Xcaret Park (Riviera Maya)
The Riviera Maya's great eco-archaeological park — underground rivers to snorkel, reef aquarium, jungle trails, Maya village, and the unmissable 300-performer Xcaret Mexico Espectacular night show.
Quintana Roo (Mexico)
Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen is the walkable heart of the Riviera Maya, a Caribbean resort town with a pedestrian promenade, beach clubs and the ferry to Cozumel, set at the center of a coast packed with experiences.
North and south lie the Xcaret family of parks, underground rivers and cenotes, a barrier reef, turtle-filled Akumal Bay, lagoon resorts at Mayakoba and quiet beaches at Xpu-Ha. Come for zip lines, caves, snorkeling and sunset sails, stay for the tacos, the mezcal and the unhurried evenings on Quinta Avenida. Pick a base, choose one big experience a day and leave room for the beach.
Don't miss
Xcaret Park (Riviera Maya)
The Riviera Maya's great eco-archaeological park — underground rivers to snorkel, reef aquarium, jungle trails, Maya village, and the unmissable 300-performer Xcaret Mexico Espectacular night show.
Xel-Ha Park (Riviera Maya)
The world's largest natural aquarium — an all-inclusive snorkel day in a vast Caribbean inlet: lazy-river floats, cliff jumps, zip-into-water lines, and unlimited food and drink near Tulum.
Xplor Park (Riviera Maya)
The Riviera Maya's adrenaline park: zip lines over the jungle canopy, amphibious vehicles through caves, and rafting and swimming in underground rivers lit by stalactites.
Akumal Bay Sea Turtle Snorkel
Snorkel above green sea turtles grazing on seagrass in Akumal Bay, a calm, shallow cove about 35 minutes south of Playa del Carmen.
Things to do in Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Xel-Ha Park (Riviera Maya)
The world's largest natural aquarium — an all-inclusive snorkel day in a vast Caribbean inlet: lazy-river floats, cliff jumps, zip-into-water lines, and unlimited food and drink near Tulum.
Xplor Park (Riviera Maya)
The Riviera Maya's adrenaline park: zip lines over the jungle canopy, amphibious vehicles through caves, and rafting and swimming in underground rivers lit by stalactites.
Cenotes Dos Ojos (Riviera Maya)
Swim the Maya underworld — twin "eyes" of glass-clear cavern water near Tulum, the gateway to one of Earth's longest underwater cave systems. Snorkel the lit caverns or dive the famous lines.
Rio Secreto Underground River
A guided walk and swim through a protected underground river system just south of Playa del Carmen: thousands of stalactites, clear water and a hushed cave atmosphere.
Aktun Chen Cave and Cenote Park
A jungle nature park near Akumal with a lit walking cave, an underground cenote you can swim in, a zip line circuit and wildlife trails.
Akumal Bay Sea Turtle Snorkel
Snorkel above green sea turtles grazing on seagrass in Akumal Bay, a calm, shallow cove about 35 minutes south of Playa del Carmen.
Akumal Monkey Sanctuary
A jungle sanctuary near Akumal that cares for rescued spider monkeys and other animals, with guided visits that explain conservation and animal welfare.
Puerto Morelos Reef Snorkel
A relaxed fishing town north of Playa del Carmen with one of the Caribbean's best-protected barrier reefs a few minutes offshore.
Jungle ATV, Zip Line and Cenote Adventure
A half-day jungle outing from Playa del Carmen: drive an ATV along muddy forest tracks, fly down zip lines and finish with a cooling swim in a cenote.
Cenote and Cavern Scuba Diving
Dive into the flooded caves beneath the Riviera Maya: shafts of light, crystal water and formations in some of the most famous cenotes on Earth, with certified guides.
Riviera Maya Catamaran and Snorkel Cruise
Sail the Caribbean coast on a catamaran with a snorkel stop on the reef, a beach club visit and drinks, or choose a sunset sail with dinner.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico (Riviera Maya)
Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen)
The all-fun-inclusive flagship — a river-laced eco-resort where the rate covers unlimited entry (and transport) to all the Xcaret parks: Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor and more. The Riviera's best family value, beautifully built.
Check rates →Rosewood Mayakoba
Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
The Riviera's lagoon masterpiece — suites on stilts over mangrove waterways, arrival by boat, private plunge pools and sunken garden showers, with the white-sand beach at the end of the water taxi.
Check rates →Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen)
The luxury all-inclusive benchmark — three distinct ambiences (adults-only Grand Class, family Ambassador, jungle Zen), AAA Five Diamond dining, and a vast jungle spa between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos.
Check rates →Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya
Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
A large, polished resort in the Mayakoba enclave, with lagoon and beachfront rooms, a golf course designed by Greg Norman, boat rides through mangrove canals and a full-service spa.
Check rates →Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
An all-villa resort in Mayakoba where each villa has its own pool, the spa is a destination in itself and the mood is private and unhurried.
Check rates →Hotel Xcaret Arte
Riviera Maya (Xcaret)
An adults-only, art-inspired sister to Hotel Xcaret Mexico: all-fun inclusive rates cover dining, drinks and access to the Xcaret parks, in a design-led setting by the sea.
Check rates →Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda
Playa del Carmen (north)
A large all-inclusive resort on a beach north of downtown with a family concierge program, an adults-focused premium tier and several restaurants.
Check rates →Viceroy Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya (south of Playa del Carmen)
An adults-only villa resort set in jungle beside the sea, with private plunge pools, a spa and quiet beach days.
Check rates →Andaz Mayakoba
Mayakoba, Riviera Maya
A contemporary Hyatt resort in Mayakoba with lagoon and beach rooms, a creative design sense and easy access to the enclave's boats, golf and restaurants.
Check rates →Hotel Esencia
Xpu-Ha, Riviera Maya
A small, high-end boutique hotel on the broad beach of Xpu-Ha, about 40 minutes south of Playa del Carmen, with a hacienda feel, a spa and a calm pace.
Check rates →Mahekal Beach Resort
Playa del Carmen (north end)
A beachfront hotel of palm-roofed rooms in gardens near the north end of Quinta Avenida, with a pool, a spa and yoga, within walking distance of restaurants and the nightlife.
Check rates →Playa del Carmen & Riviera Maya guides
The Riviera Maya: Cenotes, Ruins & Reef — A Complete Guide
How to work the corridor — pairing Xcaret and Xel-Ha park days with cenote mornings, Tulum and Coba ruins, Cozumel and Akumal water, and the rhythms that beat the crowds.
Playa del Carmen in Three Days: An Itinerary That Balances Parks, Cenotes and Beach
A practical three-day plan for Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya, mixing one big park day, one nature day and one slow beach-and-food day.
Where to Stay on the Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen, Mayakoba, Akumal and Beyond
A guide to the Riviera Maya's main bases, from walkable Playa del Carmen to gated Mayakoba, quiet Xpu-Ha and the park-focused Xcaret corridor, with advice on all-inclusive versus boutique stays.
Eating and Drinking in Playa del Carmen: Tacos, Seafood and Yucatecan Flavors
What to eat and drink in Playa del Carmen, from al pastor tacos and cochinita pibil to ceviche, marquesitas and mezcal, with tips on where and how to order.
The Best Time to Visit the Riviera Maya: Seasons, Seaweed, Weather and Wildlife
A seasonal guide to the Riviera Maya covering dry and wet seasons, hurricane risk, sargassum, turtle nesting, bull shark dives and festivals, so you can match the month to your priorities.
The Riviera Maya with Kids: Parks, Cenotes, Beaches and Practical Tips
A family guide to the Riviera Maya covering the best parks, gentle cenotes and caves, calm beaches, family-friendly hotels and the practical details that make travel with children easier.
