Riviera Maya: Things To Do

Cenote Swimming and Diving The Yucatàn Peninsula is a vast limestone formation cut by underground water systems. Cenotes are areas where the surface has caved in, creating large pools that connect to caves, many with stalactites and stalagmites, as well as ancient ritual sites. For guided diving and snorkeling tours (with an optional zip-line experience), go with Hidden Worlds. Hidden Worlds, 15 minutes north of Tulum; 011-52-984-877-8535; www.hiddenworlds.com
diving | swimming | adventure

Chichen Itza The most heavily visited Mayan ruins are at Chichen Itza, but popularity doesn’t diminish the site’s impressiveness. This vast complex of pyramid temples, an observatory, a palace, and ball courts is 2.5 hours from Cancun. Travel Yucatan operates busses from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. 111 miles east of Cancun; www.travelyucatan.com
archaeology | culture | history

Cobá This barely-explored lakeside archaeological zone comprised one of the largest Mayan cities. From the pyramid’s tower you can see across miles of flat peninsula to other ruined towers in the distance. Travel Yucatan operates busses from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Travel Yucatan, 77 miles southwest of Playa del Carmen; www.travelyucatan.com
archaeology | culture | history

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve At this UNESCO World Heritage Site you can either spend the night in a rustic hotel or go on a day trip that includes exploring a small area of Mayan ruins at Muyil, kayaking, fly fishing, or floating on inner tubes down Mayan-constructed canals lined with bird-filled mangrove trees. just south of Tulum, Hwy. 307; 011-52-984-87-12499; www.cesiak.org
outdoors | history | world heritage

The Barrier Reef The world’s second largest barrier reef follows the Maya Riviera Coast all the way south through Belize. The snorkeling and drift diving are spectacular. Every hotel on the Maya Riviera can arrange boat trips through their concierge desk or water sports pavilion. All hotels also have diving concessions. Quintana Roo Regional Tourist Office, 26 Avenida Tulum; 011-52-998-881-9000
diving | adventure | water sports

Tulum Set on a cliff, and originally painted red, the only seaside Mayan ruins dazzled Spanish mariners. Wear your bathing suit for a refreshing post-visit dip in the Caribbean. Tulum is a little more than an hour south of Playa del Carmen. Travel Yucatan operates busses from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. 80 miles south of Cancun; www.travelyucatan.com
beach | archaeology | culture | history