you will always go to bed early after a tiring day at the beach.
What can I do in the Riviera Maya if it rains?
Rain is one of the main enemies of a day at the beach and it is an event that we cannot control. If you are afraid that a couple of rainy days will ruin a weekend trip to the Riviera Maya, you should know that the rainy season is between June and October.
During this period the chances of rain are higher, although if the trip is a week or more, there will surely be sunny days to enjoy. It's a matter of luck that it doesn't rain if you go for a weekend.
Now, if you happen to have a rainy day, it is not that you are forced to stay locked in the hotel. Bite the bullet and head to your beach, unless conditions are such that they become unsafe. Throughout a rainy day there may be periods of sunshine. That sun must be used so as not to lose the investment in the trip.
Are there good clubs and bars in the Riviera Maya?
Of course yes. In Playa del Carmen you have El Club de la Cerveza, where they worship the universal drink of young people and beaches, with all the well-known and lesser-known brands.
For Spanish-style tapas in Playa del Carmen you must go to Sala Rosa Bar-Tapas, while Mr. Dan’s Margarita and Sports Bar is an American-style bar that is quite Mexicanized due to the amount of tequila cocktails they serve.
With a nightclub atmosphere and select music, on Calle 12 in Playa del Carmen is Club 69, with a wide variety of drinks.
La Santanera is the main sanctuary of Playa del Carmen where the faithful of Mexican tropical music flock to those who like to have fun until dawn.
La Chopería is the favorite place for rockers, with music from the big bands, local groups that dream of imitating the high priests of the genre and beer in abundance.
Tulum also has good clubs and bars. The Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar is animated by a jazz band and if you fancy some chelas with clamato, the place to go is Curandero.
For mezcal and tequila drinks in Tulum, the best place is Mezcalería Damajuana and at the Drink House Tulum they prepare a formidable drink called Passion Ginger, which has passion fruit.
- The 12 Best Clubs And Bars In Playa Del Carmen
We hope that very soon you will be able to go and enjoy the charms of the Riviera Maya and that this guide will be useful for you. Happy traveling!
Find more attractions in Mexico !:
- Why is Mexico a Megadiverse Country?
- Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo - Magic Town: Definitive Guide
- The 30 Best Beaches In Mexico You Need To Know
