Riviera Maya Holidays (inc. Playa Del Carmen)
The Riviera Maya region stretches for 80miles along the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, from the lively resort of Playa del Carmen in the north, to the peaceful ruins of Tulum in the south. It’s a region offering more traditional resorts than Cancun but that still boast stunning stretches of powder soft, pristine white sands fringed by the vivid turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The region is encompassed by lush tropical vegetation and offers an array of attractions, from the unrivalled ancient Maya ruins of Chichen Itza and Tulum to the enthralling eco-parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha.

Playa Del Carmen is the liveliest resort in the Riviera Maya region however is more compact, laid back and picturesque than Cancun. Abundant with various dining, drinking and shopping opportunities and boasting a dazzling white beach, it’s ideal for those searching a perfect balance of relaxation and fun.
Playacar is on the outskirts of Playa del Carmen and provides a quiet and laid back alternative to Playa del Carmen however is still only a short walk away should you wish to go and explore.

Cozumel is an island just off the coast and is Mexico’s original ‘Caribbean’ destination. This tranquil and un-spoilt island has a laid back and traditional feel with miles of quiet deserted beaches and rugged jungle to explore in addition to a few small Mayan ruins and being widely recognized as a diver’s paradise.

Puerto Aventuras and Xpu-Ha sit next to each other in an area which is acknowledged as the most stunning in the Yucatan Peninsula, a long stretch of white sand meets calm waters, ideal for peaceful days in the sun followed by laid back evening entertainment at the hotel or at the beachside bars and restaurants. Furthest south is Tulum, one of Mexico’s main Mayan archeological sites and its ancient ruins sit on a cliff above a stunning white sandy beach lapped by dazzling blue turquoise waters. This peaceful resort is an ideal place to combine a relaxing beach holiday with the discovery of Mayan ruins and the ecological parks of Xel-Ha and Xcaret.

The Riviera Maya region is the ideal beach holiday destination, each resort boasts breathtaking beaches, there’s an array of archeological, ecological and colonial sites never too far away and each town provides a different level of evening entertainment allowing the region to cater for a wide range of tastes.

Weather
Temperatures are hot year round, the wet season starting in June and ending in October has average temperatures of 28C with the high humidity making it feel much hotter, it rains most days however is only short spurts towards the end of the afternoon, hurricanes are also a threat during the wet season. The most popular time to visit is during the dry season from November to May, it’s still hot but much more bearable with temperatures averaging at 24C. By Day
Wherever you decide to stay in the Riviera Maya region you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained. Land-lovers can enjoy the history and sights of the Mayan ruins and explore the peninsula’s varying terrain and cities. There’s an unrivalled array of water activities and the Great Maya reef provides world class diving and snorkeling opportunities.By Night
When it comes to nightly entertainment you can choose a town which suites your mood or your tastes, Play del Carman is the liveliest, maybe not as crazy as Cancun but still offers a wide range of restaurants, bars and nightclubs with a definite energetic ambience. Playacar is very peaceful and relaxed, with mainly hotel based entertainment; however is still close enough to Playa del Carmen to enjoy the occasional night out and Cozumel is somewhere in between, offering a nice blend of hotel entertainment, peaceful and relaxed bars and restaurants with several lively places as well where you can dance the night away and enjoy a more traditional Mexican ambience. Xpu-Ha and the other small towns are very relaxed, offering mainly hotel based entertainment with just few intimate bars and restaurants along the beach.Top Attractions
• Xel-Ha (Tulum) – A Lagoon & aquatic theme park, with diving opportunities for the less experienced.
• Chichen Itza Ruins – believed to be the social and political centre of the ancient Mayan empire.
• Mayan Ruins of Tulum – the only ancient Mayan ruin built on the shoreline.
• Parque Chankanaab (Cozumel) – a marine park featuring a wide array of marine life and where guests get the opportunity to dive, snorkel and swim with dolphins.
• Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (Tulum) – an amazing 1.3 million-acre nature reserve.
• Isla de Pasion (Cozumel) – tiny island full of remote beaches and unexplored dive sites.
• Pro Dive Mexico (Puerto Aventuras) – leading dive operation providing top quality training and excursions.
• Uxmal – The ruins of an ancient Mayan city.
• Paradise Beach (Cozumel) – an all singing and dancing beach experience.
• Dolphin discovery (Isla Mujeres) – an amazing dolphin experience.
Events
Candelmas Day (Feb) Easter Processions (Easter) Independence Day (Sep) Day of the Dead (Nov)Local Flavours
The Yucatan used to be quite cut off from the rest of Mexico so due to having strong commercial and shipping ties to Europe was greatly influenced by it, this can be seen in the architecture, clothing and the cuisine. When it comes to cuisine most international and main stream Mexican specialties can be experienced here but their local cuisine is quite different, dishes like Lime Soup, a spicy chicken and tomato soup with a hint of lime, Pollo Pibil, chicken marinated in artichoke peppercorns and garlic and Poc Chuc, pork marinated in a orange juice and served in a tangy sauce, they also do a lot of vegetarian and seafood dishes so the options are endless. When it comes to shopping the main tourist towns offer a diverse range of shopping from boutiques to markets, good buys include handcrafts, tequila, Cuban cigars and jewelry.History
Before the arrival of the Spanish the area was home to the advanced Mayan civilization and their architecture dating back some 3000 years, over a hundred Maya sites of varying size can still be found on the peninsula. The Spanish arrived in the early part of the 16th Century and in 1527 started on their conquest to colonize the Yucatan and brought about years of fighting, finally succeeding in their conquest in 1546. Spaniards turned the natives in to slaves and priests and monks set about converting people to Roman Catholicism burning all Maya books and suppressing pagan beliefs. There were periodic native revolts and in 1821 Mexico achieved independence and in the same year Yucatan became part of independent Mexico, however more revolts erupted over Yucatan independence and in 1840 congress approved a declaration of independence but after more fighting they rejoined Mexico n 1843.Size & Location
In the State of Quintana Roo, beginning 11 miles south of the Cancun International Airport in Puerto Morelos, the Riviera Maya region extends to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, a small town near the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. It borders on the East with the Caribbean Sea, to the South with the Central American countries of Belize and Guatemala, and to the West with the states of Campeche and Yucatan. It’s approx 50,212 square km.