riviera maya mexico travel adventure...great destiantions, vacations, beaches, hotels, resorts, retirement spots and more!

For those seeking the best combination of Mexico and the Caribbean, without the nightlife and clamor of Cancun, visit the area just south of Cancun, now dubbed the Riviera Maya. This string of beaches, villages and archeological sites is attracting tourists seeking a quiet get-away and not the hectic pace of a larger resort. Tourists won't find a great selection of shopping or dining (unless they travel into Playa del Carmen) but will discover stunning scenery, jungles, caves and palm-lined beaches. Adventures can be had here! There is a strong sense of ecological awareness among the residents here which should help assure that the Riviera Maya remains clean and sparkling for years to come. As more and more tourists discover this destination gem, however, the area will become more developed and may one day rival Cancun in its sophistication.

The Riviera Maya stretches for 100 miles. With development confined to a handful of areas, the Riviera is primarily composed of virgin beaches and quiet towns without tourist crowds. Akumal, 105 km south of Cancun, is one of Mexico's best-kept secrets, with its beautiful palm-lined bay and silky white sand beaches. The area grows every year but is still a mostly undiscovered treasure on the Caribbean.

Two of the best beaches on the Riviera are Playa del Secreto and Playa Paraaiso, both about 45 km south of Cancun. Sea turtles make regular visits to these long white stretches of practically deserted beach. For RVers and campers there is Xcalacoco, a quiet beach with plenty of palm trees, nearby archeological sites, fresh-fish restaurants, public showers and solar electricity.

For those interested in eco-tourism, Tres Rios is a tropical reserve that showcases the area's lush tropical jungle. The Reserve can be explored by canoe, mountain bike, foot or horseback. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere is a 1.3 million acre ecological park and home to lagoons, wetlands, archeological sites and jungle.

There are a number of archeological sites worth exploring nearby. Tulum (about 2 hours south of Cancun) is located at the southern end of the Riviera Maya and is the only Mayan seaport ever discovered. It's best visited in the mornings or late afternoon when the tour buses have departed. Coba, once a thriving city of 50,000 people, is home to the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. Only 5% of the site has been excavated, giving visitors the feeling of discovering a Mayan site still shrouded in mystery.