From Cancun in the north to the archaeological site of Tulum in the south stretches a magnificent coastline peppered with tropical parks, snorkelling and diving havens, small rustic hotels and luxurious resorts and it is know as the Riviera Maya, on the south coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.
Puerto Morelos
Here you will find the small coastal fishing village of Puerto Morelos with its attractive beaches and bohemian village life as well as the nearby Palancar Aquarium and the Dr Alfredo Barrera Marin Botanical Garden, which features a replica of a typical Mayan home, a nature trail and native plant species like cacao and chicle trees.
Playa del Carmen
Continuing south, you arrive in Playa del Carmen, a former fishing village that used to be only the ferrypoint out to Cozumel. But with its stunning white beaches and clear blue waters it wasn't going to stay quiet for long. Playa, as it is called by locals, is still growing but has preserved its small-town charm and offers a great selection of local restaurants and shopping without the bustle and over-development of big resorts like Cancun.
Akumal & Tulum
Furthest south, before you reach the border with Belize, is Akumal which means "land of the turtles" in the Mayan language. The highlight here is the fresh water caves and subterranean rivers. More than 200 entrances to subterranean caves reaching up to 150 metres deep make it a gathering place for diving enthusiasts. It is also close to the spectacular Mayan ruins of Tulum, perched on a cliff over the pearl-white beaches below and overlooking the blue Caribbean ocean.
Most itineraries tend to finish on this stretch of coast and we would be delighted to offer advice on which style of beach retreat would best suit your requirements for some wonderful relaxation at the end of your Mexico trip. We can also arrange day tours to the Mayan site at Chichen Itza from hotels along this coast.
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