Date of publication 30/08/2017
10 New reasons to go back to the Mayan Riviera
Ah, the Riviera Maya. A stretch of roughly 60 miles of Caribbean coastline on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, extending from Puerto Morelos to the southern edge of Tulum in the state of Quintana Roo. Each year, it draws millions of travelers from around the world, inspired by its long expanses of powdery white sand, pristine bays, and turquoise waters. Beyond its natural beauty, the region offers countless attractions for travelers of all ages and interests, from every water sport imaginable to high-end eco parks and protected nature reserves. It is impossible to take it all in at once, and with each visit, new hidden corners beyond the usual routes give travelers a reason to return again and again. Count me in.
SIAN KA’AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve spans 1.3 million acres of estuaries, reefs, cenotes, and wetlands. Visitors can join wildlife tours, dive or snorkel along the barrier reef, or explore the park’s extraordinary biodiversity on foot, surrounded by forests, mangroves, marshes, and inland lagoons. Whichever path you choose, keep your eyes open. The reef is home to more than 84 coral species and hundreds of fish. You may spot manatees, sea turtles, howler and spider monkeys, crocodiles, the rare jabiru stork, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, pink flamingos, toucans, and tapirs.
COBÁ
First-time visitors often head to the well-preserved and extensively excavated ruins of Chichén Itzá, as well as the smaller yet scenic coastal ruins of Tulum. For a more immersive experience among ancient Mayan temples, set within an 80-square-mile jungle park, head to Cobá. Located deep in the jungle between lagoons, Cobá remains relatively untouched by large-scale excavation and crowds. Once the most powerful city in the Mayan region, it flourished between 800 and 1100 AD, with a population of around 55,000. Today, it is best explored by bike or on foot, following jungle paths that connect its scattered structures.
CENOTES
More than 6,000 cenotes, natural freshwater sinkholes, are scattered across the landscape of Quintana Roo. Open to both divers and snorkelers, these water-filled caverns reveal stalactites, stalagmites, underwater rock formations, and a variety of fish species. While many cenotes are popular with organized tours, others remain quieter and easier to access. Two favorites include Chaak Tun in Playa del Carmen, where guided tours and flashlights allow visitors to walk and swim through the cave system, and Cenote Escondido, just south of Tulum. Reached by a short walk through the jungle, it features a 15-by-130-foot pool framed by fan palms and rocky cliffs, inviting you to slip into its cool, clear waters.
OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY SPORTS
For those seeking adventure, the Riviera Maya holds plenty of surprises. Its vast network of caves and caverns is ideal for caving enthusiasts, naturalists, and experienced divers. If heights are more your thing, opportunities abound for rappelling, rock climbing, zip-lining, parasailing, and even climbing the steep face of an ancient pyramid. Snorkelers can enjoy a truly unique experience swimming alongside the enormous yet harmless whale sharks near Isla Mujeres. Across the Yucatán Peninsula, adventurers can also explore deep-sea fishing, jungle safaris, ATV tours, sailing, and power boating.
AUTHENTIC MEXICAN COOKING CLASSES
The Riviera Maya offers travelers a smorgasbord of fresh delicious dining options at hotel, seaside, and town restaurants, covering all gastronomic tastes, regional cuisines, and price range preferences. However, for a hands-on experience, join one of the scrumptious Mexican cooking classes offered at local cooking schools. You will learn the tradition and culture of the cuisines of Mexico, an overview of authentic Mexican ingredients, hands-on methods to prepare numerous dishes and drinks, and enjoy the finished product with a sit-down meal. It is a fun food-filled day you will always remember, and one you can savor and share back home with friends and family.
THE MESOAMERICAN BARRIER REEF SYSTEM
While the Riviera Maya offers a wide range of water activities on the surface, what lies beneath is just as compelling. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System is the second largest in the world, famously documented by Jacques Cousteau in 1961 in Cozumel. Cozumel Island, located less than 30 miles off the coast of Playa del Carmen, is easily reached by frequent ferries. With its vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life, it is one of the top diving destinations in the Western Hemisphere, attracting divers and snorkelers from around the world. Visibility can reach up to 100 feet, making it easy to admire coral and marine species even from the surface. Dive in.
EXQUISITE GOLF
Bringing golf clubs to a destination known for its water adventures may seem unexpected, but the Riviera Maya is home to several outstanding golf courses. Options are available for every level, including designs by renowned golfers and architects such as P.B. Dye. At Iberostar Playa Paraíso, players can take on an award-winning 18-hole championship course known for its impeccable conditions. Whether golf is a passion or a pastime, it deserves a place on your list of reasons to return to the Riviera Maya. Fore.
SECOND-TO-NONE SPAS
As a leading spa destination, the Riviera Maya offers countless ways to relax along its coastline, with beachfront resorts and independent spas designed to care for body, mind, and spirit. From Mayan-inspired rituals and ancient Asian treatments to hydrotherapy, classic manicures, facials, caviar massages, wellness therapies, body wraps, and some of the most advanced health and beauty treatments, there is something for everyone. The range of options feels almost endless, whether in a dedicated spa pavilion, a palapa set within the jungle, or on a soft white-sand beach. Be sure to set aside time after your treatment to enjoy the sauna, hot tub, plunge pool, or steam room.
DISCOVER THE MAYAN COMMUNITY
Mayan culture remains vibrant throughout the Yucatán Peninsula, with traces of ancient traditions visible everywhere. In local markets such as those in Puerto Morelos, visitors can connect with residents while they sell handcrafted goods and regional products.
The Ixchel Sunday Market, open from December through April, features a homemade Mayan breakfast, traditional dance performances, and a selection of handmade crafts not typically found in tourist shops. A year-round spa, available by appointment, offers traditional Mayan treatments provided by nearby villagers, including deep-tissue and Mayan abdominal massages, as well as body wraps made with aloe vera or fresh cacao.
SIT ON A BEACH AND READ
Visitors return time and again to the Riviera Maya for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and striking sunsets. Settle into a chair beneath an umbrella at your hotel and lose yourself in a good book while the sound of the waves drifts in just a few feet away. The largest new and used bookstore in the Yucatán, located in Playa del Carmen, makes it even easier. With an eclectic selection spanning more than twenty genres, including local wildlife guides, Mayan culture, Mexican cuisine, maps, travel guides, and Spanish phrasebooks, it offers plenty of ways to deepen your connection to the destination. Or simply choose a novel from the extensive fiction section. Take a breath, turn the page, and begin again.
IBEROSTAR HOTELS IN THE RIVIERA MAYA
With so many reasons to return, where you stay becomes just as important as the experiences themselves. Iberostar offers a wide range of hotels in the Riviera Maya designed for every type of traveler, from those seeking the best family-friendly option to those looking for an exclusive beachfront retreat for two. For families traveling with children, Iberostar Waves Paraíso Beach and Iberostar Waves Paraíso del Mar are two all-inclusive hotels in the Riviera Maya focused on fun for all ages, with large pools, kids’ clubs, and direct beach access. Iberostar Waves Tucán and Iberostar Waves Quetzal share this same approach. Surrounded by tropical vegetation, these hotels are ideal for travelers looking for a beachfront stay where they can fully unwind without giving up comfort.
For a more refined escape, Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo and Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites are beachfront properties that combine spacious suites with a more elevated level of service, making them an excellent choice for couples as well as families who value added privacy. And for an adults-only experience, JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar stands among the most exclusive options in the area, an all-inclusive hotel in the Riviera Maya where calm, thoughtfully crafted cuisine, and Caribbean views take center stage.
