Mayakoba Adventure in the Riviera Maya

There is a reason the Riviera Maya in the Yucatan Peninsula is a desirable location for a spring getaway. Adventure, natural beauty, fantastic food, lush vegetation, and luxurious accommodations make for an idyllic vacation.

We spent five days over Easter break exploring the area’s cenotes, biking Mayakoba’s nature trails, snorkeling around the second largest barrier reef in the world, boating through Mayakoba’s lagoons, and exploring underground caverns. I can’t want to return to this paradise! It was one of the easiest trips I have ever planned and only roughly three hours from Austin including the drive time from the Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen, our location of choice.

Logistics:

Did I mention Southwest has a direct flight to Cancun out of Austin? There are currently 37 US cities with direct flights to Cancun. Tulum, Playa del Carmen’s sister city, is getting its own international airport (Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport) at the end of 2023, increasing access to this area.  

Lodging:

We splurged this trip and stayed at Rosewood Mayakoba. They took care of all the heavy lifting and made planning this trip a breeze! They helped us book excursions, restaurant reservations, and round-trip airport transportation from the Cancun airport. The level of service displayed was unbeatable.

Our Rosewood room of choice for a family of four was the Deluxe Lagoon Suite. The suite includes a master bedroom that can be closed off, a plunge pool, 2 bathrooms, a pullout couch, and a large dining area. Their rollaway beds (because my teens preferred separate beds) are the nicest we have ever experienced and are comfortable for my adult-sized teens. The expansive suite is comprised of 1103 interior square feet, and 1057 exterior square feet. The arrival boat ride to the suite was fun and memorable, the close proximity to the restaurants and main lobby made our setup the ideal location, and the provided bicycles made exploring the property a breeze.

The four resorts within Mayakoba are all connected by a number of paths and waterways. Due to the protected mangrove forests just inland from the beach, each hotel is split between two areas: beachfront and lagoon. Its only real weakness was its beach.

Other hotels within the Mayakoba resort area are:

• Fairmont Mayakoba: Family-friendly 5-star hotel
• Banyan Tree: Geared towards couples. Overwater bungalows available
• Andaz Mayakoba: Hyatt’s lifestyle brand

Activities:

Top 7 Experiences in Riviera Maya:

• Bike Mayakoba’s nature trails. Rosewood bikes are complementary and yes, they also provide children’s bikes!

• Snorkel and dive around the world’s second largest barrier reef out of Playa Morales or the nearby town of Cozumel. I highly recommend hiring a guide for this excursion.
• Visit a local cenote and underground cavern at Kantun Chi Eco Park. What an unforgettable experience filled with beauty, history, and a mystic ambiance only found underground in one of these natural geological rock formations. Go early and go with a guide. You won’t regret it!

• Based on the time of year you visit, swim with whale sharks. This activity is available in the summer months. It’s really humid during the summer and water activities are popular during summer visits! Most whale sharks in Cancun are found in the waters surrounding Isla Mujeres, Isla Contoy, and Isla Holbox, all of which are small islands just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.
• Enjoy Mayakoba’s free eco boat tour through the lagoons and a chance to see local birds, monkeys, and crocodiles.

• Spend the day at Maroma Beach, renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by Discovery Travel and Living. It is 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen.
• Visit Mayan Ruins such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, Coba, or Ek Balam. A guide is recommended to get the most out of this experience.

Recommended Guides: 4 Worlds Expeditions and My Quest Concierge Private Tours. Both companies provide transportation and all necessary gear.

Apply reef-safe sunscreen before arriving at cenotes or snorkeling excursions. Sunscreen is not allowed on some premises to protect the pristine nature. One of my boys is incredibly sensitive to the sun and we were grateful for this tip! I highly encourage rash guards!

Souvenirs to Bring Home:

• Local Mezcal
• Alebrijes Figurines: In Mexico, alebrijes crafts are viewed as both healers and guardians. Make sure any alebrijes craft you buy is both hand painted and hand carved. Banyan Tree resort sells a wide variety made in the state of Oaxaca that make excellent trip souvenirs.

Worth Noting:

Seclusion, wildlife, and pristine vegetation may be in increasingly short supply because Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador is pushing for the completion of Tren Maya, a high-speed railway circling the Yucatán Peninsula. There is strong opposition from Indigenous communities, local scientists, and environmentalist groups. The project started in 2018 and has already cut through swaths of jungle and ancient sites. A Mexican Court ruling that suspended construction of President Obrador’s flagship “Mayan Train” rail project over environmental concerns in 2022 makes it doubtful the train will be in operation by the proposed end of 2023. But if the project continues, there will be unavoidable change in the Yucatán. Most importantly, if you’ve been contemplating a trip to the Riviera Maya or elsewhere on the peninsula, don’t wait! Want a back up plan, check out our trip to North Mexico in Todos Santos. Mexico has something for everyone!