Maya Riviera Travel Information : TravelYucatan.com

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Maya Riviera

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MAYA RIVIERA - RIVIERA MAYA

This page at a glance:

PLAYA DEL CARMEN
PLAYACAR
CALICA
PUERTO AVENTURAS
XPU-HA
KANTENAH
MAYA RIVIERA HOTEL LIST
AKUMAL
CHEMUYIL
XCACEL
TULUM
CLIMATE
ATTRACTIONS
RUIN SITES

MAYA RIVIERA

Maya Riviera Map Stretching from Punta Brava just south of Cancun International Airport to Punta Allen just south of Tulum exists one of the most fascinating destination spots in the world. Tropical beaches, ancient ruins, abundant marine and wildlife abound. The Great Maya Reef is the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere.

We do not know if there exists an exact spot where the Maya Riviera starts but the general concensus is that once you get onto highway 307 along the coast in Quintana Roo you are pretty well in the Maya Riviera. This highway runs from Cancun all the way down to Belize. The Maya Riviera ends after Tulum and the Costa Maya begins.

Maya Riviera Coast Map As you drive along highway 307 you are usually around a kilometer away from the beach. The land is flat and the scenery will appear similar to that of any flat-forested region of Canada or Europe. The highway itself is brand new having just been widened in recent years and is in impeccable shape.

Along the Maya Riviera, on the highway there is the occasional Mexican craft market, small industrial center, and lots of resort entrances. On the shoreline there are numerous privately owned rental cabanas, fishing and diving operations and beaches.

The most popular travel destination in the Maya Riviera is Playa del Carmen which is where you get the ferry to go to Cozumel. After Playa del Carmen the next town of any great size is Tulum.

Mexican's tend to refer to the Riviera as "Riviera Maya" while foreigners call it "Maya Riviera".

PLAYA DEL CARMEN

MORE PLAYA DEL CARMEN INFO INCLUDING HOTEL LIST

Depending on how fast you drive, "Playa" as the locals call it is about an hour's drive from the airport. The highway is brand new and road conditions are excellent. If you have rented a car there are overhead traffic signs in Spanish and English to guide you.

Playa is the regional capital. It is a bustling beach town filled with excitement and unique experiences. A walk down 5th Avenue, the local strip, and you can pet wild lions, play with a boa constrictor, sit on a curb and watch a Maruichi band perform for one of the local restaurant cafes. You can enter one of the many beautiful restaurants for a healthy delicious sampling of Mexican or international cuisine.

There are numerous jewelry stores and arts and crafts stores where many great deals can be had if you know how to bargain. The cruise ships dock here on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the town fills up with new faces for a day.

The beaches at Playa are excellent and perfect for children. There is not that much coral so the snorkeling is not good here. However you can catch the ferry to Cozumel where the snorkeling and diving is world famous. Lifeguards are on duty on the main Playa beach. If you wish to snorkel there are some coral reefs just north of Ave. Contituyentes.

TIP!: If you really need to visit more shops a trip to Cozumel is recommend, however you may find prices slightly higher on the island. People on cruise ships may purchase items duty free and avoid paying taxes on items such as silver.

PLAYACAR

South of Playa del Carmen just a short walk is Playacar, an upscale development garnishing many five star all-inclusive resorts, a world class golf course, shopping mall and International restaurants. The beaches are beautiful and totally suited for children. There is also an extensive variety of condominiums and villas to rent.

The Playacar golf course was carved out of the jungle and is a treat to simply walk around little alone play. It is a commanding course that will challenge even the most aggressive player. Green fees range from $65 to $110 and golf carts are available.

Something not to be missed is the Xaman-Ha aviary. A colorful array of tropical birds including macaws, toucans, flamingos and parrots can be found here in their natural habitat. The botanical garden covers almost 4 acres and also contains cenotes. Cavernas Sache, a beautiful cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites is also located in Xaman-Ha.

CALICA

Calica is where you load your car to ferry it to Cozumel. It is an international port for cruise ships and used as a stopover.

PAAMUL

This place has a deep bay that rests on the shoreline making it quite a choice spot. The reef is right out front and excellent for snorkeling. There are dive and fishing boats here as well. Backpackers, Mexicans and general bohemians use this destination and many clean affordable cabanas and private homes can be found here. There are also restaurants and of course amazing beaches. This is a great place to meet people!

PUERTO AVENTURAS

Puerto Adventuras is an exclusive resort community boasting the only full-service marina between Cancun and Belize. It is a gated community, access off of highway 307. Fully modern luxury facilities abound here as well as quaint bed and breakfasts. You also find private homes, villas, condos and apartments for rent or sale.

Cozy restaurants and interesting shops line the marina's edge. Sailboats, fishing charters and yachts anchor in its deep blue water. Cigar stores offering Cuban brands and experienced personnel to assist you sit amongst the many unique shops. There are also many beautiful restaurants for a delicious samplings of Mexican or international cuisine.

There are all the beach activities one would expect like windsurfing, snorkeling and ski-jets. You can also visit the Cedam Museum, which houses various artifacts from sunken ships along the reefs. There is also tennis and a 9-hole golf course with no reservations needed. Green fees start at $44 and special memberships are available.

XPU-HA

Enter off highway 307 onto a dirt road. There is a sign that says Xpu-Ha. This is a rustic beach community for adventurous travelers. The beach is excellent; there is a cenote on the north side and restaurants on the main beach. Cabanas are available for $10-$25 per night. This is a great place for backpackers.

KANTENAH

Kantenah is next to the El Dorodo Resort, which has an excellent natural beach for snorkeling. You may be hardpressed to find a nice sandy beach to swim into however the snorkeling is fantastic along here. There are Cabanas for rent by the night and a restaurant.

AKUMAL

Akumal is in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Because of its location and beautiful beaches it is a perfect place to either stay local or use to launch numerous adventures. You are close to many things. There are a number of large resorts and lots of rentals, condos, villas and apartments. There are many small convenience stores and many local shops and restaurants. Many of the beaches are natural beaches however many have white sand areas for children and swimmers.

This is a great place for snorkelers especially if you want to see sea turtles.

Activities in the area include diving, snorkeling, game fishing and the Akumal Ecological Center.

CHEMUYIL

Chemuyil is a small Maya village off the beaten path. The beach and the bay are private property and closed to the public. You can however travel down a windy road to Xunaan-Ha where a sacred cenote may be found. You will want to swim in it, as it is breathtakingly beautiful. It costs $3 for adults and $1.50 for kids.

After your swim you can wander around town. The Maya are friendly people but keep in mind that many old Maya may show indifference towards to. It is not advisable to take photographs here.

XCACEL

Xcacel is the place many sea turtles lay their eggs. It is not recommended to go there.

TULUM

There is Tulum Ruins and there is the town Tulum. The town Tulum is around 5 kilometers south of the Tulum Ruins.

The town is small but has many restaurants, bars and hotels. There are some nice hotels in the area and many miles of white sandy beaches. There are of course villas, cabana, apartments and houses to rent by the day or week. Much of the stuff you will find in the shops in Playa can be found here but not in quite as abundance. Also the beach resorts are secluded and not as busy as Playa del Carmen.

There is a gas station here and numerous dive shops and fishing charters. Tulum town is also close to the ruin sites of Coba, Muyil and Tulum.

MAYA RIVIERA CLIMATE

Unfortunately weather statistics for the Maya Riviera are not available and readings from Cancun which is situated at the top of the Riviera are preferred for their accuracy.

Average air temperature: 80°F [27°C]
July/August - High 80's to low 90's°F [32°C]
December/January - Mid 70's°F [24°C]

Winter Months: Cold fronts may create windy, cloudy and cooler weather. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, usually lasting for an hour.

Water temperatures range from 77°-82°F [25°-28°C] throughout the year.

ATTRACTIONS IN THE MAYA RIVIERA

Peurto Morelos Located 33 km south of Cancun, Peurto Morelos is a small fishing village that has a car ferry to Cozumel. Dive excursions to the reef 600m off shore can be arranged at the dock. Don't miss Jardin Botanico Dr Alfred Barrera where you will see orchids, bromeliads and other flora growing in their natural habitat.

Playa del Carmen is an excellent hopping off spot for all the attractions found on the Riviera Maya. The bus terminal in Playa is serviced by several bus companies and you are able to get buses to almost every destination in Mexico from here. The 45 minute ferry trip to Cozumel leaves the dock every hour.

Shopping has to be Playa's biggest attraction. Avenue Quinta is a pedestrian mall lined with little shops and malls. Bargaining is expected here.

Skydiving is available on the beach just south of the ferry dock at Sky Dive Playa.

Playacar boasts an excellent golf course. It is a little pricey, but well worth the fee, as it includes food and a cart. Worth trying once.

Tres Rios Ecopark is located 10 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Explore nature in this tropical reserve.

Cenotes: natural limestone and coral wells that lead to underground rivers, caverns and cave systems. They provide fabulous views of stalactite and stalagmite formations, halagtites, rim pools and a rainbow of coloured tropical fish. Here are but a few:

Cenotes Kantun-Chi is an ecotourist park located 22 kms. South of Playa del Carmen and 2 kms south of Puerto Aventuras - across the highway from the entrance to the Barcelo Maya hotel. Inside the park there are four cenotes - Kantun Chi, Zaskaleen Ha, Uchil Ha and Zazil Ha. You are able to swim, snorkel and scuba dive inside the cenotes. Snorkeling equipment is available for rental. Bike rentals and horseback riding is also available.

Dos Ojos- "two eyes", is the home of east and west, two giant fresh water cenotes with huge columns and two cavern zones. Gran Cenote-ladder steps lead to a half-moon shaped cenote decorated with small passages and openings. Part of the Sac Aktun system. Both are found on the road to Coba from Tulum.

Cenote Tahkah is located just north of Tulum on Highway 307.

Actun Ha is located on the Tulum-Coba highway, just before you arrive at Coba.

At Chac Mol you will find jungle, paths and two cavern zones with a noticeable flow of water. Chac Mool, Taxma-Ha, Cristalino and Cenote Azul are all cenotes located on highway 307 in the Puerto Aventuras area.

The Cedam Maritime Museum in Puerto Aventuras houses an interesting display of various artifacts and wreckage from shipwrecks along the coastline. The museum can be found at the northern end of the marina.

Aktun Chen: In the jungle between Akumal and Xel-Ha. Beautiful underground dry caves with stalactite and stalagmite formations and a spectacular fresh water cenote. You might even be lucky enough to see spider monkeys. Poisonous and non-poisonous snakes can be seen at the serpentarium. Open 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Entrance fee.

Take a guided tours of the jungle on an ATV. Inquire at the front desk of your hotel.

Deep Sea Fishing: Sport fishing boat charters for day or half day excursions can be arranged at most of the resort areas along the Maya Riviera.

Excursions on horse back through the jungle and along the beaches can be arranged from most hotels.

Pac Chen: Enjoy a traditional meal cooked the Mayan way at an authentic Mayan community tucked away in the jungle. This expedition includes canoeing and rapeling.

Punta Laguna: Spend time with spider monkeys and howler monkeys in their natural habitat. You can trek in the jungle and travel Punta Laguna by boat. Birds, deer, turtles and crocodiles are among the other wildlife to be seen. Punta Laguna is northwest of Coba.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: Just south of Tulum, the reserve has an abundant amount of flora and fauna and several distinct natural ecosystems. The reserve contains unexcavated Maya ruins, freshwater canals, cenotes, mangroves, lagoons and inlets. The fishing village of Boca Paila is within the reserve. The town of Punta Allen is the end of the Maya Riviera found at the southern tip of the reserve.

Xaman-Ha Aviary: Home to exotic birds including scarlet macaws, flamingos and herons. Xaman-Ha is in the development of Playacar.

Yal Ku Lagoon: Swim and snorkel in the fresh water of this aqua coloured lagoon in Akual. Entrance fee.

XCARET
Xcaret is like an Eco Maya theme park. We just love this place. It is a paradise for children and you can spend the whole day there. Some of the attractions include a reenactment of a traditional Maya ballcourt game, butterfly pavilion, traditional Mexican dance and music, small zoo and much more. The swimming here is excellent and the water theme parks rival Disney World; in fact we think they are better.

XEL-HA
Xel-ha is a great place to go snorkeling or swimming. It is a fresh water bay that meets the ocean. Many sea creatures make their home in the bay and its tributaries and a snorkel around the bay will simply blow your mind if you are not an avid diver or snorkel. It is well worth the price of admission and a great place for kids. There are many well-trained lifeguards on duty.