Places to Explore In The Riviera Maya

Discover the best places to explore in The Riviera Maya with curated recommendations from our travel experts.

Akumal

In Mayan, Akumal (pronounced ah-koo-maal) means "place of the turtle," and this portion of coast is a storied nesting ground, especially at Half Moon Bay...

  • 3 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 8 Things To Do

Bacalar

Founded in AD 435, Bacalar (pronounced baa-ka-lar) is one of Quintana Roo's oldest settlements. The town’s most notable feature is a cenote-fed lake of the...

  • 2 Restaurants
  • 4 Hotels
  • 2 Things To Do

Bahía Petempich

The Riviera Maya region technically begins at Bahía Petempich (also known as Punta Tanchacté), where long expanses of sand are lapped by turquoise waters. Historically...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Chetumal

At times, Chetumal—the capital city of Quintana Roo—feels more Caribbean than Mexican; this isn't surprising, given its proximity to Belize. A population that includes Afro-Caribbean...

  • 2 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 6 Things To Do

Cobá

Near five lakes and between coastal watchtowers and inland cities, Cobá (pronounced ko-bah) once exercised economic control over the region through a network of at...

  • 1 Restaurants
  • 0 Hotels
  • 2 Things To Do

Felipe Carrillo Puerto

Felipe Carrillo Puerto, the Costa Maya's first major town, is named for the governor of Yucatán in 1920, who was hailed as a hero after...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 1 Hotels
  • 1 Things To Do

Mahahual

Tiny Mahahual (also spelled Majahual) has something of a split personality. With a population of only 600, it's a quiet beachfront outpost with clear, calm...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 6 Hotels
  • 2 Things To Do

Mayakoba

Mayakoba (meaning "village of water") is home to three of the world's most exclusive resorts—the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, and Rosewood Mayakoba. They are...

  • 1 Restaurants
  • 4 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Playa del Carmen

Welcome to the party! "Playa," currently Latin America's fastest-growing community, has a population of more than 150,000 and an international flavor lent by the estadounidenses...

  • 10 Restaurants
  • 17 Hotels
  • 19 Things To Do

Playa del Secreto

The secret is out—the ½-km (1-mile) stretch of white sand at Playa del Secreto is one of the most beautiful in the Riviera Maya. Surrounded...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 1 Hotels
  • 2 Things To Do

Puerto Aventuras

The most Americanized of all the Riviera Maya's resorts is a 900-acre gated community and golf course more reminiscent of coastal Florida than Mexico. This...

  • 1 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 3 Things To Do

Puerto Morelos

At the edge of a mangrove-tangled jungle pushing up to the shore, Puerto Morelos is one of the few coastal towns on this stretch of...

  • 6 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 6 Things To Do

Punta Bete

Beyond Punta Maroma, a river spills into the sea, dividing the coastline. South of the split, Playa Xcalacoco (scala-coco) is a 7-km-long (5½-mile-long) beach dotted...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 4 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Punta Brava

Punta Brava is a long, winding sweep of sand strewn with seashells. The only direct access to this beach area is through the security gate...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 1 Hotels
  • 0 Things To Do

Punta Maroma

The waters of this protected bay stay calm even on blustery days, and the enchanting beach ranks among Mexico's finest. A string of resorts has...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 1 Things To Do

Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka'an

Wildlife has understandably been affected by the development of coastal resorts; however, thanks to the federal government's foresight, 1.3 million acres of coastline and jungle...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 2 Hotels
  • 2 Things To Do

Tankah

If you plan on staying in the Cobá area, nearby Tankah is a good option—especially if you want to avoid the Tulum crowds. In ancient...

  • 2 Restaurants
  • 2 Hotels
  • 1 Things To Do

Tulum

It used to be that Tulum was simply known as dusty little town with a stellar archaeological site and a few palapa huts. No longer...

  • 11 Restaurants
  • 12 Hotels
  • 8 Things To Do

Xcalak

The southernmost town in Quintana Roo, Xcalak (pronounced ish-ka-lack) is only 11 km (7 miles) from the Belize border by water, and a little of...

  • 2 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 1 Things To Do

Xcaret

Once a sacred Mayan city and port, Xcaret (pronounced ish-car-et) is now home to two popular parks on a gorgeous stretch of coastline. The 250-acre...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 1 Hotels
  • 3 Things To Do

Xpu-Há

Located 20 minutes south of Playa del Carmen and 20 minutes north of Tulum, Xpu-Há is the perfect base to relax and get away from...

  • 0 Restaurants
  • 3 Hotels
  • 2 Things To Do

Explore The Riviera Maya

Sights 46

Shopping 14

Nightlife 13

Performing Arts 1

Restaurants 52

Hotels 79
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Fodor's Cancun & the Riviera Maya: With Tulum, Cozumel, and the Best of the Yucatán
Fodor's Cancun & the Riviera Maya: With Tulum, Cozumel, and the Best of the Yucatán
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