Tucked deep in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and home to descendants of the ancient Mayan people, you’ll find The Riviera Maya - a haven for honeymooners. White sand beaches, warm blue waters and luxury hotels line this beautiful stretch of coastline, as well as providing a home to the odd baby sea turtle or two.
Whether you’re planning on sunning yourself on the beach every day or hoping to explore the cultural side of this area, you won’t be disappointed. The Peninsula is a paradise for tourists.
What to do in the Riviera Maya
A trip to the cenotes that fame the area is an absolute must. Found only on this Peninsula, it’s easy to see why the Mayans consider these incredible sinkholes sacred. Often referred to as “sunken caves”, cenotes boast crystal clear fresh waters and incredible scenery (make sure you take your snorkel as most cenotes boast incredible biodiversity). Help protect these beautiful natural phenomenons by visiting one of the eco-tourism centres, which are trying to protect the natural area from the effects of mass tourism.
There are plenty of dive and snorkeling sites where you’ll be met with a wealth of marine life. Most hotels offer specific diving and snorkeling trips, ensuring that you reach the best spots. Visit in the autumn and you might be lucky enough to witness turtle hatching, with many hotels boasting their own conservation teams.
You can even witness one of the New Seven Wonders of the World with a visit to Chichen Itza - a complex of breathtaking Mayan ruins with a rich anecdotal history.
How to get there
The Riviera Maya lies about an hour South of its rather more built up, streetwise sister, Cancun and is easily accessible from the airport via transfer. As you drive the straight road dividing the swathes of jungle either side, it’s hard to picture the crystalline waters that lie just beyond the greenery.
Room at UNICO 20°87°
Where to stay
There are so many five star hotels in this area that’s it’s difficult to decide where to rest your head at night, but for us, there’s no truer luxury break than that found at UNICO 20°87°, where traditional, Mayan touches meet outstanding all-inclusive facilities. The vast majority of rooms here boast a breathtaking sea view, with rooms tastefully decorated to remind you of the history and culture that fame the Yucatan Peninsula. Enjoy champagne bubble baths on your balcony (almost all of the rooms have this facility) and mouth watering cuisine at the many a la carte restaurants on offer during your stay. For a more traditional all inclusive experience, try Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.
