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 tropical scenes and a sandy beach

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
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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
Tulum Mayan Ruins showing a ruin

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 Tulum Mayan Ruins.

Zona Hotelera
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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
Cozumel which includes tropical scenes and a sandy beach

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
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 €573 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
€573
5 Aug - 6 Aug
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! (4,455 reviews)
"Great staff and shows"

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2025

Occidental at Xcaret Destination - All 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 €740 per night from 10 Jul to 11 Jul
€740
10 Jul - 11 Jul
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)
"Xcaret Arte is truly a 5 star resort with high quality of service, food and facilities."

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
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 €983 per night from 18 Jul to 19 Jul
€983
18 Jul - 19 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury property in Playa del Carmen. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and 10 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,249 reviews)
"The rooms are very nice, however, we were staying the phase 2 of the hotel where construction occurred. One thing to be informed of before visiting the hotel is the reservations for restaurants. We went expecting to reserve restaurants the week of our trip, but every restaurant had been fully booked ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun 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 Beach and Tulum Mayan ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (75 reviews)
"Only thing i didn't like was lack of towels and no ice"

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Otonomus Tulum
Loch Tulum Condos by BUnik
Loch Tulum Condos by BUnik
4 out of 5
La Veleta, Tulum, QROO
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tulum Mayan Ruins and Tulum Beach ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (97 reviews)
"I loved everything about this stay! I had my own little private pool and I absolutely loved my room. I had a little kitchen and my bed was super comfy. Danny was a pleasure to communicate with. She gave me a lot of information about things to do around and places to go. I cannot recommend this stay ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

Loch Tulum Condos by BUnik
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! (133 reviews)
"Jungle feel was exceptional. Quiet and relaxing. Staff was great and efficient with transportation."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 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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