The Ultimate Bucket List for Things to Do in the Riviera Maya while staying at a Holiday Villa

Written by Monica Figueroa

Taking a well-deserved vacation is one of life's greatest pleasures, and how you spend your days is up to you. You can be lying on the deck with a good book, hopping from island to island, or simply partying with old friends, options are nearly limitless. But if you want to do something more than getting out of town, why not consider some of our special selections?

These experiences will take you from a basic beach goer to full-time hedonist in no time.

Book Chef services

Booking a chef service is one of the best ways to keep eating healthy while on vacation. A chef will come to cook for you at your villa and bring fresh, local ingredients or go grocery shopping with you so that they can create a meal that's exactly what you're craving. They'll also clean up after themselves (or have someone else do it) so that all you have to do is relax!

Some of our Villas have chef services included with the booking, while others have the experience at an extra cost. If you feel like this is for you, simply contact us and tell us what kind of cuisine you're looking for and how many people will be eating.

We'll take care of the rest!

Book In-villa massages

If you're looking for something more relaxing than lounging by the pool or sitting on your balcony, book an in-villa massage!

This is a great way to relax after a long day of activities, It can also serve as your pre-date ritual, where you take time to yourself with no distractions before heading out for the night! It doesn't matter if you choose a Swedish massage or deep tissue massage, our experienced massage therapists will pamper you with soothing massages using essential oils and aromatherapy.

You will definitely feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to go back home.

In-villa yoga sessions

Yoga is an increasingly popular activity among travelers, and It's not just for those who are physically fit, believe it or not, it is a great way to relax and de-stress while exercising your body and mind.

In fact, yoga helps you relieve stress by releasing endorphins into your bloodstream and calming the nervous system, this means you'll be able to get a good night's sleep without having any trouble falling asleep at all.

If you're interested in taking a yoga class on your vacation, be sure to ask our concierge team about the different options available. You can also ask them for recommendations, that way you can have a truly customized experience!

Visit Chichen Itza & Tulum ruins

To make the most of your stay in this enchanting region, there are a few must-see archeological destinations that will take your breath away and leave you in awe. The most famous are Chichen Itza and the Coba Pyramid.

Chichen Itza is one of the most visited sites in the world. It’s located about 2 hours from Cancun and can be reached by private car or tour bus. Visit Kukulkan's Pyramid, the Temple of Warriors, and The Observatory at Chichen Itza if you decide to do a tour. Don't forget that the Mayan ruins are located in a dense forest, so bring sunscreen and plenty of water to stay cool during this visit.
Tulum Ruins have incredible ocean views from every corner, make sure to climb the Coba Pyramid to enjoy a refreshing dip while looking out at the clear blue sea below. If you're feeling adventurous, there are also nearby cenotes (natural underground pools) where you can swim alongside an amazing variety of wildlife including fish, turtles, and even crocodiles!

Go Cenote hopping

Visiting cenotes is an absolute must on any trip to the Riviera Maya, but there are dozens of options to choose from. The cenotes near Tulum have three styles: Open, semi-open, and underground.

Open cenotes are open to the sky and are quite easy to find since there are many signs and the road leads right to them. Semi-open cenotes are partially submerged in water and have a few meters of open water above them, and finally, underground cenotes are fully submerged in water and have no surface access except by diving equipment.

Some Cenotes you can experience are Gran Cenote, Cenote Dos Ojos, Cenote Zacil Ha or Casa Cenote.

Have a Sian Ka’an tour

If you are looking for a place to visit, Sian Ka'an is one of the most beautiful destinations in the region. It’s a biosphere reserve located in the Yucatán Peninsula, and one of the largest protected areas in the world.

It has two distinct ecosystems that contrast with each other: coastal wetlands and mangrove forests, it has spectacular flora and fauna like crocodiles, sea turtles, and iguanas; as well as a wide variety of birds such as toucans and flamingos. You can also see howler monkeys jumping from branch to branch or even swimming across rivers!

If you want to explore the area on your own, there are some alternatives. You can take a taxi or public transport to get to the nearby towns and from there take a boat to one of the islands.

Now that you know some must-have experiences? Which ones are you planning to do? Obviously, you can't do all of them in a single vacation, but we recommend trying as many as possible before heading back home.

Trust us, it’s an experience that will create core memories for you. Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and explore the world around you next time.