Lovers of outdoor activities,
particularly water sports, will be completely won over by Riviera Maya. Long, golden
sands beaches, bathed by a sparkling turquoise sea cast an unforgettable
spell.
Cancún's main tourist attractions are its
long beaches washed by the Caribbean, its renowned golf courses and luxury hotels.
Cancún is made up of Ciudad Cancún and the Zona Hotelera. Cancún's Mayan ruins, major
shopping centres and Centro de Convenciones are all located in the Zona Hotelera, where
the hotels and other buildings are lined up in the shape of a "7."
Isla Mujeres
The
"Island of Women" is 8 km long (5 mi) and 800 m (2,625 feet) across at its widest point.
The enchanting charm of this locale is a combination of many white-sand beaches,
lagoons, coral reefs teeming with marine life, and swaying coconut
trees.
Playa del
Carmen
The liveliest and most touristy city between
Cancún and Chetumal, the town of Playa del Carmen is the ideal place to begin a tour of
the region. Several boats make daily crossings to Cozumel. Playa del Carmen is mainly
frequented by hikers, archaeology enthusiasts, outdoor lovers or those who simply enjoy
idling the time away.
Cozumel
Cozumel is the
biggest island in Mexico. Surrounded by turquoise waters and a spectacular string of
coral reef, it is a scuba-diver's paradise.
Tulum
The archaeological city
of Tulum (Mayan word meaning "wall") was inhabited between around AD 900 and AD 1540,
when the Mayan civilization began to decline. These temples and buildings, much smaller
than those of Chichén Itzá, testify to strong Toltecan and Mayan influences. It is the
only Mayan port city uncovered to this day, and one of the rare ceremonial centres that
was still in use in the 16th century when the Spanish arrived.