Our First Timers’ Guide To Building A Boss-Level Riviera Maya Itinerary
Travelling to Mexico is no easy feat. And after going so far, you obviously want to make the most of your Riviera Maya experience, right? Here’s where we come in with our boss-level Riviera Maya itinerary so you can make the most out of your first time in Mexico.
Booking your Caribbean adventure in Mexico is an incredibly exciting time. But how do ensure you make the most of your trip?
Well, luckily, we’ve spent some hours stretched out on the sand in this part of the world. So, we’ve used that knowledge for good to bring you, what we believe to be, the perfect Riviera Maya itinerary for first-timers.
If you’ve never stepped foot on the sand here before, there are a whole host of things to do. Which makes it a super exciting, but also super overwhelming, place to try and plan a trip.
So, we’ll start simple and just give you the top activities you need to have on your must-do list.
5 Riviera Maya Itinerary Must Haves
There are so many amazing holiday destinations in Mexico. But rest assured, you won’t go wrong if you chose to book your stay in the Riviera Maya. This place is brimming with awesome things to do.
But what are the main moment for your very first itinerary?
- Chichén Itza
- Cenotes
- Puerto Morelos
- Playa Del Carmen
- Isla Mujeres
But what makes these spots and activities so unforgettable?
Chichén Itzá ruins
Visiting Mexico doesn’t have to be a week or two of basking in the sun, it can be if you want, of course, but if you’re looking for a fuller itinerary in the Riviera Maya then you might want to fill one of your days visiting one of the new seven Wonders of the World.
Chichén Itzá, located on the Yucatan Peninsula, is break-takingly stunning. It’s packed with history from the ancient, pre-Columbian times. Founded by the Maya in 1841, it’s thought it was built around 1,500 years ago. Home to Mayan people from all areas of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s believed that Chichén Itzá was so prominent due to being so close to the Xtoloc cenote – a source of fresh water.
Take a guided tour. Soak up a history lesson from an expert, who’ll introduce you to the kind of lives that were lived when the ruins were active. Remember to take a snap of the largest and most famous pyramid in Chichén Itzá – El Castillo.
Build a visit to these ruins into your Riviera Maya itinerary and tick off a bucket-list activity at the same time. How many people can say they’ve visited a wonder of the world?
Cenotes
Speaking of fresh-water sources, head to a cenote to cool off. It’s an adventure not to be missed. Surrounded by jungle, swimming in a cenote is an experience you’re bound never to forget.
Described as magical, mysterious, and the jewels of Yucatan Peninsula, they were once a sacred place for the Maya. Now? They’re popular with scuba divers, snorkelers, and visitors wishing to cool off from the hot Mexican sun.
But for the adrenaline junkies out there, you could cliff-jump from ground level into the calming waters of a cenote. Expect to jump 10 to 15ft before hitting the water, though.
However, for those of us that would like a gentler approach to a cenote (providing you don’t go rogue and explore independently), your tour guide will take you to the more accessible cenotes where you’ll be able to enter via a ladder or some steps. Perfect!
As natural attractions go; this one is up there as one of the best experiences. But if you want to find out what other natural attractions there are, check out seven more natural attractions in Mexico!
Puerto Morelos
There’s one stand-out reason why Puerto Morelos should be a part of your Riviera Maya Itinerary. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, of course. The second largest reef in the world. Spanning a huge 620 miles – that’s like travelling from London to Berlin!
Whether you’re a pro diver, or just enjoy a lazy snorkel, this reef is going to blow. your. mind. With over 500 species of fish to discover, over 60 types of coral, plenty of marine turtles and whale sharks to spot, this reef will keep you enthralled for hours.
So book a tour and let the guide take you to the best snorkel spots. But don’t forget to take an underwater camera to capture this incredible experience, too!
Playa Del Carmen
This is the perfect people-pleaser spot. Once a sleepy fishing village, now is one of the most visited spots along the Riviera Maya. Expect to find lively bars, boutique shops, chic & luxury hotels. Even local taco stands where you can sample authentic Mexican food. Does it get any better than that? Well, actually, yes it does.
There is enough going on in Playa Del Carmen to keep you entertained for a month. From Cenote swimming, to swimming with whale sharks, to ziplining and tequila tasting. Not at the same time though, obviously.
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a small island off the coast of Yucatan’s peninsula, directly translating to ‘Island of Women’. Despite only being 7km long, this island has a lot on offer. One of the top things you’ll find to do when researching what to do on this island, and building this Riviera Maya itinerary is no different, is renting a golf cart. Yep. You read that right. Jump in a golf cart for the day and drive around the island. You could ride around the whole island in 30 minutes, but there’s no fun in that. In the south you can pay a visit to the statue of Ixchel, which according to Mayan history, is the goddess of fertility.
Take a ride over to Garrafon park – an activity park found on the south of the island, close to Punta Sur. You’ll find the perfect chance to soak up the adventure. Starting with the most amazing snorkelling spots, but you can also expect to try out zip-lining, kayaking and biking.
When you’ve worked up an appetite, why not treat yourself to lunch on the beach? It’s said that the best beaches are in the northern part of the island, so hop in your golf cart and head north. You’ll find plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from along the coastline.
Building A Top Riviera Maya Itinerary: Day-by-Day Guide
Of course, there are loads more things you could include in your Riviera Maya itinerary, but let’s keep this simple.
Let’s base this itinerary on 10 nights in Mexico, to give us enough time to experience everything we want to, as well as time to relax and enjoy some downtime.
Day one: Arrive & Acclimatise
Travelling. It’s a long day for everyone involved. Perfect opportunity to start easing into the holiday spirit. Arriving in Mexico, settling into the resort, enjoying the smell of sun cream and the ocean.
Day two: Get Booked
Get your bearings, try a few cocktails, but also the perfect day to book onto some excursions and trips to start building your Riviera Maya Itinerary.
Day three: Visit the Ruins at Chichén Itzá
Spend the day exploring the Chichén Itza Ruins. An iconic New Wonder of the World, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Perfect for soaking up the Mayan history, while ticking off a bucket-list trip.
Day four: Enjoy your resort
A day exploring one of the new Wonders of the World yesterday calls for a pool day today. Kick back and enjoy the poolside snacks, and topping up your tan.
Day five: Cenote diving and reef snorkelling
Join a tour guide while they take you for a dip in a Cenote. Will you dare to jump in from the top, or take an easy swim in the spring water? After a couple of hours enjoying the uniqueness of a Cenote, take a boat out to the Mesoamerican reef, where you can snorkel and explore part of the 625-mile coral reef.
Day six: Chill out
A busy day snorkelling and swimming yesterday calls for a lazy day. Enjoy a big breakfast, try some more cocktails, soak up the rays and enjoy the day taking advantage of your all-inclusive resort.
Day seven: Hire a golf cart on Isla Mujeres
With any luck, you didn’t hit the swim-up bar too hard, and you’re ready for a day checking out the tiny but mighty island of Isla Mujeres. Rock, paper, scissors for the driver and off you go!
Day eight: Resort entertainment
Come on, you’ve been there eight days, it’s time you let your hair down and got stuck in with the resort entertainment. Embrace the madness that is the entertainment team.
Day nine: Playa Del Carmen
What a way to round off your holiday as it quickly comes to an end. Take a lazy stroll into boutique shops, treating yourself, and those as home, so some souvenirs and things you’ll remember this holiday by. Of course, as we know, you can do pretty much anything in Playa Del Carmen, but we think taking it easy is a great way to conclude your Mexican retreat.
Day ten: Your last day
Bringing this Riviera Maya itinerary to an end on the last full day in the Mexico sun, use this time to eat in your fave restaurant, join in with any activities you haven’t been able to yet, or just spend it snoozing in the breeze. Just be sure to make the most of it.
Wrapping up your Riviera Maya Itinerary
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, just remember to make the most of your stay. This is our idea of a boss-level Riviera Maya itinerary, but it might not be yours. Make sure you fill your time doing whatever it is that makes you happy. Whether that’s action-packed days, or making the tough decision of choosing between the pool or the beach.
Now, where to stay? Check out these award-winning all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya!
