Riviera Maya Holidays

Cenotes offer visitors the chance to swim or snorkel in clear freshwater pools formed within the Yucatán Peninsula’s limestone landscape. Popular areas include the Ruta de los Cenotes and sites around Tulum. Visitors should follow local rules on life jackets, sunscreen and water access.

Visitors can snorkel above colourful coral and marine life in Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, part of the wider Mesoamerican Reef system. Access is generally by boat with authorised operators, with park rules in place to protect the coral and surrounding marine environment.

Akumal Bay is known for green sea turtles feeding among its seagrass beds. Visitors can join regulated snorkelling experiences along designated routes, usually with authorised guides and flotation equipment. Wildlife should be observed from a respectful distance without touching, chasing or blocking the turtles.

Visitors can explore Caribbean reef sites along the coast or, with suitable experience, venture into the Riviera Maya’s freshwater cavern systems. Cavern and cave environments require appropriate training and qualified guides, so recognised operators and suitable activity insurance are particularly important.

Visitors can explore the lagoons, mangroves and waterways of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve on conservation-focused excursions. Some routes near Muyil combine boat journeys with a supervised float through an ancient water channel, offering a quieter way to experience this protected landscape.

Adventure parks across the Riviera Maya combine zip-lines with activities such as underground rivers, rafting, cave routes and amphibious vehicles. Visitors can choose between large attractions near Playa del Carmen and smaller jungle parks, with activities varying according to the venue and ticket type.

Visitors can join sailing and catamaran trips from marinas along the Riviera Maya, including Puerto Aventuras. Excursions may combine coastal cruising with reef snorkelling, swimming or visits towards Cozumel, while routes and departure times can change depending on sea and weather conditions

Tulum stands on limestone cliffs above the Caribbean and was an important Maya port during the late Postclassic period. Visitors can see temples, defensive walls and ceremonial structures that reflect its religious and trading role, all within one of the region’s most distinctive coastal settings.

Cobá developed around inland lakes and was linked by raised stone roads known as sacbeob. Visitors can explore forest paths, carved stelae and surviving monuments that reveal the city’s political and ceremonial importance within the wider Maya world.

Muyil, also known as Chunyaxché, lies close to the lagoons of Sian Ka’an and once formed part of important inland and coastal trade routes. Visitors can explore surviving Maya structures surrounded by forest, including El Castillo, one of the site’s most prominent buildings.

Modern Xcaret occupies land associated with the ancient Maya settlement of Polé, once a coastal port linked with trade and pilgrimage routes to Cozumel. Visitors can see archaeological remains within the wider park while learning about the site’s historical importance to the region.

Within present-day Playacar, Xaman-Há preserves several small Maya structures from a coastal settlement associated with maritime trade and pilgrimage journeys to Cozumel. Visitors can experience a quieter archaeological site that offers useful context alongside the larger ruins found elsewhere in the Riviera Maya.

Fishing, coconut growing and local trade shaped communities such as Puerto Morelos before tourism transformed the coastline. Visitors can still see traces of this older coastal identity alongside rapidly developed towns, resorts, transport links and protected natural areas throughout the modern Riviera Maya.

Yucatec Maya remains spoken across parts of the peninsula alongside Spanish, with its influence visible in food, place names, agriculture and family traditions. Visitors can learn more through community-led tours, cultural workshops and local programmes that connect heritage with everyday life.

Hanal Pixán, meaning “food for the souls”, is a Maya tradition of remembrance held around late October and early November. Visitors may see public altars, traditional dishes and cultural programmes, while private family observances should always be approached quietly and respectfully.

Regional cooking reflects long-standing Maya and Yucatecan traditions through ingredients such as achiote, sour orange, maize, pumpkin seed and chilli. Visitors can experience these flavours in markets, local restaurants and food tours, where traditional recipes often sit alongside modern interpretations.

Floral embroidery features prominently on huipiles, blouses and ceremonial clothing across the Yucatán Peninsula. Visitors browsing local markets and craft shops can find both handmade and mass-produced pieces, so asking about the maker and production method can help identify genuinely local work.

Jarana music and dance are closely associated with the Yucatán Peninsula and often appear during local festivals and cultural celebrations. Visitors may see dancers performing precise footwork in embroidered clothing, accompanied by lively ensembles using wind instruments, percussion and traditional regional rhythms.

Carnival celebrations take place across the Riviera Maya before Lent, with parades, elaborate costumes, dance competitions and public concerts. Visitors can experience different local programmes in Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Puerto Morelos, with dates and venues varying between communities each year.

Feria del Carmen is Playa del Carmen’s annual patronal celebration honouring Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Visitors can experience religious observances alongside concerts, dance, regional food and fairground entertainment, with events taking place across several civic and festival venues in July.

On the evening of 15 September, towns across the Riviera Maya mark the Grito de Independencia with music, public gatherings and civic ceremonies. Visitors can continue the celebrations into Independence Day on 16 September, with each municipality organising its own programme and events.

Playa del Carmen Jazz Fest brings live performances, workshops and educational activities to the city each autumn. Visitors can attend ticketed concerts alongside selected free sessions, with the programme combining established musicians, emerging talent and cultural activities across several days.

Held at Xcaret around Día de Muertos, the Festival of Life and Death Traditions celebrates Mexican remembrance customs through altars, theatre, music, dance, workshops and regional food. Visitors can experience a large cultural programme inspired by traditions from across Mexico.

Around 1 and 2 November, communities across the Riviera Maya combine Día de Muertos traditions with the Maya observance of Hanal Pixán. Visitors may encounter public altars, processions, food and performances, while private ceremonies remain personal acts of remembrance.

The Sacred Maya Journey recreates historic canoe pilgrimages between Polé, now Xcaret, and Cozumel in honour of Ixchel. Visitors should note that the 2026 edition was suspended, so future dates and any return of the event should be checked with the organiser.

Quinta Avenida is Playa del Carmen’s main pedestrian entertainment strip, lined with restaurants, cafés, shops, rooftop venues and bars. Visitors can move easily between quieter dining areas and livelier nightlife, with the atmosphere becoming especially energetic around the central evening districts.

Tulum’s evening scene is divided between the inland town and the coastal hotel zone. Visitors can choose from casual restaurants and bars in town or design-led dining and late-night venues near the beach, where prices and travel times are generally higher.

Cirque du Soleil JOYÀ combines acrobatics, theatre, music and visual storytelling in a purpose-built venue in the northern Riviera Maya. Visitors can choose between show-only tickets and packages that include dinner or drinks, with transport available through selected ticket options.

Many all-inclusive resorts across the Riviera Maya offer evening entertainment ranging from live music and family shows to themed nights and cultural performances. Visitors should check the hotel’s current programme, as schedules, included activities and reservation requirements can vary between properties.

Puerto Aventuras Marina offers a quieter evening setting with waterfront restaurants, bars and views across the boats and harbour. Visitors can combine dinner with a relaxed walk around the marina, while sailing, fishing and diving operators also use the area as a departure point.