Ancient ruins, stunning white sandy beaches and enigmatic cenotes (sinkholes), the Riviera Maya is a truly unique slice of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Once this was the heartland of the mysterious, and incredibly advanced Maya, people, who flourished between 300 and 900 AD. In recent years it has transformed into one of the world’s most popular holiday resorts, including the beach areas at Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Tulum. Lounge on the beach, explore mystical temple ruins or splash around in the waterparks for history, culture and fun.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Riviera Maya
Tulum - This truly unique beach destination features ancient temple ruins sitting atop rugged cliff tops. All around it, lush green vegetation plunges down into the brilliant blue waters below.
Playa del Carmen - One of the biggest and trendiest cities in the Riviera Maya, discover stunning beaches brimming with a young crowd. A real party capital and fun loving resort.
Cancun - Built by the government as a dedicated holiday resort back in the 1970s, it has become one of the world’s favourite resort destinations. Incredible beaches, sublime weather and ample facilities - what’s not to like?
Puerto Morelos - Roughly halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos has managed to retain its small town feel, creating a different vibe to some of the other bigger resorts along the coast.
Akumal - Meaning the ‘land of the turtles’ in the local Mayan tongue, this is one of the most peaceful places on the whole Riviera, with secluded beaches and a shallow bay.
Things to See on the Riviera Maya
The main treat for the eyes in the Riviera Maya is undoubtedly the incredible selection of ruins along the coast. Relatively little is known about the mysterious Maya people who thrived here and further down into Central America for the best part of a millennium. Although their classic period ended sometime around the 10th century (for reasons still not really fully understood) the remains of their advanced cities and temples remain. On the clifftops at Tulum stands one of the most majestic, far more advanced than anything that existed in contemporary Europe. Explore these ruins, and those at Coba and Macanxoc to get a glimpse back into the past.
Things to Do on the Riviera Maya
Explore the underworld at Rio Secreto, a vast underground labyrinth of tunnels and passageways formed by geological processes. This forms part of the wider underground water network, which occasionally rise to the surface in the form of cenotes, or sinkholes. Snorkel or dive along the beautiful coastline, with coral reefs and wreck sites to explore, or when the wind gets up, learn how to kitesurf at Playa del Carmen. Sample delicious Mexican cuisine, sip cocktails on the beach and make the most of the huge array of tourist facilities all around you.
You can also book top Riviera Maya hotels and great Riviera Maya package holidays right here on Expedia.co.uk.
