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
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
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
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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
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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
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 €343 per night from 7 Jan to 8 Jan
€343
7 Jan - 8 Jan 2026
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! (1,025 reviews)
We just finished a family reunion on Thanksgiving and we loved it. We stayed at the White Sands, awaiting our room at the Family Select at the Kantenah, and certainly preferred the latter, although the White Sands has a nice pool and best restaurants. The kids loved it, and the swim up is worth getting, ...

Reviewed on 2 Dec 2025

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 €813 per night from 10 Dec to 11 Dec
€813
10 Dec - 11 Dec
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! (1,355 reviews)
Excellent in all aspects honestly I think it’s my favorite place for vacations wherever you look is a picture spot and the rooms are very nice the food is good as well

Reviewed on 6 Dec 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 Playa del Carmen QROO
The price is €318 per night from 14 Dec to 15 Dec
€318
14 Dec - 15 Dec
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! (5,044 reviews)
Todo muy limpio y muy buen servicio

Reviewed on 7 Dec 2025

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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (185 reviews)
It was a Wonderful stay , the hotel is clean and the service was amazing!

Reviewed on 5 Dec 2025

Otonomus Tulum
Loch Tulum Condos by BUnik

Loch Tulum Condos by BUnik

4 out of 5
La Veleta Tulum QROO
Stay at this aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tulum Mayan Ruins and Tulum Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (112 reviews)
Balcony tub is nice but you will need to clean it first and the hot water will run out before filling but you don’t need it haha. Staff is really nice although only the Manager speaks English. The area is not as developed as hotel zone and you will need a scooter. But I stayed here for 5 days and ...

Reviewed on 26 Oct 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 luxury aparthotel in Tulum. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (154 reviews)
The room was like a cave which was perfect for sleeping in. The staff was amazing and incredibly helpful! Breakfast and meals at Siwa’s restaurant was always delicious. We can’t wait to stay again.

Reviewed on 1 Dec 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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