This list of the best excursions in Riviera Maya It will help you complete a trip to one of the most famous jewels in Mexico, which we are sure, will make you fall in love as soon as you arrive.
In this area, located on the coast of the state of Quintana Roo, you can enjoy white sand beaches and turquoise waters, cenotes, coral reefs, ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization, hotels with all the comforts in addition to one of the best gastronomies of the world, which make it one of the most demanded destinations in the world.
A good way to get to know all these places in the Riviera Maya is by rental car, based on one of its best known cities like Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum although another more comfortable option is to make day trips with a guide in Spanish with which they will pick you up directly at your hotel.
Based on the days we spent in this paradise during our trip to Mexico for free, we have made this selection of what we consider are the 10 best excursions in Riviera Maya in Spanish.
1. Excursion to Chichen Itza
Visiting Chichen Itza, the most famous Mayan ruin and one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is one of the best excursions in Riviera Maya what can you do.
This archaeological complex has several buildings and structures such as the Pyramid of Kukulkan or the impressive Ball Game, which will take you to the period of greatest splendor of the Mayan civilization.
Being the place that receives more tourists from Mexico, it is advisable to arrive early, taking into account that they open at 8 in the morning, to be able to enjoy the site with more tranquility and be able to take photos without many people.
The duration of the visit is usually between three and five hours, depending on the time you dedicate to the site, and can be completed with a bath in one of the most spectacular cenotes of the country such as Ik Kil, which is very close to the site archaeological.
To get to Chichen Itza, if you do not have a rental car, you can take a bus at the ADO bus station in Cancun or Playa del Carmen, which will take you directly.
Another more comfortable option and with which you will know better the history of this ancient Mayan city, is to book a tour with a guide in Spanish in which you will be picked up directly at the hotel.
- Book excursion to Chichen Itza in Spanish
- Book excursion to Chichen Itza and sacred cenote
- Reserve Offer: Chichen Itza + Tulum in two days
- Reserve Offer: Chichen Itza + Xcaret in two days
- Book Chichen Itza + food + night show
- Book excursion to Chichen Itza in Spanish
Chichen Itza
2. Excursion to Tulum
In Tulum, you will find the typical Caribbean postcard where you can see the castle of an ancient Mayan city, located on the edge of a cliff, on a white sand beach and turquoise waters.
Visiting the Mayan ruins of Tulum will take you about 2 hours and in addition to protection for the hottest days, it is advisable to take your swimsuit to end with a refreshing swim on the beach below the ruins, one of the most famous in the world .
If you have extra time you can walk to one of our favorite beaches in Riviera Maya, the spectacular Paradise Beach and eat or drink at one of the seafront restaurants.
To get to the ruins, if you are not staying in Tulum and do not have a car, you can take a bus to the city and from there get on one of the van that will take you in a few minutes to the ruins.
Another more convenient way to get to Tulum is to book a guided tour in Spanish, which will pick you up directly at your hotel.
- Book excursion to Tulum and Cobá in two days
- Reserve Offer: Tulum + Chichen Itza in two days
- Book excursion to Tulum and Xel-Há
- Book Offer: Tulum + Xplor in two days
Tulum
3. Excursion to Coba
The ruins of Cobá are one of the largest Mayan sites in the Yucatan Peninsula, with several structures and pyramids scattered throughout the jungle, which can be easily walked or walked.
Its most prominent place is the Nohuch Mul pyramid, the tallest in the Yucatan with 42 meters high, which allows you to climb to its top using support ropes for its steep slope and from where you will have magnificent views of the area.
This archaeological complex has the peculiarity that is little rebuilt and that many fewer tourists arrive than in Chichen Itza or Tulum, so it is a great excursion in the Riviera Maya.
To get to Cobá, if you do not have a rental car, you can take an ADO bus, which will leave you near the entrance. Another option to learn more about the history of the archaeological complex is to book a guided tour in Spanish.
- Book Cobá excursion in Spanish
- Book excursion to Cobá and Tulum in two days
Coba Ruins
4. Holbox, one of the best excursions in Riviera Maya
The island of Holbox is a small paradise and another of the places to see in Riviera Maya. Its white sand beaches, transparent waters of an intense turquoise green and sunsets are to remember.
If you add to all this a delicious gastronomy, based on local and international food, and that is a relatively little crowded island, Holbox automatically becomes one of the best excursions in Riviera Maya.
In addition, all the points of interest of the island can be known by walking or renting a golf cart, since in Holbox motor vehicles are not allowed, so it is a very pleasant destination for relaxation.
Keep in mind that depending on the time you can swim with the great whale shark, watch the turtle nesting on its beaches or do the bioluminescence tour, in which you will be surprised with the luminous plankton in the sea.
The only way to get to Holbox is by ferry from Chiquilá. If you arrive by car, there are several car parks next to the ferry area, where you can leave it for about 100 pesos a day. Another option is to arrive by bus or book a day trip.
- Book excursion to Holbox in Spanish
Holbox, one of the best excursions in Riviera Maya
5. Excursion to Xel-Há
Xel-Há Park, a true paradise for nature lovers, is another of the Essential Riviera Maya excursions.
In this great natural aquarium with transparent turquoise waters from the Xel-Há River and the Caribbean Sea, you can perform several aquatic activities being one of the most requested, a walk on a floating tire, in which the river's current will take you by different points of interest of the park.
Also in this park you can snorkel in different coves, discover cenotes, jump from natural trampolines, throw yourself in a zip line or a liana, go hiking or biking through the jungle, among many other activities.
Without a doubt, it is a privileged place to spend a fun day if you go with children or adults.
To reach the Xel-Há park, located 13 kilometers from Tulum and 110 kilometers from Cancun, you can opt for the car or ADO buses. Another way to get there is to book a tour that includes transportation from your hotel, entrance and food.
Visiting hours: every day of the year from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Book excursion to Tulum and Xel-Há
- Book excursion to Cobá and Xel-Há
6. Excursion to the Cenotes
The Riviera Maya has its wildest part in the cenotes, some calcareous caves due to erosion, where you can take a relaxing bath or even go diving.
Although there are hundreds of cenotes in the Riviera Maya, it should be borne in mind that those that are located closer to the coast are open sky while the cenotes around Valladolid type cave and are located in the middle of the jungle, something that according to Our experience makes them more spectacular.
In many cenotes you can only access if you have a rental car or taxi like those of Samulá, X'kekén, Palomitas, Agua Dulce, Xcanahaltun, Hubiku and Suytun, but if you do not want to drive you can visit some by public transport, taking advantage of They are close to archaeological sites such as the fantastic Il Kil or take a tour that passes through several cenotes.
- Book a bike tour in Riviera Maya
- Book excursion to Tulum + Snorkel in cenote maya
Cenote Il Kil
7. Excursion to Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres, a beautiful island located 13 kilometers from the Yucatan Peninsula, in front of Cancun, is another of the best excursions in Riviera Maya. Its calm waters and the incredible coral reefs of the west area are perfect for snorkeling or diving and you can also rent a golf cart or a motorcycle to explore the island in search of some of its turquoise waters beaches and visit the famous park El Garrafón sailor.
To get to Isla Mujeres you can take a ferry from the hotel zone of Cancun or from Puerto Juarez, which will take you in about 20 minutes to the island.
If you book a day tour you can combine the visit to Isla Mujeres with Isla Contoy, a small island where you can enjoy one of the largest coral reefs in the world and a walk through the Isla Contoy National Park, which It has a great diversity of fauna.
- Book offer: Xcaret + Catamaran to Isla Mujeres in two days
- Book excursion to Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres
Women Island
8. Excursion to Xcaret or Xplor
One of the best excursions in Riviera Maya for all ages it is the visit to the Xcaret natural park and the Xplor recreational park. These two parks located in a beautiful jungle and Caribbean sea environment, offer a lot of fun outdoor activities and in hidden caves, where in addition to releasing adrenaline with its many attractions, you can see several shows that reproduce dances and traditions Mexican
Keep in mind that to enjoy the most attractions of each park, it is advisable to invest at least one day in each one, although the parks are located 6 kilometers from Playa del Carmen, very close to each other.
If you do not have a car, the cheapest option to get to the park is to take a bus in Cancun or Playa del Carmen that will leave you at the entrance although another good option is to book a tour that includes transportation from your hotel and quick entry to the park.
Visiting hours Xcaret: every day from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Visiting hours Xplor: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Reserve Offer: Chichen Itza + Xcaret in two days
- Book offer: Xcaret + Catamaran to Isla Mujeres in two days
- Book excursion to Xplor park
- Book Offer: Tulum + Xplor in two days
Xcaret
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Excursion to Las Coloradas
North of the Yucatan Peninsula, near the coastal town Río Lagartos, are Las Coloradas, very fashionable lately thanks to the power of social networks.
This area of unique beauty, in which several artificial lakes are dyed in colors, product of the concentration of salt and microorganisms, is another essential place to visit in Mexico.
If you decide to make this excursion to Riviera Maya, in addition to approaching Las Coloradas we recommend you to take a tour of Río Lagartos where you will pass through a mangrove area and end up at an observation point of the flamingo photogenic.
To get to Las Coloradas, if you don't have a car, you can take a collective taxi in Río Largatos. Another more comfortable option is to book an excursion in which you will be picked up at your hotel in the Riviera Maya.
- Book excursion to Las Coloradas in Spanish
Las Coloradas
10. Secret River Excursion
Río Secreto, an underground natural reserve of transparent waters and rock formations of stalactites and stalagmites, is another of the best excursions in Riviera Maya.
Located very close to Playa del Carmen and Xcaret Park, this reserve with more than 30 kilometers of tunnels and shallow galleries, offers you the possibility to swim and walk through an underground cave for about 600 meters accompanied by a specialized guide .
To get to Rio Secreto, if you don't have a car, you can take a bus in Cancun, Tulum or Playa del Carmen and get off at Akumal. Another alternative is to book a tour that includes transportation and admission.
Visiting hours: every day from 8 am to 3 pm.
- Book excursion to Rio Secreto in Spanish
- Book excursion to Tulum and Secret River
* More tours and excursions in Riviera Maya here
* Book your transfer Airport ⇆ Hotel in Riviera Maya here
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