Introduction
Riviera Maya, also referred to as the Mayan Riviera, runs along the Caribbean shore of the Quintana Roo, a state in Mexico. The popular resort location is situated just east of the Yucat¡n Peninsula. Originally named the Cancun-Tulum Corridor, the holiday spot was renamed in 1999. Famous for its all-inclusive resort hotels, the Riviera Maya offers holiday-goers with plenty in the way of water sports, dining, shopping, and nightlife entertainment.
The Best Time to Visit the Riviera Maya
Most any time of the year is a good time to see the Riviera Maya, what with its pleasant, warm tropical climate and friendly, hospitable atmosphere. Tourists flock to the holiday destination throughout the year but many travellers visit the resort in order to escape the cold. However, the autumn or winter is the areaâs rainy season, which generally occurs from November until the early spring.
Types of Holiday-goers
The Riviera Maya is a vacation mecca that appeals to people of all ages and interests, as there is plenty on offer for everyone.
Activities
You wonât grow bored in Riviera Maya as the resort location provides you with plenty to do when you are not relaxing on the beach. Visitors enjoy water sports such as jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, and swimming. Swimming with the dolphins is also a popular pursuit. Many tourists also take part in jungle tours, horseback riding, golf and fishing. Archeological buffs like to visit area ruins at the water-themed parks of Xel-Ha and Xcaretas well as the noted sites of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza.
Beaches at the Riviera Maya
Running in a serpentine pattern from Tulum to Cancun, the Riviera Maya is home to a great many sandy white shores. Two major beaches can be found at Akumal- primary beach at Akumal Bay and another one located north at Half Moon Bay. Visitors also enjoy catching the sun at Paamul (which is a popular spot for divers), Playadel Carmen, Playacar, Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, Soliman Bay, Sian Ka'an and Xcacel, among others.
Sites and Attractions at the Riviera Maya
Most of the sites and attractions at the Riviera Maya centre on ecological themes. For example, the Tres Rios Ecopark, situated close to Playa del Carmen, is a natural area that attracts a large number of nature enthusiasts.
Aktun Chen is home to underground caves featuring stalagmites and stalactites as well as spider moneys and a serpentarium.
The Xman-Ha Aviary showcases such tropical bird species as flamingos and macaws.
If you miss seeing the spider monkeys at the Aktun Chen, then the primates can be viewed by boat at Punta Laguna. The tropical site also counts crocodiles and turtles as its residents as well.
Snorkellers like adventuring in the Nohoch Jungle Crossing: a site that displays interesting geological formations in its subterranean waters, while botonists and gardeners often visit the Jardin Botanico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera â" noted for its tropical flora and indigenous animals.
When youâre not exploring the Great Outdoors, visit the Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen a great place to dine or shop for souvenirs.
Nightlife in the Riviera Maya
Nightlife abounds at all-inclusive resorts as well as in the towns throughout the Riviera Maya, so, youâll always find an entertainment venue after the sun goes down.
The Playcrawl in Playa del Carmen takes travellers to some of the trendiest bars in the area. One charge covers all the drinks and you wonât have to wait in line to get inside a clubâs door. Guides take club-goers from one bar to the next.
Other noteworthy nightspots include Kitxen in Playa del Carmen (an open-air type club with live music), La Santanera in Playa del Carmen and Bara Bara in Puerto Moreles.
Restaurants
Margaritas and chips and seafood entrees make Que Fresco in Tulum a choice pick for dining when visiting the Riviera Maya.
While in Tulum too, you'll want to visit the Cetli and El Tabano two eateries guaranteed to satisfy the palate as well as the appetite.
Seafood or pescado is a popular menu item at Marisquera in Playa del Carmen while pulpo or octopus is featured on the menu at La Casa del Agua in the same town.
Accommodation
The Riviera Maya is one place where youâll have your pick of all-inclusive resorts. The Iberostar Paraiso Lindo, located between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, is an all-inclusive accommodation that provides top-of-the-line amenities such as swimming and golf. The family-friendly hotel features a Kidsâ Club as well.