Few places in Mexico are as spectacular as the Riviera Maya. It is a region of beaches, natural attractions, Mayan vestiges and also large hotels and cabins for all tastes and budgets.
It is 140 km long, begins a few kilometers south of Cancun in Puerto Morelos and ends shortly before reaching the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, on the Quintana Roo coast.
Best Travel tips to the Riviera Maya
How to get to Riviera Maya
By air: The only airport is the Cancun International Airport, it is perhaps the one with the greatest number of connections to the whole world, so you will surely find a direct route or with few stops from your place of origin.
By bus: Depending on the area of Riviera Maya in which you are going to stay and your place of origin, you can arrive via Merida, Cancun or Chetumal. There is a bus terminal in Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cancun and stops along the Riviera Maya in small towns and points of interest such as Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Akumal, etc. If you are traveling from Mexico City, Merida or Cancún you can ask for a direct ticket to Playa del Carmen and from there take a taxi to any place in the Riviera Maya, but always remember to see which terminal is closest to your destination.
By car: If you come in your own car, from any part of central or southeastern Mexico, opt for the Chetumal – Cancun highway, which is a free highway, without toll booths and also very easy to navigate, since it is all in a straight line. As soon as you pass the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto you will be in the Riviera Maya, take a map or your cell phone with GPS to check your location depending on your final destination. If you come via Yucatán, you can opt for the Mérida – Cancun Highway, or for the free highway, if you like to go visiting the little towns in the zone.
How to move on Riviera Maya
Buses: On the Cancun – Chetumal Highway, buses run practically all day, but the ones that stop are second or third-class. If you require it for a short journey, it could be an option, but I would not recommend it for a trip of more than 1 hour since they are a bit uncomfortable and it is rare to find seats since they are full from their place of origin. Another option is to go directly to the bus terminals in Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Cancun.
Taxis: All the hotels in the Riviera Maya have their own taxi station, they are safe and comfortable but ask for the rate applicable to your destination before boarding, sometimes you can negotiate or ask other taxi drivers to compare prices.
Car: Either in your own car or rented, if you plan to do several excursions on your own, or launch yourself to discover the corners of the Riviera Maya, renting a car is a very good option, since it frees you from fixed schedules that may exist in pre-contracted tours and you can stop and continue when you decide. Of course, you must drive very carefully, rest and above all study well the routes and paths you plan to travel before embarking on the adventure. (Get a map or use an application on your smartphone).
Bicycle: Lately it has been seen that many tourists like to move around the Riviera Maya by bicycle. The reality is that there is no specific path for bicycles on the road, so if you do it, you should do it with all possible caution, with a good bicycle, protective equipment, sunscreen and above all with plenty of water. Cars sometimes go very fast and we don’t want accidents to happen. Also avoid doing it when the sun is at its highest, as the heat can really exhaust you. Leave very early and return when you consider that the sun and heat will not be a problem for your physical condition.
Must-sees in the Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen: It is a very cosmopolitan, pleasant city, with a good atmosphere and, above all, very relaxing. Take a walk around its famous 5th Avenue, a place full of life especially at nightfall, a place to dine, have a few drinks and have a great time. If you want something by the sea, take a walk along the beach to discover small bars with live music and by the sea. There is something for all tastes, from bohemian and relaxed atmospheres to pure partying.
Tulum Archaeological Zone: It is a spectacular archaeological zone on the seashore. The walled city of Tulum is a very interesting place, the sea breeze hits your face and body all the time. On its beach, you can swim, sunbathe and of course tan. Arrive early!
Akumal: It is a port with one of the best beaches in the world, a nesting place for sea turtles and also if you want to practice snorkeling or learn to dive, here you will find several of the best dive shops and tours in the entire Riviera Maya. It is located 37km south of Playa del Carmen.
Chemuyil: It is one of those little famous corners of the Riviera Maya, but spectacular. It is a beach located inside a small bay. Ideal to visit with children, and also has facilities for camping, restaurants, fishing or resting with the family. It is located 22 kilometers south of Tulum.
Xcaret: You have probably heard a lot about Xcaret because it is one of the parks with the most publicity in the Riviera Maya, it is advisable to go with a tour that includes entrance and transportation where the operator pick you up at the hotel and bring you back. It is a park to spend the whole day, it has several activities, some included in your entrance ticket and others with an extra cost. We recommend you see more information here.
Chichén Itzá: Although it is not located within the Riviera Maya, the archaeological zone of Chichén Itzá is a place very visited by those who come to the Riviera Maya. It is located in the State of Yucatan and approximately 3 hours and a half from Playa del Carmen. You can go on a tour or on your own.
Route of the Cenotes: In the Riviera Maya, near Playa del Carmen, there is an area known as “La Ruta de los Cenotes”, it consists of several cenotes that are within a short distance of each other, some a little further but all accessible from Playa del Carmen. They are excellent places to discover the underground world of the Yucatan peninsula. They are spectacular places, ideal for diving, swimming or snorkeling. In this other article, you can see more information: Cenotes in the Riviera Maya.
General Travel Tips and Info
The hurricane season in Riviera Maya is from June to November, being the most active from August to October, however, it is not a reason to cancel your trip, you should know that the statistics are in your favor, because from 2003 to date, a total of almost 90 hurricanes have formed in the Atlantic and only 3 have impacted the Riviera Maya area, and they were in 2005 and 2007.
Climate: The weather in Riviera Maya is hot all year round, locals say that it is “cold” in December and January, but they call temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius cold, which could be considered temperate in other latitudes.
High and low seasons: The high season in Riviera Maya is during Holy Week, the summer (July to mid-August), and the Christmas season, after December 15. The other months are considered low season.
Currency and exchange rate: You can use pesos or US dollars in your transactions, but it is best to pay in pesos because most services and establishments do not take the dollar at the bank exchange rate, but a little cheaper. So if you want to have more pesos for your dollars, it is recommended that when you arrive you exchange your coins for Mexican pesos. Or buy dollars in your country of origin and when you arrive in Mexico, exchange them at any bank or exchange house for Mexican pesos (not in the airport).
Water: The water that comes out of the pipes is not drinkable. Purified water can be requested at a convenience store, shopping center, or at your hotel’s restaurant.
Hospitals and medical service: In general, the hotels located in the Riviera Maya have a family doctor, in case you need one, but with an extra charge. We suggest you ask the hotel where you plan to stay about the medical service they could offer you. In terms of facilities, there is a general hospital in Playa del Carmen, a specialty clinic in Cancun, as well as a general hospital. There are also hospitals and private bilingual doctors, although you can find the best ones in Cancun (Hospital Galenia 898-0613).
Credit cards: Whenever you go on a trip, you must report it to your bank, because they have security systems that detect unusual or non-traditional movements, for example, those you make outside your country, and automatically block your cards. Avoid this, and as a precaution always bring cash, as well as additional official identification to your passport.