Riviera Maya Holidays

You can head for the Riviera Maya, on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, and do nothing but sip cocktails on tropical beaches. But there's so much more on offer. Mayan ruins, eco parks, world-class diving – they’re all on the cards along this 30-kilometre stretch of coastline, which takes in lively Playa del Carmen and the quieter Punta Allen. Just so you know, the beaches on this stretch of coastline sometimes experience increased levels of seaweed – called sargassum. It’s influenced by the weather and ocean currents. If your hotel’s affected, the staff will do everything they can to clear it.

The Riviera’s beaches really are quite something. The snorkelling and scuba diving are second to none, as one of the world’s biggest reefs sits just off the coast. And the region is also famous for its cenotes – giant underground rock pools that you can swim in.

Beaches and cenotes aren’t the Riviera’s only natural attractions – you’ve also got plenty of wildlife, jungle and underwater caves. All of this is best showcased in the area’s huge eco parks. There are four to choose from and each one lays on something different, so you can set off on a boat trip on the lookout for dolphins, raft down rivers or just take in the jaguars, flamingos and monkeys that call the parks home.

Mayan ruins are a real must-see in Mexico, and you can explore a brilliantly preserved city at Tulum, on the Riviera’s southern tip. There are about 60 buildings to see, including the castle and the Temple of the Descending God. The whole place is perched on cliffs above the sea, so you get breathtaking views – but for the best photos, take the steps down to the beach and look back up.