49 Best Sights in The Riviera Maya, Mexico

This entrancing folk-art museum is a must for anyone interested in Mexican culture and handicrafts. It's brimming with original works by the country's finest artisans, which are arranged in fascinating tableaux. The collection represents different regions of Mexico—from nativity scenes sculpted from Oaxacan clay to the intricate árbol de la vida (tree of life) sculptures crafted in Metepec. Children will love the toy room, which includes an impressive display of alebrijes (fantastical wood carvings). Since this is one of the many attractions inside Xcaret, the only way to visit the museum is by purchasing a day pass to the theme park.

This photogenic archaeological site at the northern end of the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve is underrated. Once known as Chunyaxché, it's now called by its ancient name, Muyil (pronounced moo-hill). It dates from the late Preclassic Period, when it was connected by road to the sea and served as a port between Cobá and the Maya centers in Belize and Guatemala. A 15-foot-wide sacbé, built during the Postclassic Period, extended from the city to the mangrove swamp and was still in use when the Spaniards arrived.

Structures were erected at 400-foot intervals along the white limestone road, almost all of them facing west, but there are only three still standing. At the beginning of the 20th century, the ancient stones were used to build a chicle (natural gum) plantation, which was managed by one of the leaders of the Caste Wars. The most notable site at Muyil today is the remains of the 56-foot Castillo—one of the tallest on the Quintana Roo coast—at the center of a large acropolis. During excavations of the Castillo, jade figurines representing the goddess Ixchel were found. Recent excavations at Muyil have uncovered some smaller structures.

The ruins stand near the edge of a deep-blue lagoon and are surrounded by almost impenetrable jungle, so be sure to bring insect repellent. You can drive down a dirt road on the side of the ruins to swim or fish in the lagoon. The bird-watching is also exceptional here; come at dawn, before the site officially opens (there's no gate) to make the most of it.

This colorful beach club, exclusively for overnight guests and cruise-ship passengers who purchase a VIP beach club package, is the only one on the Mahahual strip with a pool. Bungalows start at $115 a night, and VIP Beach Breaks for cruise passengers are $135 per adult. Both will get you access to the club's pool, restaurant, beach chairs, umbrellas, showers, and changing facilities.

VIP guests can also expect all-you-can-drink cocktails, all-you-can-eat food, and transportation from the port. Margaritas can be delivered to you beachside, or you can escape the heat by grabbing a bite in the enclosed patio. Free Wi-Fi is also included. There's decent snorkeling right out front, and equipment is available next door at Gypsea Divers. Even if you don't get in the water, the four shades of turquoise are breathtaking. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets. Best for: partiers; snorkeling; swimming.

This beachfront restaurant on the boardwalk doubles as a beach club, offering a bar, lunch, beach chairs, umbrellas, and kayaks. There's no fee for using the beach chairs and equipment, but you'll need to consume at least $50 worth of food and drink per person. There are restrooms, showers, and an on-site massage therapist you can book for an extra fee.

The restaurant cooks up ceviche, tacos, sandwiches, and nachos, but most people opt for the fresh fish served with tortillas and homemade tartar sauce. Between tanning sessions, you can head to the outer reef on a private catamaran for a snorkeling tour. Cruise passengers flock to this simple beachfront hot spot, so reserve ahead if you want to be part of the action. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: partiers; snorkeling.

The small ruins at Oxtankah are worth a visit if you're in the Chetumal area. Named for the Ramon trees ("ox" in Mayan) that populate the grounds, they're in a parklike setting and take about an hour to explore. The ruins include a Spanish mission, a pyramid, and several other structures. Archaeologists believe this city's prosperity peaked between AD 200 and 600. Maya groups returned to the area during the 15th and 16th centuries, using old stone to build new structures. There are toilets, free parking, and a tiny museum on-site but no food or drink available, so come prepared.

Beachcombers, campers, and snorkeling snowbirds love Paamul (pronounced pah-mool), a crescent-shaped lagoon 21 km (13 miles) south of Playa del Carmen with clear, placid waters sheltered by a coral reef. Shells, sand dollars, and even glass beads—some from the sunken, 18th-century Spanish galleon Mantanceros, which lies off nearby Akumal—wash up onto the sandy parts of the beach. (There's a sandy path into deeper water in front of the restaurant—on the rocks, watch out for sea urchins.) Sea turtles hatch here June to November. If you'd like to stay on this piece of paradise, Hotel and Cabanas Paamul is a laid-back option.Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

This Maya jungle settlement is home to about 200 people who still live in round thatch huts and pray to the gods for good crops.  You can only visit on trips organized by Alltournative, an ecotour company based in Playa del Carmen. Alltournative pays the villagers a monthly stipend to protect the land; this money has made the village self-sustaining and has given the inhabitants an alternative to logging and hunting, which were their main means of livelihood before.

The "Cobá Maya Encounter" includes transportation, entrance to Cobá ruins, lunch, and Maya guides within Pac Chen, which accepts no more than 120 visitors on any given day. The half-day tour starts with a trek through the jungle to a cenote where you grab onto a harness and zip line to the other side. Next is the Jaguar cenote, set deeper into the forest, where you must rappel down the cavelike sides into a cool underground lagoon. You'll eat lunch under an open-air palapa overlooking another lagoon, where canoes await. The food includes such Maya dishes as grilled achiote (annatto seed) chicken, fresh tortillas, beans, and watermelon.

The community's most central section of beach stretches from the ferry docks up to Calle 14 at the Wyndham Alltra Resort, a swath of deep white sand licked by turquoise water. The beach and water are clean, but there is some boat traffic that makes swimming less idyllic. Snorkelers aren't likely to see much here, but you can't beat the beach for convenience: countless bars and restaurants are a short walk away on 5th Avenue, masseurs compete (discreetly) to knead out your kinks, and it's easy to find a dive shop ready to take you out to sea. The closer you get to the docks, the more people you'll find. If you're looking for seclusion, head farther north outside Playa del Carmen. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Free of rocks, seagrass, and drop-offs, Playa del Secreto is perfect for swimming, kayaking, or snorkeling. On windy days, the waves are large enough for boogie boarding or bodysurfing. At the nearby reef, divers can get down with lobster, octopus, crabs, and turtles. The powdery white sand makes it great for long walks. The stretch near Valentin Imperial Maya is especially clean, with clear warm water where fish come to eat out of your hand. Dotting the shore are vacation rentals and a private community of homeowners, meaning that there is no public access to this beach other than through the private roads off Carretera 307. Despite the fact this is a public beach, non-hotel guests will be turned away at security gates. That also means that there are no public facilities other than those offered exclusively to guests. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming; walking.

Snorkelers and divers love this stretch of coastline, but beachgoers might be a little disappointed. The beach alongside Xcalak town is narrow—eaten away by past hurricanes—and often covered in seaweed and piles of garbage washed in on the tide. The hotels and B&Bs north of town do their best to keep their beaches clean and comfortable, making them the area's best spots for swimming or kayaking.

Sections of the beach connect to a network of protected mangroves frequented by manatees. Moreover, the offshore reef of nearby Banco Chinchorro is great for snorkeling, diving, and fishing. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

Newcomers to Puerto Morelos might be disappointed by the blankets of seaweed and boats that dock ashore—after all, this place is more about snorkeling on the reef than sunning on the sand. Your best bet is to head for the stretch of beach two blocks north of the square in front of Ojo de Agua Hotel. Park on the town square or adjacent streets. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: snorkeling; walking.

One of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches has deep white sand that feels like powdered sugar and crystalline water that’s free of rocks. The small waves crashing onshore make it great for bodysurfing; 10 minutes off the coast of the Blue Diamond Resort, you'll find terrific diving, too. Hotels supply lounge chairs and offer activities like volleyball, yoga, and even remote-control boat racing for guests. Unfortunately, this beach can only be accessed by way of the security gate on Carretera 307 that leads to three area resorts. Unless you plan to visit by boat or stay at one of them, you’re probably out of luck. Amenities: food and drink; toilets (for resort guests only). Best for: walking.

Nestled in a protected cove, this wide stretch of beach is popular with divers and snorkelers due to the outer reef that keeps waters calm. The fine sand is perfect for a barefoot stroll, but the shallow waters have sharp rocks just below the surface. Across the road from Casa Cenote Restaurant is Manatee Cenote, an underwater cave that spills from the mangroves into the sea. This freshwater pool, coupled with the outer reef, make Tankah a snorkeler's paradise. The main draw is that the area is relatively isolated since most sun worshipers tend to bask on the shores of Playa del Carmen. Amenities: food and drink; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; walking.

Learn how to cook authentic Mexican cuisine from the trained chefs at Casa Caribe's culinary school. After participating in the hands-on making of seven to eight dishes, including guacamole and salsa, you can enjoy the meal you've just prepared. Classes are offered Monday through Saturday, from 10 to 3:30, by reservation only.

Extending 11 km (7 miles), Tulum's main beach is a tropical paradise comprised of glassy water and powdery sand, set off from the jungle by hip restaurants and low-slung bungalow hotels where the yoga set take their virtuous rest. It's divided by a rocky promontory into two main sections, similar to each other, although the farther south you go on the Carretera Tulum–Boca Paila beach road, the more secluded and lovelier it gets. The beach is bordered on the south by the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve, whose coast is even more deserted. To the north, you'll find the Tulum ruins. Beach access can be tricky; even though the beach is public, the hotels and restaurants along the shore often limit access to guests only, and public access points are few and far between. If you're not staying on the beachfront, make sure to ask your hotel where the closest access point is. Amenities: food and drink; toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming; walking.

Talk about a beach with a view! At Tulum's archaeological site, the Caribbean's signature white sand and turquoise waters are framed by a backdrop of Maya pyramids. The small cove can get crowded, especially during peak season when travelers flock to the ruins for a day of sightseeing. The south end by the rocks tends to have more breathing room. Only those who purchase a ticket to the ruins can access this beach, unless you approach the shores by boat. Amenities: none. Best for: swimming.

About 10 km (6 miles) south of Akumal, this beach (also written Xca-Cel), has white powdery sand and a nearby cenote that can be accessed through a jungle path to your right. Snorkeling is best on the beach's north end. To reach it from Carretera 307, turn at the dirt road that runs between Chemuyil and Xel-Há. The route is blocked by a guard who will charge you MX$97 to enter; after paying, simply continue on to the beach itself. From May through November, this area is reserved for turtle nesting. Avoid stepping on any raised mounds of sand as they could be turtle nests. Note that the beach road is open daily 10–4. Amenities: parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; solitude; swimming.

Designed for thrill seekers, this 125-acre park features underground rafting in stalactite-studded water caves and cenotes. Swim in a stalactite river, ride in an amphibious vehicle, or soar across the park on 14 of the longest zip lines in Mexico. Daytime admission (valid 8:30 am to 6 pm) includes all food, drink, and equipment. A separate evening admission from 5:30 to 11:00 pm includes "Xplor Fuego" activities, which include similar things but with a nighttime theme. Mix-and-match packages can be purchased online to include both day and evening admission and entry to Xcaret next door.

Devoted snorkelers may want to follow the unmarked dirt road to Laguna Yal-kú, about 3 km (2 miles) north of Akumal town center. A series of small mangrove-edged lagoons that gradually reach the ocean, Yal-kú is an eco-park that's home to schools of parrot fish in clear water with visibility to 160 feet in winter and spring. Snorkeling equipment can be rented in the parking lot; the site also has toilets, lockers, changing rooms, outdoor showers, and a snack bar. Sunscreen is not allowed, so bring a T-shirt to keep from getting burned.