| Playa del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera have an | | | | - An eco-Mayan theme park for the whole family. |
| exceptional variety of attractions and activities | | | | A must see if you visit the Mayan Riviera. |
| from the Mayan ruins at Tulum to the Playa del | | | | Prepare to spend your entire day at Xcaret as |
| Carmen nightlife. You will love your Mexico | | | | there are a million and one things to do and see. |
| vacation. Here is a listing of some of the popular | | | | You can swim with the dolphins, snorkel, tour |
| attractions:Beaches and sport activitiesThis area | | | | underground rivers, do sea trekking, visit a |
| has some of the most beautiful beaches in the | | | | butterfly park, a Mayan village, and much more. |
| world. Most of the beaches have been manicured | | | | The is also an excellent light and sound show in |
| and have fine white sand. The water is a | | | | the evening. |
| turquoise blue of the Caribbean Sea.Scuba diving | | | | For more information: - Xel Ha is an eco-park |
| and snorkelingJust off the coast is the world's | | | | with a large lagoon for snorkeling. It is a great |
| fifth-longest barrier reef. The reef, home to | | | | place for first time snorkellers. Inner tubes and life |
| hundreds of species of marine life, is perfect for | | | | vests are free, and you can rent snorkel gear or |
| snorkeling. Scuba dive and snorkel in the | | | | bring your own. There is an amazing cave |
| magnificent Caribbean waters. Scuba lessons for | | | | system, cenotes, lagoon, and great snorkeling |
| beginners and diving tours for the pros are | | | | with thousands of tropical fish. |
| available. Most resorts offer scuba and snorkel | | | | For more information: Ka'an Biosphere Reserve - |
| tours and/or lessons. Most of the ecological parks | | | | The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, one of |
| have great areas for snorkeling. | | | | Mexico's largest parks, covers more than 1 million |
| For more information: - Only 45 minutes from | | | | acres of coastal jungle or about 20 percent of |
| Playa del Carmen by ferry, this diver's haven is | | | | the state of Quintana Roo's land. This virgin |
| well worth the trip across the ocean. Considered | | | | wilderness is home and sanctuary to wide number |
| among the best snorkeling and diving spots in the | | | | of species of tropical flora and fauna, of which, |
| world, Cozumel offers magnificent coral reefs, | | | | the jaguar found here is counted as one of the |
| underwater caves, and shipwrecks sites to | | | | many protected species. Offers eco-trekking |
| explore. There are over 30 kilometres of coral | | | | through mangroves, lagoons and rivers. Get a |
| reef, including the world's second largest reef | | | | close-up look of the wildlife in the reserve in their |
| called the Gama Reef.Golf CoursesPlayacar Golf | | | | natural habitat.Aktun Chen - Witness spectacular |
| Club - This is an 18 hole, par 72-championship golf | | | | geological formations and swim in crystal clear |
| course designed by Robert Von Hagge. This | | | | fresh water in the underground caves. Spider |
| course is carved through the lush Mayan jungle | | | | monkeys and a serpentarium (snakes) can be |
| where it challenges any golfer to come and enjoy | | | | seen. |
| it. Also features a putting green.Puerto Aventuras | | | | For more information: Aviary - Located in |
| - Marina, Tennis and Golf Club. Features a par 36, | | | | Playacar, this exotic bird sanctuary is a wonderful |
| 9 hole course designed by Thomas Leeman. | | | | natural habitat for some 60 species of tropical |
| Maximum length 3,236 yards. Also features a | | | | birds that populate the jungles of the Yucatan |
| putting green. Rental clubs and carts are available. | | | | peninsula. Scarlet macaws, flamingos, herons and |
| Located on the Cancun to Chetumal highway at | | | | may other beautiful feathered creatures can be |
| Puerto Aventuras, Playa del Carmen.Puerto | | | | found here.Jardin Botanico del Dr. Alfredo Barrera |
| Aventuras also has swimming with dolphins. You | | | | - Beautiful botanical gardens sprawling with exotic |
| can relax and watch the dolphin show while having | | | | species of tropical fauna in the lush Mayan |
| lunch at the marina and restaurant. | | | | rainforest. The gardens sit on 60 hectares of |
| For more information: JungleTake a trip out of | | | | jungle and mangrove. A groomed loop trail |
| the ordinary and explore the wild exotic jungles of | | | | provides easy walking to various collections of |
| the Mexican Riviera. The ATV Explorer Jungle | | | | plants, all beautifully displayed in their natural |
| Tour is the original Playa del Carmen jungle tour. | | | | environment. A scenic lookout tower is a bit of a |
| Ride an ATV through jungle paths, swim in a clear | | | | challenge to climb but rewards the brave with a |
| 60 foot deep cenote, explore caves, and climb | | | | panoramic view from the mangrove to the sea, |
| ancient Mayan ruins on this 2 hour tour.Located | | | | and out over the jungle.ShoppingPlaya del Carmen |
| right next to Playa del Carmen and Playacar, just | | | | Shopping - Play del Carmen is a must for the best |
| an hour south of Cancun. | | | | shopping in this area. The pedestrian street 5th |
| For more information: RuinsTulum - The smallest | | | | Avenida in the heart of Playa del Carmen is lined |
| Mayan ruin site among the big three, Tulum only | | | | with boutiques filled with goods from all over |
| needs a day. These ruins overlook the ocean and | | | | Mexico and the world. With handicrafts such as |
| are right on a beautiful beach. This is a perfect | | | | fine silver jewellery to hammocks there are shops |
| spot for a picnic, a short swim and sun bathing. | | | | that cater to every budget.The stores that cater |
| Don't forget your camera!Coba - Wear | | | | to tourists typically carry items such as carved |
| comfortable clothing and shoes and prepare for | | | | wood and stone, hammocks, leather goods, |
| an hour and a half drive into the jungle before | | | | paintings and sculptures. However, there are also |
| reaching these ruins. Well worth the drive as there | | | | high-end galleries featuring artworks from San |
| are beautiful temples and pyramids to see.Chichen | | | | Cristobal and Oaxaca for the serious Mexican art |
| Itza - This is the most famous and grandiose | | | | shopper.If you'd prefer to venture off the main |
| pyramid of them all. Bring plenty of film and enjoy | | | | strip, there are interesting treasures to be found |
| the beautifully kept grounds and the new | | | | in the small plaza between 6th and 8th Ave.Jolana |
| restoration work on the pyramid. A must see | | | | Klobouk is a former travel agent who has |
| Mayan ruin for culture enthusiasts. There are also | | | | traveled extensively for work and vacations with |
| restaurants, a small museum, and tourist shops on | | | | her family. |
| the site. Plan for a day excursion.Eco-ParksXcaret | | | | |