Small mini-vans called colectivos zip along Highway 307 between Cancun and Tulum all day long. One of the most adventurous things to do in Riviera Maya is to hit Xplor. These are bucket list activities no matter whether you dig nature, culture or adventure. requirements and products which are best suited to help you realise your dream projects. As you can see in the video , this activity tends to attract, um, older folks. But a few steep-walled pyramids remain, entangled by vines. Sail on the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, stop to snorkel at a reef abundant with marine life, and enjoy free time to shop and swim on the beautiful Isla Mujeres. 3) Xcaret Total Admission tops up the plus ticket with premium activities like a SeaTrek walk on the seabed or Snuba. For nature lovers, one of the cool things to do in the Riviera Maya is to visit the Jardin Botanico Dr. Alfredo Barrer Marin. Your beach chair is positioned just so under a palm tree to take in the cerulean sea. If youre a yogi, youll love doing yoga at Sanara Tulum. Be aware: This Riviera Maya water park is not all-inclusive. We offer activities for all ages: For kids, adults and for families. There is a new pool area with fun things like live music and other creative services running all the time. diane@grandmayan.net, All names, images and information regarding Grand Mayan, Vidanta Grupo Vidanta The Estates Grand Luxxe Residence described in GrandMayan.net are protected by copyright and are registered trademarks of a third party which is not affiliated or related in any way with GrandMayan.net. Weve done ziplining before (in Thailand, Canada and elsewhere in Mexico). Other resorts use a network of boats to collect the sargassum offshore, or install an offshore barrier, to prevent the seaweed from washing up on the beach. We wont give you spam Family-friendly, Xcaret also has a lovely stretch of white sand beach with calm waters (beach chairs are available). There are hammocks and lounge chairs and it is my favorite spot on the resort. Housing, GRC No, not the famous 5th Avenue in NYC. The best time to visit the Riviera Maya is between late November and early March. If you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. really had to be strong-armed not to whimp out of the ziplining at Xplor. This adventure park istheplace for ziplining in Riviera Maya. Zihuatanejo | Heres all you need to know about the beaches in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa. Of all the top things to do in Riviera Maya,snorkeling or floating in the crystal clear waters of a cenote (or three cenotes!) Make use of a pool bar and beachfront section exclusive to all-inclusive day pass guests. Because of its relatively remote location, buried in the humid rainforest, Muyil is visited by far fewer people than Tulum. Heck, its funjust to watch. You can swim there, too, if you pay a fee upon arrival. Theyre the largest fish in the sea some are larger than 40 feet long. And check whats open before your trip. Immerse yourself in the marine magnificence of Mexicos waters on this spectacular small-group adventure. Plus, youll visit the colonial city of Valladolid, enjoy a buffet lunch, and swim in Cenote. This all-inclusive pass to Paradise Beach lets you hang out all day at one of Cozumels best beach clubs. You do have to be a Grand Luxxe or Grand Bliss guest to access the beach club. There are two passenger-only ferries to Cozumel: They leave from the ferry dock in Playa del Carmen. The day's itinerary includes: horseback riding, ATV tour, zip line circuit, suspension bridge, spider web climbing, swimming in an interactive cenote, lunch and refreshing drinks. The black poisonwood trees are the ones to be wary of. We'll have to look into this further! What are the best tours in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan? Just be sure to save room for the quartet of desserts from a coconut jam pudding to a sinful chocolate confection, served in a surprising dish. It's been so long since we've visited Tulum I can't even remember. Have a great insight to the Mayan culture with this full day guided tour and choose the option that suits you best. But we saw many eagles, ibises, pelicans, herons and other birds in the mangroves, and the natural lazy river experience was novel and fun! There a dozens of activities organized by the resort. You can also get it by downloading the Vidanta App. Youll want to figure out the best time to go for you, decide on where you want to stay and know how to get around. Explore Xel-Ha Park, the Riviera Maya's stunning natural aquarium, on this all-day trip from Cancun. Wrap up the days activities with a tequila tasting. We drooled over the Grand Velas. The bull shark diving sounds like an interesting experience. This tour includes entrance fees, a buffet lunch, and door-to-door transport from hotels in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. A BBQ rib dinner buffet is included. How would you like to snorkel with one of the most amazing underwater creatures? At the end of another zipline, you splash down into acenote. 7) Get your thrills at Xplor Rivera Maya, 16) Swim with whale sharks in Isla Holbox, 18) Tootle around Isla Mujeres in a golf cart, 22) Visit the botanical gardens at Puerto Morelos, Where to stay | Best time to visit | Transportation, Weve written about all the top things do in Mexico, and weve visited Mexico on many trips. Lets start right in the middle. management and team of expert engineers, we are ever ready to create STRUCTURES FOR THE But theres more to Cancun than just the beach. A Maya shaman blessed us first, then we snorkeled in the dark (underwater flashlights in hand) behind our guide through astonishingly beautiful freshwater caves. On Halfmoon Bay near Akumal, La Buena Vida is the coolest beach club for adults as well as families. The other option for swimming with whale sharks in Cancun is to catch an early morning bus from Cancun to Chiquila (a ride of about 3+ hours), then the ferry (1/2-hour ride) to Isla Holbox and take your whale sharktour from the island. One of the most unique Riviera Maya tourist attractions is the Museo Subacuatico de Arte or MUSA, found off the coast of Cancun. Enjoy two daily happy hours, live music every night at the hotel lobby bars, and nightly entertainment surprises with some destinations offering: There is plenty of adventure here for the whole family, with nature walks through the jungle, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, para-sailing, nature conservation programs, and more with some destinations offering: Phone: (602) 791-1474 (textable) Weve actually written a whole post about the 30+ best luxury hotels in Tulum. Grand Rapids, MI 49512. Luxury travel journalists and SATW, NATJA and TMAC Best Travel Blog award winners, Janice and George are the publishers of Sand In My Suitcase. The choices are almost endless, Your email address will not be published. Heres a good affordable small group tour of Chichen Itza that includes a cenote swim and visit to the colonial city of Valladolid as well. Theres no doubt that Cancun is famous for its white sand beaches. Guarantee your entry to Playa del Carmens Xcaret eco-archeological park by booking your entrance ticket in advance. This tiny laidback island is just across the Bay of Women from Cancun. See also this all-day tour from Cancun, which includes the night show and transportation from Cancun. We are huge snorkel fans and this trip is a pretty good trip and reasonably inexpensive. The Mayan Riviera (or Riviera Maya) refers to the 100-mile stretchof coastline on the Yucatan Peninsula, running just south ofCancun to Tulum and beyond. There are various dance lessons scheduled throughout the week. Here in this post, we highlight our favorite things to do on the Mayan Riviera. Do you go ga-ga over gorgeous beaches? Thanks! Found near the small beach town of Puerto Morelos, these botanical gardens comprise 160 acres of medicinal plants, an orchid garden, 300-year-old trees, native palms and other plants and bushes. Youll find the ADO bus quite comfortable. If youd like to go on a guided tour, this highly-rated Tulum, Sea Turtles and Cenotes day trip combines the Tulum ruins and a cenote swim with snorkeling with the Akumal sea turtles. Many visitors book their tour from Cancun (or Playa del Carmen), where they stay. You can only see these sculptures by scuba diving, snorkeling or going out on a glass bottom boat. We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about. white sand beaches, and there are places to stay in Isla Holbox. Great content about Mexico! ), More cenotes? That was a particularly good working trip to get us out and about exploring what to do in the Mayan Riviera. is our #1 pick. Theyre made of materials that encourage coral reefs to grow, so sea life can find new places to thrive. See different Xplor tickets and tours here. But theres a heavy emphasis on water activities, so youll find underground rivers and caves for snorkeling. Explore mangroves by boardwalk, cross a suspension bridge and keep your eyes peeled for monkeys. We booked our daytrip with Sian Kaan Community Tours (based in Tulum). Authorized Solution Partner of NestIN by Tata Steel. Watch for monkeys, birdlife, and butterflies as you stroll through the jungle at Xcaret and take tours of the ancient Mayan archaeological sites. Snuggled deep in the jungle, Chichen Itza is about a 2-hour drive from Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Combining nature with history, culture, and cuisine, Xcaret boasts more than 40 attractions that guarantee a fun-filled family day out. So we jetted off to the fabled Caribbean coastline and set to work to specifically experienceall the wonderful things to do in the Yucatan. We do! At some resorts, hotel workers bury the seaweed in the sand to make the beaches prettier to look at. You bet! You can take a colectivo to get there (see Transportation below). Add a great salsa bar (try the pineapple habanero salsa), ice-cold Mexican beer, friendly staff, decent prices and a great location on the beach this Mexican food joint is the perfect taqueria! Several local towns and resorts in the Riviera Maya have sweat lodges and offer a version of the Temazcal. There are also water stretching classes. (Tulum indeed, the whole Riviera Maya is among the best warm escapes in January, when the winter weather in North America and Europe is particularly miserable.). Be sure to get the dinner with the show, the food is Fantastico! It was the best meal we had the entire week. It takes extensive experience and thorough expertise to mitigate glitches and achieve the desired results within the stipulated timeframe. Since 2015, we have been steadily progressing in the field of innovative infrastructure development. We know this Mexico vacation area well and can point you in the right directions! Setting up community facilities demands prudence! But weve also visited Cancun, Tulum, the off-shore island of Cozumel and other areas in and around the Yucatan Peninsula on our own holidays. Lounge on deck as music plays and gaze at the coast, or stop to snorkel and laze on a beach, if time allows. On this full-day trip from Cancun to Xcaret, swim in a lagoon, snorkel in the clear aqua waters of the Caribbean, and discover a network of subterranean rivers. Thanks for letting us know :-). Visit to Chichn Itz, Cenote and Valladolid with free time to enjoy the place, buy souvenirs, take photos, etc. One of the fun things to do in Playa del Carmen is to go stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). The natural wonders of Sian Kaan are a far cry from the big adventure theme parks like Xcaret and Xplor in the Riviera Maya. Thanks for some ideas for one of the best places on earth. For an upscale personally-tailored Temazcal, wed suggest theMayan-inspired Wayak Spaat theViceroy Riviera Maya. Combine a jungle zipline course, off-road ATV experience, and a cenote swim on a small-group adventure tour from Cancun to Extreme Adventure Eco Park. Escape for the day to Xcaret, Mexico's ecological and archeology park located in Riviera Maya. Yes this is me ! Great pictures, like always. A thriving beach town, Playa del Carmen is the areas shopping and restaurant hub. Weve organized them around the main hubs of Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Its no hardship though at Hotel Bardo, where rooms come with private pools and open-air showers. Enhance your experience of one of the New7Wonders of the World with this unique access tour of Chichen Itza, available only on Viator and Tripadvisor. Your package includes drinks and snorkeling gear; marine fees are payable in cash on the day. Allow yourself to be mesmerized by the story of an alchemist and his granddaughter seeking out the secrets of life. With thorough expertise of our top Your email address will not be published. Then get yourself to Taqueria La Eufemia. Akumal Bay is about 16 miles north of Tulum on Highway 307. Unfortunately, the last time we visited, a brown seaweed called sargassum had invaded many of the Riviera Mayas shores. Sac-Actun is the worlds longest underground river andcenotesystem, mapped byNational Geographiccave divers. Join the journey! But a section is open for sustainable tourism exploration. There are many little bike rental stands around. Snorkel through the coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, visit the Tulum archeological site, and swim in a cenote, then explore a limestone cave and take a jungle walk. Technically, the beach is public and free. After 5 to 10 minutes of basic instruction, youll be upright and paddling like pro! Your party cruise includes unlimited drinks and a buffet lunch of fish, chicken, pasta, and salad. All-you-can-eat delicious meals and bottomless drinks await you, making this the perfect vacation experience. World Nomads | Never travel without insurance! Colony, Modular After the sun sets, enjoy folkloric entertainment that highlights the ancient Mayan culture around Cancun, Mexico. If youre a nature lover or just want to get away from the main tourist attractions put Sian Kaan on your list of must-do Riviera Maya activities. Also, we use affiliate links. We recommend the drink with mezcal and jalapeno. Things might have changed in the meantime, but we have already seen this area so many times that we don't feel like going back. These hidden gems in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan may have limited interaction with crowds: Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan, Punta Sur Eco Beach Park (Faro Celerain Ecological Reserve) Tours & Tickets, See more Virtual Experiences around the globe, Chichen Itza, Cenote and Valladolid All-Inclusive Tour, Best ATV Tour, Ziplines and Cenote Swim with Lunch and Transport Included, 3-in-1 Discovery Combo Tour: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling Plus Cenote and Caves, Mr. Sanchos Beach Club All-Inclusive Day Pass, Priority Access: Xcaret Day Trip + Night Show + Transportation, Priority Access: Xplor Adventure Park with Hotel Pick up and Drop Off, Small-Group Eco Friendly: Whale Sharks tour in Cancun & Riviera Maya, ATV, Ziplines and Cenote Tour at Extreme Adventure Eco Park Cancun, Chichen Itza English Tour, Buffet Lunch, Cenote,Tequila tasting & Valladolid, Hip Hop Sessions Boat Party Cancun (Adults only), Sailing Experience to Isla Mujeres in a Catamaran with Open Bar, Horseback riding in Cancun, ATV, zip lines, cenote, lunch, drinks and transfer, ATV Jungle Adventure with Ziplines, Cenote & Tequila Tasting, Xplor Fuego Nighttime Adventure with Transportation, Private 46 ft Yacht Rental in Cancun Bay 23P7, Jet Ski + Cancun Seaside Parasailing Combo Tour with transportation, Xcaret Park Full-Day Entry Ticket with Night Show included, Paradise Beach Exclusive All-Inclusive Day Pass, From Cancun: Adult-Only Cancun Party Cruise to Isla Mujeres, Cozumel Snorkeling Tour: Palancar, Columbia and El Cielo Reefs, Viator Exclusive: Chichen Itza Unique Entry, Buffet Lunch & Cenote English Tour, Priority Access: Xel-H All-Inclusive Day Trip with Transportation, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve Tours & Tickets, Cancun Scenic Tower (Torre Escnica) Tours & Tickets, Celestun Biosphere Reserve Tours & Tickets, Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) Tours & Tickets, Palapas Park (Parque Las Palapas) Tours & Tickets, Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park Tours & Tickets, Royal Castle (Castillo Real) Tours & Tickets, Mayan Ruins of Coba (Zona Arqueolgica de Cob) Tours & Tickets, El Caracol (Zona Arqueolgica El Caracol) Tours & Tickets, CoCo Bongo Playa del Carmen Tours & Tickets, Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower (Sears Tower), Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Tours and Tickets, Pearl Harbor National Memorial Tours and Tickets, Art Institute of Chicago Tours and Tickets, Aquarium of the Pacific Tours and Tickets, Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Tours and Tickets. Trying to decide between different Mexican hot spots? There are still more great Yucatan Peninsula activities to enjoy. Photo credits: 14, 23 to 27 Janice and George Mucalov, SandInMySuitcase. resort destinations, attracting an international mix of European and North American visitors. Youll be spoiled for choice when it comes to interesting things to do around Cancun! What about Cancun vs Puerto Vallarta? Hop into the water to snorkel at a reef location teeming with vibrantly hued fish. Stop to snorkel and swim in the warm blue-green waters or stay on board and keep dancing. And the cost is only a few dollars for a couple of hours. Convenient roundtrip transportation from your hotel. Components. This tour is family-friendly and includes round-trip transportation to Xel-Ha from Cancun. They can also refer you to a guide and equipment rentals. Youll want to plan your Cozumel day trip for a day when there are no cruise ships in port in Cozumel, so you dont have to share the island with thousands of other day-trippers. As for all-inclusive options, Secrets Silversands and the Hyatt Zilara Cancun are among the other best all-inclusive resorts in the Cancun and Riviera Maya area. Perfect for party animals, this 7-hour cruise to Isla Mujeres from Cancun includes an open bar and live entertainment guaranteed to get you in the party mood. Home / Adventure Travel / 22 Totally Awesome Things to Do in Riviera Maya, Mexico. You need solutions that are more sturdy, durable, and long-lasting which ask for a lot of innovation. A fun way to see the area is to gobiking in Tulum. Lunch and refreshing drinks with rest area Between them, theyve traveled to all 7 continents. The show draws on the heritage and history of Mexico to weave the story, presented in an intimate dinner theatre in the jungle of the Riviera Maya. If you can tear yourself away from your little piece of tropical paradise, even just for a day or two, you wont regret it. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. Immerse yourself in the jungle of Puerto Morelos on a half-day tour with convenient roundtrip transportation from your Cancun, Costa Mujeres and Riviera Maya hotel to Playa del Carmen. It offers yoga in Tulum two or three times a day, and its 90-minute classes are open to outside guests. It didnt bother us though. stay overnight on Isla Holbox to do their whale shark tour there. Were Janice and George. Ziplining? stratagem or our kryptonite. This post is just the tip of the iceberg. Based on our booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, this experience is likely to sell out through Viator. Discover great travel, tour and car rental companies. Well, there are near Playa del Carmen. One beach we noticed that didnt have any seaweed issues was the beach below Tulums Mayan ruins. Hi, love your blog! With white sand beaches lapped by azure waters, Tulum is paradise for beach bums!