Mexico’s Riviera Maya is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world, with millions of visitors heading south from Cancún to enjoy the myriad coastal charms that can be found between Puerto Morelos and Tulum. Thanks to the wide range of vacation activities, it’s also a wonderful family destination.
Discovering the Mayan World
While most vacationers still come for the warm Caribbean waters and sunshine—and all the requisite wet-and-wild activities that go along with a beautiful seashore—large patches of jungle are still wild, some with stone pyramids poking out above the treetops.
Several sets of Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula are accessible from the Riviera Maya. The easiest to visit are in Tulum, where you can explore what’s left of a former port city dating to the 13th century. Inland from there is the Coba site complex, a larger ancient city in the jungle that peaked between 201 and 601 AD.
The most popular set of ruins is at Chichen Itza, named one of the seven wonders of the world and an all-day excursion. Or you might opt to visit the less crowded ruins of Ek Balam, which was the seat of Mayan kingdom from 770 to 840.
Endless Entertainment
For families seeking outdoor thrills or top-notch entertainment, the Riviera Maya is ready to deliver.
Fishing, whale shark visits, sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling are all easy excursions from the marinas along the coast. Inland activities include underground caverns and pools. The Xcaret company supplies ready-made fun via its various themed adventure parks, from the original multi-activity location to others focused on ziplines (Xplor) or family water park activities (Xel-Ha).
The famed Cirque de Soleil presents one of its signature acrobatic performances — Joya — in a dedicated theater located midway between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. And both of those cities are packed with entertainment, too — from nightclubs with DJs or live bands to folkloric dance performances.
