Akumal - Kantenah
Snorkeling and diving are popular in the small resort town of Akumal, and at Kantenah beach to the north, where the coastline runs parallel to a protected coral reef. In the summer months, sea turtles crawl onto the white-sand beaches by moonlight to lay their eggs. Yal-Ku Lagoon, once a trading route for the ancient Maya, is a bird watcher’s paradise, and can be explored by foot or kayak.
Maroma
Between the quite fishing village of Puerto Morelos and the lively international scene in Playa del Carmen lies the Maroma area. Undeveloped white-sand beaches provide a tranquil escape from the crowds, and off-shore reefs offer plenty of interesting terrain for snorkeling.
Playa del Carmen
Still small enough to explore on foot, Playa del Carmen has a relaxed, yet cosmopolitan feel, with a variety of hotels, shops, and restaurants ranging from causal to upscale. European-style sunbathing is common on beaches. Playa is a popular jumping-off point for day trips to Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Tulum, and other peninsula attractions, and a passenger ferry makes frequent runs to Cozumel.
Puerto Aventuras
Puerto Aventuras, an upscale resort community between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, has the only mainland marina on the Riviera Maya. Sailing and sport fishing are popular activities here, as are boat tours, diving, and snorkeling. Museo CEDAM displays the history of diving in the area. Nearby, Xpu-Ha is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the peninsula.
Puerto Morelos
Only 18 km (11 mi) south of Cancun International Airport, the sleepy village of Puerto Morelos offers calm contrast to Cancun, and to lively Playa del Carmen, 32 km (20 mi) to the south. Historically a fishing village, tourism is a relatively recent industry here. A large reef, about 500 meters from the beach, has been declared a national park, and snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are popular.
Tulum
Built on a bluff facing the rising sun, the Mayan ruins of Tulum offer breathtaking views of the Caribbean. Just south of Akumal, Tulum’s proximity to Cancun makes it the most visited archeological site in Mexico. The village of Tulum, along the main highway, offers shops, restaurants, and cantinas. To the north, tourists can swim with dolphins or dive among brilliantly colored fish at Xel-Ha.
Xcaret
The ecological/archeological theme park of Xcaret is one of the most popular attractions on the Yucatan Peninsula. Just 10 km (6.5 mi) south of Playa del Carmen, the park includes the remains of Mayan temples, a replica Mayan village, cultural shows, and underground rivers. Water activities include snorkeling tours of underwater gardens, and opportunities to swim with dolphins.
Xpu-Ha
Just south of Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Ha’s broad, powdery, white-sand beach is widely regarded among the peninsula’s most beautiful. There’s plenty of room to string up a hammock and relax, sunbathe, or swim in the surf.
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