PRINCIPAL ATTRACTIONS IN RIVIERA MAYA

Visitors can enjoy many activities along the Riviera Maya, such as windsurfing, deep sea fishing, trips in kayaks and horseback riding, as well as simply becoming one with nature while resting on a solitary beach.

The Great Maya Reef, a coral reef of unrivaled beauty, is famous among lovers of scuba diving and snorkeling. Thera are many specialized dive shops along the coast; all offering courses for all levels of expertise and tours, be it to the reef, the cenotes or the underground caverns. 

Cenotes are sink holes, created when pieces of land above the subterranean rivers collapsed millions of years ago. The cenotes, filled with crystal clear, tranquil, cold and refreshing water, were considered sacreb by the Mayan. They vary tremendously in size, shape and depth, are usually surrounded by an exuberant jungle and are a great place for swimming and snorkeling.

The entrance and exit of the underground rivers to the cenotes often lead to caverns, an underwater world which looks like an inmense cathedral or tunnel. 

They are often filled with stalagtites and stalagmites of different width and height; some are less than a foot long while others are well over 60 feet in length. Anyone who ventures into this incredible world will feel as though they are flying through space: the current is almost imperceptible, there is no movement, no noise and no sensation of weight, gravity or resistance. Unlike diving in the ocean, the visibility seems to be endless; the water is crystal clear and with the linght from the cenote entrance, the surroundings acquire an intense blue color.

Paamul Caribbean Paradise, Riviera Maya Q. Roo México

There are also two parks along the coast, perfect for a day of adventure. Xcaret is an eco-archaeological amusement park that offers a great array of activities, from floating in underground rivers or swimming with the dolphins to cultural events during the evening. Xel-Ha, further south, is an incredible natural aquarium famous for snorkeling and swimming.

In the extreme south of the Riviera Maya is the Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve, which offers an opportunity to explore mangroves, ancient Mayan canals and walks through the jungle to observe an almost untouched wilderness.

This fascinating region is also in the middle of the amazing Maya World and tours to the majors cities of this timeless civilization, such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba, Uxmal and Tikal, are easy to find.