We do not know if there exists an exact spot where the Mayan Riviera starts but the general concensus is that once you get onto highway 307 along the coast in Quintana Roo you are pretty well in the Mayan Riviera. This highway runs from Cancun all the way down to Belize. The Mayan Riviera ends after Tulum, where the Costa Maya begins.

As you drive along highway 307 you are usually around a kilometer away from the beach. The land is flat and the scenery will appear similar to that of any flat-forested region of Canada or Europe. The highway itself is brand-new having just been widened in recent years and is in impeccable shape.

Along the Mayan Riviera, on the highway there is the occasional Mexican craft market, small industrial center, and lots of resort entrances. On the shoreline there are numerous privately owned rental cabanas, fishing and diving operations and beaches.

The most popular travel destination in the Mayan Riviera is Playa del Carmen which is where you get the ferry to go to Cozumel. After Playa del Carmen the next town of any great size is Tulum.

THINGS TO DO

 Visiting the magnificent Mayan Ruins at Chichen Itza is an experience you wil never forget. There are also other sites at Coba and Tulum. These sites can be visited by taking a tour, renting a car and in the case of Tulum you can take a collectivo.

Puerto Morelos Located 33 km south of Cancun, Puerto Morelos is a small fishing village that has a car ferry to Cozumel. Dive excursions to the reef 600m off shore can be arranged at the dock. Don't miss Jardin Botanico Dr Alfred Barrera where you will see orchids, bromeliads and other flora growing in their natural habitat.

Playa del Carmen is an excellent hopping off spot for all the attractions found on the Riviera Maya. The bus terminal in Playa is serviced by several bus companies and you are able to get buses to almost every destination in Mexico from here. The 45 minute ferry trip to Cozumel leaves the dock every hour.

The Mayan Riviera is one of the world's premier locations for diving and snorkelers love it too!

Shopping has to be Playa's biggest attraction. Avida Quinta is a pedestrian mall lined with little shops and malls. Bargaining is expected here.

Skydiving is available on the beach just south of the ferry dock at Sky Dive Playa.

Playacar boasts an excellent golf course. It is a little pricey, but well worth the fee, as it includes food and a cart. Worth trying once.

Tres Rios Ecopark is located 10 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Explore nature in this tropical reserve.

Cenotes: natural limestone and coral wells that lead to underground rivers, caverns and cave systems. They provide fabulous views of stalactite and stalagmite formations, halagtites, rim pools and a rainbow of coloured tropical fish.

Cenotes Kantun-Chi is an ecotourist park located 22 kms. South of Playa del Carmen and 2 kms south of Puerto Aventuras - across the highway from the entrance to the Barcelo Maya hotel. Inside the park there are four cenotes - Kantun Chi, Zaskaleen Ha, Uchil Ha and Zazil Ha. You are able to swim, snorkel and scuba dive inside the cenotes. Snorkeling equipment is available for rental. Bike rentals and horseback riding is also available.

Dos Ojos- "two eyes", is the home of east and west, two giant fresh water cenotes with huge columns and two cavern zones. Gran Cenote-ladder steps lead to a half-moon shaped cenote decorated with small passages and openings. Part of the Sac Aktun system. Both are found on the road to Coba from Tulum.

Cenote Tahkah is located just north of Tulum on Highway 307.

Actun Ha is located on the Tulum-Coba highway, just before you arrive at Coba.

At Chac Mol you will find jungle, paths and two cavern zones with a noticeable flow of water. Chac Mool, Taxma-Ha, Cristalino and Cenote Azul are all cenotes located on highway 307 in the Puerto Aventuras area.

Aktun Chen: In the jungle between Akumal and Xel-Ha. Beautiful underground dry caves with stalactite and stalagmite formations and a spectacular fresh water cenote. You might even be lucky enough to see spider monkeys. Poisonous and non-poisonous snakes can be seen at the serpentarium. Open 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Entrance fee.

Take a guided tour of the jungle on an ATV.

The Cedam Maritime Museum in Puerto Aventuras houses an interesting display of various artifacts and wreckage from shipwrecks along the coastline. The museum can be found at the northern end of the marina.

Deep Sea Fishing: Sport fishing boat charters for day or half day excursions.

Excursions on horse back through the jungle and along the beaches.

Pac Chen Jungle Tour: Enjoy a traditional meal cooked the Mayan way at an authentic Mayan community tucked away in the jungle. This expedition includes canoeing and rappelling.

Punta Laguna: Spend time with spider monkeys and howler monkeys in their natural habitat. You can trek in the jungle and travel Punta Laguna by boat. Birds, deer, turtles and crocodiles are among the other wildlife to be seen. Punta Laguna is northwest of Coba.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: Just south of Tulum, the reserve has an abundant amount of flora and fauna and several distinct natural ecosystems. The reserve contains unexcavated Maya ruins, freshwater canals, cenotes, mangroves, lagoons and inlets. The fishing village of Boca Paila is within the reserve. The town of Punta Allen is the end of the Maya Riviera found at the southern tip of the reserve.

Xaman-Ha Aviary: Home to exotic birds including scarlet macaws, flamingos and herons. Xaman-Ha is in the development of Playacar.

 Yal Ku Lagoon: Swim and snorkel in the fresh water of this aqua coloured lagoon in Akumal. Entrance fee.

XCARET
Xcaret is like an Eco Maya theme park. We just love this place. It is a paradise for children and you can spend the whole day there. Some of the attractions include a reenactment of a traditional Maya ballcourt game, butterfly pavilion, traditional Mexican dance and music, small zoo and much more. The swimming here is excellent and the water theme park rivals Disney World; in fact we think it is better.

XEL-HA
Xel-Ha is a great place to go snorkeling or swimming. It is a fresh water bay that meets the ocean. Many sea creatures make their home in the bay and its tributaries and a snorkel around the bay will simply blow your mind if you are not an avid diver or snorkeler. It is well worth the price of admission and a great place for kids. There are many well-trained lifeguards on duty.

Mayan Riviera - Mexico

PLAYA DEL CARMEN MEXICO

 "What's it like in Playa del Carmen?"

Playa, as the locals call it, is a beach-side city located on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. You generally fly into Cancun airport then transfer to Playa, which is an hour's drive.

Playa del Carmen stretches from the beach west to highway 307 and beyond, however the tourist zone is the area along the coast. Most tourist buses pull into Playa turning off the highway at Benito Juarez Avenue and drive to the downtown bus station which is located right on 5th Avenue. The ferry docks to Cozumel are located close to the bus station as well. This is the busiest spot in all of Playa.

 5th Avenue [Quinto Avenida] is the main street that runs parallel to the ocean. It's around 500 meters from the water. In between the water and 5th are hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Rentals, Timeshares, and restaurants. It is commonly referred to as, "Playa del Carmen's Pedestrian Walkway".

Along 5th Avenue you will find numerous stores selling interesting items as well as restaurants and hotels. There are clothing stores selling the latest trends from Europe as well as Cuban Cigar and Rum stores. It is a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of a carnival. We have seen live lions, fire breathers, giant boa constrictors and a cavalcade of characters parading down 5th.

There are also lots of bars along 5th making it a good place to party. The after hour clubs swing into action after 12:00. These clubs are located on the beach away from the majority of hotels and resorts because of the noise level.

Intersecting with 5th are streets that all lead to the beach. Along many of these streets are dive-shops, convenience stores, hotels, tour operators, Internet cafes, currency exchanges, and restaurants. All the beaches in Playa are open to the public.

 Playa's beaches are nice. Along 5th, in the tourist zone the beaches are all clean white sand, not white powder. There is some coral but not much. The seaweed and other garbage is cleaned up every day. Within a short walk to almost any point on the Playa main beach is a bar/restaurant. There are also a number of snorkeling, dive and fishing boats ready to take you out.

The beaches closest to the ferry docks are the busiest and you have to walk either north or south to find seclusion. Outside the tourist zone the beaches are lined with jungle.

The restaurants along 5th are mostly Italian but there are American restaurants and Mexican restaurants that cook American style food with some Mexican dishes. Off 5th on any of the intersecting streets that head away from the beach you will start to find Mexican restaurants as well as numerous Italian cafes.

The farther away from 5th Avenue you go the cheaper things get. You also will find the best Mexican restaurants not far from 5th on 30th, which puts you in Mexican territory, out of the tourista zona. In fact, in-between 5th and 30th are all kinds of interesting stores selling everything you can think of, from live chickens to computers. If you're there during the summer and have kids then this is the perfect place to get your school clothing. You will find all the latest trends here. The Mexicans are right on top of fashion.

There are lots of Europeans in Playa, mostly from Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Americans have always been going to Playa. More Canadians would go but for the outrageous airfares.

At night 5th Avenue comes alive. Couples, all dressed up, head out for dinner. The young girls are decked out in their new acquisitions, hair braided. International bohemians walk the strip, many know each other, and it's a friendly place.

 Many Mexicans visit Playa for their vacations as well. Don't be surprised if the family across the hall are Mexicans. Just say hello and you will have new friends.

There are banks, money exchanges, pharmacies all over the place. Playa is not that big and everything the vacationer might need is within the tourist zone. You can walk up 5th Avenue in about 45 minutes but the main strip is only around a kilometer long. After the main strip there are still hotels and stores but they are not as plentiful, however the area north of Constytiones is under development.

TULUM RUINS

Tulum ruins are located 130 km south of Cancun. The "Tulum Archeological Zone" is the first distinct zone. You can't miss the ruins driving along Hwy 307 either in a rental vehicle or in a bus/collectivo. There are numerous signs and there is a big pink hotel on the corner.

 Tulum ruins are approximately 1 km down a road towards the coast. There is a large market there as well as a few fast food restaurants. Along the road towards the ruins on your immediate right is where the Mayan Pole Flyers do their pole flying. They perform throughout the day and you can sit and watch.

Tulum ruins has one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. You can jump in the water at Tulum ruins and swim north to Boca Paila

XPU-HA BEACH MEXICO

Xpu-Ha is a several miles long stretch of beautiful natural kept beach located south of Playa del Carmen and north of Tulum.

The Copacabana Hotel sits at approximately the middle of Xpu-Ha beach. To the north is the Xpu-Ha Palace and to the South is Club Maeva. The walk north to the Xpu-Ha Palace is along silky white sand garnished with tropical vegetation. The beach continues with the same features as in front of the Copacabana. The walk south towards Club Maeva is not as nice. The beach in front of Club Maeva is rocky and sometimes covered in seaweed.

There was once a lovely lagoon and cenote open to the public at Xpu-Ha beach. The Palace chain of all-inclusive hotels bought it to develop into an Eco-park which it did. After less than a year the park was ripped up and turned into a resort.

The southern end of the beach is blocked by Club Maeva. There are no restrictions on using Club Maeva beach however chairs and palapas are private property.

PUERTO MORELOS MEXICO

 Driving south from Cancun on Hwy 307 the first major town you cross is the tranquil beachside hollow of Puerto Morelos. If you are driving, there are large signs and a set of stoplights on the highway at the intersection where you turn to drive the short distance [2 km] to town.

Buses and collectivos heading north to Cancun stop at the southern bus stop located on Hwy 307 by the taxi stand. Buses and collectivos traveling to Playa del Carmen stop on the northern side of Hwy 307, next to the pharmacy. There is usually somebody waiting at the bus stops.

Off the highway you travel towards the beach where the main town is. There is a central beach and a traditional town square surrounded by a few convenience stores, dive shops, Internet café, money exchange services, and some restaurants.

 The main fishing pier and lighthouse are located near the Town Square and this is where you will also find the majority of fishing and dive boats moored.

Around Puerto Morelos is a combination of homes, hotels and cabanas. There is everything from 5 star resorts to thatched roofed huts for accommodations.

The great Maya reef is located 500 m off the shore. This reef is renowned for its exceptional diving and snorkeling. There are guided tours and boats available for diving and snorkeling. If the water is rough then there are jungle tours and local cenotes to explore. The surrounding mangroves are home to hundreds of species of birds and a variety of wildlife.

Crococun crocodile zoo and Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín Botanical Garden are located nearby.

The ATM is located on the main highway into Puerto Morelos. There are no banks.

There are no buses from the highway into town or vice a versa. You must take a taxi to reach town. Prices start at $2.00.

XCACEL MEXICO

 Xcacel Beach is an incredible beach with deep white powder sand, 119 km south of Cancun on the Mayan Riviera.

You access Xcacel Beach off of Hwy 307 between Chemuyil and Xel-Ha, down a dirt road to a single-chained gate. A guard should approach you or you will see him when you walk onto the beach.

Pay the guard 20 pesos each and he will let you in. There is no security here and no amenities. During the turtle-nesting season you should stay away. May - November.

To get to the cenote walk out to the beach and go south [to your right]. You will see a path that leads into the jungle. Follow this path into the jungle and you will find the cenote. It is a short walk, 5 minutes or so. You can swim and snorkel in the cenote.

PLAYACAR MEXICO

Playacar, is part of Playa del Carmen but a gated community of assorted developments to the south. This planned, upscale, secure neighborhood has an 18-hole golf course, a dozen large all-inclusive hotels, and private condos, which are available for rent.

Playacar has two sections:

• Phase I is oceanfront.
• Phase II is next to the golf course.

There is a nice little shopping center directly across the street from the RUI. It is a 4-minute taxi ride into Playa del Carmen.

 Depending on what hotel/resort you are staying at, the beach can be wider or deeper or have a gentle slope to the water or a steeper slope to the water. It varies as you travel along the beach but most of the beach from Playacar to Playa del Carmen is slanted.

After the Gala, the beach continues for about a mile. Within that mile, you begin to encounter huge rocks that break up the beach---first intermittent rocks, then slowly turning into solid rock as far as you can see. It also becomes more and more isolated the further south you go. There are a few beautiful private beach areas in between the rocks.

The main gate for Playacar is located just north of Juarez off Hwy 307. You can also walk into Playacar from Playa del Carmen either by walking along the beach or through the mall that is at the ferry docks. Just walk north and you hit Playacar. Playa means "beach" in Spanish.

KENTENAH MEXICO

 Kantenah [Kantenal] is the name given to a stretch of beach on the Mayan Riviera located approximately 34 kms south of Playa del Carmen. If you blink driving up Hwy 307 you will miss the small sign on the highway announcing its presence.

The access point for the beach is immediately south of the El Dorado Spa & Resort. As mentioned there is a small sign on the coast side of the highway.

 This is a great place to snorkel. Hit the water and go north. The beach at El Dorado has lots of coral and is a good snorkel beach.

The resorts that are in this area are: El Dorado Resort & Spa with the Palladium a little further to the South.