For sure! the Riviera Maya is a Mexican tourist destination that arose in early 1990, after centuries this destination remained as one of the best stored secrets by Mexican and foreign travelers.
Although it was an area already known for its extraordinary beauty and beaches, the Riviera Maya arose due to the tourist movement of the region known as Cancun Corridor – Tulum, which in the 80s’ began to have more relevance among visitors.
The Tourist Infrastructure in Riviera Maya started with the construction of the first Hotels and services in early 1990.
Since then it has remained in a very dynamic growth alongside demand, thanks to international recognition and prestige obtained because of its beautiful beaches and also to its excellence in tourist services.
Is Cancun and Riviera Maya the same thing?
No, a lot of people get a little bit confused about this but the Riviera Maya is not the same thing that Cancun, the Riviera Maya is very close to Cancun and you normally get there through Cancun International Airport but is a few miles south.
Where is the Riviera Maya?
If you are wondering where the Mayan Riviera is located because you can’t find it specifically on a map, you have to know that it is not exactly a city or municipality as such.
The Riviera Maya extends from 36 kilometers south of Cancun and ends in the town known as Punta Allen south of Quintana Roo.
Here you can see a map of Riviera Maya:
It is a coastal strip located in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico and offers beautiful beaches of white sands, archaeological zones, reefs, parks, lagoons, rivers, cenotes, underground caverns, a great variety and wealth of flora and fauna, cabins, luxury hotels, Airbnbs and picturesque villages that still retain vestiges and traditions of the ancient Maya as in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.
What to do in Riviera Maya?
Throughout the Riviera Maya, there are several cities and some points of interest, a lot of them are already recognized for being excellent options for tourists, and in each one, you can find different options for entertainment, fun and culture.
Riviera Maya is known for its beautiful beaches and some great destinations and things to do, for example:
- Puerto Morelos
- Playa del Carmen
- Xcaret
- Xel-Há
- Puerto Aventuras
- Akumal
- Coba
- Tulum
- Felipe Carrillo Puerto
- Sian Ka ’ an …
What to eat in Riviera Maya?
To give you a more complete image of what food is in the Riviera Maya, it is enough to travel to the cosmopolitan 5a Avenida in Playa del Carmen, it is a place where the nightlife of the Riviera Maya is exciting, where people of all nationalities and local people go to the bars, restaurants and nightclubs, several of them on the seashore.
If you prefer, there are hotels in the Riviera Maya that offer you a gourmet All inclusive experience where international food and the best dishes in the world are taken to your table (or room) to spoil you.
Of course, Mexican food couldn't be missing in many places of the Riviera Maya, so don't forget to try some dishes of Yucatecan food. (Caution: Be careful with "Habanero" chili because is extremely hot).
How is the weather in Riviera Maya?
The weather in Riviera Maya is typically tropical, with more than 250 days of sun per year and an average temperature of 24° C.
But if you want to know a personal opinion, this is what you can expect by season:
Spring: In March the weather is tempered, there’s no extreme hot or cold. Occasional rains or temperatures lower than 20° C may occur due to the cold winds of the north, but in general, it is a very good season to vacation.
Summer: Heat is what characterizes summer in the Riviera Maya, there are occasional rains, but they are not very abundant (it could be said that they are refreshing), it is the best season of the year if what you are looking for is beach and a good tan.
Autumn: This is traditionally the low tourism season, if you do not want crowds in airports and hotels, or the heat overwhelms you, autumn is a good season to visit the Riviera Maya.
And although in the Caribbean Autumn is a hurricane season there is no reason to be alarmed, because in general there is a great consciousness and preparation by the hotels for this type of contingency.
Although these are unpredictable phenomena, safety measures can be taken with a lot of anticipation.
Winter: It is a very romantic season, Christmas inspires a honeymoon, and some couples choose the winter to rest and spend a beautiful evening or Christmas on the Seashore in one of the hundreds of restaurants in the Riviera Maya, the temperature is pleasant compared to other destinations. Here the “cold” is around 15°C.
Transportation options in Riviera Maya
Going from one place to another in the Riviera Maya is easy. The main road is the highway that goes from Cancun to Chetumal, and it passes throughout the Riviera Maya.
Right now the Riviera Maya doesn’t have its own Airport but you can find several options to go from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
There is a bus terminal in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum (town) and Felipe Carrillo Puerto, you can request a stop near some points of interest, although they will normally leave you on the road (be very careful).
Another option is to travel through the Riviera Maya by car, there are a lot of car rental companies with a lot of affordable options depending on the type and model you want and the days you are going to use it.
You can use taxis within the cities or to move from one point to another, but always compare prices before requesting some service, it can sometimes be cheaper to rent a car for a day or book private transportation than the taxi rate.
There are a lot of tours (most of them) that can include you round trip transportation from your hotel, which is very comfortable.
How to get to the Riviera Maya?
By Air
The Riviera Maya is 15 minutes away from Cancun International Airport, it is a very big airport with connections to all the main cities of Mexico and the world.
Cancun Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and also one of the best connected to any part of the world. Here you can say that "all roads lead to ... the Riviera Maya".
By Car
From Cancun take the highway Cancun – Chetumal, when you arrive at the town of Puerto Morelos you can say that you are in the Riviera Maya.
If you come from any part of the center of Mexico you can choose between getting via Chetumal or via Merida, either of the two options is good.
But I would recommend taking the Chetumal route since the road is free and you can save the cost of the Merida – Cancun highway.
Yacht or Boat
Yes! You can also get to the Riviera Maya on a Yacht, the most recommended Marina is on Puerto Aventuras or Playa Mujeres, there is also a Golf course, stores and restaurants nearby both locations!