Your Travel-Good Guide to Riviera Maya, Mexico, in 2021

Whether you want to swim in magical cenotes buried in the depths of the jungle, get up close with whale sharks out at sea, or sip on locally produced mezcal while lounging on a pristine beach, you can do all of this and more if you base yourself in Riviera Maya.

Mexico is a fantastic destination if you want to spend your days lazing in the sun. A top choice for sun-seekers, nevertheless it has a lot more to offer than just vitamin D, with a fascinating history that dates back 13,000 years. So there’s plenty of opportunity to embrace this vibrant and intriguing culture. If you want to experience Mexico in all its glory, a stay on the Riviera Maya provides a platform from which to explore the very best of the country.

The sleepy Isla Holbox, an idyllic island plonked north of the Yucatán Peninsula, is a slice of paradise just a short boat ride away from Chiquilá – reachable in under two hours by car or bus from Riviera Maya. Dubbed “Mexico’s best-kept secret”, this Caribbean island is growing in popularity year on year. It may be only 26mi (42km) long, but it’s home to more than 150 species of tropical birds, including flamingos, pelicans and snowy egrets.

The streets here are lined with bright buildings and the seashore is peppered with hammocks to snooze in. Fuel up on guacamole-topped tacos before exploring some of the beautiful cenotes, or sinkholes, on the island. There are also plenty of boats offering excursions so you can get up close and swim with the biggest fish in the ocean. Oh, and make sure you head down to the main square at night – it’s always buzzing with street food vendors, chatty locals and other fellow travelers.

Just 20 minutes by car or bus from Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen offers the chance to mix up your daily activities without having to travel for hours. From secluded beach spots to traditional Mayan cuisine, there’s plenty for you to see and do in this small coastal town. Family-run restaurants serve up some of the best food – think giant burritos and fresh pineapple shakes, not to mention the food stalls that serve up smoky Mexican street corn, known as elotes, a must-try local dish of corn flavoured with a kick of cayenne pepper and a squeeze of lime. There are also plenty of tours operating from here that can take you to the ancient ruins of Chichin Itzá, and you may get to visit a cenote on the way. Be sure to swing by La Quinta for a spot of shopping and to stock up on souvenirs before you head back.

It’s not all glitzy hotels and hordes of spring breakers in Cancun; there’s also plenty of interesting activities that you can enjoy in this bustling Mexican city away from the clichés. There are the more obvious excursions, such as the Underwater Museum and the Rio Secreto underground river, only a short drive away, but there’s also another side of Cancun to explore. Admire ocean-themed murals that have popped up all over the city, painted by international and local artists, or check out the El Rey ruins that were once an integral part of an ancient Mayan trade route. Follow this up with a visit to the Cancun Mayan Museum to learn a little more.