So you booked your tickets to Riviera Maya and can’t wait to get away from work and go relax on the beach! That’s great!! But, if you’re like me and hate sitting on a beach every single day of your vacation, here are a couple of fun things to do in Riviera Maya.
Where is Riviera Maya?
Riviera Maya was called the Cancun-Tulum Corridor. Today, it’s a general name to refer to the area along the Caribbean coastline of Mexico.
Where to stay in Riviera Maya
Personally, I prefer Playa Del Carmen or PDC. PDC is the lesser visited cousin of Cancun and is therefore less crowded. It also has a more authentic Mexican vibe than Cancun. It’s also central to many attractions in and around Quintana Roo and the Yucatán Peninsula.
Here are 5 things to do solo or with a crowd
1. Chichen Itza
One of the wonders of the world and an UNESCO world heritage site, Chichen Itza is an ancient Mayan city that should be a part of your Riviera Maya itinerary.
You have two options to get there;
- An organized tour – Recommended if you are travelling solo but be prepared for a full day tour
- Self-drive – Best if going with a couple of people
There is so much history here that a guide is recommended if you want to really learn about Mayan culture and the significance of each of the ruins.
Organized Tours
2. Visit a Cenote or two
Cenotes are sinkholes that appear due to collapsed limestone. Cenotes were an important part of Mayan culture and used as ancient water ways.
Today, you can swim, snorkel or dive in them depending on the location.
3. Visit the Mayan ruins in Tulum
Mayan ruins on a beach? Oh ya! and not just any beach mind you, the turquoise blue of its calm, shallow waters stretches out forever!
4. Xel-Ha
Talk about a fun thing to do in Riviera Maya! Xel-Ha is an all inclusive water park that’s great for kids and adults alike. The price includes hotel pick-up and drop-off, equipment and unlimited food and alcohol.
They have a large inlet that you can snorkel in all day as well as a natural cenote.
5. Snorkel in Cozumel
My favorite on this fun things to do in Riviera Maya list! Cozumel is one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the world. In addition to colorful fish and coral, I also saw turtles, starfish and stingrays.
I went with mystic snorkel and they were great! I paid about $65 which included a 3-4 hour guided trip with unlimited drinks, snacks, and all snorkeling equipment (even prescription goggles for the blind like me!)
How to get to Cozumel from Playa Del Carmen
There is a ferry that runs several times a day between Cozumel and PDC. Click here for the schedule and cost.
The ferry takes about 45 minutes. You can buy tickets on that day itself or in advance if you want to (tickets do not have a date or time marked and can be used any time)
One of my other favorite things to do is to wake-up to see the sunrise.
Like trips to the Caribbean? Check out my post on what to do in Montego Bay, Jamaica HERE.
Pin this fun things to do in Riviera Maya post for later!
Did you find this post useful? Please let me know by liking/commenting below or sharing this post on social media! Thank you!!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, I get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
2 comments
[…] Mexico […]
[…] Mexico […]