The Riviera Maya stretches 130 kilometres along Mexico's Caribbean coast from the resort town of Cancun south to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a coastline of extraordinary variety combining the powdery white sand and turquoise shallows of the Caribbean's finest beaches with the extraordinary geological phenomenon of cenotes (freshwater sinkholes connected to an ancient underground river system), the dramatic clifftop Maya ruins of Tulum and the jungle-fringed coast of one of the world's best-preserved biospheres.
Tulum has become the destination of choice for a generation of design-conscious travellers who seek the combination of natural beauty, Mexico's extraordinary culinary culture and boutique hotel design of genuine ambition. The strip along the beach road south of the ruins concentrates an extraordinary density of world-class restaurants and beautifully designed small hotels, creating a destination experience that rivals anywhere in the Caribbean.
Tulum: Ruins, Beach and the Art of Slow Living
Tulum's clifftop ruins, the only significant Maya site directly on the Caribbean coast, are among Mexico's most photographed archaeological sites, their atmospheric setting above turquoise water justifying their popularity. The walled city's Castillo temple and Temple of the Frescos are the principal structures; the site is compact enough for a two-hour exploration and best visited at opening time (8am) before the heat and crowds build.
The beach road below the ruins is Tulum's social spine, a sand track running along the coast through a series of boutique hotel compounds, each with its own restaurant, beach club and aesthetic identity. Azulik (treehouses in the jungle canopy above the beach), Nomade (a spa and wellness retreat on the finest beach stretch) and Be Tulum are the most celebrated. Tulum's restaurant scene has placed it firmly on the international culinary map.
Cenotes: Swimming in Underworld Cathedrals
The Yucatan Peninsula sits atop the world's longest known underwater cave system, approximately 1,400 kilometres of flooded passages connecting thousands of cenotes. These natural sinkholes, formed where the limestone ceiling has collapsed into the underground river, range from open-sky pools fringed with jungle vegetation to cathedral-like cave chambers lit by shafts of light from a narrow opening above.
Gran Cenote and Dos Ojos (near Tulum) are the most accessible and spectacular cave cenotes; the Ik Kil cenote near Chichen Itza is the most dramatic open cenote. Private cenote tours arranged by the finest Tulum hotels, with exclusive access during early morning hours before public opening, provide one of the most extraordinary swimming experiences in the world, floating in impossibly clear blue water, tropical fish moving in the shafts of filtered light, the silence of geological time surrounding you.
Playa del Carmen and the Riviera's Resorts
Playa del Carmen, midway along the Riviera Maya, offers a different pace, a proper Mexican town with its Quinta Avenida pedestrian street, a dense concentration of restaurants, shops and nightlife, and beach clubs on the main beach north of the ferry terminal. The ferry connection to Cozumel (40 minutes) accesses the island's world-class diving on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
North of Playa, the resort strip around Akumal and Puerto Morelos is less developed and more relaxed, with excellent snorkelling on the reef accessible directly from the beach. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya near Puerto Morelos is one of Mexico's finest all-inclusive properties, offering an ultra-luxury all-inclusive experience that makes the concept more appealing to guests who normally prefer independent hotels.
Sian Ka'an and Wildlife
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve covers 530,000 hectares south of Tulum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing tropical forest, mangroves, coastal lagoons, and the longest barrier reef in the Americas. Boat tours through the reserve's lagoon system encounter crocodiles, manatees, dolphins and an extraordinary diversity of birdlife including flamingos, roseate spoonbills and frigatebirds. The floating channels through ancient Maya waterways provide a combination of ecology and history that is genuinely special.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit the Riviera Maya?
December to April offers the most reliable weather with low humidity, gentle breezes and little rainfall, the classic high season. May to November is hurricane season, with August to October carrying the highest risk. However, September and October are very quiet and can offer excellent hotel rates if the weather risk is acceptable.
Is Tulum still worth visiting given how busy it has become?
Yes, the natural environment (cenotes, beach, jungle) remains extraordinary and the hotel and restaurant quality is exceptional. The key is choosing the right property and planning activities for early morning. Tulum's appeal has grown for good reason and its development has not obscured what makes it special.
How do you get to the Riviera Maya from the UK?
Direct flights operate from London Gatwick and Manchester to Cancun with TUI, Virgin Atlantic and Thomas Cook. The flight takes approximately 10-11 hours. Cancun airport is 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen and 90 minutes from Tulum by road.
Is the Riviera Maya suitable for families?
Very much so. The calm Caribbean waters, cenote swimming, Mayan ruins and the beach lifestyle are excellent for families with children of all ages. The resort hotels north of Playa del Carmen offer child-friendly facilities. We can advise on the best family combinations across the Riviera Maya.
