You may think that since the Riviera Maya is a beach destination you don’t need to plan an itinerary to visit it. But don’t forget that, in addition to its paradisiacal nature, there is plenty to see and do in the Riviera. Take a look at these destinations full of life and history, take a look at our itinerary and our tours, many of them will be very useful when it comes to knowing the must-sees.

And if you prefer to go it alone, use this itinerary as a guide to organize your ideal tour. Let’s get started with this incredible adventure.

Week 1: Arrival from the Airport to Playa del Carmen

To begin this adventure, we started by arriving at the Cancun airport from Montreal, Canada. We had already booked our transportation from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, we had already booked at the Magic Blue hotel in Playa del Carmen, since with all the amenities of the hotel, we expected to spend more time there.

Week 2: Cancun and Tulum

We headed to Cancun, because we wanted to know this city and because it was so famous worldwide, we stayed in a small hotel near the hotel zone (which is the most famous and crowded area of Cancun), after 3 days, we decided to return to the Riviera Maya, on the recommendation of several compatriots we met in the days we were in Cancun.

We decided to go to the hotel Ahau Tulum, which is a very nice hotel, which looks quite connected with nature, we took service with the same company that took us to Playa del Carmen, only this time it was a shuttle from Cancun to Tulum. It is a more distant destination than Playa del Carmen (1 hour approx.) since it took us almost 2 hours to get there, but the trip is very pleasant and you can enjoy the scenery.

After getting settled in the hotel and enjoying everything in the hotel, we went to visit a great archaeological site: the ruins of Tulum. The archaeological zone is located 65 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen and shelters the remains of a walled city that functioned as a strategic enclave for trade in the Yucatan Peninsula, connecting the sea routes with the land routes.

In Tulum you can visit El Castillo, a construction that functioned as a lighthouse to guide navigators safely to the mainland; the Temple of the Descending God, magnificently decorated with an image of this deity; and the Temple of the Frescoes, with the well-preserved remains of a Mayan mural.

We spent most of our time at the hotel, as all the amenities were amazing, and the feeling of being in the Jungle was one of the best we have experienced. The palaya in Tulum is quite relaxing, so if you are looking for a place to relieve stress, Tulum is a great idea.

The experience will be truly unique. After each sunset, return to your lodge and enjoy a delicious Yucatecan dish, such as panuchos to close the day as it should be.

Thus ends our two-week itinerary in the Riviera Maya. We wanted to stay and enjoy more, but we enjoyed it to the fullest, we hope to return, to enjoy many destinations that we missed. We hope it helps you to enjoy your vacations to the fullest.

Edward Bertrand