The Riviera Maya.

LATIN AMERICA & CARIBBEAN/MEXICO/20.5312° N, 87.2285° W

The scent of copal incense drifts from roadside palapas along Highway 307, where the limestone shelf drops directly into the Mesoamerican Reef. Between Puerto Morelos and the Sian Ka'an reserve, the coastal scrub yields to mangrove and flooded sinkholes. It is a working strip defined by underground rivers, coastal Maya trade posts, and roadside stands serving cochinita pibil on fresh corn masa before the midday heat settles in.

Last updated 4 Sept 2026

Field notes

Photographs · Wikimedia Commons
Latin America & Caribbean / Mexico20.53°N 87.23°W
The Riviera Maya — Cenotes Riviera Maya
Cenotes Riviera Maya · Wikimedia Commons
The Riviera Maya — Riviera Maya Resort Forlorn May
Riviera Maya Resort Forlorn May · Wikimedia Commons
The Riviera Maya — Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Aldea Ha
Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico - Aldea Ha · Wikimedia Commons

What The Riviera Maya is about

Twelve ways to read the region. Pick a town below and you can turn any of these into a timed 1, 2 or 3 day plan.

MAYA RUINS

Climb the pyramid at Cobá or visit the sea-cliff ramparts of Tulum early in the morning before tour buses arrive.

CENOTE SWIMMING

Swim in freshwater limestone sinkholes like Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote, where clear subterranean aquifers meet dense jungle.

YUCATECAN CUISINE

Seek out pit-roasted cochinita pibil, lime-scented sopa de lima, and fresh corn panuchos topped with shredded turkey.

CORAL REEFS

Snorkel the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef offshore at Puerto Morelos or Akumal to see green sea turtles and ray nurseries.

COASTAL RESERVES

Take flat-bottom skiffs through the coastal lagoons, wetlands, and mangrove channels of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.

MARKET TOWNS

Wander municipal markets like Mercado Municipal in Valladolid or Felipe Carrillo Puerto for local habanero salsas and fruit.

ISLAND ESCAPES

Board passenger ferries across the channel to Cozumel or Isla Holbox for quieter sand roads and drift-diving wall reefs.

SUBTERRANEAN CAVES

Walk the dry stalactite galleries and wading rivers of subterranean cavern systems like Río Secreto with a local guide.

FRESH SEAFOOD

Pull up a plastic chair for whole fried tikin xic grouper rubbed with achiote paste and sour orange by the beach.

BIRDWATCHING

Spot turquoise motmots, toucans, and roseate spoonbills in early morning jungle trails around Punta Laguna and Cobá.

LOCAL CRAFTS

Buy hand-woven sisal bags, jipijapa palm hats, and Maya embroidery directly from family workshops in inland villages.

QUIET BEACHES

Walk the wide crescent sand flats of Xpu-Há and Soliman Bay, away from mega-resorts, where reef breaks calm the water.

Where to go in The Riviera Maya

The bases worth booking. Each one has its own field guide with 1, 2 and 3 day itineraries.

  1. 01
    Tulum

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    Cliffside stone temples overlook white sand, with open-air taquerías tucked along the inland pueblo.

  2. 02
    Playa del Carmen

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    The bustling central hub, practical for ferry departures to Cozumel and late-night street food stalls.

  3. 03
    Puerto Morelos

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    A working fishing harbour with a leaning lighthouse, excellent reef diving, and quiet beachfront dining.

  4. 04
    Akumal

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    A sheltered, palm-lined bay where green turtles feed on shallow sea grass beds near offshore reefs.

  5. 05
    Cozumel

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    A quick ferry ride brings world-class drift diving on Palancar Reef and a tranquil eastern shoreline.

  6. 06
    Cobá

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    Ancient temple complexes emerge from thick forest canopy, best explored on rented single-speed bicycles.

  7. 07
    Valladolid

    YUCATÁN / MEXICO

    Colonial convent squares, municipal market stalls, and deep town-centre sinkholes make a perfect inland base.

  8. 08
    Isla Mujeres

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    A compact island with calm turquoise shallows at Playa Norte, easily navigated by bicycle or golf cart.

  9. 09
    Puerto Aventuras

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    A relaxed marina community offering sailing charters and immediate access to south-coast cenotes.

  10. 10
    Punta Allen

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    An off-grid lobster-fishing village sitting at the wild, mangrove-wrapped tip of Sian Ka'an.

  11. 11
    Felipe Carrillo Puerto

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    A historic Maya stronghold in the southern interior with rich cultural history and authentic daily markets.

  12. 12
    Isla Holbox

    QUINTANA ROO / MEXICO

    Car-free sand streets, shallow waters, and vibrant birdlife on the northern Gulf edge of the peninsula.

What to do in The Riviera Maya

Stretching along Quintana Roo's Caribbean coast, the Riviera Maya runs south from Puerto Morelos down to the edge of the Sian Ka'an reserve. Days here follow a steady rhythm: early morning dips in freshwater cenotes, roadside tacos al pastor or cochinita pibil, and afternoons along the Mesoamerican Reef. It suits independent travellers who prefer mixing coastal swimming with inland Maya history and unvarnished regional eating.

When to go to The Riviera Maya

November through April delivers dry, sunny days and manageable humidity, though crowds peak around Christmas. May brings rising heat, while June to October brings afternoon tropical rainstorms and the Atlantic hurricane season, offset by quieter roads and warm sea temperatures.

Getting around The Riviera Maya

Highway 307 is paved and straightforward. Renting a car offers total freedom for inland cenotes, while white 'colectivo' vans provide cheap, frequent hops between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Ferries to Cozumel depart hourly from the main pier in Playa del Carmen.