Guide to Riviera Maya

'Swaying coconut palms, immaculate beaches and sun-baked ruins – the Riviera Maya puts you in touch with a slower, more genuine Mexico.'

Grab that sombrero. If you want your beach with a frisson of authentic Mexico on the side, this is a winner. This 30-kilometre slice of Yucatan shoreline from Playa Del Carmen to Punta Allen offers up a less hedonistic kind of holiday than Cancun. OK, the hotels are still showpiece, plush and mostly all-inclusive - so you'll have all the comforts you can think of. But there are two differences. First, there's more emphasis on the simple joys of the beach than in bigger, brasher Cancun and its environs. And because the sands here are backed by low-lying jungle you'll get the tropical touch of swaying coconut palms and reminders of Mexican's ancient history closer by too. Here, you'll find resorts like stylish Playa Del Carmen and quiet havens like Puerto Aventuras. All boasting pure white sands and ultra-bright seas, they're brilliant for serious sunbathing, swimming and watersporting. And if you're a snorkeller or scuba diver, you'll adore the spectacular Maya Reef waiting offshore. You won't be short of modern-day entertainments either. Right along this shoreline you'll find sports like tennis, golf and game fishing, together with secluded areas of beach perfect for indulging in me-time. And if you ever fancy some retail or nightlife therapy, Playa Del Carmen's cafes, shops and clubs will do the trick. As if this wasn't enough, long-lost Mexico beckons nearby. Travel to Tulum to admire its mysterious cliff-edge Mayan temple. Go gawp at the amazing ruins at Chichen Itza, crowned by a stunning stepped pyramid. And then retreat to your hotel for a moonlit margarita on the sands -an exotic finale to an intoxicatingly Mexican day.

Find the cheapest late deals to Riviera Maya leaving in the next six weeks.

Recommended Riviera Maya hotels and apartments

Excellence Riviera Cancun

Aventura Spa Palace

El Dorado Royale A Spa Resort By Karisma

Riviera Maya hotels and apartments

Our hotels and apartments in Riviera Maya include Akumal Beach Resort, Aventura Spa Palace, Bluebay Grand Esmeralda, Catalonia Riviera Maya, El Dorado Royale A Spa Resort By Karisma, Excellence Riviera Cancun, Grand Palladium Colonial Resort And Spa, Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort And Spa, Grand Palladium Riviera Resort And Spa, Grand Palladium White Sand Resort And Spa, Grand Riviera Princess Hotel, Hotel Las Golondrinas, Occidental Grand Flamenco Xcaret, Ocean Coral And Turquesa, Ocean Maya, Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun, Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun, Sensatori Resort Mexico, Sunscape Puerto Aventuras and Valentin Imperial Maya.

More Mexico Caribbean Coast holiday destinations

Looking for holidays in Mexico Caribbean Coast? Our Mexico Caribbean Coast holiday destinations include Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Playacar, Riviera Maya and Tulum.

Beaches

Fantastic sandy beaches and turquoise waters run the length of the region's shores, and you'll find water activities from windsurfing to deep sea fishing on offer throughout the Riviera. Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras offer glorious beaches and a crystal clear Caribbean sea.

Eating out

Cuisine throughout the Riviera Maya has many influences, from the traditional Mayan to a more international flavour. You can sample anything from Mexican flavours and Argentinean cuisine to Italian dishes. Playa del Carmen's centre has pavement cafes and its European influences are now blending in with larger brand name chains. You mustn't leave without indulging in a Mexican tradition - tequila. Made only in the town of Tequila, it is served as a short with lime and salt, or in cocktails such as tequila sunrise and margarita.

Nightlife

The majority of the Riviera's hotels are all inclusive, so you'll have a variety of bars, shows and live entertainment on your doorstep. Outside of the hotel complexes, Playa del Carmen has the best nightlife on the Riviera, with an excellent selection of bars and discos that both tourists and locals alike enjoy.

Shopping

The wide range of shopping available at Playa del Carmen attracts tourists from all over the Riviera, who come and mingle with the resort's guests as well as cruise passengers in the centre of the resort, the Quinta. Here, you'll find shops ranging from the basic local handicrafts up to stores selling designer labels, though unless the quality is poor, these won't be much cheaper here than at home.

Local information

As you may expect in a region with such a history and geography, the Riviera Maya has many sights worth visiting. An hour away from Playa del Carmen, set on a picturesque palm fringed beach, you will find the ruins of Tulum. The famous and impressive Mayan architecture of Chichen Itza are about 3 hours from Playa del Carmen. The Great Maya Reef, a coral reef of unrivalled beauty, is famous among lovers of scuba-diving and snorkelling. Riviera Maya also has the Ecopark Xcaret on offer, where visitors can experience the different ecosystems and their resources.