The things to do in Riviera Maya have always been known for its natural wonders, from an adventurous diving scene, warm and turquoise waters surrounded by swaying palm trees, to fantastic archeological sightseeing, the whole destination is plain magical and perfect for a family vacation!
If you want to visit white sand beaches, freshen up in crystal clear cenote waters, swim with dolphins, and just have the time of your life, then keep reading, here you will find the top things to do in Riviera Maya! Here is our list:
Beaches
Mexico is well-loved as a beach destination and if you’re headed to the Riviera Maya, you definitely cannot miss the beaches.
Some beaches to put on your list are: Puerto Morelos, Xpu-Ha, and Xcacel.
Visiting Cenotes
A natural wonder will take your breath away with its crystal clear waters and lush greenery around, you’ll feel like you’ve entered a mystical paradise!
Cenotes, a.k.a. as sinkholes, only exist in two places in the whole world, Mexico being one, so you cannot miss this unique opportunity. There are several cenotes you might encounter from Puerto Morelos up to the Akumal area, take in mind you can arrange a tour or do your own cenote itinerary and explore by your own.
Snorkeling With Turtles
An activity that’s available all year round, this is an awesome way to see sea turtles in the wild.
You can go to Akumal and do the activity on your own or, for a hassle-free day, consider taking a guided trip. Is also important to remember that this is a natural activity, so you much be very respectful, you are in their home, please be a good guest and don’t disturb the turtles.
Tulum Archaeological Ruins
As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog, the Riviera Maya boasts fantastic archeological sightseeing, and this includes the Tulum area as one of the top places to be and be seen.
Thanks to its unique location, situated on a cliffside overlooking the pristine blue Caribbean, Tulum is a pretty popular spot to explore and marvel at ancient Mayan history. We recommend you to find a guide, they are experts in the history of Tulum and they will explain to you every detail.
Swim with Dolphins
Swimming with dolphins is ranked as one of the top things you cannot miss while in Riviera Maya and you might ask why? Simply because it’s a one-of-a-kind experience, we think everyone must live at least once in a lifetime!
Amidst Tulum and Akumal, —Akumal’s natural reservation area is located about 20 miles north from Tulum Mayan ruins and about 20 miles south from downtown Playa del Carmen — Dolphin Discovery Tulum Akumal habitat lies surrounded by jungle-like paths and a warm tropical breeze that promises a perfect paradise to enjoy this activity by your own, in couples or family.
Under the proper guidance of experienced specialists, you are able to interact with dolphins and see the natural behavior of these beautiful and intelligent marine mammals, in addition, there are adventure tours and recreational opportunities to satisfy every moment of your vacation in Riviera Maya.
Swim With Dolphins Packages
| Packages | Adults (13+) | Childs (6 – 12) | Infants (-5) |
| Dolphin Encounter | $99 | $89 | FREE* |
| Swim Adventure | $129 | $89 | FREE* |
| Royal Swim | $159 | $89 | FREE* |
*Kids must swim with a paying adult
These were our top 5 things to do in Riviera Maya! The perfect list for you to enjoy the beaches, sightsee famous ruins, and interact with dolphins without rushing too much.
Make sure to relax and enjoy these experiences during your Riviera Maya travel. Is there any other thing you would like to add to our list? Let us know in the comment section below!