Riviera Maya - Things To Do & Attractions

Top Things to do in Riviera Maya

Discover the Mystical Mayan History

A tour of the Mayan archaeological sites is an absolute must for everyone visiting Riviera Maya! The remarkable Tulum Ruins date back to the 12th century and are located right on the beach. The Chichen Itza Ruins – capital of the ancient Mayan civilisation – have recently been declared one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World!

Beaches

Riviera Maya’s beaches are beautiful and varied. Pristine white sand, the crystal Caribbean sea and sizzling temperatures, both in and out of the water, make this destination heaven for beach-lovers - and with loads of beach activities and water sports available, even the most active families won’t get bored.

Head to the Tulum Ruins beach to explore ancient jungle, stone buildings and incredible coastal views – you’ll definitely come away with a camera full of great photos!

Nature Lovers

Riviera Maya has some beautiful natural waterparks which offer the perfect day out for families and nature lovers alike. Spend an all-inclusive day at Xel-Ha Waterpark – a spectacular natural aquarium where you can snorkel, scuba dive and even swim with dolphins in the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

The fabulous Xcaret Eco-waterpark is home to a butterfly pavilion, sea turtles, botanical gardens, aviary, underground rivers, Mayan village, night-time shows and lots more!

Family Fun

As well as the waterparks, there are loads of fun days out to be had in Riviera Maya! Jump on-board for a jeep tour into the Mayan Jungle or sail away for a day of adventure on an ATV and Catamaran trip!

The town centre of Playa del Carmen is also great to explore, with a completely pedestrianised main street meaning there’s no danger of traffic around little ones.

Party in Playa del Carmen

Riviera Maya’s main city of Playa del Carmen is the place to go for great nightlife! Most of the bars are outdoors so you can dance under the stars, on the beach and watch the sunrise in the after-hours clubs.

It’s also easy to get to Cancun’s superclubs including the world-famous Coco Bongo.

Riviera Maya – Quick Facts

Language:

Spanish

Flight Time from UK:

The average flight time is 9h 20min

Currency:

Mexican Pesos (though US Dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas)

Airport:

The airport closest to Riviera Maya is Cancun International Airport

Opening Times:

• Banks are open Monday-Friday from 9am – 5pm
• Shops are open Monday-Sunday from 10am – 10pm
• Supermarkets open Monday-Sunday from 8am – 11pm

Temperatures:

• Average temperatures in Riviera Maya range from a balmy 23°C in January and February to a tropical 26°C from April to October!
• The sea is generally 26°C and up, so you can swim in warm water pretty much all year round!

Telephone:

• Country code: +52
• Area code: 984
• Police: 066
• Ambulance: 066
• Fire Fighters: 611
• Hyperbaric Chamber: +52 984 87 31365

Electricity

110 volts

Getting Around in Riviera Maya

ADO Bus

• Air-conditioned ADO buses (www.ado.com.mx) run between the main cities in Mexico.
• Buses to Cancun run every 15 minutes and to Tulum every 30 minutes.
• Prices and timetables can be found at Playa del Carmen’s local bus station at 5th Avenue
• Corner Juarez Avenue.
• The ADO bus also runs from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen

Colectivos Bus

• The “colectivos” shuttle service also runs between Tulum and Cancun. In Playa del.
• Carmen the “colectivo” stand is located at 2nd Street between 15th and 20th Avenue.

Car

• Car Rental agencies can be found at the airport, in Playa del Carmen and many of the hotels in Riviera Maya.
• The minimum age to rent a car in Riviera Maya is 21.

Taxi

• Taxis can be flagged down in the street or from taxi stands throughout the city.
• It’s advised to agree a price before getting in, and to have the address written down as many drivers speak little English.
• Also, change can sometimes be difficult so it’s recommended to carry some smaller notes.