Riviera Maya Travel Guide by Programa Destinos México

1 Riviera Maya Tourist Information. Grand Palladium. 2 Map of Riviera Maya 3 Town in the Riviera Maya. Puerto Morelos Map. Playa Palms, Mistik Terra. 4 Map of Playa del Carmen. Shopping in Riviera Maya. 5 Map of Akumal. Beaches in the Riviera Maya . One Hoteles. 6 Mayan Archeology in the Riviera Maya. Map of the Archeological Zone of Tulum. Map of the City of Tulum. 7 Mayan Archeology in the Riviera Maya. Map of the Archeological Zone of Coba.Hotel Azulik. Hotel Eclipse. 8 Eco Parks & Natural Reserves in Riviera Maya. Xplor, Xcaret, Xel-HĂĄ. 9 Activities in Riviera Maya. What to do in the Riviera Maya. Pesca Maya. Jet Planes 10 Activities in Riviera Maya. What to do in the Riviera Maya. Riviera Mayaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Diving Map. - Reefs & Cenotes-. 11 Activities in Riviera Maya. What to do in the Riviera Maya. 12 How to get to Riviera Maya. Nightlife in Riviera Maya. Avis. 13 Map of Quintana Roo.

The terrain all along the Riviera Maya is flat and covered by low tropical jungle. Underground river network have formed by dissolution, and these have been explored and mapped by cave diving through sinkhole collapses locally called cenotes.

The Riviera Maya was an important commercial and religious center of the ancient Mayas during the post-Classic period (1000-1550 AD). Then became an important commercial route when the Spaniards arrived in the XVI century. The Spanish rule, the wild jungle, pirate raids and the difficulties to access many areas halted development in the region for many years. It was not util the decade of 1980’s that the region known as the Cancún-Tulum corridor gained in popularity. The tourist infrastructure of the area began improving in the early 1990’s and has been growing ever since. This 100-mile long Tourist Corridor known today as Riviera Maya extends 24 miles south of the International Airport of Cancún to the fishing fishing village of Punta Allen. Riviera Maya offers wonderful beaches, turquoise waters and fine white sand, archeological sites, picturesque little towns, recreation centers, freshwater lagoons, underwater caves, cenotes, ecological, and food and lodging options ranging from rustic palapas to gleaming condos, five-star hotels, and all inclusive accommodation. Here you can be seduced by an exquisite culinary tour, experiecing the regional cusine prepared with the inherited Mayan recepies. About the nightlife Riviera Maya has an exciting and cosmopolitan options with a wide variety of bars and nightclubs along the beach. It is an ideal setting for romance, making it a favorite of those who want a beach wedding or an unforgettable honeymoon. The climate is tropical with near 250 days a year of warm sun while the average temperature is 80ºF approximately. Local Transportation: Around the area, Cabs are available although expensive. There is also frequent bus service along Mexico 307. Several companies operate shuttle-type service between Cancun and Tulum with stops at several spots along the way. Rates are affordable, though service is somewhat irregular.

Puerto Morelos – Small fishing community, a quiet place with a bohemian flair. You can visit the Crococun crocodile farm, the Yaax Che Botanical Garden, or the Marine Natural Park "Reefs of Puerto Morelos" with a wide variety of multicolored tropical fish, and breathtaking corals. Playa del Carmen - A once small town, Playa del Carmen has become a tourist development, but it has kept the essence of a warm small town feeling that offers smaller lodgings with personalized service. There is a ferry that travels from the pier to Cozumel. The town’s long waterfront has numerous restaurants, open-air shops and a brick pedestrian promenade. La Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue), the zone's main artery, is filled with gastronomic and entertainment options, here you can find everything from diamonds to colorful crafts. The place is blessed with miles of unspoiled beaches and offshore reefs. South of the main dock is Playacar, a self-contained resort boasting luxury hotels, condos, and a 18-hole golf course. Puerto Aventuras - With white sand beaches and two beautiful bays - Fátima and Chanyuyum -, offers numerous attractions. Facing the beach, in the middle of the bay, is an island that serves as a nocturnal sanctuary for thousands of birds. it is master-planned to preserve the natural beauty. Puerto has water channels, a quay and a “malecon”. There is also a beach club, spa, hotels, condos, dolphin facility, an 18-hole golf course, tennis club, and a shopping mall. One of the principal attractions is the San Carlos Marina, where you can rent boats for deep-sea fishing or simply to cruise the Caribbean sea's tranquil waters; there are regatta races at the Marina during the months of May and June. You can go diving, fishing, or snorkeling and visit the CEDAM (Shipwreck Museum) where old ships, coins and nautical devices are exhibited. The museum is open daily. Akumal – It is a palm-fringed beach located in a small bay. Akumal offers excellent hotel accommodations and restaurants, together with an ecological park, the Ukana I and the Yaku lagoon. More than 200 entrances to subterranean caves, with depths of up to 150 meters, make it a gathering place for divers from around the world. It is a place for people who loves water sports. Boca Paila y Punta Allen –Located in the Sian Ka´an Biosphere, are the ideal place for those who prefer to be in contact with nature at its most unspoiled. Here you can admire colonies of herons, crocodiles and manatees. Felipe Carrillo Puerto - The many small villages in this region keep the same customs, traditions and way of life as two centuries ago. The place gives you an insight of the Mayan culture.

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In the Riviera Maya you’ll come across everything from modern shopping malls to traditional and colorful markets, where you can buy all kind of souvenirs. Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen is a shopping area with exclusive boutiques that have the latest beach wear and sports accessories, perfume shops, as well as jewelry stores, where you can find unique pieces encrusted with both precious and semiprecious stones. The stones of the Yucatan peninsula are very famous for their quality, in particular the amethysts, opals, onyx and turquoise. Engraved bracelets, necklaces and silver earrings are also very popular handcrafted items. In Puerto Aventuras, near the marina, you’ll find a passageway where you can buy all sorts of items. Other shopping options are the Puerto Morelos downtown area and Avenida Tulum, which leads to the Tulum archaeological zone.

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Playa Del Carmen has several medical "clinics", small hospitals and a hyperbaric facility. Major hospitals are also located in Cancun and Cancun has at least one other hyperbaric facility.

dirt road accesses to the beach, hotels, restaurants, and dive shops. At the northern point there is a lagoon. Kantenah.- Es una bella playa llena de palmeras con un lujoso hotel. It is a long palm-lined beach with a luxury all-inclusive resort. Chemuyil – Small bay surrounded by jungle. Here the wild nature is untouched and there are camping facilities and an open-air restaurant bar. Snorkeling and swimming are great and deep fishing is also a good option. In the months of May to June the sea turtles come to spawn especially at night. Traveling south, you can visit a beautiful sinkhole. Xcacel – A long white strand beach with delicate coral formations nestling offshore. Excellent for swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing. There is a sunken ship at the bay’s southern point. Camping is permitted. A cenote (sinkhole) where you can go swimming is to be found in the jungle. Xcacel is a turtle-nesting beach, specially during summer.

Punta Maroma, Xcalacoco y Punta Bete - It is a two-mile long stretch of pure white sand. There is a cold and clear fresh water river and small hotels and cabins. Xcalacocos is the ideal place for swimming and snorkeling. There are small Mayan archaeological sites, cabins for rent, and restaurants. Playa del Secreto y Playa Paraíso - They are wide strips of white s and beaches. On these beaches, crabs and sea turtles make their homes. Cabin lodging and "All Inclusive" hotel's are available. Paamul - A small rocky bay with clear and placid waters sheltered by a coral reef, assuring good conditions for snorkeling. In the months of May to June the sea turtles come to spawn especially at night. Xpu-há - This stretch of white powdery beach is ideal for snorkeling, diving or even deep-sea fishing. There are seven © 2011 Arduinna, S.A. All rights reserved. Contents can not be reproduced for commercial purposes.

Akumal means "place of the turtles" in the Mayan language. Sea turtles can be found laying eggs on the beaches at night throughout the nesting season (end of April to October) or swimming in the main bay during the day.

The archeological site is composed of 60 structures, most of which date from the 12th to the 15th Centuries. Tulúm was a walled fortress and is the only Mayan city built on the coast. Among the most important buildings are: El Castillo (The Castle), The Temple of the Descending God, and The Temple of the Frescoes. There are a number of sinkholes around Tulúm. The archaeological site offers night tours with special lighting and audio guides that last about 45 minutes. Schedule: Every day from 7:00 to 17:00 hrs. Muyil – One of the oldest Mayan is located 15 minutes south of Tulum around a beautiful blue fresh water lake called "La Laguna" (the lagoon). Although surrounded by thick vegetation, visitors are still able to view the site´s threetemple groups, "El Castillo" (the castle) 45 feet tall, is one of the tallest structures in the east coast. Shedule: Every day from 8:00 to 17:00 hrs.

Tulúm – Tulúm offers a series of hotels located from the south of the archeological site to the entrance of Sian Ka´an Natural Reserve. These hotels blend into the natural surroundings and even use solar energy systems. They give a unique experience of peace and tranquility, in fact many of them have the services of meditation, yoga, temazcal, and massages.

Quintana Roo has a lower incidence of crime than any major city in the US., violent crime and armed robbery are virtually non-existent.

Cobá - It lies between two lakes. It was one of the most important city-states in the entire Mayan domain. Archaeologists estimate that some 6,500 structures are still standing in the area. The city flourished from 600 to 900 AD. Cobá is divided into groups: the Cobá group, Nohoch-Mul group has one of the tallest pyramids ever found, with a height of 138 feet, the Mecanxoc group, and Group “D”. Shedule: Every day from 8:00 to 18:00 hrs.

Punta Allen is the ideal place for ecotourism, there are various outdoor activities such as Fly Fishing, Bird Watching, flora and fauna observation, boat rides and delicious regional dishes, some of them prepared with fresh lobster . Aviario Xaman-Ha – A sanctuary with more than 200 birds of 45 different species. The park has more than four acres of tropical jungle where you can enjoy the flora and fauna of the region. Xcaret - It is an eco-archeological park with an underground river with incredibly transparent water floating through illuminated caves and caverns. There is an inlet, a lagoon, and beaches ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. There is also horseback riding along the oceanfront, and swimming with dolphins. Xcaret also has a tropical aquarium, a museum, botanical garden, wild bird breeding aviary, butterfly pavilion, manatee lagoon, marine turtles, apiary, bat cave, jaguar & puma islands, mushroom faro, orchid conservatory, deers and dmonkeys, and restaurants. At night there is an exciting sound and light show on Mayan traditions. Punta Venado – 800 hectares of jungle and 4 km of white sand surround a traditional mexican hacienda. Go snorkeling and kayaking, explore caverns and cenotes, adveture on exciting atv tours, or horseback riding. It has a beach club and a rstaurant. Calica - It has an international pier, used by some cruise lines and a ferry that travels to Cozumel. Kantun-Chi – An ecopark where you can swim in wonderful fresh water cenotes and explore an underground cavern. Shedule:: Daily from 9:00 to 17:00 hrs. Aktun Chen – The park has an area of 988 acres of unexplored Rainforest and three caves with a "cenote". The main cave is now suitable for an easy walking tour which has been enhanced with indirect lighting for a better view and enjoyment. There are guided tours that lasts for about an hour and fifteen minutes. It has a small restaurant. Schedule Monday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. a 17:00 p.m. Last tour 16:30 p.m. Xel-Há – Cut out of the limestone shoreline it is probably the world’s largest natural aquarium. Lockers and dressing rooms are available and snorkeling gear and underwater cameras can be rented. There is a small Mayan archaeological site and a small zoo. Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka'an - The Biosphere Reserve has an area of 528,147 hectares and more than 100 kilometers of coast along the Great Mayan Reef. The Reserve covers jungle, mangroves, marsh, savannah and coral reefs. Biologists have found 1,000 species of plants, some 345 different bird species, and 70 species of mammals. There have been discovered 27 ancient Mayan settlements.

The winters are generally sunny and mild. It starts getting warmer in March. June can be rainy. July August are it is usually hot and humid. Traditionally September and October have the highest risk of hurricanes. Local time: The local time corresponds to Mexico City GMT -6 hours.

Soliman Bay is a coastal area located between Akumal and Tulum. Its white sandy beach remains mostly undeveloped with only a few private beach houses nestled among the coconut palms. The bay is excellent for snorkeling and kayaking.

SPA – In many locatios along the Riviera Maya you can enjoy the SPA services. They have integrate ancient Mayan traditions and excelent service. GOLF - Playacar Golf Club is an 18 hole, par 72-championship golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge, renowned for being the most challenging course in the zone. Puerto Aventuras Golf Club was designed by Thomas Leeman, it is a beautiful 36 par jungle golf course. El Manglar Golf Course is an 18 hole course par 54, with an extraordinary natural landscape featuring lakes and native vegetation design by Nicklaus Group Design. The Iberostar Playa Paraíso Golf Club, is a par 72 designed by P.B. Dye, it incorporates the native jungle and dramatic vertical elevation changes. The Camaleón Golf Course, is a 18 holes par 72 field desing by Greg Norman, it incorporates the tropical jungle, the sinkholes and mangroves along the course. Riviera Maya Golf Club, has 18 holes par 72, plus 9 holes par 3 and a practice couse in a tropical jungle area, it is design by Robert Trent Jones II. TENNIS -There is a tennis center in Playacar, Playa del Carmen, in Puerto Aventuras there are several lit tennis courts, and in the different grand hotels have also tennis courts. FISHING - You can book fishing trips from some hotels or marinas in Playa del Carmen, Xpu-Há, Kantenah, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal. In Punta Allen and Boca Paila, you can try your luck at hooking the elusive bonefish with light tackle. In June takes place the Puerto Morelos Tournament, in May the Copa Faro de Plata Tournament in Puerto Aventuras, and in September the Tournament at Ascensión Bay in Sian Ka´an. KAYAKING.- Kayaking is good in Playa del Carmen, Boca Paila, and Punta Allen. TANDEM PARACHUTE DIVING - Skydive Cancún give an unforgettable experience for all the intrepid visitors to watch from the air the Great Maya Barrier Reef. Jumping tandem means that the instructor will jump with the first-timer, harnessed together. A short flight orientation on the ground is all that required. By 2008, the Quintana Roo Speleological Survey (QRSS) reported more than 430 miles of flooded cave passages within the limits of the Riviera Maya including the two longest underwater cave systems in the world of Sac Actun and Ox Bel Ha.

SCUBA DIVING - The Riviera Maya is “the place” for this sport. With the second largest reef in the world along its coastline, is a real underwater paradise. There are facilities, instructors, and gear rentals in Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Há, Kantenah, Chemuyil, Xcacel, and Akumal, the latter being known as a heaven for divers for here you can go skin diving. Moreover, these clear water beaches are also suitable for cave diving, in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal, and Tulúm. SNORKELING - Riviera Maya is a real paradise for snorkeling. The best places are Punta Bete, Xcalacoco, Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Há, Kantenah, Akumal, Chemuyil, Xcacel, and Xel-Ha. Snorkeling is also possible in Boca Paila and Punta Allen.

1. Parque Nacional Arrecife de Morelos 2. Manchones 3. Cuevones 4. Caracol 5. Picudas 6. Cerebro 7. Los Arcos 8. Pared Verde 9. Moche Deep 10. Moche 11. Chunzumbul 12. Shangrila 13. Jardines 14. Sábalos 15. Tortuga

16. Barracuda 17. Inah 18. Mama Viña Shipwreck 19. Islote 20. Punta Venado 21. Paamul 22. Paamul Deep 23. Gorgonia Reef 24. Media Luna 25. Morgan Reef 26 - Motorcycle Reef 27. Las Redes 28. Tzimin-Ha 29. Trigger Fish 30. Horseshoe

31. Tres Bocas 32. Chaak Tun 33. Chac Mool 34. Ponderosa 35. Cristalino 36. Chikin-Ha 37. Azul 38. Taj Mahal 39. Aktun Chen 40. Xunaan Ha

41. Tak Be Ha 42. Dos Ojos 43. Manatee 44. Nohoch Nachich 45. Calavera (Temple of Doom) 46. Gran Cenote 47. Carwash (Aktun Ha) 48. Cristal (Naharon) 49. Escondido (Maya Blue) 50. Angelita

Among the species you may find in the cave, we can mention: Bahalana Mayana, a small isopod (10 mm in length), find in the Temple of Doom Cave and in the Carwash Cave; the Creaseriella Anops, another isopod (22 mm in legth), a common resident to most caves of the area; and the Stygiomysis Cokei, up to 21 mm in length, usually find in rocks, walls and the ceiling.

The Cancun International Airport is the main gate of entrance to Riviera Maya, and it is served by all major International Airlines with direct or non-stop service from many places around the world. From the airport, there are several transportation services like shuttles and taxis providing convenient and safe airport transfers to any location in the Riviera Maya. In the southeast corner of the Main Terminal there is a bus service from the airport to Playa del Carmen. Other option is to get to Cozumel Airport and take a a modern ferry to Playa del Carmen.

Riviera Maya offers a cosmopolitan and exciting nightlife with a wide range of restaurants where you can experience regional cuisine inherited from the Mayans, or enjoy the best international recipes. In addition, you can find a number of fun bars with a Caribbean atmosphere and superb discos to dance the night away. The large all inclusive resorts located throughout the Riviera Maya have different theme nights, with dinners, shows and lots of entertaining contests and dances to participate in. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

TulĂşm, a magnificent Maya site, may formerly have been known also by the name Zama, meaning City of Dawn because it faces the sunrise. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name Tulum means fence or wall. Nohoch Mul pyramid at Coba is higher than the pyramids in Chichen Itza and Uxmal. It is 148 feet high.