Riviera Maya is one giant white sandy beach on the Caribbean blue sea! Here you have over 100 miles of coastline that spans from Playa del Secreto in the North to the Biósfera Sian Ka'an in the South. The coastline is dotted with small towns, secluded villages, and nature reserves. Highway 307 is the only well-paved road that connects all these enchanting towns. The highway from Cancun to Playa del Carmen is a 4-lane divided highway with speed limits up to 110 kpm 68(mph). Just past Playa del Carmen in Calica, you can catch the car ferry over to Cozumel which takes 2 hours. In Playa del Carmen, you can catch a passenger-only ferry to Cozumel that takes only 45-minutes.

PLAYA PARAISO

Separated by a long corridor, Playa del Secreto and Playa Paraiso capture the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean in a unique atmosphere of tranquility and enjoyment, an encounter with the natural beauty that combines both jungle and sea. Crabs and sea turtles make their nests along these beaches. Bungalow accommodations are available in the area and Playa Paraiso has an All-Inclusive hotel.

Close by are Punta Maroma and Punta Bete, two more paradise-like places on the Caribbean, linked by extended white sandy beaches and limestone rock. Typical of this zone is a subterranean sweet water river which flows into the sea. Small hotels and cabanas provide visitors with the basic services.

Tres Rios is a natural sanctuary where the hand of man is hardly noticeable. It’s located just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen. Visitors can enjoy exploring this area, either on foot or by kayak.

Swimming or navigating on any of the three rivers which give the site its name, with their incredibly transparent waters, is an incomparable experience. The estuary, home to a wide variety of fauna, or the nearby reef where you can enjoy snorkeling are two additional options which this site provides. The beaches are perfect for sunbathing. Horseback and hiking tours are great for building up a healthy appetite for tasty dishes available at the Caribbean “palapa” here.

Xcalacoco is located just 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen, along side Punta Bete. Together with Paamul and Tankah, it seems to have been an ancient cargo port for goods traded along the Maya navigational routes.

Today, some archaeological remains bear testimony to the ancient Maya enclave but the area’s principal attraction is camping among the palm trees and enjoying a view of the sea in a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere.

PUNTA MAROMA

Punta Maroma is located along the Riviera Maya facing the beautiful Mexican Caribbean and the world's second largest barrier reef. It is approximately forty minutes south of Cancun's international airport, 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, 30 minutes north of Xel-Ha and 45 minutes north of Tulum.

Relaxation is a state of mind in Punta Maroma. It's a retreat where peace, quiet and tranquility, combined with all the conveniences of first-class world resorts, provide the antidote to the pressures of day-to-day life.

Truly Mexican resorts are clustered in 480 acres of coconut palm trees set against a backdrop of tropical jungle, absolutely secluded on a one mile stretch of beautiful Caribbean beachfront.

Punta Maroma's location makes it the perfect starting point to visit all of the area’s popular attractions including the archeological sites of Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza, the area's ecological parks of Xcaret, Xel-Ha and Tres Rios and the Sian Ka'an biosphere all within a few hours drive.

PUNTA BETE

Punta Bete is located on a peaceful corner of the Mayan Coast a short 42 kms. south of Cancun and 6 kms. before Playa del Carmen. Surrounded by coconut palms, Punta Bete is an ideal destination for those looking for peace of mind and tranquility.

It is definitely worth the trip! How to get there: from Cancun, take Highway 307 South 42 kilometers. Watch for the colorful Punta Bete sign on your left (or look for the giant "Blue Lobster" sign on your right); the entrance is on your left across the highway. Average drive time is about 30 minutes. We suggest you print the little map on the right and bring it with you.

Minutes to the south, Playa del Carmen's population has exploded over the last few years all while at the same time somehow remaining bohemian and laidback. Great boutiques with Mexican arts and crafts compete with restaurants and outdoor cafes along the famous 5th Avenue. Ferry over to Cozumel Island and explore a section of the world's second largest coral barrier reef or wander through an incredible botanical garden with the largest iguanas (docile) we've ever seen. There are well-kept ruins for amateur archaeologists but ruins abound on the mainland too--Tulum, Chichen-Itza, Coba-- the list is long. Click over and surf the Mayan Riviera for details on planning your aquatic, botanical or archaeological outings.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN

Just 52 kilometers from Cancun Airport, a similar distance from the archaeological Maya site of Tulum, is Playa del Carmen, an old fishermen’s’ village known as Xaman Ha in the Maya language. Playa, as it is called by its inhabitants and visitors, has developed through numerous recent investments which have stimulated its rapid growth. What was once a simple, peaceful place--no more than a dock for the ferry to Cozumel--has now become one of the most important and sophisticated tourist attractions on the Riviera Maya.

Playa del Carmen provides everything one could wish for in a Caribbean location: luxury hotels with all the amenities that international travelers require, as well as smaller personalized establishments, numerous bars, shopping centers, restaurants serving traditional and international cuisine, cultural and recreational centers, water sports and golf.

La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), the main pedestrian walkway provides an abundance of dining and fun options, making it a favorite spot for meeting after you’ve enjoyed the beach and jungle trips, with a nightlife that goes on until dawn.

That's how the former fishing village located between the lush Mayab jungle and the Mexican Caribbean grew to become a powerful attraction on the Riviera Maya, which today attracts visitors in search of that marvelous combination of ecology, archaeological sites and beaches. This conjunction of culture, nature, and the tranquility that has attracted so many visitors, are still the distinctive ingredients of Playa del Carmen, intelligently preserved through planned development which has succeeded in keeping its original magic.

An emerging development growing in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Playa is a must-see place for visitors who want to enjoy the magic charm of jungle and sea, with all the comforts of world-class facilities.

Just a few minutes away from the center of Playa del Carmen is an important tourist development on the Riviera Maya: Playacar. This is an architectural complex with residential areas, several All-Inclusive hotels, villas, a shopping mall (with specialized restaurants), a magnificent Golf course, archaeological site and the Xaman Ha Aviary, with the greatest number of bird species in the region, living in their natural habitat. The attractions here are so varied and upscale that it’s possible to do almost anything you like.

XCARET

Xcaret, a marvel-filled territory located only 5 kilometers from Playa del Carmen on Federal Highway 307, gets its name from the Maya word meaning “inlet” in reference to its location on one of the zone’s most important coves. Xcaret was an economically important part of the Maya culture, a commercial exchange center, thus its original name seems to have been P'ole’, a word derived from the root word P’ol, meaning “merchandise.”

Today, Xcaret is one of the preferred parks on the Riviera Maya, both because of its archaeological monuments and it’s Ecological Park which is dedicated to disseminating the Maya and Mexican cultures in general, as well as to preserving the environment and the ecology.

Although the foundations seem to have been initiated in the early classic period, 200 - 600 AD., most of the Maya constructions and monuments you can visit in Xcaret belong to the middle and late post-classic period (1200 - 1550 A.D.) when the Spaniards arrived in this area. Within the site is a Catholic church, proof that the zone was inhabited by the colonizers when they arrived, and its presence denotes and symbolizes the clash of civilizations that would radically alter the history of the American continent.

Visiting the Park of Xcaret, Nature’s Sacred Paradise, is more than just touring through marvelous scenery. It is also the entrance to an ecological world dedicated to the research and conservation of the zone’s native biological species. And it also means coming into close contact with the Maya civilization which is manifestly present in the archaeological temples found in the area’s interior.

The park extends over a surface of almost 130 hectares which are a year-around attraction for visitors because of the enormously rich variety of flora and fauna and the spectacular geography.

The Xcaret experience includes swimming in the transparent waters of the "cenotes," drifting with the current of a subterranean river, and swimming with dolphins in their marine habitat. The park also provides a Museum where visitors can see a recreation of the Maya world in a mock-up exhibit. The ecosystem’s biological diversity can be admired by visiting the butterfly sanctuary. The aviary with more than 30 species of wild birds that make their home here along with reptiles such as turtles and crocodiles and even some mammals, including jaguars. The park also provides water sports including snorkeling and scuba diving and an underwater tour of the coral reefs which line the coast, aboard the “Snuba.”

As evening falls, the park becomes filled with the sounds of “tunkules," wooden drums used as a musical accompaniment by the Maya people. Visitors can tour the caves and grottos, perfumed with the scent of copal smoke, or stop to watch the mythical ball game known as Pok ta-Pok.

At night the amphitheater features a show of Mexican music and dances from every region in the country.A trip through Xcaret leaves visitors feeling that they have experienced biological life in its natural state and come into intimate contact with the mysterious and magical Maya world, a combination that makes a visit to one of the most spectacular places on earth a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

PUERTO AVENTURAS

Puerto Aventuras today is a discreet, exclusive and beautiful tourism development, preferred by travelers seeking relaxation in comfortable tranquility. One of the principal attractions at Puerto Aventuras is the "marina” where many yachts are docked and abounding in restaurants and cafes with a splendid view of the entire area.

It’s possible to charter boats by the hour or for a whole day for deep-sea fishing or simply for cruising on the tranquil turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

It also has a dolphin facility where visitors can experience the thrill of swimming with dolphins or manatees. They can also visit the CEDAM Museum where numerous objects rescued from shipwrecks are on exhibit; this is an enormous interest for those who love navigation.

The abundance of fish in this zone makes it one of the favorite places for big-game fishing, and there is an international fishing tournament all year during the spring. Besides fishing, regattas are held in the marina during May and June.

Another favorite activity in the area is Golf, with a scenic course inside the complex.

XPU HA

Xpu-Ha is a large beautiful bay with a calm ocean and with superb underwater visibility. The seven separated entrances, which lead to this small comunity of hotels, restaurants and dive shops are all dirt roads.

Towards the north is the Cenote Manatee, one of the largest in the region, and Xpu-Ha lagoon where, it is said, the endagered species of manatee can still be found. There are also two Cenotes on the opposite side of the highway.

KANTENAH

Kantenah Bay on the Riviera Maya facing the beautiful Mexican Caribbean. One hour south of Cancun's airport, 25 minutes south of Playa Del Carmen, 10 minutes from Xel-Ha and 25 minutes north of Tulum.

Solitude, seclusion and privacy are words which aptly describe Kantenah. Stay in a hotel, backed by a secluded cluster of coconut palms, its front facing the sea. One can explore the surrounding jungle, snorkel over the offshore reef, or just unwind by whiling away the hours in the shade of a palapa. Many surprises common to this part of the Mexican Caribbean coast; crystaline, fresh water river rises to the surface, leaving it's subtearranean journey, and rushes down to the sea, where it combines with the salty water of the oecan and creates a small and unique ecosystem. On both sides of the bay there are hotels of excellent quality.

AKUMAL

Akumal is undoubtedly one of the most peaceful spots on the Riviera Maya. Just 37 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, this small village is a favorite with those who love isolation and peace and quiet.

In the Maya language, Akumal means “place of the turtles” and it is still one of their favorite places for laying their eggs. However what makes Akumal such a charming and fascinating destination for tourists from around the world is its spectacular protected bay area of transparent waters and the sweet water currents that flow through its caves and subterranean rivers.

Located North of Tulum, Akumal offers excellent hotel capacity as well as rental houses, condos, and restaurants specializing in local and international cuisine.

In Akumal are two hundred entrances to subterranean caves with depths of up to 150 meters, this is a favorite place for divers from around the world. It’s also a unique destination for enjoying other water sports, such as snorkeling and kayaking. North of Akumal is another attractive spot, the Yalku Lagoon.

TULUM

The Maya site of Tulum is a rectangle measuring 380 meters from North to South and 165 meters from East to West, located 60 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, and can be reached by Federal Highway 307, an excellent expressway with several lanes that provides fast and safe access to the entire Riviera Maya. Once you’ve arrived at the entrance to this historic site, you can walk or take a two-car tram to the archaeological zone which is one kilometer away.

The archaeological zone at Tulum is perhaps one of the most beautiful places on the Riviera Maya combining the mystery of the ancient civilization which inhabited this zone with the singular beauty of the Caribbean Sea which bathes its shores. The city of Tulum is the only known archaeological site located by the sea, and belongs to the region known as Tankah-Tulum which comprises the zones of Tankah, Tulum and Xel-Ha. It was constructed at top of a cliff facing the blue sea and has an underwater coral reef that is the world’s second-largest.

The site was renamed Tulum ("wall”) after the Spanish conquest, referring to the stone construction which surrounds it on three sides; the sea is located to the West. Presumably, its original name was Zamá which means “sunrise” in Maya, referring to the spectacular sunrise on the turquoise sea which was the city’s main source of commercial and fishing activity from the time it was founded, around 900 A.D.

The majority of the constructions belong to the mid post-classic period (1200—1500 A.D.) although some architectural elements still remain from previous periods, revealing the site’s antiquity. The principal constructions that can be accessed beyond the magnificent stone wall with its five entrances are the Castle which faces west and is dedicated to Venus (Kukulkán) and the Temple of the Descending God, adorned with bas reliefs. Here one can inspect the exquisite frescoes which remain to this day, decorated in blue, orange, red, white and black.

After seeing the numerous edifications of Tulum, one can understand the amazement of the first Spanish navigators who compared its beauty to that of their distant Seville, because of Tulum’s beauty and splendor when it was the fortress-sentry of the Caribbean Sea, serving as a lighthouse for Maya ships in pre-Hispanic times. The distinct spatial orientation, in keeping with the four cardinal points on the compass, and the geometric location of its buildings in relation to the sunrise provide singular proof of the ancient Mayan knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, as depicted in their architecture and pictorial art.

One of the most powerful and moving manifestations of Maya culture, the Millenary city of Tulum, facing the Caribbean, looks eternally out to sea as the sun rises in the East.

The hotel zone is another marvel for those seeking peace and tranquility. There are few hotels on this 10 kilometer-long stretch of beach and they are all separated from each other. It’s the perfect place for couples or families and comfortable lodging with all the facilities is available, but you can also choose a rustic palm-thatched cabin lighted by candles. These hotels blend into the natural surroundings and use solar energy systems. The beach here is one of the longest and most beautiful on the Riviera Maya.