Resort, Sandy beach, For kids

Puerto Aventuras is a peaceful resort with a marina, beaches, hotels, apartments and a golf course. It is not an authentic Mexican town, but a secure residential and tourist complex. The tourist area lies between the sea and the main road, number 307. On the opposite side of the road is a normal residential village of the same name, which most tourists do not visit. We recommend Puerto Aventuras primarily as a peaceful base for accommodation…

Resort, Sandy beach

Playa del Carmen is the most convenient base from which to explore the whole of the Riviera Maya. It offers a wide selection of hotels and restaurants, direct buses from Cancún Airport, ferries to Cozumel and easy day trips to cenotes, theme parks and Mayan cities. However, Playa del Carmen itself is not the most beautiful beach resort in the area. The town centre is busy and touristy, and the local beaches tend to be narrower than those in…

Resort, Sandy beach

Puerto Morelos is a small coastal town between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Compared to the two better-known resorts, it has a more peaceful atmosphere, low-rise buildings, pleasant restaurants and one of the most easily accessible coral reefs in the whole of the Riviera Maya. Don’t come here for the sights or the nightlife. The main reasons to visit are the snorkelling, the peaceful atmosphere and trips to the cenotes. Choose Puerto Morelos…

Resort, Sandy beach, Archaeological site

Tulum is one of the most interesting places in the whole of the Riviera Maya. It offers Mayan ruins, cenotes, nature reserves and some of the most beautiful beaches in the area. You can find detailed information in our separate guide to Tulum: What to see in Tulum Beaches, excursions and activities Where to stay and hotel tips Weather and the best time to visit How to get to Tulum Getting around Tulum One day is enough for a quick…

Island, Sandy beach

Isla Contoy is an uninhabited island and a protected national park, situated approximately 30 km north of Isla Mujeres. Unlike most of the islands around Cancún, you won’t find any hotels, restaurants, shops or regular ferry services here. You can only reach the island as part of an organised tour with an authorised operator. The number of visitors is limited to 200 per day. We recommend Isla Contoy as one of the best day trips from Cancún…

Sandy beach

Mahahual is a small seaside town on the Costa Maya, about a 1.5-hour drive from Bacalar. Yet it has two completely different sides to it. When several cruise ships are moored in the nearby port of Puerto Costa Maya, the promenade fills with passengers, vendors and beach clubs. As soon as the ships set sail, Mahahual quickly transforms into a sleepy Caribbean town with a few bars, restaurants and hotels along the beach. Mahahual isn’t a place…