🏖️ Quintana Roo, Mexico
Things to do in Cancún & the Riviera Maya
Caribbean beaches, jungle cenotes and Maya ruins
A favourite for honeymoons
Cancún and the Riviera Maya are Mexico’s Caribbean playground — a long coast of powder-white sand and impossibly turquoise sea, backed by jungle hiding cenotes and ancient Maya cities. From the resort strip of Cancún down through Playa del Carmen to Tulum, it pairs easy beach days with some of the best day trips in the Americas.
Powder-white Caribbean beaches, candlelit beach dinners and turquoise cenotes — a honeymoon classic.
Time needed
4–7 days
Best time
December–April is the dry, sunny peak season
Region
Quintana Roo, Mexico
Don’t miss
Caribbean beaches and a swim in a cenote
The white sand and warm turquoise water are the headline, but the magic of the Riviera Maya is the cenotes — natural freshwater sinkholes in the jungle, some open-air, some in glowing caverns, all incredible for a swim or snorkel between beach days.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Cancún & the Riviera Maya
- The white-sand beaches and turquoise Caribbean sea.Find tours
- Swim or snorkel in a jungle cenote.Find tours
- The clifftop Maya ruins of Tulum, on the coast.Find tours
- A ferry to Isla Mujeres for snorkelling and beaches.Find tours
- A day trip to the great Maya city of Chichén Itzá.Find tours
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How to get to Cancún & the Riviera Maya
Fly into Cancún (CUN) — one of the busiest airports in Latin America, with direct flights worldwide. The Hotel Zone, Playa del Carmen and Tulum string south down the coast, linked by cheap ADO buses, colectivos and private transfers.
Hire a car in Cancún
Compare rental deals — handy for reaching Cancún & the Riviera Maya at your own pace
Best time to visit
December–April is the dry, sunny peak season. Watch for sargassum seaweed (worst roughly May–August) and the June–November hurricane season; the shoulder months can be a good-value compromise.
Cancún & the Riviera Maya tips
- Base in Tulum or Playa del Carmen for a more relaxed, boutique feel than the Cancún Hotel Zone.
- Cenotes are the region’s hidden gem — build at least one into your trip.
- Check current sargassum-seaweed reports for your dates; it varies hugely by beach and month.
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Opening hours, prices, transport and entry rules change — always verify before you go, and check your government’s current travel advice. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.