Are you ready to take a vacation to amazing Mexico? If you are, there is no better palace to visit than the stunning Riviera Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula. The area has incredible weather and some of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Plus, there are ancient Mayan ruins to explore so you can learn about the area’s rich heritage and culture, too. Don’t forget to use our list during your stay. Make sure to visit Chichen Itza, swim with whale sharks and sea turtles, visit magical cenotes, and enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Keep reading below to learn more tips on what you should not miss when you visit the Riviera Maya. It’s guaranteed to be one of your best vacations ever exploring amazing Mexico!

Beach Day

It goes without saying that no trip to the Riviera Maya is complete without spending time on the area’s beautiful beaches. The water is clear and turquoise and the sands are soft and wind. In fact, the Riviera Maya has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Pack a picnic and head down to the beach for the day. Top beaches to visit include Holbox, Akumal, Playa Xpu-Ha, Playa Paraíso, Tulum, Sian Ka’an, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Morelos beach. Make sure to wear sunscreen and bring along a hat or an umbrella for shade. Enjoy swimming in the clear refreshing waters and then soaking up the sun on the beach. Plus, you’re in Mexico so bring along a beverage or two and enjoy sipping an ice cold beer or cocktail right on the sand. Salud!

Swim in Freshwater Cenotes

Next, another not to miss activity to enjoy in the Riviera Maya is to swim in freshwater cenotes. Deep in the Mexican Jungle you can find cenotes. A cenote is a natural pit that occurs when limestone bedrock collapses to expose groundwater. In the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, cenotes were commonly used as a water supply for the ancient Mayans, and were also important in sacrificial offerings, too. Today, visitors can enjoy swimming in these magical water holes. Plus, each cenote is unique and different. Some cenotes are true caverns with an overhead ceiling for a thrilling adventure. Others are completely open to the sky so they feel like a giant swimming pool. Surrounded by lush tropical greenery, the cenotes are a beautiful spot to visit during your Riviera Maya vacation.

Discover Ancients Ruins at Chichén Itzá

Next, the Riviera Maya is home to many of the top archaeological sites in Mexico. For example, the most popular ruin to visit in the Yucatan Peninsula is Chichén Itzá. There, visitors can explore a complex of Mayan ruins that include a massive step pyramid, known as El Castillo or Temple of Kukulcan. The ancient city was at its peak from the years 600 A.D. to the 1200s. Also, impressive graphic stone carvings are still visible today in well preserved structures including a ball court, Temple of the Warriors and the Wall of the Skulls. At night, sound-and-light shows illuminate the buildings’ sophisticated geometry. Therefore, head to the ruins in the afternoon or evening so you can enjoy the nighttime special experience, too.

Swim with Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are giant saltwater fish that live in warm waters in the world’s tropical oceans. Due to their enormous size and diet, whale sharks prefer to swim in open water that is not above the continental shelf. However, each spring they migrate to the continental shelf of the central west coast of Australia. In the Riviera Maya, whale sharks are found off the coast of Cancun from early June through mid-September. The peak whale shark season in the area takes place between July and August. Whale sharks are slow moving animals, but they are so big it will appear they are moving fast. If you decide to swim with whale sharks, there are lots of tours available in the area. Remember, follow all instructions by the guide and it is illegal to touch a whale shark. If one swims towards you, make sure to swim out of its way. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience and a not to miss activity when visiting the Riviera Maya.

Snorkel with Sea Turtles at Akumal Bay

Lastly, no visit to the Riviera Maya is complete with a visit to Akumal Bay. Snorkeling with turtles is one of the most popular water activities around the world. In Mexico, the small sandy beach of Akumal is the most famous place to enjoy snorkeling with turtles. Akumal Bay is located near Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, two of the area’s most popular beaches. Did you know that Akumal is one of the only places in the world you can swim with sea turtles? The best time to enjoy this exciting activity is between May to November. This time frame is the nesting season for the sea turtles in the area, so you are most likely to see them during those months. The best snorkeling areas in Akumal include Half Moon Bay, Akumal Bay, Jade Bay, South Akumal, and Yal Ku Lagoon. When visiting the Riviera Maya, make sure to snorkel with sea turtles.

We hope you enjoyed our list of things you shouldn’t miss when you visit the Riviera Maya. Now, are you ready to plan your getaway to Mexico? If so, book your stay with Tafer Hotels & Resorts. In Cancun, they have the Villa del Palmar Cancun which is a popular choice for savvy travelers. The resort is part of Tafer Hotels & Resorts which has luxury properties in Mexico’s top destinations. Right now, they are offering special promotions and deals on travel packages. Also, they have COVID safety protocols in place to keep guests safe to relax on their vacation. Contact Amazing Mexico today at 866-883-0573 and pamper yourself with a wonderful vacation to the Riviera Maya.