Things to do in the Mayan Riviera

There are many things to do in the Riviera Maya (as referred to by the Mayan). There are a number of tourist attractions that will appeal to almost everyone.

http://www.travelyucatan.com/maya-riviera-attractions.php

By either taxi or local bus:

Playa Del Carmen

A lovely ocean side Mexican town. Lots of great shopping, wonderful places to satisfy your Mexican taste buds and a nice beach to swim or laz about.

Xel-Ha (pronounced Shell-Ha)

This is an Eco-Water park that Randal and I went to last time we were in Mexico. We did the tour through our resort travel person. The cost covered transportation and the entry fee, approx $85 USD per person. Once you are there the only other thing you need to pay for is a deposit for your snorkle gear, where you get to keep your snorkle. You do have to use bio-degratable sunscreen which if you do not already own, you can buy at Xel-Ha for cheaper than what they will offer on the bus. If you are already planning on going to Playa then buy it while there because it will be more cost effective, minimally though.

The park has a lazy river that you can inner-tube down and stop at little alcoves to snorkle around, cliff jumping, underground cenotes to discover and a walking jungle tour (that you do on your own). There is also a dolphin swim that you can pay extra money for, not sure the cost though. And the best part of it…the all-you-can-eat and drink that is included in the entry fee. What a great way to spend the day! There is so much to do and see there that you will need the full day. Here is a link for more info.

http://www.travelyucatan.com/xel-ha.php

Tulum Ruins

Spend some time wandering around the traditional home grounds of the Mayan’s. You can pay for a guide or just tour around on your own, which is what we did. If you are looking for the historical information then definitely get the guide. Go as a group and it will be more cost-effective. Bring your towel because you can spend time swimming down at the public beach which is so beautiful. The pictures below do not do it justice.

For the more adventurous – maybe some diving…there is usually a dive shop on-site at the resort. We have done drift dives there and saw the marine life, LARGE sea turtles, a couple baby sting rays and a nurse shark. We did the “Cenotes dives”, where they took us to the Caverns (see pic below). Cenotes are open water areas that are linked to the underwater cave systems which lead out to the ocean. Cenotes are like pools that you can just happen upon and are exposed to the outside. They can be quite small and you could almost dismiss them as a pocket of water or maybe a larger puddle. But look a little further and you may see it is a large pool with people hanging out on the edges or swimming around. They are popular for snorkling.

http://www.travelyucatan.com/div-2.htm

It is amazing and somewhat strange to think that you are enclosed by the underground water tunnels with no immediate exit opportunities. The area that we were diving is the Caverns and partly into the caves. A highly dangerous activity according to some. Randal has also done a wonderful night dive in the Cancun lagoon. He saw a small squid, an octopus, a baby sting ray, some manta ray and even pet a sleeping nurse shark.

These are the places that Randal and I have been to ourselves. Visit the link at the top of the page to view more activites in the area. The Mayan Riviera is definitely a place you can do lots or do nothing except SFA (ask Randal for an explanation).

If you have been to the area and have suggestions about what other adventures and exploring people can do, please feel free to post a comment and any links for information.