25 Things to Do in the Riviera Maya That You Absolutely Need to Have on Your Bucket List
There are so many things to do in the Riviera Maya and its surroundings, and although you are tempted to just chill out in your fancy hotel for the entire stay, it would be a shame not to explore the wonders that this area offers.
Stretching from the quaint fishing town of Puerto Morelos all the way to Tulum, the Riviera Maya is lined with spectacular beaches and refreshing cenotes, pretty towns, and wealthy marine life.
And if you are wondering, Cancun is not technically on the Riviera Maya.
In this post, I am sharing all my favorite spots of the Riviera Maya and all the places at easy reach in a one-day tour.
Things to do in the Riviera Maya: Author Note
As you can see there’s a lot to see and do in the Riviera Maya besides the beaches. I didn’t want to include only the activities that are strictly in the Riviera Maya area, on purpose. However, with he exception of Bacalar, everything else it’s at a close distance for a day trip. If you want to learn more about each activity or destination I mentioned, make sure you click on the link I have included to read my detailed guide
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How to move around the Riviera Maya
First and foremost, you must rent a car (or not!) No, it is not dangerous; you just need to keep an eye on the speed to avoid getting caught by the police, who often go out of their way to get a bribe.
I wouldn’t give in to them, preferring to pay whatever fine the ticket might incur. I really get annoyed about the corruption thing, but it’s a reality. Just do not encourage it.
Read more about my tips on driving in Mexico.
However, if you prefer to use organized tours, worry not, at the bottom of the article, you will find a great selection of the best Riviera Maya tours and excursions.
Insider tip: Among the free things you can do in the Riviera Maya, the most popular is basking on the beach and enjoying the sun and the warm Caribbean Sea. However, many beaches charge a small entry fee.
But let’s start with the list of my top twenty-three things to do in the Riviera Maya.
Things to do in the Riviera Maya
1. Visit Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos (30km away from Cancun) – That’s where the Riviera Maya officially starts. It’s a quaint fishing town where you can go for lunch or dinner after a visit to the ‘Ruta de los Cenotes,’ where you can take your pick from a number of stunning natural pools, one after another.
2. Check out some of the best beaches
I may be biased but the Riviera Maya is home to some of the best beaches in Mexico. Long white sand lined with towering palm trees and turquise water.
My favorite are Xpu-ha beach, Playa Maroma, Playa del Carmen Beach and Tulum, when they are not invaded by the Sargasso weeds. Read my guides linked above to learn more.
3. Explore the gorgeous Archaeological site of Tulum and get fancy in the funky town
Tulum (180km away from Cancun) is the only Mayan archaeological site to be situated on the beach, with stunning postcard-like views.
Spending the rest of the day on the never-ending white-sand beach, and taking a stroll to the easy-chic downtown (pueblo) would make your day trip to Tulum a success.
It’s definitely the antithesis of Cancun, and if we are sort of like-minded, you will kick yourself for not having stayed longer, or maybe end up improvising a night in Tulum, which you will neither regret nor forget.
4. Visit Playa del Carmen for partying and shopping
Playa del Carmen. (70km away from Cancun) is the perfect base in the Riviera Maya: drop into amazing hotels, sink your toes in soft white-sand beaches, enjoy the fancy beach clubs, and jump into world-class activities just minutes away.
Staying in Playa gives you access to top resorts like Grand Velas Riviera Maya—set in lush jungle by the sea, with gorgeous design, a spa, and fine dining—and boutique gems downtown like the Hyatt Centric Beach House, just off Quinta Avenida with a rooftop pool and easy access to restaurants and nightlife.
The beach here is gorgeous—wide, white sands and clear turquoise water. You can lounge, swim, kayak, or walk into town for tacos and shopping.
From Playa, you can hit the region’s best attractions:
- Xcaret Eco-Park for snorkeling in underground rivers, Mayan culture shows, beach, reef aquarium, and butterfly garden, just 6 km south.
- Xel-Há for natural lagoon snorkeling, waterpark rides, and turtle reserves in a breathtaking inlet about an hour away.
- Xplor Park, right nearby, where you can zip-line over cenotes, ride amphibious ATVs, raft through underground rivers, and tackle a giant raft slide and cave pool.
- Río Secreto a guided tour through a hidden limestone cave network filled with stalactites, cenotes, and crystal-clear water.
Plus, Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is a lively, walkable stretch packed with boutique shops, restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Day trips are easy too: visit the ancient ruins of Tulum or Cobá, swim in cenotes like Cenote Azul, or hop on a snorkel tour in Cozumel.
All in all, Playa del Carmen mixes resort-style comfort, stylish hotels, and a stunning beachfront with easy access to the best eco-adventures and cultural sites in the Riviera Maya.
5. Swim with the turtles in Akumal
If you’re looking for adventurous things to do on the Riviera Maya, be sure to visit Akumal.
Akumal is one of the most visited beaches along the Riviera Maya, known for its friendly turtles that swim just off the public beach. Unfortunately, it’s now a natural park, officially. Therefore in order to swim with the turtles you need to purchase a tour. It’s only 500 pesos and it last 45 minutes.
You can buy it online here or you can purchase when you get there. If you don’t by the tour, the access to the beach is around 100 pesos or if you are having lunch in the hotel restaurant on the beach you need to buy a minimum of 200 pesos in food. You pay first and you get the credit on your food.
6. Fall in love with Isla Mujeres
To reach Isla Mujeres, you can take the ferry from Cancun, rent a golf cart on the island, and drive around. Stop at Playa Norte after you have seen the island (the perimeter of which is 16km) to enjoy the beautiful beach.
Alternatively, pay for a catamaran tour (make sure you ask to see the catamaran beforehand), which will stop for snorkeling in the bay.
I’m not keen on the latter option as they tend to accept loads of people on the boat and offer alcoholic drinks all day long, thus you end up like sardines in and amongst a bunch of drunken people. Not my thing. I’d rather go by myself, but… each to his/her own…
Isla Mujeres is not technically in the Riviera Maya but it’s a day trip that you can enjoy if you are staying in one of the beautiful hotels of the Riviera Maya.
7. Visit the magnificent Coba ruins
Coba – magnificent Mayan ruins scattered around a jungle area, 30km from Tulum, with a few refreshing cenotes to be found in its surroundings.
Coba is one of the best day trips in the Riviera Maya if you’re into ruins, nature, and a touch of real village life. The ancient Mayan site is surrounded by thick jungle and scattered lagoons, with crumbling pyramids and ball courts you can still walk around (unfortunately it’s not allowed anymore to climb the famous temple of Nohoch Mul.
But don’t skip Coba village itself — it’s a quiet, authentic little town with local restaurants, bike rentals, and access to nearby cenotes. It’s a relaxed way to explore a less touristy side of the region.
It’s worth even stay a couple of nights. If you love to splurge stay at Coqui Coqui hotel, otherwise I loved Itza Coba, where I stayed.
8. You cannot skip a visit to the magnificent Mayan city of Chichen-Itza.
The Mayan extraordinary town is considered one of the most important centers of Mayan civilization. It is a bit commercial, but it is definitely worth a visit.
9. Visit the remote ruins of Ek Balam
Ek Balam ruins(171km from Cancun) – An interesting site, in the middle of the jungle and off the beaten path, on the way to Rio Lagartos.
Ek Balam is a fascinating archaeological site tucked deep in the jungle, about 171 km from Cancun. It’s much less crowded than other ruins in the Yucatán, which makes it feel like a real hidden gem.
The name means “Black Jaguar” in Mayan, and the site is known for its well-preserved stucco carvings, including an impressive jaguar mouth facade on the main temple. You can still climb the Acropolis for sweeping views of the jungle.
It’s a perfect stop if you’re heading to Rio Lagartos, or even as a day trip from the Riviera Maya or Cancun. Quiet, wild, and full of history.
10. Marvel at the sight of the graceful pink flamingos in Rio Lagartos
Rio Lagartos, about 250 km from Cancun, is a stunning biosphere reserve known for its pink flamingos, mangroves, and salt flats. It’s just a short drive from Ek Balam, so it makes sense to combine the two for an adventurous day or overnight trip.
Once in town, you’ll find small fishing boats ready to take you out on the lagoon for wildlife spotting — but if you want a truly unforgettable experience, go with William, a local photographer, guide, and biologist that I am proud to call friend.
His tours are super informative, respectful of the environment, and packed with great photo ops. It’s one of my favorite nature experiences in the Yucatán.
11. Get lost in the remote beach resort of Mahahual
Mahahual (352 km South of Cancun) is a quaint beach resort with lovely hotels and restaurants. If you love water sports and snorkeling, it’s ideal to spend a weekend here.
12. Visit the old colonial town of Valladolid, the getaway of Yucatan
Valladolid, about 150 km from Tulum, is a charming colonial town and a perfect intro to the cultural heart of the Yucatán. It’s super walkable, with colorful streets, historical buildings, and a laid-back vibe. You’ll find beautiful churches, the San Bernardino Monastery, and cozy parks where locals gather in the evenings.
Don’t miss trying some traditional comida yucateca (yucatecan food)— things like cochinita pibil, panuchos, or sopa de lima — in one of the many small eateries. And what makes Valladolid even more special is the number of cenotes nearby. You’ve got Cenote Zací right in town and others like Cenote Suytun and X’keken just a short drive away. Valladolid makes a great stop on your way to Chichén Itzá or Ek Balam, but it also deserves a visit of its own..
13. Check out the quaint yellow town of Izamal
The city of Izamal (250km away) is my personal favorite, with its unique historical center and monastery in the middle of the town; what’s more, everything is yellow, hence the common connotation of ´the yellow town’. You can get great shots here if you are into photography.
14. Explore the white city of Merida, the capital of Yucatan
The capital city of Merida (305 km away) is an interesting colonial city, full of history and culture, and definitely worth a few days’ visit. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, you can appreciate the local folklore.
Available almost every day, by 10 am at the tourist office by the main square, a free walking tour of the city. Don’t miss it.
15. Fall in love with the spectacular views of Bacalar Lagoon
The Bacalar Lagoon (341 km from Cancun) is also known as the ‘lagoon of seven colors’, and nothing like you can ever imagine a lagoon. It is a large lake (42 km long and 2 km wide), characterized by the 7 shades of blue throughout the clear water, thanks to its limestone bed.
A beautiful place, complete with nice eco-lodges around the shore, where you can relax and/or enjoy water sports, guaranteeing you a peaceful and reinvigorating experience.
16. Have the ultimate jungle experience in the biosphere of Calakmul
Calakmul (700 km from Cancun) – quite a distance, but if you take it easy and stop off in Bacalar, you can make the most of a fantastic tour of all the natural parks, as well as see the principal areas of flora and fauna.
Calakmul is one of the most important Mayan sites, protected by a huge jungle, and home to many endemic and non-endemic animal species, like monkeys, jaguars, reptiles, and an abundance of birds. It will take a whole day to enjoy this beautiful reserve.
17. Find peace and tranquillity in Holbox
Holbox is a 133-km drive from Cancun to the small town of Chiquilà, where ferries or fishing boats will take you across to the tranquil, laid-back island.
You can plan a few days and stay in one of the beautiful hotels to relax and get pampered or you can choose to join a one-day tour from Cancun. It’s really up to you.
But if you have time I would definitely consider spending a couple of days on the island and enjoying the spectacular white sand beach and turquoise water.
18. Enjoy the unspoiled nature of Contoy Island
Contoy Island is a protected area where, until a couple of years ago, you could only go with special permission from the government. I was lucky to go on an incentive tour organized by my company, and it was just mind-blowing.
A totally unspoiled island where mantas would freely come close to the shore and let you play with them. She has now died, but her baby manta is there in her place.
The island is also home to a bird colony, and biologists live there to study and monitor them. The time spent on the boat to get there is a trip in itself, a long boat ride in the turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea.
They have now opened it to organized tours that are still controlled by the authorities. This is the tour that I wouldn’t want to miss. You can check out prices and programs on this popular site.
19. Get close to the giant of the sea
Swimming with whale sharks is a beautiful adventure in the sea, which can be organized either from Cancun, Isla Mujeres, or Holbox. You must not miss this encounter with friendly sharks, which happens only in the summer months.
20. Explore the remote coast in Yucatan
Drive around the Costa Esmeralda on the north coast of Yucatan, an underrated area where most locals love to vacation during the weekend. It’s not as beautiful as the Caribbean but on a sunny day, it may surprise you.
21. Discover the new stunning beach of El Cuyo
Spend a couple of days on the deserted beach at El Cuyo, a relatively new destination, a laid-back village on the coast of Yucatan, where the water is green and blue and the wind makes it the perfect place for kite-surfers.
22. Get on the road and explore the colonial Yucatan
Drive around Yucatan through the colored colonial towns and stop for a local meal, visit the old Henequen factory, or stop by to swim in a Cenote. For sure, you will find a lot on this charming limestone land.
23. Jump in the refreshing cenotes
Among the highlights of the Riviera Maya are the ancient cenotes that were used for sacred rituals by the pre-hispanic Mayan civilizations and are nowadays still sacred in a way as it’s one of the most important tourist attractions that for most of the time has still been preserved.
You can see tons of them scattered around the peninsula or along the Riviera Maya. On the Riviera Maya, there are more open cenotes. My favorites are the cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino, while the best cave cenote is the spectacular Cenote Taak-bi-ha.
To know more details on more cenotes and how to get there, read my guide to the cenotes of the Riviera Maya.
24. Splurge in one of the beautiful Haciendas
Old factories have now been turned into spectacular resorts to offer an exclusive stay in the tranquillity of the Mayan Jungle. There are so many exceptional properties to choose from.
Here, in my detailed article on the Yucatan Haciendas, you can choose among the best that I have personally visited and selected.
25. Book a tour and share the fun
If traveling solo is not your thing, you can always book an organized tour. There are so many day tours that will pick you up from your hotel and take you out to explore, with experienced guides and comfortable vans or buses.
I hope this post gave you some ideas on what to do in the Riviera Maya. As you can see, it was not strictly about the area itself, but also what you can do from the Riviera Maya. As you have realized, anywhere you stay in the Mayan Riviera will always be close to anything in the Yucatan Peninsula.
So it’s a great place to use as a hub and then do brief tours around, either on your own or joining groups. If you have any questions, you know what to do 😉
26. Spot the Spider Monkeys at Punta Laguna
Last but not least, this is probably one of my favorite spots in the region that hasn’t been touched by the giants of the industry and remained a simple reserve managed by the local community. I was happy to go back and enjoy the beautiful views over the lagoon. You can also see spider monkeys and howling monkeys if you are lucky.
Punta Laguna is an unforgettable rainforest experience worth adding to your Riviera Maya itinerary.
Just around 60 km north of Tulum and about 20 km from Coba, Punta Laguna is a community-run nature reserve also known as Otoch Ma’ax Yetel Kooh, meaning “Home of the Puma and Monkey.”
You’ll walk jungle trails with local Maya guides, who often recognize individual spider monkeys and help you spot them swinging high in the trees. The reserve is home to around 600 black-handed spider monkeys, as well as howler monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds. The best times to see them are early morning or late afternoon.
Beyond monkey spotting, you can also:
- Paddle across the calm lagoon in a canoe
- Zip-line over the treetops
- Rappel into a cenote
- Join a traditional Maya purification ceremony and explore an archaeological site with a cenote burial cave
It’s a peaceful, immersive experience in the jungle that blends wildlife, nature, and culture. Entrance is affordable (around 200 pesos), but doesn’t include the monkey tour. If you hire a guide, it’s 750 MXN per group and it helps support local families. If you want to include the activities it’s 750 per person.
Punta Laguna is perfect if you’re looking for a wild, authentic adventure close to Tulum and Coba.
