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You are at the gateway to a region that begs to be explored. |
 The Mayan Riviera is an oasis of quaint seaside villages, endless pristine beaches and inspiring Mayan history. Select one of the many great organized tours or call for a convenient car rental and make up your own itinerary. The road is an open door to experience fantastic scenery and catch a glimpse of authentic Mexico. Some of your finest vacation moments await.
This entire region wears its ecological, cultural and historical contrasts like a badge of honor. It is a startling mix of Mother Nature's influences and man's long march through time. Mayan heritage, Spanish influences and nature work together in harmony for the curious visitor. Look for inviting towns with curious names such as like Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Chemuyil. The touring choices are many, but the rewards are great. Beautiful beaches beyond imagination, cenotes, tropical jungles, and fascinating archaeological sites are the backdrop for your Riviera Maya adventures. Experience it all!
To help you reserve a day of fun and adventure, or for more details on any of these great exploration options, contact your local tour representative. |
 From Playa del Carmen, there are frequent ferry departures to one of Mexico's hidden treasures. Fringed by palm lined sandy beaches, the island of Cozumel combines Mexican charm with a dose of Caribbean beauty. This island in the warm Caribbean Sea is home to the world's second largest barrier reef, which draws travelers from around the globe. Underwater caves and sunken Spanish galleons have made it world-renowned for diving and snorkeling.
San Miguel is the only town on this pristine island, and its warm tropical streets offer all of the shopping, museums, and culture a visitor could look for. Restaurants featuring the best of international cuisine are nestled beside Mexican favorites, and places serving some of the world's best and freshest seafood. After dark, the cantinas and clubs heat up for an island fiesta every night.
And outside of town the adventure begins. Explore mysterious archaeological sites. The Maya treasured the island so much; they believed this place was home to Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility. The ruins of ancient temples to her still dot the island. A botanical garden and a lighthouse with spectacular view add to Cozumel's appeal. Read more about Cozumel... |
The original inhabitants of this part of Mexico, the ancient Maya, have left awe-inspiring archaeological sites in the region. In fact, the Yucatan Peninsula has more archaeological sites than any other region in the Western Hemisphere. New sites continue to be discovered each year.
To really appreciate the rich archaeological heritage of the Yucatan, travel along the coast of the 100-mile long Riviera Maya (also called the Cancun-Tulum corridor).
 Chichen Itza In the center of the Yucatan Peninsula is the renowned city of Chichen Itza, one of the world's finest examples of Mayan ruins. It is a place you simply must see at least once in your life. The site itself dates to the Classic period (600 to 900 A.D.) but many of its structures were built from 900 to 1200 A.D. The glory of the city was described in various Indian documents and in several Spanish colonial texts. At the height of its power, Chichen Itza dominated the Yucatan both politically and militarily. It was a major religious center for the Mayan world.
It's a truly impressive sight. It requires a full day to explore Chichen Itza's many fascinating structures, including the famed Temple of Kukulcán, a towering 365-step pyramid, which hides a beautifully carved smaller pyramid underneath. Sometimes referred to as El Castillo (Spanish for castle), this pyramid's dimensions seem carefully calculated to reflect the principle figures of the Mayan solar calendar. There are the 365 steps, one for each day of the year. There are nine levels, divided in two by the stairway, for the 18 months in the Mayan calendar, and 52 indented squares as this number was as important to the Mayan calendar as it is to our own.
 The construction of the pyramid was designed so that at each Vernal Equinox the fading sun would create a shadow of the body of the serpent god Kukulcan writhing down the steps to join the permanent stone head at the base of the pyramid. Every year over 40,000 people make the pilgrimage to the great pyramid to watch in wonder as the snake's body slowly appears. The temple is also acoustically designed so that a person standing on the top step can speak in a normal voice and still be heard by those on the ground for nearly 500 feet away even with vendors and other tourists milling about below.
There's also an enormous Mayan ball court, the largest in Meso-America. The great ball court of Chichen Itza is about the size of a football field. The Mayans would play a game similar to a cross between soccer and basketball. Two teams were supposed to put a hard rubber ball through a hoop at either end of the field, using every body part but their hands. The acoustics of the ball court are amazingly designed so that a person standing on the platform of the temple to the north of the court can hear a whisper from the other end, 150 feet away. The ball slapping the sides of the court would make the sound that gave the game its name: Pok-ta-Pok.
Chichen Itza also has a sacred cenote well (Chen Ku), 200 feet across, which was once used for human sacrifices. This eerie green pool of water, hidden underground, glows in the beams of sunlight that penetrate the rocks, stalactites and roots above. Its actual depth has never been determined.
Walking among these stone buildings, ball courts and statues evokes a tremendous sense of wonder for this ancient civilization. It's a moving, unforgettable experience.
 Tulum History has never been so alive than at the walled city of Tulum, just 80 miles south of Cancun. Once known as the City of the Dawn, it rests in front of turquoise waters and is one of the most beautiful archaeological sites in Mexico. It is the only Mayan port city ever discovered and features more than 60 well-preserved buildings to explore.
Coba About 30 miles northwest of Tulum, amidst ever-encroaching jungle and surrounded by two lakes, stands Cobá ("waters stirred by the wind"), whose pyramids and stone walkways reveal the heart of a once sprawling and successful Mayan city. At 81 square miles, it is in fact the largest archaeological site in the Yucatan. The site thrived between 500 and 900 A.D., when it was home to 50,000 people. It has as yet only been partially excavated and explored.
Kohunlich & Chetumal Further south along the coast, where the Mexican state of Quintana Roo meets neighboring Belize, the largely untouched, park-like setting of Kohunlich and the popular port of Chetumal are both interesting sidetrips. Kohunlich boasts numerous archaeological sites dating from 300 to 1200 A.D., when it was an important religious center. In Chetumal, a visit to the Museum of Mayan Culture is a must. |
 Xcaret Xcaret is a spectacular choice for any vacationer. Known as "Nature's Sacred Paradise," it is an eco-archaeological amusement park just 45 miles south of Cancun with enough natural, historical, cultural and recreational features to keep visitors busy from morning until night.
Where the park is located today, was centuries ago an important religious center for the Mayan world. Pilgrims would purify themselves in the waters of Xcaret's cenote before launching their canoes for the journey to Cozumel, the island sacred to Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility.
Some of the park's many attractions include a museum with models of the great Mayan cities, a replica Mayan village, and some small archaeological sites.
 Float along the open air or underground rivers that circulate the park through a labyrinth of tunnels. Swim in the lagoon, or mysterious cenotes, there's even a swim with dolphins area. Xcaret's beautiful cove is scattered with archaeological finds which testify to its history as a Mayan trading port.
Other activities in the park include visiting the aviary, a breeding ground for hundreds of species of rare and endangered tropical birds, or the butterfly pavilion, literally alive with colors. There's also a stable full of horses for riding along the enchanting shorelines.
 Xcaret at night comes alive with a magical voyage into Mexico's past. Tour the ancient temples by eerie torchlight to the sound of native drums. Then there's the folkloric show, a festival of music and dance that accompanies a traditional Mayan game of 'pok ta pok,' similar to a cross between soccer and basketball.
Xel-HA Xel-Ha (pronounced shell-HA) is a 22-acre aquatic adventure park 75 miles south of Cancun, near the amazing ruins of Tulum. Try snorkeling in the "natural aquarium" of its shallow lagoon, swimming with dolphins or inner tubing down a gentle river.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve South of Tulum, immerse yourself in nature with a jungle trek at the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. This massive 1.3-million-acre park is home to over 350 species of birds, endangered animals, tropical forest, wetlands, marine habitats and 30 little visited Mayan archaeological sites, including ancient Mayan canals. The fishing village of Punta Allen, on a small peninsula within the reserve, is the southern limit of the Mayan Riviera. The reserve is just a 15-minute drive from Tulum. |
 Get into the action! Cancun is Mexico's world renowned hotspot. This bustling destination of great beaches, restaurants, nightclubs, stores, archaeological sites, cultural attractions and so much more is all just a 50-minute drive away. For more information on Cancun... |
An amazing underground world comes to the light of day in the remarkable natural springs that dot the Quintana Roo region.
Called cenotes (sinkholes), these unusual formations were created by the shifting of area's limestone base centuries ago. The underground caverns and passages opened up by these movements have filled with water to create ethereal places that peek up to surface in a few select places. The effect today is to create amazing swimming holes in often romantic or eerie settings. Experiencing a cenote is like nothing else you've ever experienced. Read more about the Cenotes... |
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