Mexican Caribbean

Riviera Maya

I admit it openly… the Riviera Maya in Mexico has been one of my favorite travel destinations for many years. And I’m certainly not alone in this opinion.

More than a hundred kilometers of beach with fine, white sand and the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea with its beautiful turquoise blue waters await you here. In addition, there are countless hotels of all categories and price ranges, delicious restaurants, dreamlike nature, unique sights and an exciting nightlife.

It is not for nothing that the Riviera Maya is one of the hottest holiday destinations in the world.

INHALT

Why Allegro Playacar?
Cancun Zona Hotelera with lagoon and caribbean sea
Sunset at Tulum

Riviera Maya on the map

The region is located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico in the east of the Yucatan Peninsula. Politically, it’s actually in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The region stretches from Cancún in the north for more than 150 km to Tulum.

How to get there

Getting to the Riviera Maya is recommended by plane if you are coming from another country.

  • Cancún has a very well-developed international airport. It is served by airlines from all over the world.

  • In November 2023, a new international airport also opened in Tulum. It is not yet so well known. However, it is to be served by the airline Mexicana de Aviación, which was bought by the Mexican government in 2023 and is based in Mexico City.

Where to stay

Riviera Maya Seaside Resorts

The region is famous worldwide for its lively seaside resorts and beautiful beaches. From larger cities like Cancún or Playa del Carmen to smaller former fishing villages, everything can be found. The offer of accommodation ranges from luxury resorts and all-inclusive hotels to cozy guesthouses and cheap student accommodation. You are just spoilt for choice….

Getting around

If you want to travel to the Riviera Maya from another place on the Yucatan Peninsula or go on excursions in the region, you have several options.

  • Public buses have been the main means of transport in Mexico for many years. They are fast and comfortable, and apart from changing the bus, you have little stress. In addition, the tickets are very cheap. The most famous bus line is ADO – with it you can reach almost any place in Mexico. Tickets can be reserved online in advance.

  • Rental cars are a very popular option, as they allow you to be truly independent. However, the length of the journeys is often underestimated, and signage of the route is a rather rare phenomenon in the hinterland.

  • From 2024, Tren Maya will offer a rail network that will connect many places throughout the Yucatan Peninsula that are still little known to tourists. They are all unique and have a lot to offer. The tickets are not expensive, and this way of traveling is really convenient and environmentally friendly.

  • Depending on the size, you can easily get around the various villages on foot, by bike, by bus or taxi.

Activities

What to see?

On a vacation in the Riviera Maya, activities on the beach and in the water are usually the focus of attraction. Sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, diving and much more are simply part of the game. Apart from that, there is an incredible amount of things to discover.

  • The ruins of ancient Mayan cities are scattered throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Every single one of them is worth a visit.

  • Then there are a variety of beautiful, colonial cities in the neighboring state of Yucatan. Each of them has a history that spans the centuries. The ambiance of these places is truly an experience. And many of them have so far been off the beaten track of large hordes of tourists.

  • The nature of the Riviera Maya is also worth a trip in itself. In addition to the dreamlike beaches, there are large nature reserves with dense, green jungle, lagoons full of life, the largest known system of underground rivers in the world and a unique flora and fauna.

  • Not to mention some excellent adventure parks that offer unforgettable adventures.

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Know before you go

Weather

The temperature in the Riviera Maya is around 26/30° C (78-86° F) all year round. The humidity is very high, and most of the time the sun is shining. When it rains, the showers are usually short and heavy – and soon make way for the sun again.

Best time to visit

The high season falls in the months of December to April. Then it’s a bit less hot, and it rains very rarely. However, the prices are also the highest then. The hurricane season falls in the months of June to November. During this time, it can rain more often – but usually only briefly and intensively.

Currency

Mexican Peso. In many places, you can also pay with American dollars or euros. However, you should refrain from doing so – there is usually no change, and the exchange rate is not favorable. The best thing to do is to get the Mexican pesos at the ATM.

Language

Spanish. The locals and employees in the tourist resorts usually speak English as well.  In the Mayan villages in the hinterland, however, the language of the Maya is still often spoken. There are also people there who do not understand Spanish, but only the Mayan language.