The Riviera Maya is located along the coast of the Yucatan peninsula, between Tulum, the famous Mayan archaeological site. Large tourist developments and rustic lodgings are intermingled among the rain forests and the natural coastline.
The Riviera Maya is a place for adventure: diving, snorkeling, jungle walks, archaeological sites and ruins, underground rivers, Cenotes, caverns, beautiful white sandy beaches, bays, mangroves, and inlets.
On the coast of the Riviera Maya there are several locations of different importance, size and origin.
We encourage you to program a visit for the day to Playa del Carmen. At sunset, walk by the fifth avenue, look around its stores, and choose a restaurant to have a superb meal, this is something you cannot miss.
Tulum is the second town in importance in the Riviera Maya, denominated just as the famous archaeological zone, although it is a small town of just a few streets running parallel to the Federal highway which is in reality its main avenue. In Tulum you can find basic services that are no longer available in other coastal settlements of the southern part of the Riviera Maya.
There are other small towns and settlements, like Chemuyil and Akumal, the last, an old port with a small town. Hotels and residential areas can be found in this place.Excellent for a relaxing vacation and to enjoy the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean, offering different options for aquatic activities such as scuba diving and snorkeling.
The ethnic makeup of this area is indigenous in origin, belonging to the Maya race. There are also other races present, due to the influx brought about by the zone's economic development over the past 20 years.
The hotels are distributed along the coastline. From deluxe to small Inns or Cabanas our visitors have a wide variety of categories and characteristics to choose from. Outside the towns there are great hotel developments with modern facilities, most of which offer the all inclusive system and several provide specific services such as Spa, Golf or Ecotourism.
There are rustic hotels, just with the elementary services, that will make you feel like living in direct contact with nature; beaches for camping, and in Playa del Carmen, you can even find boarding houses.
In the continental region the climate is semi-tropical, with an average yearly temperature of 26 degrees Centigrade, which can rise to 35 degrees in summer. Average rainfall per year is 1400 mm. The highest temperatures and most abundant rains occur during the months of April and May, and from September through January. During the day, the climate is hot and light clothing is recommended.
For trips into the jungle, you should wear pants, long-sleeved shirts and shoes or sandals and use insect repellent. The temperature drops at night and a light sweater or bush jacket is suggested.
The main point of arrival is Cancun International Airport, a two-hour flight from Mexico City. From here, the Riviera Maya can by covered via the coastal highway which links the city of Cancun with Tulum and continues southwest, and another which links the cities of Tulum and Coba. Available transportation from the airport includes buses, rental cars or taxis which depart from the terminal.
Playa del Carmen has an airport for small aircrafts that make short hops to the more distant places. Ferries also depart from Playa del Carmen and Calica, linking the continent with the islands. There are also local bus lines which service different locations along the highway.
