Riviera Maya

Travel Guide

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

Riviera Maya Travel Guide Video

Enjoy this sunny piece Mexican coastline, enjoy thenatural wonders of the Yucatán Peninsula and gaze upon the Mayan ruins.

The Riviera Maya,located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico's YucatánPeninsula, is the ultimate destination for relaxation. Here you’llfind beautiful tropical beaches, elegant resorts and breathtaking naturalwonders, as well as some of the most popular archaeological sites in Mexico.

The resort of Playadel Carmen, with its fantastic beaches, fine dining and entertainmentvenues, is an excellent place to start your visit. From there take a ferry toCozumel, an island with a rich history, world-famous dive sites and lushjungles.

Check out San Miguel de Cozumel where you'll findthe Museo de la Isla de Cozumel (Cozumel's museum). Here you’ll not only learneverything about the Olmeken and Mayan history of the island, but also thearea’s marine fauna.

In the south of the island you’ll find the greatbotanical gardens of the Chankanaab National Park. Here you can swim withdolphins at Dolphin Discovery or unwind at one of the many spas. Around hereyou’ll also find Palancar Beach, where the water is so clear and calm you cansee the fish swimming about from the beach.

On the southernmost tip of the island you’ll findthe stunning ecological reserve, Punta Sur Ecological Park, with more than 200species of birds, crocodiles, giant tortoises and an ancient Mayan watchtower-a great place to see animals in their own habitat. Swim, snorkel and dive inthe ecological park of Kantun-Chi in, with its spectacular sinkholes andexplore its tropical gardens.

Looking for some impressive archaeological sites tolearn more about the Mayans? Visit Chichen Itza and the ruins of the Mayan cityof Tulumon the mainland. The miraculous ruins of Chichen Itza are more than a thousandyears old and a fine example of the architectural style of the Mayans and Toltekenculturen.

Sun, sea, sand and culture all in one place betterbook your trip to Riviera Maya with Expedia today.

Where to stay in Riviera Maya

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Playacar

4/5(10 area reviews)

Amazing beaches great entertainment and top sights from Playa del Carmen Main Beach to Playacar Golf Club – discover Playacar, a destination also famous for its shopping.

Playacar
Cozumel which includes a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Downtown Playa del Carmen

4.5/5(3 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
Tulum Mayan Ruins which includes building ruins

Zona Hotelera

Travellers to Zona Hotelera praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Tulum Beach and Las Palmas Public Beach.

Zona Hotelera
Cozumel which includes a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Gonzalo Guerrero

4/5(18 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
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Riviera Maya

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Riviera Maya and surrounding area, you can visit Tres Rios Ecopark and El Camaleón Mayakoba Golf Course.

Riviera Maya
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Playa del Carmen Centro

4.5/5(12 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Playa del Carmen Centro is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Playa del Carmen Main Beach and Playa del Carmen Maritime Terminal.

Playa del Carmen Centro
Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa All Inclusive

Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa All Inclusive

5 out of 5
Carretera Chetumal Kantenah QROO
The price is €342 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
€342
4 Feb - 5 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury resort in Kantenah. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,021 reviews)
Incredible service

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa 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 €855 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
€855
2 Feb - 3 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and 15 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,390 reviews)
The entire fun inclusive experience was amazing. The hotel was so awesome. We did not even wanna leave the resort to go to the parks. On the days we did end up going to the Parks. The service was phenomenal and we had an excellent time.

Reviewed on 6 Jan 2026

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

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive

4 out of 5
Carretera Federal 307, KM 282 Playa del Carmen QROO
The price is €462 per night from 28 Jan to 29 Jan
€462
28 Jan - 29 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach resort in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and 7 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (5,123 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 7 Jan 2026

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
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 luxury aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, on-site spa services and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Tulum Beach and Tulum Mayan Ruins ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (189 reviews)
Long wait for check in and no hot water for shower. Otherwise place was clean.

Reviewed on 31 Dec 2025

Otonomus Tulum
Calea Tulum

Calea Tulum

4 out of 5
Paseo Zama con Itzamna, Mz 26 Lt 144 Tulum QROO
Stay at this aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Tulum Mayan Ruins and Tulum Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (33 reviews)
The staff is amazing, very nice and responsive people. The room was clean, everything worked well. Amenities are amazing - there are coffee, tea and water in the lobby, the pool is good for refreshing. The location is perfect. I loved the neighborhood, there are a plenty of restaurants and coffeeshops, ...

Reviewed on 3 Jan 2026

Calea Tulum
NAJ TULUM

NAJ TULUM

5 out of 5
CTO YAAX, Aldea Zama Manzana 3 Lote 3 Tulum QROO
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Tulum Mayan Ruins and Tulum Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (90 reviews)
Amazing staff

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2025

NAJ TULUM
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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