Riviera Rambles

Grab your swimsuit and snorkeling gear and get ready for a day exploring the Riviera Maya. There are so many beaches to explore and crystal-clear lagoons to snorkel in and a stop in Playa del Carmen for shopping and dinner on the return journey. And if you want to add more adventures, explore the archaeological sites of Tulum or Coba or jungle cenotes.
Here are some of our favorite Riviera Maya spots.

Xpu-Ha

This long bay is now the site of several large resorts but there are still stretches that have preserved their rustic charm. Find your spot under the palms, snack on fresh seafood and enjoy the spectacular Caribbean views.

Puerto Aventuras

A resort community with lovely beaches, a relaxed vibe and some great casual restaurants for lunch. Head for the shoreline, the golf course or the marina for a fishing or scuba trip. Stroll along the waterfront, check out the boutiques and choose a spot for a drink or lunch.

Akumal

With its palm-lined beach, gentle waves, thatched roof palapa bars and restaurants you’d think that this picturesque bay had charms enough but there’s much more below the surface. The offshore reefs are popular for diving and snorkeling.

Marine life is varied and abundant in Akumal, even in the shallows. Royal grammas, spotted drums and damselfish dart through the corals and parrotfish and eagle rays are frequently observed. The greatest thrill of all, however, is to spot a green or loggerhead turtle grazing on the sea grass. Watch from a distance, do not approach or make a noise and it may swim past you, giving you the chance to see the beautiful markings on its shell. A vacation memory to treasure, no wonder Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Maya.

There’s more great snorkeling to the north in Half Moon Bay or Bahia de la Media Luna where the corals are much closer to the shore. You’ll need reef shoes here because the seabed is rocky.

Half Moon Bay is also home to one of the best beach bars in the Riviera Maya – after Heaven of course. It’s all wood and palapas, there are even swings and an observation tower. Sink your toes into the sand, order some fresh ceviche and take in the view. You’ll see pelicans and terns diving for fish and turtles surfacing.

Follow the coast road north from Akumal past Half Moon Bay to the shores of Caleta Yalku, an inlet of crystal-clear turquoise waters fed by underground rivers.

As you explore the refreshingly cool waters, you’ll see a variety of colorful reef fish that come inshore to feed or breed among the mangrove roots and submerged rocks. You’ll soon see sergeant majors, queen angelfish and blue tangs and keep a look out for statue-like herons waiting for their prey.

A local cooperative manages Yalku and charges a fee for admission. Life jackets are available and there are restrooms and a little open-air cafe.

Xcacel

A dirt track through the jungle and a palm grove leads to the pristine bay of Xcacel, designated a turtle sanctuary in 1998 by the Quintana Roo state government. One of the Riviera Maya’s best kept secrets, it is a beautiful spot for snorkeling, beach time and celebrating nature.

Playa del Carmen

After a day exploring the Riviera Maya, there’s always time for a stop in Playa del Carmen. Walk along Quinta Avenida and choose a place for dinner, drinks or coffee and your favorite gelato, check out the shops and enjoy the ambiance, the lights and the music.

For more Riviera Maya rambles, ask the Concierge for trip recommendations. They can help you put together a sightseeing itinerary tailor-made to match your interests and full of amazing travel experiences.