Choosing to spend your holidays on the Riviera Maya is one of the best decisions you can make, as there are countless places to explore, full of natural beauty, culture and history that make it a magical and unforgettable experience, as if it were from another world. 

Beyond the beaches of crystal-clear blue water and the fine white sand that everyone knows and loves, there are hidden wonders of nature that no one should miss. 

The best thing is that there are so many options that even the most demanding person will find the perfect activity, from excursions to cenotes, archaeological ruins to parks suitable for families, couples, groups of friends, etc.

To help you plan your dream holiday, here are the top five excursions you can do in the Riviera Maya.

1. Lagoon of Seven Colours in Bacalar

Bacalar is one of the most magical towns in Mexico, located 3 and a half hours from our Princess Riviera Maya hotels, and is best known for its incredible Lagoon of Seven Colours, which was named after the seven different shades of blue that can be seen in the water, due to the variety of corals and underwater flora that inhabit it.  

It is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. It is not very well known among tourists, so it has a peaceful atmosphere. The lagoon can be explored in a variety of ways: snorkelling, canoeing or even by boat.

2. Cenote Xkekén

Legend has it that Cenote Xkekén was discovered by a farmer who, seeing that his little pig got lost in the jungle every day and came back covered in mud even in times of drought, decided to follow it into a cave and discovered what was actually an underground cenote. And that is how it was named “Xkekén”, which means “pig” in Mayan. 

This cenote is best known for its turquoise and transparent waters. It is illuminated by a small natural hole through which the sun’s rays enter, giving you a majestic and unforgettable view.

It is located almost two hours from our Princess Riviera Maya hotels and is open every day from 7 am to 5 pm.

3. Holbox Island

Holbox is located approximately four hours from our Princess Riviera Maya hotels. All the roads on the island are sandy, so if you want to get from one side to the other, you have to travel by bicycle or golf buggy. 

On the tour, you can see the fishermen’s houses painted in different colours, which make the island look like a rainbow, stroll along the beautiful beaches and try the delicious food.

This island is also home to a very special area: the Yum Balam Biosphere Reserve, which protects flamingos, pelicans, herons, storks, etc.  You can see the reserve from a viewpoint on the island, or take a boat or kayak tour to explore the reserve in more detail.  

The best time to visit Holbox is between April and November, when you can witness one of nature’s most beautiful phenomena: bioluminescence. 

At dusk, thousands of blue lights illuminate the sandy beaches, making you feel like you are in a fairytale.

To see the bioluminescence, you can walk to the beach or, if you prefer, take a guided tour.

4. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area in the Caribbean, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. 

This place is special because it brings together all the beauty of the Riviera Maya in one place: beaches, dunes, cenotes, coral reef and a tropical jungle where you can find jaguars, crocodiles, manatees, pumas, spider monkeys and more than 200 species of birds. 

In Sian Ka’an there are many activities on offer to help you discover the reserve. For example, go to the beach where you can swim and snorkel with turtles and dolphins. You can also take a boat trip around the lagoon to see the mangroves, the bird island, the manatee sanctuary or the Mayan temple, which is almost entirely submerged. 

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is open to the public from 7 am to 5 pm and is located 1 hour and 15 minutes from our Princess Riviera Maya hotels.

5. Cobá Archaeological Site

Without a doubt, one of the most popular excursions in the Riviera Maya is to visit the different archaeological sites. Along with Chichén Itzá and the ruins of Tulum, Cobá is one of the options to visit during your holiday. 

During the tour of Cobá, you will be able to see the Nohoch Mul pyramid, which is 42 metres high, and you can even climb to the top. There are also various stones with paintings and symbols from thousands of years ago, painted by the Maya to immortalise their history.

For the more adventurous, there are other options such as zip-lining, canoeing on the lake or cycling around the area.  

Cobá is about an hour and a half from our Princess Riviera Maya hotels and is open to the public from 7 am to 5 pm.

Each of these excursions has its own charm and we have options suitable for everyone. We hope that one of them catches your eye and encourages you to visit the great paradise that is the Riviera Maya. 

If you have any suggestions, don’t hesitate to leave us a comment, we’ll be happy to hear from you.

Categories: Caribbean, Travel Tips, Riviera Maya