The Riviera Maya is one of the most fascinating destination spots in the world. Tropical beaches, ancient ruins, abundant marine and wildlife abound. The Great Mayan Reef is the largest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. The Riviera Maya offers an unrivaled combination of high quality accommodations, relaxing beaches, and a wide diversity of shopping, dining, and nightlife. There are also a number of opportunities for travelers to learn about ancient cultures and visit timeless architectural ruins.
Playa Del Carmen, or "Playa" as the locals call it is about an hour's drive from the airport. Playa is the regional capital. It is a bustling beach town filled with excitement and unique experiences. You can enter one of the many beautiful restaurants for a healthy delicious sampling of Mexican or international cuisine. There are numerous jewelry stores and arts and crafts stores.
The beaches at Playa are excellent and perfect for children. You can catch the ferry to Cozumel where the snorkeling and diving is world famous. If you wish to snorkel there are some coral reefs just north of Contituyentes avenue.
Something not to be missed is the Xaman-Ha aviary. A colorful array of tropical birds including macaws, toucans, flamingos and parrots can be found here in their natural habitat. The botanical garden covers almost 4 acres and also contains cenotes. Cavernas Sache, a beautiful cavern filled with stalagmites and stalactites is also located in Xaman-Ha.
Puerto Adventuras is an exclusive resort community boasting the only full-service marina between Cancun and Belize. Cozy restaurants and interesting shops line the marina's edge. Sailboats, fishing charters and yachts anchor in its deep blue water. There are also many beautiful restaurants for a delicious Mexican or international cuisine. There are all the beach activities one would expect like windsurfing, snorkeling and ski-jets. You can also visit the Cedam Museum, which houses various artifacts from sunken ships along the reefs.
Akumal has beautiful beaches and is a perfect place to either stay local or use to launch numerous adventures. Many of the beaches are natural beaches however many have white sand areas for children and swimmers. This is a great place for snorkelers especially if you want to see sea turtles. Activities in the area include diving, snorkeling, game fishing and the Akumal Ecological Center.
There are two important places with the same name, the Mayan ruins and the town of Tulum. The town is small but has many restaurants, bars and hotels. There are some nice hotels in the area and many miles of white sandy beaches. Also the beach resorts are secluded and not as busy as Playa del Carmen. Tulum town is also close to the ruin sites of Coba and Muyil.
There is a small market and many little shops located downtown Playa del Carmen where you can purchase Mexican garments, authentic silver or any other crafts. There are also many shops and markets located downtown Cancun. Main malls and shopping centers are Plaza Caracol, Plaza Kukulkan, and Plaza Flamingo. The ride takes approximately 45 minutes
There are discos located at some of the hotels on the Mayan Coast and in Playa del Carmen. There are many restaurants and bars located downtown Cancun that can be reached by taxi or bus from the Mayan Sun Coast. Some famous places to visit downtown Cancun include: All Star Café, Coco Bongo, Christine, Dady'o, Hard Rock Café and Planet Hollywood.
A Riviera Maya vacation would be your unique experience!