Many folks equate the Mayan Riveria with Cancun, a spring break destination that almost every college student dreams of checking out sooner or later.
And, yes, while there’s a vibrant tourist market in Cancun, the surrounding areas have a lot more to offer up than just bars, drunk coeds, and margaritas.
Not only can you experience beautiful beaches, but there’s a wealth of other sights to see, too – and the best part is that it’s all rather budget friendly.
#1 Punta Allen
Punta Allen is considered the last great unspoiled and undeveloped spot in the Yucatan. It’s a small little fishing town and Ascension Bay is considered by many to be one of the best fishing spots in the world.
If fishing isn’t your thing, you can also visit the lighthouse, tour the mangroves, snorkel the reef or visit the nearby Mayan ruins. And if you’re just in it for the beaches, well you have that, too. In fact, you have 25 miles of pure, undeveloped, white sand beaches between Tulum and Punta Allen. And trust us, it’s spectacular.
#2 Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is located in Akumal, which is nestled between Tulum and Playa del Carmen; it’s the perfect beach for snorkeling and kayaking. It’s located on a small inlet, well away from the harsh seas. The area around it is mostly privately owned homes and condos, so it’s not nearly as touristy as the beaches in Cancun.
You’ll find an abundance of wildlife at Half Moon Bay including turtles, barracuda, fish and even a few harmless sharks. Nearby Akumal has a few restaurants and a small grocery store. Perfect for when you simply want to step away from the Cancun hotel zone.
#3 Cenote Santa Cruz
While the beaches are breathtaking, some of the best views in town might be a little harder to get to – because they’re underground.
There are many cenotes in the Mayan Riveria, some you have to scuba dive to see, but Cenote Santa Cruz is one you can swim in – and trust us, even though the water is rather cold, you’ll want to go for a swim in these crystal-clear waters.
Once you’re there, they shut the lights off and you enjoy the natural lighting and beauty of this underground swimming hole.
#4 of Doom (Cenote Esqueleto)
Remember when we mentioned scuba diving to see the cenotes? Well if you’re a diver, this is one to check out. You’ll be guided through the cenote where you will see stalactites, stalagmites, and giant slabs of limestone that appear to be hanging in thin air (err, water).
Oh, and did we mention that you’ll also see fossils in the walls and floor? If you’re a diver, this is one place you definably want to check out.
#5 Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres may only be a short ferry ride from Cancun, but it truly feels like an entirely different world. While Cancun is pretty Americanized, Isla Mujeres is less touristy, more laid back, and more authentic.
Isla Mujeres was a Mayan sanctuary to the fertility goddess, Ixchel, for about a thousand years.
There’s plenty to see on the island itself including a small ruin that was once a temple for Ixchel, a hatchery for endangered sea turtles, a sanctuary built by a pirate, and whale sharks that gather in the nearby waters in large groups.
#6 Tulum
Okay, so maybe you’re torn – you really want to visit a site with some historical significance, but you can’t drag your friends (or maybe yourself) off the gorgeous beaches. You want to see Mayan ruins, sure, but the beaches are to die for. Well then, you can have the best of both worlds at Tulum, a Mayan port city that is situated on one of the most gorgeous beaches you’ll ever see.
No, the photos you see online aren’t photoshopped. The water is truly that blue, the sand is really that white, and the ruins are right there, too, giving you an experience you won’t soon forget.
The Mayan Riveria is truly a destination like no other. Whether you simply want to curl up with a book on the beach or hike to the top of ancient ruins, you can do it there.
While some people are concerned about traveling to Mexico, Cancun and the Mayan Riveria is still fairly safe, and the locals are friendly and receptive to tourists. There really is no reason not to visit this paradise. The only question you should be asking yourself is, “What are you waiting for?”
Cover photo: www.pinterest.com
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