6 Top Places to Visit in The Mayan Riviera and Yucatan Peninsula
Running out of things to do?
Curious what else the area has to offer?
We’ve got you covered, so keep on reading!
We know you, and we know that you’re an adventurous traveler about to come, or currently in, the Mayan Riviera or Yucatan, so we’ve hand selected six of the best places to explore based on our own experiences here in the area.
From quaint islands to multi-blue lagoons… to colonial cities and bustling towns… these are our personal favorites and we’re sure that you’re going to enjoy visiting all of these places next time you come down or if you’re already here!
Let’s get to it, shall we?
1. Holbox
Holbox is easily one of the most laid-back and beautiful islands in all of Mexico. Just three hours north of Cancun it’s peaceful, full of wildlife and bursting with amazingly kind people.
One of the first activities we recommend doing when you first get there is taking the time to walk along the sandbars of Holbox. You’ll see incredible animals from all walks of life (yes, pun intended!) and you’ll see the tides changing as you walk which means the scenery is always shifting, bringing new perspectives of the island with it (we walked the beach for 4 hours).
Make sure you bring a bottle of water, hat and biodegradable sunscreen if you’re doing the long beachside walk!
So if you’re craving a heavenly dose of wildlife, just the right amount of people, and chill vibes… then this is the island for you!
Photo Courtesy: Mexico Destinos
2. El Cuyo
What a small, little-known beachside town in the Yucatan! Slowly getting recognized as an up-and-coming place to visit, the streets are still made of sand with barely any roads!
The best activity to do here is kitesurfing. With incredible winds, long stretches of empty beaches, and with a sense of tranquility like no other – we’re absolutely in love with El Cuyo!
Photo Courtesy: Hoteles-Mexicanos.com
3. Bacalar
Known as one of Mexico’s enigmatic magic towns, Bacalar is situated in the southern Mayan Riviera, and is often called the lagoon of seven colors.
In Bacalar, there’s quite a bit to do considering how small-scale the town still is. Our favourite activities are boat rides across the lagoon with a stop at Cenote Negro (a sinkhole inside the lagoon that’s pitch black and eery to swim in!), kayaking across the lagoon to secluded sandbars, and because we’re big-time adventurers: camping, swimming and eating some of the best, traditional Mayan food possible was also on our Bacalar bucket list.
Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia
4. Mahahual
For the longest time, Mahahual was nothing more than a quaint fishing village on the coast of the Mayan Riviera. Well, every now and then a cruise would come along and send hoards of people upon the town.. But other than that… Just a beautiful, idyllic coastal village.
And as a side note, as of the past year or so, it’s rapidly becoming one of the Mayan Riviera’s next tourist hotspot – and especially so for real estate buyers!
Because there’s not much to do here as it’s such a small and relaxing Caribbean town, it’s great for just a day trip. Have a picnic on the beach, enjoy the incredible scuba diving, or simply sunbathe the day away!
Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia
5. Playa del Carmen
Now, onto the more metropolis side of things! About 60 minutes south by bus from Cancun, Playa del Carmen is one of Latin America’s fastest growing cities. Boasting only a sandy main strip just a few years ago, it’s now lined with everything a visitor could ask for – from boutique hotels to sustainable cafes, “Quinta Avenida” (also known as Fifth Avenue) is what Playa del Carmen is now known for.
Because of the size, Playa del Carmen has envy-worthy nightlife, from the infamous Coco Bongo to local, boho-style restaurants that all the expats love to gather at.
Even better, Playa del Carmen is the perfect place as your home base as you travel to all the other places listed in this article! And depending on the season you’re here for, there’s possibility for discovering turtle nests, swimming with whale sharks and diving with bull sharks!
And don’t forget, if you’re craving to get to truly KNOW the best restaurants and traditional Mexican foods that this city has to offer, our food tours are the PERFECT option for your first day in town!
6. Mérida
Colonial, wallet-friendly and bursting with the most well-mannered people I’ve ever met, Merida is definitely a city you’ll want to check out when you have the time.
When we first visited Merida, we immediately took in just how frozen in time this city is. Not only that, but the people are so kind and generous I never wanted to leave! Another interesting thing while walking around the city streets after a deliciously filling (and shockingly cheap) Yucatan-style dinner platter, was that we noticed how most of the shops lining the sidewalks were featuring traditional Mexican dress… but with a very modern twist. Again, this wasn’t just one shop every now and then… It was literally every second store! I loved how unapologetic they were about their culture while embracing modern twists!
Photo Courtesy: Food & Travel México
Incredible Places for Everyone
As you can see, there are lots of small and big places to check out in the Mayan Riviera and Yucatan Peninsula. Some trips, like going to Holbox for a nature-inspired experience, is best for weekend getaways. Some places, like Playa del Carmen, could be the best homebase for you as you travel around. And then there’re very small places, like Mahuhual, which are best for day trips when you’re really craving to escape the city life.
All in all, we’re sure you’re going to really love seeing these six places around the area. Let us know in the comments below if you’ve been to any of these places before, or if you’re planning a trip to one coming up soon! We’d love to know!
