The Riviera Maya has so much to offer that it is impossible to just go once and see everything: let's start in Cancun, an absolutely cosmopolitan place, with incredible beaches, luxurious hotels, world-class restaurants, bars and clubs that offer the best parties, popular as a destination for spring breakers, designer stores in impressive shopping centers ... and from there we travel more than 200 kilometers through the Caribbean to reach Tulum, full of Mayan ruins, which in its best time this civilization built pyramids, observatories for astronomical study , sacred places and huge stone amphitheaters for the ball game.


Hotel in Cancun, Mexico
Credit: Odin Reyna

When the Spanish arrived in these lands, they were impressed by the wealth of these. They sought to exploit this wealth, take the lands in the name of the King of Spain and convert the population to Christianity. After 300 years the indigenous people finally rebelled from the conquerors and achieved independence.

But the Riviera Maya had almost no inhabitants and only a few fishermen inhabited those lands. This was until the 1960s, when the Mexican government decided to develop tourism and that open secret that was the Riviera Maya was finally made known internationally. In 1976 an international airport was inaugurated in Cancun and since then the tourist and economic growth has not stopped.


Sian Ka'an Reserve, Mexico
Credit: twenty20photos

It is easy to understand this success: having jungle and sea at the same time, soft sand, clean and crystalline sea, the great diversity of flora and fauna, including endemic species, beautiful cenotes, reefs of coral, complex underwater river systems and much more, make this destination one of the best for any tourist. From the most veteran divers to children who just want to play on the shore of a friendly sea, the Riviera Maya has it all.

There is a lot to discover in the Riviera Maya, but we recommend you start by researching Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, Tulum, Cobá and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.


Cenote in Tulum, Mexico
Credit: twenty20photos

When you are ready to discover all these places physically, check our Hotels section, where you can find everything from the most luxurious to the eco-friendly, also visit the Restaurants; our selection ranges from typical Mayan to international food that will please the most demanding palates and don't forget the Activities section and find the ideal one for you.