Destination Riviera Maya

• Paamul: nested between Xcaret and Puerto Aventuras, this beach is south of Playa del Carmen. Paamul is ideal for nature enthusiasts and is a favourite amongst sea-turtles. It has a rocky bay with a coral reef in front.
• Xpu-Há: it is located 20 kilometers south of Playa del Carmen and it offers a wide range of services, dive shops, restaurants and small hotels. A little bit further to the north, there is a small lagoon. A perfect place to rest and enjoy the Caribbean Sea.
• Mamitas Beach: especially good for parties, Mamitas Beach is best known for hosting multiple events ranging from electronic music festivals to the main venue for the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival for almost ten years.

• Isla Mujeres: one of Quintana Roo’s best hidden gems. It is the first place in Mexico to be touched by the rising sun. The calm waters and beautiful coral reefs in the western part of Isla Mujeres are perfect for snorkeling or diving.
• Cozumel Island: This Mesoamerican coral reef is twenty-two kilometers long, stretching out alongside white sandy beaches. But this is not the only thing that will make you fall in love with the island. Thanks to the amazing marine biodiversity it is considered the ideal place for diving. The large coral reefs form living underwater gardens and are home to a rich and varied marine life.
• Tulum: Just one hour from Playa del Carmen, you will be gobsmacked by the beauty of this little corner of the Riviera Maya. The site of one of the most representative archaeological sites of Mayan culture with a famous “castle” located within Tulum National Park, the only protected natural area in the Cancun – Tulum corridor.

Local activities and excursions:

• Xcaret Park: if you are staying in Playa del Carmen, this is definitely a must. You can swim with dolphins, visit the Mexican folk art museum and see Xcaret: Mexico Espectacular, one of the best shows in the whole of Mexico. Ask about this amazing tour at our hospitality desks.
• ATV’s: If you like living your life to the fullest, then this excursion is for you. Explore the Mayan jungle on a quad and have fun like never before.
• Río Secreto (Secret River): a journey through a “glass museum”, with rock formations and walls full of geological history that tell the history of the land. A life-transforming experience.

• Cenote Dos Ojos: nestled between Playa del Carmen and Tulum and connected to one of the ten longest underwater cave systems in the world.
• Altournative: if you are passionate about the cultural heritage and the environment, we suggest learning more about the different activities Altournative can offer you. From excursions to the Mayan areas to activities of all kinds in the different parks.

Riviera Maya has earned a reputation in Mexico and the world for being one of the most multicultural parts of the country. Diversity has made Riviera Maya a fantastic place to enjoy the best of world cuisine:

• Mole Poblano: Central Mexico presents the delicious “Mole Poblano”, a dish that will satisfy even the most discerning palates. For the Mexicans, recipes for mole are some of the greatest secrets in Mexican cuisine. A fusion of indigenous and colonial cuisine, the recipes have been passed down from generation to generation.
• Marquesitas: if you visit the heart of the Riviera Maya, you cannot miss the Marquesitas, a dessert which is native to the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a crunchy crepe rolled up and traditionally filled with melted shredded cheese, with the sweet dough of the crepe contrasting with the salty flavour of the cheese.
• International Cuisine: foreign residents have also set up stores in the Riviera Maya. You can find Argentine steaks, German sausages, Italian pizza and pasta and Spanish tapas, among others.

• Taxi: sometimes the transfer is not included so you might need to take a taxi. At Cancun airport you can take a taxi and also check the official rates at the airport on arrival.
• Check the package you bought: if you have bought a travel package, always check whether the transfer service is included or not.
• Transfer: you can contact local transfer companies offering pick-up and return services between the airport and the hotel. You just have to look for your name on the sign as you exit the airport.

• It often rains. The weather conditions are very changeable. It can be sunny, then rain for a while, and then be really sunny again.
• We recommend packing more than one swimsuit. Clothes take a long time to dry due to the humidity.
• The tropical ecosystem around us is very fragile, so it’s important to minimize our impact and take maximum care of the environment. Respect the beach, the mangrove forests, flora and fauna. It is everyone’s duty to preserve and protect our natural environment!
• Do not forget to bring your passport.
• You cannot leave the country without trying Mezcal, the drink that comes from heaven. There is a popular saying that goes “Para todo mal, mezcal; para todo bien, también” which more or less means “For everything bad, mescal—and for everything good, as well!”.