Riviera Maya

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office
Tulum Mayan Ruins featuring a ruin
Photo provided by Ecopark Kantun-chi
Photo provided by Cancun CVB
Riviera Maya featuring a small town or village and heritage architecture

Riviera Maya Travel Guide Video

This sun-drenched stretch of Mexican coastline blends the natural wonders of the Yucatán Peninsula with the awe-inspiring ruins of Mayan civilizations.

The Riviera Maya on the Caribbean coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is a relaxing mix of picture-perfect tropical beaches, stylish resorts, breathtaking aquatic wonders and some of the most popular archeological sites in Mexico.

The resort town of Playa del Carmen is a great place to begin your Riviera Maya adventure and offers superb beaches, dining and nightlife. From Playa, hop on a ferry to Cozumel, an island endowed with a rich history, world-renowned dive sites and lush jungles.

Cozumel’s main town, San Miguel, is home to the Museum of the Island of Cozumel (Museo de la Isla de Cozumel), an excellent place to learn about the island’s Mayan past as well as the evolution of the surrounding marine park.

Head to Cozumel’s south where, in the Chankanaab National Park, you can explore extensive botanical gardens, swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery and unwind in one of the many health spas.

Further south from Chankanaab is the relaxing Palancar Beach, where the water is clear and calm enough to spot fish from the shore.

Head to Punta Sur Ecological Park on the island’s southern tip, to see this stunning ecological reserve featuring more than 200 bird species, crocodiles, giant turtles and an ancient Mayan observatory.

For more impressive archaeological sites, head back to the mainland to Chichen Itza and the Tulum Mayan Ruins. At over 1,000 years old, the wondrous ruins of Chichen Itza showcase the architectural feats of the Mayan and Toltec cultures. The Tulum Mayan Ruins are perched high on a dramatic stretch of Caribbean coastline.

At the Kantun-Chi ecological park, swim, snorkel and dive spectacular cenotes (sinkholes), and explore tropical gardens and abundant wildlife.

The Riviera Maya’s climate is tropical, with an average temperature of 93 F (34 C). Local transport options range from buses to colectivos (white minivans), private limos to bicycles.

Where to stay in Riviera Maya

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Playacar

4.5/5(96 area reviews)

An upscale resort area with secluded beaches and villas by the sea, Playacar boasts a golf course designed by Robert von Hagge and is just a short drive from downtown Playa del Carmen.

Playacar
Cozumel featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Downtown Playa del Carmen

4.5/5(31 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Quinta Avenida are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Playa del Carmen
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Riviera Maya

While Riviera Maya isn't home to many top sights, Tres Rios Ecopark and El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course are some notable places to visit nearby.

Riviera Maya
Tulum Mayan Ruins featuring a ruin

Zona Hotelera

Zona Hotelera is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Tulum Mayan Ruins and Tulum Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Tulum.

Zona Hotelera
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Playacar Zona Hotelera

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Playacar Zona Hotelera. A stop by Playacar Beach or Piste Cyclable sur Paseo Xaman-Ha might round out your trip.

Playacar Zona Hotelera
Cozumel featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Gonzalo Guerrero

4.5/5(53 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Gonzalo Guerrero, Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Quinta Avenida are top sights worth seeing.

Gonzalo Guerrero
Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive

4 out of 5
Carretera Federal 307, KM 282, Chetumal a Puerto Juarez, Xcaret, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is CA $266 per night from Sep 11 to Sep 12
CA $266
CA $326 total
Sep 11 - Sep 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,719 reviews)
"Conveniently located right next to Xcaret Park, this place offered everything we could ask for. The staff was excellent, we felt completely safe, and the food did not disappoint. It’s also in a great spot, just a short drive to Tulum and Quinta Avenida, a lively destination for shopping and dining. ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2025

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive

Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive

5 out of 5
Carr. Chetumal - Puerto Juarez Km. 282, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is CA $1,010 per night from Sep 11 to Sep 12
CA $1,010
CA $1,233 total
Sep 11 - Sep 12
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 15 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,262 reviews)
"Beautiful place. Had a great time and experience. But they maybe under staffed. Ordered room service one night. Waited 2 hours and got 2 of the 4 burgers. 2 other times we order drinks. Because they"

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2025

Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive
Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only

Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only

5 out of 5
Carr. Chetumal - Puerto Juárez Km. 282, Playa del Carmen, QROO
The price is CA $987 per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
CA $987
CA $1,199 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,343 reviews)
"Fourth visit. Stayed in adult River suite adulto. Ended up staying in three rooms. First room had no view of the river. Second room had a broken toilet and the pull out couch broke. Third room had a broken toilet and broken bathroom door lock upon arrival. Front door would not automatically shut ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 9, 2025

Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Otonomus Tulum

Otonomus Tulum

4.5 out of 5
Calle 71 sur mz 699 L1 004, Tulum, QROO
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite spa services, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Tulum Beach and Tulum Mayan ...
9/10 Wonderful! (112 reviews)
"Wonderful stay! Zero complaints and plan to return again and again! Beautiful, small apartment hotel close to the beach, 7-11 right down the road. Phase two going up right next door. Expect some construction noise during the day. A car is highly recommended (mine was essentially free with stay through ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2025

Otonomus Tulum
BESPOKE, member of Small Luxury Hotels

BESPOKE, member of Small Luxury Hotels

4.5 out of 5
Tankah 3, Cdad., M3 L-1 y 2 Tulum, Tulum, QROO
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Tulum Mayan Ruins and Xel-Há Park ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
"The food was absolutely delicious and service unmatched! We loved this place and will go back for sure. Sea turtles, private beach, meticulous cleaning and property upkeep, beautiful, lush pool and very quiet, removed from all things “touristy” - Bespoke was a gem."

Reviewed on Aug. 9, 2025

BESPOKE, member of Small Luxury Hotels
Siwa Tulum Unique Hotel & Spa

Siwa Tulum Unique Hotel & Spa

5 out of 5
Quintana Roo 15, Tulum, QROO
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (142 reviews)
Unique jungle experience
"Siwa Hotel is what i imagined and pictured it to be. Overall it was a good experience with friends. There were just maybe 2 things that i did not like but nothing major: 1. they ran out of towels (reason was their laundry were not picked up yet - thats what we were told) 2. The Gym was not clean ..."

Reviewed on Aug. 11, 2025

Siwa Tulum Unique Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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