A region of Quintana Roo
The Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo from Puerto Morelos south to Tulum: beaches, reefs, cenotes and Maya ruins, with Cozumel just offshore.
2 Pueblos Mágicos · 12 places to visit
Pueblos Mágicos in Riviera Maya
Map
Places to visit in Riviera Maya 12
12 places with their own page, grouped by kind.
Nature reserves · 6 Towns · 2 Beaches · 1 Caves · 1 Cities · 1 Landmarks and museums · 1
Nature reserves
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Croco Cun · Nature reserve · Quintana Roo
Interactive zoo north of Puerto Morelos that began as a crocodile farm; guided tours meet crocodiles, deer, monkeys and rescued local wildlife. -
Jardín Botánico Dr. Alfredo Barrera Marín · Nature reserve · Quintana Roo
Puerto Morelos' 65-hectare jungle botanical garden, with labelled trails, a chiclero camp, a small Maya ruin, a lookout tower and spider monkeys. -
Ruta de los Cenotes · Nature reserve · Quintana Roo
Jungle road from Puerto Morelos toward Leona Vicario lined with some 20 cenotes, from wild sinkholes to adventure parks with zip lines. -
Xcaret · Nature reserve · Quintana Roo
Big eco-park on a Caribbean inlet south of Playa del Carmen, built around underground rivers and the ruins of the Maya port of Polé. -
Xenses · Nature reserve · Quintana Roo
Grupo Xcaret's sensory park near Playa del Carmen: optical illusions, a topsy-turvy village, mud baths, a salt river and a zip line. -
Xplor · Nature reserve · Quintana Roo
All-inclusive adventure park next to Xcaret: two zip-line circuits, amphibious vehicles and rafting and swimming through stalactite caves.
Towns
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Playacar · Town · Quintana Roo
Playa del Carmen's gated hotel zone south of the ferry pier, with a long beach, a golf course and the free Xaman-Há Maya ruins. -
Puerto Morelos · Town · Quintana Roo
Low-key fishing port between Cancún and Playa del Carmen, with a leaning lighthouse, calm beaches and a protected reef a short boat ride out.
Beaches
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Punta Esmeralda · Beach · Quintana Roo
Free public beach in north Playa del Carmen where a freshwater cenote spills across the sand into calm, shallow sea.
Caves
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Río Secreto · Cave · Quintana Roo
Semi-flooded cave near Playa del Carmen, visited on guided walks and swims among dense stalactites in small groups.
Cities
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Playa del Carmen · City · Quintana Roo
The Riviera Maya's busy beach city: Quinta Avenida, the Cozumel ferry and a base for cenotes, reefs and Maya sites.
Landmarks and museums
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Quinta Avenida · Landmark · Quintana Roo
Playa del Carmen's pedestrian main street: kilometres of shops, cafés and bars a block from the beach, liveliest after dark.
Top tours in Riviera Maya
Croco Cun
Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour
From US$49
Croco Cun
Chichen Itza, Cenote & Valladolid Tour with Tequila and Lunch
From US$39
Croco Cun
Early morning Chichen Itza Tour: Cenote and Tequila Tasting
From US$39
Croco Cun
Cancun ATV Jungle Adventure, Ziplines, Cenote and Tequila Tasting
From US$39
Tulum
Tulum, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote & Mayan Ceremony
From US$129
Ruta de los Cenotes
Cancun ATV Adventure, Interactive Bridges, Ziplines and Cenote
From US$39
Cozumel
Cozumel: Paradise Beach Club All-Inclusive Day Pass
From US$81
Croco Cun
Isla Mujeres Luxury Sailing: Adults Only or Family Friendly
From US$55
Tours, prices and ratings from Viator, checked weekly. We may earn a commission if you book.
Getting around Riviera Maya
Fly into Cozumel (CZM) and Tulum (TQO).
Cities to start from: Playa del Carmen
Most of the region is reached by road: a rental car is the easiest way to see several places in a day, and buses link the larger towns.