Lively beach town at the heart of the Mayan Riviera

The Mayan Riviera refers to the strip of Caribbean coastline on Mexico‘s Yucatan peninsula. It starts at Cancun and stretches south to Tulum and is characterised by beautiful white sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise water. When it comes to ways to fill your days and nights here, you’re spoilt for choice. Think scuba diving on Isla Cozumel, trips to cenotes, fishing, sailing, watersports, golf and visiting the wonderful Mayan sites of Tulum and Cobá. The world’s second-largest coral reef lies just off the shore, making this a real haven for water lovers.

Halfway between Cancun and Tulum is Playa del Carmen, one of the region’s most well-known resort towns. It is a lively place with nice restaurants and bars to explore. But for those looking for some time to relax away from the crowds, then our pick of luxury properties let you really appreciate the beauty of this part of Mexico.

From our experts

Experiences picked by our destination specialists

Step foot in an underground cenote

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Explore the natural sinkholes and underground rivers, some perfect for snorkeling and diving

Enjoy excellent dives, just offshore

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Discover a stunning underwater world as you dive around an expansive coral reef just offshore

Dine just back from the beach

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Spend some time at the restaurants and bars of the resort town Playa del Carmen between Cancun and Tulum

Gain a deeper understanding of the region

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Choose from a variety of luxury tours and experiences around the Mayan Riviera

A word from one of our experts

For an exquisite blend of natural splendor and ancient wonder, the Mayan Riviera invites you to explore its breathtaking turquoise waters, pristine white-sand beaches and beautiful cenotes.

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Delfina Russo

Travel Designer

Luxury accommodation in Mayan Riviera

There are many incredible places to stay in Mayan Riviera. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:

Why book with Jacada?

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Personalised design

We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.

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Authentic experiences

Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.

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Responsible travel

Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.

Trip Inspiration

Get inspired with our Mexico example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure

Yucatan Luxury Explorer

12-Day Trip

Yucatan Luxury Explorer

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12-Day Trip

Yucatan Luxury Explorer

Embark on a luxury exploration of the Yucatán Peninsula, staying in exclusive hotels and haciendas from Mérida to the Mayan Riviera. Perfect for honeymooners or families, with equal measure adventure and relaxation in a landscape of jungle, cenotes and powder soft beaches.
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Wine, Whales and Wonders of Mexico

10-Day Trip

Wine, Whales and Wonders of Mexico

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10-Day Trip

Wine, Whales and Wonders of Mexico

Spend time in Mexico City discovering its ever-changing architecture, vivid neighbourhoods, world-class museums and sensational food, before heading north, where winemakers are producing bottles that rival anything from Napa or Bordeaux. Round off your 10-day trip to Mexico in Los Cabos with its incredible Baja California marine life.
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From City to Beach: Mexico in a Week

7-Day Trip

From City to Beach: Mexico in a Week

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7-Day Trip

From City to Beach: Mexico in a Week

Mexico offers an incredible diversity of experiences that can easily be enjoyed in a week. On an unforgettable trip tailored to your interests you can spend time both in a bustling metropolis and cocooned in luxury enjoying sun soaked days on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
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Ready to plan your adventure?

Whatever you want from your Mayan Riviera adventure, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Discover more of Mexico

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Around Mérida

A region that has it all; stunning beaches, incredible ancient ruins along the Puuc route, charming towns and villages, rich culture and haciendas set on sprawling estates to stay in.

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Campeche

A pretty, relaxed active port city, small enough to wander around easily. A history of pirates and acquisitions with old world architecture and stunning views from naval ramparts.

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Cancun

A convenient jump off point with an international airport and easy access to the Yucatan Peninsula. There are many luxury resorts here to make layovers extremely comfortable and enjoyable.

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Guanajuato

A skyline of uneven low-level, colourful rooftops with a street-level labyrinth of winding roads and lanes. An important mining city with a rich and interesting history.

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Isla Mujeres

Rustic beach bars and a sleepy atmosphere. A great place to come to relax and enjoy sunsets, boat trips and delicious seafood.

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Izamal

A beautiful little city, punctuated by white and yellow buildings. Close to the Puuc route the Mayan history is palpable here and in fact, the ancient Mayan language can still be heard among the locals here.

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La Paz - Cabo

Truly beautiful and genuinely relaxed, La Paz - Cabo is one of the best places for diving in Mexico. There are other activities too with lots of opportunities to discover the vast array of marine life.

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Los Cabos

The southern strip of Mexico’s Pacific Baja Peninsula is a place of endless golden beaches and every year, from December to March, a place to spot several thousand California grey whales migrating.

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Mérida

The capital of the Yucatan peninsula and a base to see many of the region's epic ancient ruins. A city with a complicated history, now flourishes with local, indigenous culture.

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Mexico City

A ‘megalopolis’ of a city, incredibly diverse, rich in many cultures, historical yet modern, contemplative yet chaoticic. Stunning boulevards and winding cobbled lanes are filled with adventures waiting to be discovered.

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Oaxaca

The city of Oaxaca is home to one of the country's most outstanding cathedrals. See the Zapotee legacy and enjoy the many archaeological ruins and historical excursions of the region.

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Palenque

One of Mexico’s most important, and arguably the most beautiful Mayan site. Palenque is a large complex with many intact portions nestled in lush, green, beautiful jungle and manicured lawns.

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Puebla

A large city that retains an old-world charm. Set in a valley, surrounded by volcanoes, Puebla is a very pretty city. Famous for it’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations and conveniently just and hour and half drive from Mexico City.

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San Cristobal de las Casas

A laidback highland town full of character and charm, nestled in an authentic slice of rural Mexico. Cobbled streets are lined with cafes, shops and bars offering a warm welcome and delicious food.

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San Miguel de Allende

A cultural hub with a mesmerising historic quarter, important historical significance and visually beautiful. Brightly coloured buildings and murals line the cities streets.

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Todos Santos

Authentic Mexico awaits in the traditional town of Todos Santos. The town has a laid back bohemian atmosphere with many art festivals and artisan markets. Great beaches with huge surf and a yearly hatching of leatherback turtles.

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Tulum

Where white sand beaches, lazy green palms and laid-back hippy chic meet ancient mayan ruins and protected biospheres.

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Meet your Latin America team

When to visit

Mexico is a vast country and the climate can differ greatly across the regions. The best time to visit is usually between the shoulder and summer months (November to May), when there are long sunny days, and little to no rainfall. It’s the perfect time of year for outdoor activities like exploring ruins and snorkeling. The cooler months (December to February) are still fine for travelling, however it’s also the wet season and rains are common.

Ruins and Beaches

December–February

Turtle Snorkeling

May–November

Visit Cenotes

May–September

The Best Time to Visit Mexico

The Best Time to Visit Mexico

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Plan your trip to Mayan Riviera

Whatever you want from your adventure in Mayan Riviera, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.

Start planning

Don't take our word for it

Your trip, your story

We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.

Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.