The Riviera Maya offers a diverse array of activities and diversions, easily accessible from Playa del Carmen. Natural attractions include The Great Mayan Reef, a 218-mile treasure trove of coral, fish and other marine life; a sacred place for divers and snorkelers since Jacques Cousteau filmed it in 1961. The Riviera Maya also hosts three large eco themed parks, Xcaret, Xel-Ha and for the more adventurous, Xplor, all however abounding in water activities and natural wonders.
From Playa del Carmen, you have easy access to several daytrip destinations throughout the Riviera Maya:
- Tulúm, gloriously perched above the sea, with some dozen buildings dating from the 13th century enclosed in a rare standing wall.
- Coba, perhaps once the biggest Maya city and the hub of its sophisticated roadways, with 6,000 ruins accessible from jungle footpaths.
- Chichen Itzá, a stunning complex of temples, ball courts and other buildings centered on the dramatic 91-step pyramid the Spaniards called “El Castillo.”
- The Yucatan Peninsula and Riviera Maya boasts over 7000 cenotes and endless possibilities for cave-diving. Noteworthy Cenotes to visit include El Jardin Del Eden, a large cenote with stunningly clear water, or Cenote Dos Ojos, a large network of underground and open-air cenotes that intertwine across a large park
