Riviera Maya, Mexico - Sun & Beaches

The Caribbean Sea, white sand beaches, vibrant coral reef and historic Mayan Ruins attract visitors to Riviera Maya. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef offers a colorful underwater wonderland, ideal environment for snorkeling and scuba diving. The Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza and historic town of Tulum are the symbols of the Mayan civilization. The visit to Valladolid reveals the colonial style architecture, cultural monuments and excellent cuisine. Yucatan Peninsula is the land of spectacular sinkholes called Cenotes, historic structures and wonderful regional cuisine.

Travel Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Cancun

There are direct flights to/from Cancun from USA cities, including Newark, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Huston, Miami and Los Angeles. At the Cancún International Airport we meet our private driver and transfer to our seaside resort.

Day 2 – Riviera Maya Beach

The picture-perfect scenery of the turquoise sea, white sand beach and thatched beach parasols describe the coastline of the Riviera Maya. We spend a day at the beach, swimming in the Caribbean Sea, sunbathing, walking on the beach and lounging by the pool. We enjoy a beach barbeque at lunch, featuring grilled fish, meats, guacamole and traditional salsa. Expansive resort grounds, entertaining pool games, refreshing snacks and drinks offer a relaxing atmosphere.

Day 3 – Great Maya Reef

The effervescent marine life, crystal clear waters and diverse reef formations describe the beauty of the Great Maya Reef. A morning snorkeling tour includes a transfer from/to our resort and snorkeling exploration at multiple locations. The underwater pathways guide along the multi-colored corals, schools of fish, sharks and turtles. The sun rays beaming through the transparent waters reveal beautiful seagrass beds, diverse hard corals and colorful sea fans. We return to our resort after the tour and spend a relaxing afternoon at the beach. In the evening, we have dinner in our resort, comprising a live Mexican music and culinary specialties from the Yucatan Peninsula.

Day 4 – Chichen Itza, Valladolid

The pyramid of the Chichen Itza, Cenotes and colonial town of Valladolid are popular attractions of Yucatan Peninsula. The few hours’ drive from our resort leads to the Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza. We discover the 365-step pyramid of Castillo de Kukulcan, the spacious Great Ball Court, the Temple of the Warriors and Caracol (Observatory). Next, we drive a short distance to the ecological and archeological park to visit Sagrado Cenote Azul, a natural sinkhole with turquoise waters. Afterwards, we visit Valladolid, a historic town with colonial architecture and majestic Convent of San Bernardino. We have dinner in the local restaurant, degusting the regional specialty, Longaniza de Valladolid. After dinner, we drive back to our hotel.

Day 5 – Beach Day, Christmas Celebration

The festive decorations, holiday music and Santa Clause in the golden sleigh describe the Christmas celebrations at our resort. We spend the day swimming in the turquoise waters, strolling along the beach, observing wildlife and enjoying festive meals. The evening Christmas festivities involve a medley of music and dance routines, representing Mexican, French, Brazilian and Argentinian cultures. The multi-course dinner consists of the Mexican and continental cuisines.

Day 6 – Playa del Carmen

The energetic town, beautiful beaches and pedestrian promenade describe the picturesque coastline of Playa del Carmen. We drive a half an hour from our resort to the Playa del Carmen, a tourist town with a charming downtown, quaint boutiques and lively restaurants. We enjoy spending time in this chic town and have lunch at the seaside restaurant. In the evening, we return to our resort and have dinner at the outdoor patio and enjoy live music.

Day 7 – Tulum

The preserved Mayan ruins, spectacular beaches, dramatic cliffs and beautiful coastline define the allure of Tulum. We drive an hour from our resort to the historic town of Tulum situated along the Caribbean Sea. Atop the cliff, the scenic El Castillo structure symbolizes Mayan history. We explore the Temple of the Frescoes and the Temple of Descending God. We visit the nearby Cenotes, then we spend time at the beach and swim in the sea.

Day 8 – Cancun Departure

We spend a relaxing half day at the beach before our afternoon flight. At noon, we transfer to the Cancún International Airport and fly home.

Special Places

Riviera Maya

The endless white sand beaches, vibrant marine life and historic Maya city ruins are popular attractions of Riviera Maya. Mexico’s state of Quintana Roo, situated in the eastern part of Yucatan Peninsula, includes Riviera Maya. South of Cancun, the Riviera Maya stretches from the Playa del Carmen to Tulum and boasts white sand beaches, turquoise sea waters, vibrant marine life and picturesque coastline. Cancún International Airport offer convenient access to region’s high-end resorts, European style mansions, luxurious yachts and white sand beaches along Caribbean Sea. Situated along the picturesque coastline are all-inclusive luxury resorts. The tourist town Playa del Carmen has the European influenced downtown, quaint boutiques, collection of restaurants and offers access to nearby Rio Secreto Nature Reserve and vibrant coral reef. The scenic town of Tulum has preserved Mayan ruins, spectacular beaches and beautiful coastline. Tulum’s Mayan structure of El Castillo has a picture-perfect setting, constructed atop the cliff and overlooking the ocean. The important symbols of Mayan civilization are the Temple of Descending God and the Temple of the Frescoes, a historic observatory. The Riviera Maya serves as a central location to explore the Yucatan Peninsula, its beaches, culture, history and cuisine.

Great Maya Reef

The nature enthusiasts, scuba divers and adventure travelers love to explore the Caribbean wonderland filled with beautiful underwater corals, turquoise sea, pristine beaches and mangrove forests. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, also known as the Great Maya Reef, stretches from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula to Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. The mangrove forests, wetlands and seagrass beds create protective and fertile habitat for diverse marine life and diverse corals, including hard corals, soft corals and colorful sea fans. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef represents the second largest reef system in the world and the largest in the Americas. Mexico’s eastern coast from Cancun to Tulum reveals spectacular underwater life beaming with colorful marine life in the nearly transparent waters. There are abundant snorkeling and scuba diving sites, including coastal areas of Akumal, Puerto Morales, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras and Cozumel Island. A snorkeling excursion organized through our resort includes transportation, refreshments and snorkeling at the multiple locations. During our Christmas visit, the irregular cold front passes through the region resulting in colder temperatures, windy sea, yet seemingly clearer waters. The guided tour follows along the colorful coral formations, diverse schools of fish, fast moving shark and turtles.

Chichen Itza

The Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza represent historical, architectural and cultural symbol of the Maya civilization. Chichen Itza, a UNESCO protected archeological site, is situated in the Yucatan Peninsula between Merida and Cancun. Upon entering the site, the majestic structure of Castillo de Kukulcan reflects Mayan architectural achievement, 365-step pyramid that is also known as “sacred mountain”. The spacious Great Ball Court reflects Mayan innovative design enhancing the sound weaves in the open air. The Group of the Thousand Columns represents an impressive complex with aligned rows of columns and integrates the Temple of the Warriors featuring central pyramid surrounded by rows of columns. The structure of Caracol (Observatory) introduces the spiral staircase in the center and educates about Mayan interests in astronomy. The early mornings and afternoons are the quietest times to discover Chichen Itza and we slowly stroll along the spacious grounds and historic sites.

Valladolid

The colonial style architecture, cultural monuments, natural sinkholes of Cenotes and unique culinary repertoire define the charm of Valladolid. Located in the Yucatan state in the Yucatan Peninsula, Valladolid exhibits the significant influences of the Spanish colonialism. Francisco Canton Square displays the statue of Mayan woman in the center surrounded by trees and benches. The pastel-colored houses in the square complement the simple façade of the nearby Cathedral of San Gervasio. Among the country’s religious symbols, the Convent of San Bernardino is a spiritual and cultural treasure. The frescoes at the Municipal Palace and the Mayan artifacts collection at the Museum of San Roque exemplify Valladolid’s wealth of cultural and historic sites. The Yucatan Peninsula boasts an abundance of natural treasures, such as the Cenotes, also called sinkholes. The Cenotes result from collapsed rock surface exposing the groundwater underneath. The route between Chichen Itza and Valladolid offers convenient access to Sagrado Cenote Azul. Situated in the ecological and archeological park, Sagrado Cenote Azul is a relaxing space for tourists and locals to swim in the underground waters. Yucatan Peninsula is known for its wonderful cuisine. We recommend sampling a regional smoked sausage, the Longaniza de Valladolid.

Favorite Adventures

Mexican Artistry

The majestic archeological sites, colonial architecture, picturesque town squares and multi-colored exterior façades show diversity of regional architecture. The colorful costumes, energetic rhythms and expressive styles define the artistry of Mexican music and dances. Traversing the region, we observe the Mexican culture and traditions. The bright colors are visible in murals, artisan pottery, interior décor and regional cuisine. In Mexico, the traditions of handcrafts are passed from generations and enchant visitors with beautiful artisan designs, superior quality and authentic styles.

Selected Cuisine

Longaniza de Valladolid

The Yucatan Peninsula region is highly praised for its wonderful cuisine, strongly influenced by the European culinary styles. In the town of Valladolid, we stop at the local restaurant and order La Parillada, selection of grilled meats. Our ordered La Parillada consists of tender beef, pork cutlets, chicken skewers and the Longaniza de Valladolid. The local specialty of Longaniza de Valladolid is a smoked sausage flavored with recado rojo (achiote paste). The spice mixture of achiote paste serves as a marinade for the sausage that enhances its savory taste, subtle aroma and unique color. The baked potato topped with grilled onions and fresh green salad with tomatoes, onions and cucumbers lightly drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice, complement the flavorful meats.

Preferred Accommodations

Secrets Maroma Beach Resort

The turquoise Caribbean Sea, white sand beach, tropical vegetation and expansive grounds are a beautiful setting for the Secrets Maroma Beach Resort. The upscale all-inclusive resort is a romantic destination for couples. The elegant décor and Mexican artistry create luxury, tranquility and relaxation. The beautiful beach with thatched beach parasols and the swimming pool offer relaxation. The upscale restaurants serve French, Italian and Mexican cuisines. The evening entertainment includes Mexican music, dance performances, comedy shows and live bands performing at the resort’s amphitheater. The weekly bazaar is set at the resort and features hand-crafted rugs, tapestry, colorful shawls and souvenirs created by local artists. The Secrets Maroma Beach Resort is a perfect tropical destination with turquoise sea, white sand beach, excellent cuisine and excellent customer service.