How to Have a Smashing Week in the Riviera Maya
By Alex Ruelas & Diego Ceballos, Maya Luxe Travel Curator
Travel Curators are an essential part of our team. They will make sure everything is ready for you before you arrive in the Riviera Maya. And they can arrange it all. Once your villa is booked, your Curator will organize anything from in-villa services to restaurant reservations, from your group’s arrival information to outdoor adventures. In other words, they will craft a bespoke itinerary for you built off your conversations together.
What is the right amount of time to spend in a destination? What are the things I shouldn’t miss? Those are probably two questions every traveler asks herself when planning a trip. And there is no easy answer. There is just so much to see and do in the Riviera Maya that it is difficult to know where to start.
Maybe we can help. Let us show you what a smashing week in the Mexican Caribbean looks like for us. Diego, our star Maya Luxe Travel Curator, has put together some expertly-crafted recommendations for you to make the most of your time here. And while this is not a detailed schedule -we believe freedom is essential to every holiday- it features the day trips, restaurants and activities we love and that we are positive you will too.
Hungry already?
Let’s talk about food first, shall we? Because as soon as you are picked up from the airport, you might be feeling quite ravenous. One of our favorite restaurants for a welcome lunch is Puerto del Mar, a lovely spot frequented by locals in Playa del Carmen that will introduce you to the region’s excellent seafood and some other Mexican flavors.
There are countless excellent restaurants to visit over the next few days. For example, if you feel like feasting on a proper steak, there is probably no better place to go than Bak, where you can get a taste of Tulum’s expansive gastronomic scene. Also, The Divot, a lovely Mediterranean restaurant in Puerto Aventuras, is one of our go-to spots to try some Spanish-Mexican gastronomy and have a delightful evening.
Sea and jungle adventures
Once you have made yourself at home, there are a couple of day trips you can’t miss if you feel like having a bit of an adventure on land and sea. Hop on a 42-foot yacht that will take you to some of the most exciting snorkeling spots in the Riviera Maya, where spotting sea turtles is not uncommon. Sit back and enjoy the 5-hour ride while the crew take care of everything, including delicious food and drinks on board.
Set aside another one of your days to explore the jungle on an ATV. A 2-hour ride on dirt roads will get you to a beautiful natural pool where you can swim surrounded by the tropical forest. Chill, enjoy the spectacular setting, and then pay a visit to a local community, where you’ll be able to learn from the traditional ways of life of its people.
And if you’re looking for the perfect place to spend a beach day away from crowds and hotels, you will want to check out Xcacel-Xcacelito. This small reserve located 20 kilometers north of Tulum is a sea turtle sanctuary and one of the few places where you can still get the feeling of being lost in the unexplored Caribbean wilderness. No noise, no buildings, just you, the palm trees, and the sea.
Maya heritage and natural bliss
You can’t really say you’ve been to southeast Mexico if you don’t go to at least one of its pre-Hispanic cities. Archaeological sites are a huge chunk of the region’s appeal, and one of the most spectacular is Tulum, the only Maya city built by the sea. Visiting this historical place is also the perfect excuse to find a bit of action in nature and go kayaking, cliff diving, and snorkeling in one of the best spots on all of the Caribbean coast.
And while Tulum is one of the best-known sites, you can also choose to go off the beaten path and explore one of the lesser-known Maya ruins. Cobá and Muyil are both terrific options. The latter is also the gateway to a stunning blue lagoon where you can swim in the channels that meander through lush mangrove forests.
How about some me-time?
In a full week packed with activities, you will want some time to relax. A temazcal might be a perfect chance to do it and get to know an iconic part of the local culture at the same time.
This ancient ritual in an igloo-like hut uses hot stones and herb-infused vapor to cleanse your body and set your mind at ease. Known in Maya as zum pul che, it was widely employed in pre-Columbian Mexico and is now part of the country’s traditional medicine heritage. So if you’re looking for a moment to unwind but still want a cultural travel experience, this is a great way of getting both.
If we can offer one final recommendation, take it at your own pace and leave plenty of time to simply enjoy the setting. The Riviera Maya is a rich, beautiful region with loads to do, so make the trip your own and be confident that, whatever you decide to see, it was the right choice. What does the perfect week here look like? Well, you will ultimately be the judge of that. One thing is for sure, this place makes it very easy to have an absolutely splendid time.
