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

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 Mayan Ruins and Tulum 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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Playacar Zona Hotelera

The pristine beaches and ample 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
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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
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 €825 per night from 8 Dec to 9 Dec
€825
8 Dec - 9 Dec
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! (1,350 reviews)
The property has much better food than the average all inclusive, staff was always friendly and made you feel welcome. The activities were amazing and abundant, we actually changed our flight to stay an extra day because we were having so much fun.

Reviewed on 7 Nov 2025

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, Chetumal a Puerto Juarez, Xcaret, Playa del Carmen, QROO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €273 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
€273
30 Nov - 1 Dec
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! (5,021 reviews)
It was a great stay! However they have 3 different hotels with in the property and you don’t have access to all 3

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All Inclusive
Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa All Inclusive

Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa All Inclusive

5 out of 5
Carretera Chetumal, Puerto Juarez KM 256-100, Kantenah, QROO
The price is €210 per night from 25 Nov to 26 Nov
€210
25 Nov - 26 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Kantenah. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,035 reviews)
Family selection is amazing! Would definitely travel again to this resort but skip the sales pitch for the palladium travel club.

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2025

Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa 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 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free WiFi, onsite spa services, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Tulum Mayan Ruins and Tulum ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (158 reviews)
Wonderful service, very comfortable stay, and a great experience with the technology.

Reviewed on 3 Nov 2025

Otonomus Tulum
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! (149 reviews)
The room was wonderful, clean and cool. The breakfast was okay but took more than 30 minutes until served. There were also a lot of mosquitos in/around the hotel so I would strongly recommend some sort of insect repellent. But overall it was a superb experience!

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2025

Siwa Tulum Unique Hotel & Spa
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! (31 reviews)
We sincerely enjoyed our stay at the Bespoke. The property was beautifully located with an amazing stretch of beach with access to the reef for snorkeling. The restaurant had a wide selection of really delicious options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The entire staff was extremely friendly, courteous ...

Reviewed on 18 Oct 2025

BESPOKE, member of Small Luxury Hotels
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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