Who hasn’t heard of the Riviera Maya? This paradisiacal tourist corridor offers us 130 kilometers of pleasure and adventure along the Caribbean Sea. However, do you truly know all the leisure options its lands have to offer? If your answer is no, here you go: 10 must-visit places to enjoy in the Riviera Maya.
- Tulum. It’s so incredible that it takes the first spot. The combination of its brilliant turquoise water alongside golden sandy beaches and the backdrop of Mayan ruins couldn’t be more perfect.
- Akumal. The same tranquility and simplicity of this site is what makes it an ideal place for relaxation and activities related to nature. In the Mayan language, it’s known as the “land of turtles,” and it certainly lives up to its name. For those interested in snorkeling, you can encounter beautiful specimens of loggerhead turtles swimming peacefully in the sea. A note of interest: they invade the human environment at night when they come to the beaches to lay their eggs in an unforgettable spectacle.
- Contoy Island. Or should we call it Bird Island instead? It’s also known by this name due to the vast diversity of birds crossing the skies in a carnival of colors and sounds that make them the main attraction, urging you to have your camera ready. There are over 150 species that will have you marveling for hours.
- Dos Ojos Cenote. One of the most beautiful and mysterious places to discover in its depths, with the possibility of traversing its interconnected dimensions, comprising three caves linked by underground rivers. The interplay of the water’s transparency and the lights and shadows fills this Mayan gem with beauty.
- Chichen Itza. The Mayan kingdom, plain and simple. Here you’ll find beautiful and ancient structures where the wisdom of this civilization is expressed in its sculptures as well as in the exotic phenomena that occur with seasonal changes. While the Castle is the most popular building, it’s a waste not to explore the other structures, where you can learn more about the culture and its way of life.
- Sian Ka’an. They call it the “gateway to heaven.” Why is this? Perhaps it’s because of its canopy of towering trees weaving a carpet of vegetation that fills the place with power and uniqueness. Or perhaps because it has been declared a World Heritage Site? Whatever the reason, a visit here is a must.
- Xcaret Park. This attraction was created to immerse travelers in the best of nature, Mayan traditions, and endless entertainment options that will make you want to return to the Riviera again and again.
- Puerto Morelos. The end or the beginning of it all, depending on how you look at it, as it sits at the edge of the Riviera Maya. A place with its own charm, rooted in its fishing tradition, it invites you to enjoy fresh and delicious seafood and fascinating beaches ideal for snorkeling. The tip? The Cenotes Route and the crocodile farm.
- Secret River. Here lies a world that seems straight out of a fairytale. Stalactites and stalagmites fill the environment, and you can explore it either by swimming or walking through it.
- Cancun Interactive Aquarium. A place where age doesn’t matter—everyone becomes a child again. The possibility of interacting with exotic animals of all kinds fills your night with laughter and wonder.
Portuguese Versión: 10 lugares imperdíveis para desfrutar em Riviera Maya
