Things to do in Riviera Maya

Travel back in time as you explore the Mayan  archeological ruins of Chichén Itzá on a guided tour. Connect with nature as you swim in the azure waters of the cenote of Saamal. Eat a mouth-watering buffet lunch and take a guided walking tour of Valladolid. Benefit from pick-up at your hotel, or a nearby meeting point, and then journey to one of the most important monuments on the Yucatán Peninsula.   Upon arrival at Chichén Itzá, look at the step pyramid of Kukulcan (El Castillo), known for the play of light from the equinox that casts shadows on each step to create an image of a serpent descending.   Go to the ancient cenote of Saamal and experience one of the sinkholes that form part of a network of underground rivers sacred to the Maya people. Enjoy a delicious buffet meal and take a stroll around the colonial city of Valladolid to complete your experience.

Dive into Mayan culture on a guided day trip with optional hotel transfers from Cancún or Riviera Maya to Chichén Itzá, named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World for being one of the world's best-preserved ancient cities. Enjoy a Mexican buffet and tequila tasting, and stop at Valladolid and a cenote. Your first stop will be at a Mayan community restaurant for breakfast with coffee and bread. Take this time to wake up and then go to stock up on souvenirs. Then, at Chichén Itzá, follow the guide while learning all about the most important buildings. From the awe-inspiring Pyramid of Kukulcan to the ruins that once housed tens of thousands of Mayans, the Pyramid of El Castillo or El Caracol, this visit is filled with rarely heard stories, incredible details, and stunning photo opportunities. Discover why the huge city played such an important role from the Late Classic period (600 AD) into the early part of the Post Classic period (1200 AD), and why it remained a huge center of pilgrimage. At this point, the fun is just getting started as no visit to the area would be complete without a stop by a cenote, a refreshing, enchanting underground sinkhole, sacred to the Mayan people. Then, enjoy a Mexican buffet lunch and a tequila-tasting experience. Before returning to your starting point, stop by the charming town of Valladolid, famed for the ornate, 16th-century Convent of San Bernardino of Siena and the baroque San Gervasio Cathedral. Enjoy a quick panoramic visit to this magical place.

Discover the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá on a guided tour from Playa del Carmen. Immerse yourself in the jungle at an eco-park, with some time for swimming in a cenote and a hearty buffet lunch. Start with pickup from Playa del Carmen and first travel to the jungle eco-park. Marvel at the sacred cenote as you refresh yourself with a purifying swim in crystalline waters. Dig into a delicious buffet lunch at the restaurant at the eco-park, and be ready for a flavor sensation. Try some of the famed Mexican cuisine with regional dishes from Yucatán. After your buffet, head to the world-famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itzá. Take a guided tour of the ceremonial site and listen to fascinating tales of the ancient Maya civilization. Learn more with your expert guides and hear entertaining stories of life at Chichen Itzá. Discover a culture that was way ahead of its time. Then, enjoy some free time to explore by yourself and walk in the footsteps of the Mayan people. Your final stop is in the colonial center of Valladolid for a quick visit to this charming “Magic Town” of Mexico. The imposing church and architecture of the town surrounding the “zocalo'' or town square are perfect photo ops and a chance to relax and enjoy the laid-back vibes of Yucatán, before heading back to Playa del Carmen.

Enjoy full-day admission to Xcaret Park, a paradise theme park on the Maya Riviera, where you can enjoy more than 40 activities and attractions. Your ticket includes access to all the facilities, including showers, dressing rooms, and snorkeling equipment for your convenience. Once inside the park, choose the activities that suit. Highlights include the Coral Reef Aquarium and Marine Turtles Area. Admire the manatees of the Manatee Lagoon, or be dazzled by colorful butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion. See howler monkeys at Spider Monkey Island, or explore how mushrooms are cultivated at the Mushroom Farm. The Living Museum of Orchids displays Mexican orchids in all their glory. Wander a jungle trail to visit the Regional Wildlife Breeding Farm. Ascend the Rotating Scenic Tower for spectacular views, and watch cultural performances of Mayan and Mexican music and dance. You can even visit a Mayan Village! Colonial history is not neglected at the St. Francis of Assisi Chapel, while folk art is displayed at the Hacienda Henequenera. Watch the sky turn a rainbow of colors at the Stained-Glass Plaza, or discover a pre-Hispanic ball court to learn about the Maya sports events. Between October 30th and November 2nd, you'll be able to enjoy activities that are part of the Life and Death Festival.

Spend a few hours exploring the Kantun-Chi grotto and cenotes. The incredible underground river and caves have crystal clear water surrounded by beautiful formations of speleothems. To the ancient Maya, the grotto was known as Xibalba, a place of fright, ruled by the gods of the dead. Now, you can safely experience the unique beauty and atmosphere of the grotto and cenotes. Your guide will tell you about the history and mysticism of the caves as well as the stalactites, stalagmites, and other mineral formations. You'll hike on jungle paths to the first 3 cenotes where you can swim and marvel at the clarity and color of the water. After the first three cenotes, you can choose to walk or ride a bike to the last two cenotes. You'll pass through an area of endemic trees and palms on your way. Once you reach Zihil Ha cenote you can go snorkeling or try kayaking around this large cenote. All necessary safety equipment is provided for your tour, including helmet, water shoes, snorkel, mask, and life jacket.

Pre-book a quick round-trip ferry service between Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel. Get maximum flexibility with continuous daily departures and a 6-month ticket validation period. Enjoy added perks including a snack bar, open-air decks, live music, TVs, and electrical outlets. On the day of your chosen departure, hop on board a high-speed 157-foot JETLINE Class catamaran type ferry, constructed of aluminum and featuring 3 decks with a capacity between 150 and 800 passengers. Enjoy new generation gangways for express boarding and carry-on baggage handling. On board, take advantage of covered and open-air decks, panoramic windows, TV screens, a snack bar, electrical outlets, live music, and underwater illumination. Ride in maximum comfort with on-board air conditioning, leather seats, and restrooms. As you head to your destination, take some time to relax with plenty of legroom in high-quality ergonomic high-quality leather seats designed and constructed in Europe by the same high technology companies that work with Porsche and Ferrari. Premium Class Tickets include round-trip transportation with general ferry access. If you’re looking to add a little more to your trip, choose First Class Tickets for referred access to the ferry, reliable seats with more space, and access to a lounge area. Whatever ticket option you choose, you’ll get to experience a ferry transfer focused on passengers and making their journey something even more special. The beauty of the islands, coupled with the comfort and quickness of the boats, make this the preferred trip for visitors to this area. 

Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Muyil and the Sian Kaan Nature Reserve on a half-day tour from Tulum. You will encounter a variety of birds, plants, and animals before wandering through the ruins to discover the incredible history of this ancient civilization. After being picked up from Tulum you will be transferred to the Sian Kaan Nature Reserve. Walk through this inspiring eco-preserve to the highest point in the reserve and gaze out at an unblemished jungle filled with hundreds of species of birds, plants, and animal life. Enjoy a small hike before a boat ride through the trading canals of the ancient Maya civilization and visit the Maya temple of Xlapak. You will see the detailed facades of these old ruins, located at the bottom of the river valley. Next, float and swim back down through the canals between mangroves and gently make your way back out into the crystal-clear waters around the peninsula. Onboard, enjoy an assortment of Mexican snacks and lunch as the sun sets over this beautiful landscape. Experience the very best of this region. The food, the culture, the nature, and a bit of relaxation in the water make this a perfect day trip.

Embark on an adrenaline-filled adventure in the Maya jungle, riding an ATV, soaring along the treetops on a zipline, and splashing into the cool waters of a freshwater cenote. Following a convenient pickup, leave the resort area behind, heading out to the Yucatan wilderness. Arrive at the adventure eco park just off the popular Ruta de los Cenotes, where the action-packed adventure takes place. Start with an extreme ATV ride on the muddy, dusty and bumpy jungle trails, followed by an exciting flight on 3 ziplines. Top off the experience with a swim in an exotic cenote surrounded by a dense forest. Last but not least, refill your energy with a traditional snack before returning to your hotel or vacation rental.

Start your journey by getting picked up in Tulum. Discover Chichen Itza, a spectacular archaeological site and a must-see for those interested in history and culture.  See renowned structures with your guide such as the Pyramid of Kukulkan and the Great Ball Court. Get a glimpse of the achievements of the Mayan civilization.  After Chichen Itza, head to Valladolid, a city where past and present come together. Be amazed by the colorful architecture and the local food culture.  Have lunch in the courtyard of a restored colonial mansion and wander the square and nearby streets. Take photos and enjoy shopping as you get a taste of the slow-paced Mexican life. To finish the day, go to a local community-run cenote, the perfect spot to get away from the crowds and cool down in the refreshing blue waters.

Head out to discover the variety of caverns and caves that fill the Mayan forest. Cenotes were considered by the ancients as portals into the underworld, allowing us entry into another realm of the earth. You will ride through a quiet forested road to explore 3 different cenotes. Explore the wonderful Grand Cenote just as it opens, avoiding the crowds of tourists, followed by a delicious brunch in the forest, located in a beautiful environment along a jungle trail. This leads us to other cenotes where you can swim, snorkel, and jump in crystal clear sinkholes and underground rivers, while learning about the prehistoric past of the Yucatan peninsula on this great bike tour from Tulum. Surrounded by lush vegetation, you will enjoy riding a quiet jungle path surrounded by the sounds and colors of nature.