The Riviera Maya features an array of attractions ranging from deserted beaches to modern architectural complexes, including hotels, marinas, sports facilities and gourmet restaurants. At the southern end you'll find the area's principal ecological reserve, Sian Ka'an, a habitat noted for the richness of its flora and fauna.

The Maya culture remains present throughout the area, in the many indigenous communities still found here. They strive to preserve their traditions, religion and social structure, although the real splendor of the ancient Maya civilization is most evident in the numerous archaeological sites of this stunning area. It is through the pyramids, playing fields, sculpted stone pillars, plazas and temples that some of the mysteries, still surrounding one of Mexico's most important cultures, have been partially deciphered.

Come and visit the Riviera Maya to discover its diversity. Here one can experience everything from ecotourism, theme parks and extreme sports to tennis and golf tournaments, jungle tours on foot or horseback, a wide variety of water sports and the most amazing cultural and archaeological treasures of the Maya world.

Jungle, diverse flora and fauna, archaeological sites, deserted beaches, a turquoise-colored sea with crystal-clear water that turns to silver under the moonlight, the fantasy and warmth of the tropics and the mystery of an ancient culture which lives on today, are just some of the qualities which have transformed the Riviera Maya into a destination which can compete favorably with the rest of the Caribbean's tourist destinations.

For all these reasons this region, where the ancient Maya civilization flourished and reached its full splendor, has become the world-class tourist destination that it is today, for both national and international travelers alike. Plan your next vacation to the Riviera Maya and discover all its wonders.

The Riviera Maya has several small towns along its coastline; all of them located no more than 1.5 miles from the wonderful turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean. The most important towns, according to the size of the population, are Playa del Carmen, the heart of the Riviera Maya; Puerto Morelos, the first town in the Riviera Maya, located 22 miles south of Cancun; and Tulum town, as is known to make the distinction from the archeological site.

South of Playa del Carmen is the lovely town of Puerto Aventuras, a residential subdivision with a large marina for 280 boats. Located thirteen miles to the south of Playa del Carmen, this luxurious community features a challenging golf course, hotels, condominiums and deluxe residencies. Continuing south of Puerto Aventuras, you will find the small villages of Akumal and Chemuyil. These small private residential areas are home to the hundreds of people that work in near by hotels. The last town south of Tulum is Punta Allen, a small fishing village located on a virgin strip of land beside the Caribbean Sea.

There are a huge number of Mayan sites scattered throughout the Riviera Maya and the theme parks of Xel-Ha and Xcaret are home to several small yet attractive structures as well. With out doubt, the most popular and famous of all is Tulum, the only Mayan site perched on top of limestone cliffs in front of the sea. Although small, in terms of size and with few structures and temples, Tulum is an excellent cultural attraction for those travelers who want to learn more about the ancient Maya world.

The virginal and unexplored archeological zone of Coba is located northwest of Tulum, less than an hour by car. Coba is an enormous site with hundreds of structures spread out over 50 square miles. In order to visit the accessible buildings you have to walk down long trails surrounded by incomparable beauty, where you'll have the opportunity to see a wide variety of birds and animals, as well as the exuberant jungle of this unexplored region.

Sixteen miles south of Tulum is Muyil, a small Mayan archeological site in the Sian Ka'an reserve. It is an astonishing place that as of today is one of the best preserved in the area.

For real lovers of the Mayan civilization and for the more adventurous, then there are many more extraordinary archeological sites, although relatively far from the heart of the Riviera Maya, such as Dzibanche, Kohunlich and Chacchoben, located approximately a 4 hour drive south of the Riviera Maya. In the neighboring state of Yucatan you can visit the ancestral Puuc Route, which includes the wonderful Mayan cities of Uxmal, Kabah, Sayil and Labna. And the world famous Mayan city of Chichen Itza is only 3 hours away from Playa del Carmen.

One of the main reasons, if not the most important for visiting the Riviera Maya, is the beaches. The coastline of the state of Quintana Roo and the Riviera Maya is irregular in shape and is made up of keys, inlets, capes and bays. Aside from offering its unique white talc like sand, the sandy beaches are always cool due to its main components, which are pieces of shell and ground up coral. For all the above, plus the Caribbean Sea with its incredible turquoise waters and fantastic sunsets, the Riviera Maya is definitely the best remedy for the traveler looking for a relaxing vacation far from everyday stress.

On the beaches of the Riviera Maya you'll find plenty of water sports available, ranging from swimming to more exciting activities, such as snorkeling or diving on the coral reefs, sailing, fishing and windsurfing. On the other hand, if you don't want to get wet, there are number of activities that you can do on the beach, such as sunbath, horseback riding, play volleyball, build sand castles with your kids, or simply stroll the beach and enjoy the immaculate sands of the Mexican Caribbean.

From north to south and with approximately 75 miles of beautiful beaches to choose from, the Riviera Maya offers a wide selection for everybody. Take time to explore the beaches of Puerto Morelos, Playa del Secreto and Playa Paraiso (Secret Beach and Paradise Beach), Punta Maroma that according to the Travel Channel is ''an exquisite secret in Mexico'', Punta Bete; the white beaches of Playa del Carmen; Xcalacoco, Paamul and Xpu-Ha; Kantenah Bay with its long white beaches; the small but extraordinary Yalku Bay; the amazing beaches of Akumal; Xcacel ecological reserve where every year hundreds of turtles arrive to lay their eggs; Tankah Bay and its Manatee Cenote with crystal clear waters; the semi-virgin beaches of Tulum; Boca Paila with its exclusive beach; and the southern fishing village of Punta Allen.

There is also a great selection of environmentally responsible excursions to the natural areas of the Riviera Maya. For water sports enthusiasts, there are snorkeling and diving tours to the amazing coral reefs and the complex underground river and caves systems unique to the region. There are plenty of kayak tours of the bays and inlets as well. For nature lovers, take a walk through the virgin ecological reserves, or enjoy a horseback ride or bike tour and explore the different geographical zones of Quintana Roo. For those who want to know more about one of the great civilizations of the ancient world, then there are guided tours to Mayan archeological sites. And if you want a bird's eye view of the Riviera Maya then you must do the canopy tour, a truly exciting experience.

Playa del Carmen
Just 42 miles from Cancun you will find the heart and capital of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen. This town has evolved from originally a small group of Mayan pilgrims into a lively, cosmopolitan city with the highest urban growth in the country. Its natural beauty and miles of white sandy beaches, its enviable geographical location, and its blend of sea and jungle, make this destination in the Mexican Caribbean a magnet for both Mexicans and visitors from all over the world.

Playa del Carmen is a fantastic place to spend your vacation, with its fantastic variety of hotels, restaurants, bars, stores and golf courses, as well as water sports, such as snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, sailing and boat trips.

Tulum
Tulum is the largest Maya construction built on the coast and it is now the most visited archeological site in Mexico. Tulum is a particularly impressive site, perched high atop limestone cliffs that reach far down beneath the turquoise waters of the Caribbean below.

Tulum used to be a very important center of commerce and a place of pilgrimage. Only 78 miles south of Cancun, the walled city of Tulum was the first Mayan community sighted by the Spanish in the 16th century.

Attractions in Riviera MayaThere are a number of structures in Tulum, but El Castillo is the most important. At one time it functioned as a lighthouse, guiding ships through the treacherous reefs that lie offshore. Another interesting structure at Tulum is the Temple of the Frescoes with its wall paintings, on which the original pigment used to stain the carved figures can still be seen. Tulum is the only walled archeological site discovered on the coast to date and is a must see attraction in the Riviera Maya.

Puerto Morelos
Just over 19 miles south of Cancun, this small fishing village is mainly frequented for its car ferry service to Cozumel Island. So far Puerto Morelos has escaped the coastal development that continues elsewhere along the Cancun-Tulum corridor (the old name for the Riviera Maya) and retains a low-key, relaxed atmosphere with seafood restaurants, limited accommodation, and an enticing offshore reef for snorkelers and divers. The beautiful, tranquil beaches with pristine waters and white sand of Puerto Morelos, in the northern region of the state of Quintana Roo, are the beginning of the majestic length of the Riviera Maya's beach that are ideal for travelers looking for tranquility.

Puerto Aventuras
One of the places ideal to go diving and explore the calm waters of the Caribbean Sea, is without a doubt, Puerto Aventuras. This town has a modern marina called San Carlos, where numerous boats arrive and where it is possible to organize trips lasting between an hour and a full day of deep sea fishing or sailing.

Akumal
This beautiful bay was the first resort to be developed in the Riviera Maya. It has grown considerably since its beginnings in the 1950's as an exclusive resort for scuba divers, yet continues to maintain an unhurried, relaxed atmosphere. There are no sunsets more stunning in the Mexican Caribbean than the ones offered on Akumal beaches, located 22 miles south of Playa del Carmen. Akumal means ''place of turtles'' in Mayan and it is here where annually, during the summer months, hundreds of green and loggerhead turtles arrive to lay their eggs on the beach. This heavenly bay is protected by exotic offshore reefs, ideal for diving. If you continue walking one mile north, you will find another magnificent bay named Media Luna (Half Moon) and a little bit farther north there is the gorgeous Yalku Bay. If you are looking for the perfect place for your next dream vacation then look no further, come to Akumal.

Kantenah Bay
This bay has its own coral reef with thousands of colorful fish and direct access to a pier. Kantenah Bay has 2.5 miles of white beaches, ideal for a relaxing siesta in a hammock under the shade of the palm trees. Enjoy the sea breeze while walking on the quiet and always cool beaches. If you continue walking south, approximately one mile, you will find a small but extraordinary bay named Xcaac, with its crystal clear calm waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are also small restaurants available in this area.

Xpu-Ha
Surrounded by luxury hotels and charming beaches, Xpu-Ha is nestled in amongst the exuberant jungle, beside white sand beaches like talc and shallow turquoise waters that allow you to enjoy a wide variety of waters sports. Xpu-Ha also has a bay, a lagoon and a crystal clear cenote, all of them located in the north of the area.

Coba
This ancient archeological site was constructed between two lakes, spanning more than 50 square miles of structures and history. The main pyramid, Nohoch Muul, is the tallest in the entire Yucatan Peninsula, standing 138 feet tall and overlooking the tropical jungle.

Cenotes
There are hundreds of cenotes (freshwater sinkholes) all over the Yucatan Peninsula, especially in the Riviera Maya. In this stunning natural region the cenotes, a word derived from the Mayan language, have to be mentioned because of their special characteristics and for the fact that they are great fun to swim or dive in. Some of the best cenotes are Taj Majal, Ponderosa, Dos Ojos, Calavera, Cristal, Escondido and the Gran Cenote, as well as the still unexplored Ruta de los Cenotes (Route of the Cenotes), Definitely, one of the best natural attractions in the Riviera Maya.

Xel-Ha
This eco-park is considered the biggest natural aquarium in the world. Shaped by a huge estuary and featuring charming scenery with hundreds of tropical fish, it is also known for its small Mayan vestiges and its many cenotes and caverns. Restaurants, showers and locker rooms are available.

Xcaret
The most important eco-archeological park in Mexico is in the Riviera Maya, just 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen. Xcaret is a park with a myriad of attractions that exhibits the richness of Mexico, but especially the Mayan culture. Exuberant vegetation and exotic native fauna, archeological tours, water activities such as swimming and snorkeling in its attractive inlet, underground rivers and refreshing lagoons, as well as the opportunity to have the unique experience of swimming with the dolphins, are just some of the fantastic activities on offer. In the evening, the entertainment continues with the magical ''Night Show'', featuring the best selection of culture, music and regional dances of Mexico.

Aktun Chen
Just 33 miles south of Playa del Carmen and 10 miles before Tulum, you will find the underground paradise of Aktun Chen, which roughly translates to ''cavern with a cenote inside''. It is a natural park spanning 988 acres of virgin jungle. The main attractions of the park are a 1968 feet deep cavern full of amazing formations, such as stalactites and stalagmites, and a fascinating 39 ft deep cenote with pristine fresh water.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere
Heading south, travelers arrive at the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Natural Reserve, also known as "the place where the sky begins". It is an area of 1,309,659 acres comprised of rain forest, lakes, swamps, coastal ponds, bays and reefs; all of which are home to the natural habitat of thousands of animal species, such as jaguars and pumas, white-tail deer, crocodiles, howler and spider monkeys and an astonishing 345 species of birds. The roughly 1,000 inhabitants, who live in the reserve, still make their living from fishing. There are tours to the natural reserve every day, which include a three hour boat-trip.

Diving
One of the favorite activities for visitors is scuba diving on the Great Maya Reef, the second-largest in the world. Stretching almost the entire length of the Riviera Maya, it features more than seventy places to view the wide variety of reef formations. The spectacular tropical marine life here is unique and unforgettable. Also in this area, there is the exclusive and captivating fascination of the Mexican Caribbean in itself, along with the subterranean aquatic world of this Mayan territory, where underground rivers wind gently beneath the surface thus creating thousands of cenotes, making this one of the most popular places for cavern diving.

Golf
In recent years golf has become one of the main attractions in the Riviera Maya, due to its wide variety of exquisite golf courses along the 75 miles of coastline. Great golfers and designers have constructed golf courses in the Riviera Maya, such as Jack Nicklaus with his Moon Spa & Golf Club and The Mayan Resort; Greg Norman with El Camaleon Mayakoba, Robert von Hagge with Bahia Principe Golf Resort, Robert Trent Jones Jr. with Playacar Spa & Golf Club and Thomas Leman with Puerto Aventuras Golf Resort.

Fishing
Fishing in the Rivera Maya is simply spectacular. In the turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean there exists two types of fishing, deep sea fishing and fishing in shallow waters. The main species that you can catch in deep waters, year round, are snapper, wahoos, mackerel, sharks and barracudas, and March through June, sailfish, marlins, tuna and dorados are in abundance. During the months of April and May the possibilities of catching sailfish become even greater.

John Gray in Puerto Morelos
Chef John Gray brought to the Riviera Maya his knowledge and original recipes in order to enrich the dining alternatives in Puerto Morelos. This lovely beach town, located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, less than half hour away from each city, is home to two of John Gray's restaurants. One is on the seafront, called La Suegra de John Gray, and the other is right in the heart of the town, called John Gray's Kitchen.

Both offer diners enticing dishes that showcase the extraordinary seafood of this Caribbean shore combined with Mexican ingredients such as tequila, habanero and chipotle peppers or topped with exotic sauces like sweet mango salsa.

El Pequeno Buenos Aires
Located on the main street of the booming, popular town of Tulum, this restaurant is a magnificent option to enjoy exquisite soups, salads, and steaks served in generous, mouthwatering portions. The restaurant has a relaxed, casual atmosphere with an enthusiastic and friendly staff. You can accompany your favorite Argentinean specialty with a full-bodied wine from the list and savor a decadent dessert.

After your meal, have a relaxing conversation while drinking freshly brewed coffee and enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of Tulum.

Spending a vacation close to nature and the warm transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea or touring through the dense jungle aren't the only distinctive features of the Riviera Maya. Night is also an enchanting time in the Riviera Maya, as the discos, bars and restaurants in the many cities and towns come alive, keeping those who love nightlife well and truly entertained.

If you're lucky enough to be vacationing in the Riviera Maya during a full moon, then don't miss out on the celebrations where locals and visitors alike gather on the beach, around the cenotes (freshwater sinkholes) and in the bars and discos to pay tribute to the heavenly body that inspired the Maya.

The large all inclusive resorts located throughout the Riviera Maya have different theme nights, with dinners, shows and lots of entertaining contests and dances to participate in. If you want a 'wilder' time, then you can always drive up to Playa del Carmen or Cancun and experience all that these world-class tourist destinations have to offer.

The concept of a tourist destination usually includes a variety of stores selling souvenirs and products that are unique to that area. And the Riviera Maya, with its myriad of shopping opportunities, is no exception.

The handicrafts of the region are famous all over the world for their originality and colorful shapes and there are also lots of wonderful art galleries and jewelry stores, especially in Playa del Carmen, where you can find unique pieces encrusted with both precious and semiprecious stones. The stones of the Yucatan peninsula are very famous for their quality, in particular the amethysts, opals, onyx and turquoise. Engraved bracelets, necklaces and silver earrings are also very popular handcrafted items.

The stores in the Riviera Maya have a wide variety of intriguing items including hats, woolen serapes, cotton hammocks, Mayan liquor called Xtabentun, and colorful wraps with very creative printed designs. There are also many artists and craftsmen in the streets offering their unique work for very good prices. Some of the most representative items from the region are the uniquely 'Caribbean' Guayabera shirts, with their expertly embroidered designs, perfect for the beach.