Riviera Maya & the Yucatan attractions

Jump into the art at Playa del Carmen’s 3D Museum of Wonders. Created by a visionary American artist, this interactive museum is truly in a genre and mind-bending class of its own. It doesn’t take long for reality to blend with illusion, and pretty soon you’re splashing beneath a waterfall, surfing a wave, or trapped inside a bubble.

Situated just 17 miles (28 kilometers) outside of Mérida city center, Dzibilchaltún offers a quieter alternative to other Mayan sites such as Uxmal and Chichén Itzá. Here, visitors can explore over 8,000 astronomically and religiously significant archaeological structures, including the Temple of the Seven Dolls, as well as the Cenote Xlacah swimming hole and the Mayan People Museum.

The Cozumel Museum (Museo de la Isla de Cozumel) sits on the waterfront in downtown San Miguel de Cozumel. Inside the historical building are a wealth of displays, all well signed in both Spanish and English. Its four permanent exhibit rooms offer an overview of the island’s geography, ecosystems, history, and culture.

Located just off the ferry dock, Fundadores Park (El Zócalo) is the center of Playa del Carmen. This beachside park sits along Playa del Carmen’s famous Fifth Avenue, and it’s the main square from which the rest of the tourist area branches out. From El Zócalo you’ll have a gorgeous view of the ocean and easy access to the beaches.

Eknakán, in Mexico’s Yucatán, is the site of one of many haciendas as well as a German Gothic-style church—which is what makes it an interesting small village to experience. Known as the Iglesia de la Soledad (La Soledad Church), the yellow church stands tall over the center of town, with stained glass–diffused lighting throughout.

With a postcard-worthy frame of white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees, Isla Pasión is a small private island off the coast of Cozumel. Just offshore is excellent snorkeling and the chance to spot stingrays in their pristine natural habitat. Think of this as an island escape from your island escape: a place to snorkel, sunbathe, and swim before returning to the real world.

Legend has it that sharks come to this underwater cave east of Isla Mujeres to sleep—and it’s true that sharks can sometimes be spotted on its sandy bottom. Today, it’s a popular dive site for scuba enthusiasts at Isla Mujeres, who come in hopes of seeing nurse sharks as well as other marine wildlife, including barracudas, leatherback turtles, and a wide range of reef fish.

Perched on the Yucatan Peninsula’s coastline, the Tulum Archaeological Site is a remarkable relic offering a journey into Maya history and architecture. With the Caribbean Sea as its backdrop and a sandy beach at its base, this well-preserved walled city deserves a top spot on your Riviera Maya and Cancun bucket list.

Set against a popular Caribbean beach on the island of Cozumel, the Cozumel Cruise Port welcomes vacationers seeking an idyllic Mexican getaway. As one of the most frequented ports in the Mexican Caribbean, it’s also a convenient gateway to Cozumel’s idyllic reefs and beaches, as well as nearby Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the archaeological ruins of the Yucatán Peninsula.

An Instagram favorite, Cenote Suytun is one of Yucatan's most recognizable cenotes. The circular stone platform in the center of the water is especially stunning when light floods through the hole in the cave ceiling above, illuminating the pool and the dramatic limestone formations.

A relaxed fishing village located along the Yucatan coast, Celestun lies within the Celestun Biosphere Reserve, or sometimes known as the Celestun Wildlife Refuge. Comprised of over 146,000 acres (hectares) of mangroves, the reserve makes ideal habitat for animals, especially birds, and more than 300 bird species, including the popular flamingo, live here.

Soak up dramatic panoramic views over Xcaret Park and the Caribbean coastline from the highest viewpoint in the Riviera Maya, the Cancún Scenic Tower (Torre Escénica). You'll rise to a height of more than 250 feet (76 meters) and enjoy sweeping vistas of the ocean and jungle as you gently rotate 360 degrees while learning about your surroundings with audio commentary. Benches on the ride allow you to sit and enjoy the scenery.

Located in the colonial town of Valladolid in the Yucatán, Cenote Zazil Tunich is a site of natural beauty. Here, you can admire rock formations such as the Mayan Kiss and Guardian of the Caves; learn about the nine levels of the Mayan Underworld and associated mythology; and swim in the crystalline waters of the limestone sinkhole.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a body of water more heavenly than Lake Bacalar, also called Lake of Seven Colors. The marvel of natural beauty and nature conservation efforts is in the far reaches of Mexico near the Quintana Roo-Belize border. The lake, sometimes called a lagoon, has shimmering crystal-clear waters and a storybook white-sand floor.

Located adjacent to Cozumel’s ferry port, Plaza del Sol is the cultural and economic heart of San Miguel. With bustling shops, restaurants, and breezy ocean views, this sunlit square is a good place to people-watch, browse souvenirs, and grab a bite. When evening nears, the street scene transforms as locals and tourists flock to nearby bars for live music and dancing.

A landmark of downtown Mérida, the free-to-enter City Hall (Palacio Municipal) spans the west flank of the city’s Plaza Grande and is characterized by its salmon pink façade, arches, and clock tower. Inside, visitors can enjoy murals and paintings on the second floor, cool interior courtyards, and admire sweeping views over the plaza below.

Conveniently situated in the Cancún Hotel Zone, the family-friendly Cancún Wax Museum (Museo de Cera Cancún) is the only one of its kind in the city. Marvel over more than 100 national and international figures from the worlds of music, cinema, and sport—including Amy Winehouse, Madonna, and David Beckham—as well as cartoon characters.

Mesoamerican and Spanish cultures collide at the Aké Ruins and Hacienda, one of the Yucatán’s smaller but still significant archaeological and cultural sites. Explore the remains of an ancient Maya sacbe (raised road), central pyramidal palace, and two concentric border walls before stepping back to the 19th century at the henequen hacienda or climbing to the Aké chapel, which sits atop a Maya pyramid.

Among the deepest and bluest swimming holes in the state of Quintana Roo, Cenote Azul Bacalar has the bonus of being one of the most affordable. The azure-colored, lake-sized cenote lies near the Bacalar Lagoon, reaches depths of 300 feet (91 meters), and typically costs a handful of pesos to visit.

Explore the life—and contextualize the legacy—of Mexican surrealist artist and feminist icon Frida Kahlo at Playa del Carmen’s Frida Kahlo Museum (Museo Frida Kahlo). At one of the city’s first cultural spaces, learn about Kahlo’s work, illness, and tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera by way of interactive and sensory exhibits.

Situated in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, Mandala Beach Club blends white sand, turquoise sea views and a high-energy party scene. During the day, relax with poolside service as you lounge on beds and beach cabanas; by night, the space transforms into open-air dance floors with music from live DJs. Whether you’re after a chic beach chill or a vibrant pool party, this venue offers both.

Located near El Castillo at Chichen Itza, the Sacred Cenote is a natural sinkhole that held immense religious significance for the Maya, who used it for rituals and offerings to their gods. It is a must-see part of any Chichen Itza tour, and visitors are drawn to its historical importance, stunning natural beauty, and connection to Maya spirituality.

Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, just south of the Tulum Archaeological Site, Playa Paraiso (or Paradise Beach in English) is a lovely stretch of white sand dotted with palm trees that leads into turquoise waters. Vacationers come here to relax, snag a lounge chair at the beach club, and swim in the ocean.

No Cancun vacation is complete without some time enjoying its scenic stretches of white sand, and Playa Tortugas is a popular public beach with a lively atmosphere. Here you’ll find places to rent umbrellas and chairs, plus plenty of restaurants to grab some fish tacos or a piña colada.

Overlooking Cancún and the Caribbean Sea, Nichupté Lagoon System is an enormous nature reserve that holds seven fresh and saltwater lagoons including Río Inglés, Rio del Amor, Caleta Nizuc y Bojórquez, and Nichupté itself. Surrounded by natural beauty, it’s an ideal spot for water-based adventures, wildlife-spotting, and sunset-viewing.

With its crystal-clear waters, Cenote Jardín del Eden (Garden of Eden Cenote) is considered one of the most beautiful open cenotes in the Riviera Maya region. Surrounded by lush rainforest, it resembles a large natural swimming pool and is a great destination for snorkelers and scuba divers thanks to exceptional underwater visibility. The popular locale is also known as Cenote Ponderosa (and you may hear Cenote Eden or Eden Cenote, as well).

El Castillo (Pyramid of Kukulkán) is an impressive structure that dominates Chichen Itza, showcasing the Mayans’ architectural and astronomical acumen. Admire its precise design, especially during the equinoxes when a shadow serpent appears on its staircase. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chichen Itza draws travelers looking to explore Maya culture, history, and the mysteries of ancient civilizations.

For soft sand and shallow sea that stretches out on either side of you, wade your way to Punta Mosquito on Isla Holbox’s northern coast. The scenic sandbank forms part of the wider Yum Balam Reserve, where intrepid visitors and photographers paddle out in the hope of seeing the marine life and flamingos that congregate there.

Escape from the crowds of Mexico’s second-busiest airport at Cancún Airport VIP Lounge. While you wait for boarding to begin, relax on comfortable seating, kick back with a magazine, and take advantage of an open bar replete with both soft and alcoholic drinks.

Cenotes, underground sinkholes filled with cool, fresh water, are a highlight of any visit to the Yucatan. As sunlight floods through the vine-decked ceiling of Hubiku Cenote, illuminating the turquoise waters and limestone formations, it’s easy to see why the ancient Maya considered these sacred places gateways to the underworld.