The best things to do in Riviera Maya happen beyond the resort pool. This Caribbean coastline stretches from Puerto Morelos to Tulum, where ancient ruins meet turquoise waters and the Mayan jungle opens into sacred cenotes.
Between these landmarks lies one of the world's greatest barrier reefs, home to sea turtles and kaleidoscopic marine life. The region's greatest adventures happen when you trade poolside comfort for jungle trails, underwater caves, and ancient Maya temples.
Within an hour of Playa del Carmen, you can swim through limestone caves, snorkel alongside green sea turtles in protected bays like Akumal, or stand where Maya priests once performed ceremonies on clifftop temples. The real Riviera Maya reveals itself when you choose exploration over relaxation.
Discover the Clifftop Ruins of Tulum
Tulum functioned as an independent Maya city-state and major maritime trading port from the 13th to 15th centuries. The city was positioned on 12-meter cliffs overlooking the Caribbean, controlling coastal trade routes carrying jade, obsidian, and ceremonial cacao throughout the Maya world.
El Castillo stands as Tulum's largest structure, a pyramid temple positioned dramatically on the cliff edge. The Temple of the Frescoes features interior murals depicting Maya deities, while the Temple of the Descending God displays a winged figure diving from above, possibly representing Venus.
Tulum was still inhabited when Spanish ships arrived in 1518, making it one of the last functioning Maya cities.
The Tulum, Yal Kú & Cenote Cave Tour pairs the ruins with snorkeling at Yal Kú Lagoon and a refreshing cenote swim.
Snorkel the Mesoamerican Reef
The Mesoamerican Reef stretches nearly 1,000 kilometers from Mexico through Central America. It's the second-largest coral reef system in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef, and it runs right along the Riviera Maya coast.
Puerto Morelos offers accessible reef snorkeling without the crowds. The town sits about 30 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, where the reef lies protected within a national marine park. The protected area contains over 65 species of stony coral and more than 500 species of fish.
Expect to see parrotfish grazing on coral, rays gliding over sandy patches, and schools of tropical fish creating moving walls of color. Wear sun-protective clothing like long-sleeve swim shirts and consider a wide-brimmed hat for boat time between snorkel stops.
The Puerto Morelos Catamaran Snorkeling Adventure combines sailing with underwater exploration, letting you relax between snorkel sessions while the boat repositions to different reef sections, including paddleboarding and time at a calm coastal spot near Punta Maroma.
Swim with Sea Turtles at Akumal
Akumal Bay sits about 45 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. The name means "Place of the Turtle" in Mayan, an accurate description of what makes this protected bay special.
Green sea turtles feed year-round on the seagrass beds that carpet Akumal's shallow waters. Snorkel here and you'll likely see these gentle creatures grazing just meters away. Sun-protective swimwear helps you stay comfortable during extended time in shallow water.
The bay operates within the federally protected Caribe Mexicano Biosphere Reserve, with regulations designed to protect the turtles from harassment. Responsible viewing means maintaining distance and never blocking a turtle's path.
Nearby Yal Kú Lagoon offers calm, shallow snorkeling perfect for families, where freshwater cenotes mix with ocean water to create unique conditions that attract diverse marine life. The Tulum, Turtles & Cenote Tour combines turtle snorkeling at Akumal with beachside lunch at our exclusive beach club and cenote swimming, creating a full-day adventure through the region's diverse aquatic environments.
Swim Through Sacred Cenotes
Thousands of cenotes dot the Yucatan Peninsula, formed when limestone bedrock collapsed to reveal underground rivers and cave systems. The ancient Maya considered these natural sinkholes sacred portals to the underworld.
Today, cenotes offer some of the most unique swimming spots on the planet. Some are open to the sky with jungle vines trailing into crystal-clear water. Others are enclosed caves where sunlight filters through openings in the rock, creating natural spotlights in the turquoise depths.
Water temperatures stay refreshingly cool year-round, a welcome contrast to the tropical heat above. Many cenotes feature underwater stalactites and root systems that create otherworldly landscapes for snorkeling.
The Cenote Cave & Yal Ku Lagoon tour takes you to experience an amazing cenote, and for those who want to pair cenote swimming with adrenaline, the ATV, Zipline & Cenote Adrenaline Tour stacks jungle thrills before a refreshing swim.
Chase Adventure Through the Jungle
The Mayan jungle surrounds every beach town in Riviera Maya, creating opportunities for adventure that have nothing to do with water. Ride ATVs through rugged trails where tropical canopy filters the sunlight. Zip across cables strung between platforms high above the forest floor.
These aren't manufactured theme park thrills. You're engaging with authentic tropical environments that have shaped life on the Yucatan Peninsula for millennia. The jungle here is dense, alive, and full of the kind of energy you don't find sitting by a pool.
The Cancun ATV & Cenote Adventure combines off-road riding with cenote swimming, giving you both the adrenaline rush and the cool-down. For a full day of action, the ATV, Zipline & Cenote Adrenaline Tour stacks multiple activities into one packed itinerary.
This is what you came to Mexico for. Real adventure that gets your heart pumping and leaves you with stories worth telling.
Explore the Jungle Ruins of Cobá
While Tulum draws crowds to its clifftop perch, Cobá offers a different kind of ruins experience. This ancient city sits surrounded by jungle about an hour inland from the coast, its structures rising from the forest floor like stone mountains.
Cobá was once one of the largest Maya cities, home to an estimated 50,000 people at its peak. The site is connected by sacbeob, ancient raised stone roads that linked Maya cities across the peninsula. Unlike many archaeological sites, Cobá retains a sense of discovery. Structures emerge gradually from the vegetation as you explore, echoing the feeling of first encounters centuries ago.
The Nohoch Mul pyramid stands as one of the tallest Maya structures in the Yucatan. After years of closure, the ascent to the main pyramid has reopened, inviting visitors to retrace an experience that had long been unavailable — a climb that culminates in sweeping views above the jungle canopy, where the vastness of the ancient city truly comes into perspective.
Walking paths and bike trails wind through the jungle between major structures, giving you time to appreciate the scale of this once-powerful Maya center.
The Coba & Mayan Cenote Tour includes round-trip transportation, a guided visit to the Coba ruins, a sacred shaman-led ritual, a swim in a crystal-clear cenote, and an authentic regional lunch.
Taste Your Way Through Playa del Carmen
The Riviera Maya's food scene goes far beyond resort buffets. Playa del Carmen has become a destination for travelers who want to eat like locals, from street-side taco stands to markets selling fresh ceviche and regional specialties.
The best way to navigate the scene is with someone who knows it. The Taco Tour takes you through Playa del Carmen at night, stopping at local spots for traditional tacos, handmade salsas, and tastings of pulque and tequila. You'll learn to make smoky tatemada salsa in a volcanic-stone molcajete and craft fresh margaritas.
The tour ends near Quinta Avenida, so you can continue exploring the pedestrian boulevard's restaurants and nightlife on your own.
Explore Riviera Maya on Your Own
Not every adventure requires a guide. The region rewards independent exploration for travelers who want to set their own pace.
Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen stretches for blocks parallel to the beach. Shops, restaurants, street performers, and nightlife line the avenue, creating a central gathering place that comes alive after sunset.
Punta Esmeralda is a local favorite in Playa del Carmen, where a freshwater cenote flows directly into the Caribbean. Free public access, shallow waters perfect for families, and the rare chance to float where cool cenote water mingles with warm ocean waves.
The Real Riviera Maya Awaits
Riviera Maya reveals its real character beyond the pool deck. Sacred cenotes, clifftop ruins, the world's second-largest barrier reef, and jungles thick with adventure all sit within easy reach of wherever you're staying.
These experiences require venturing beyond your resort, but the region rewards travelers who prioritize discovery. Whether you're drawn to ancient ruins, underwater caves, or Caribbean reefs, the adventure that matches your travel style is out there.
