With fine turquoise waters, powdery white beaches, colonial cities and ancient Maya ruins, it’s no surprise Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula attracts millions of visitors per year. It’s a part of Mexico that drew me in and kept me there – I have spent over a year exploring Mexico and around half of that time in the Yucatan Peninsula.
From connecting with locals to checking out the major attractions to scouting down tiny taquerias, there are plenty of ways to enrich your vacation in Mexico. In this guide I’ll share the best things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula.
But first let’s take a quick look at Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula: Where is it? What areas does it cover? And how do Riviera Maya and Costa Maya fit in? I’ve also included a map below to help…well…put the Yucatan Peninsula on a map.
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula – Overview
The Yucatan Peninsula is made up of three Mexican states: Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo. These states sit on a peninsula located in the southeast of Mexico between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. For those who don’t know, a peninsula is a bit of land that juts out into the sea/ocean. Peninsulas tend to have a lot of ocean-front coastline, often featuring a many beaches. This is a large part of what has made Yucatan Peninsula so popular as a vacation spot.
As you will see on the map below, the Yucatan Peninsula covers a vast area, neighbouring the country of Belize to the south. Most visitors tend to stay in the area just south of Cancun known as Riviera Maya, where you’ll find most of the region’s All-Inclusive resorts. There is an additional tourist area even further south known as Costa Maya. (More details below).
This guide includes activities in the whole of the Yucatan Peninsula. Keep that in mind when you are planning any tours or day trips if you’re based Riviera Maya or Costa Maya. To give you some context, Merida, the capital city of Yucatan State in the north of the the Yucatan Peninsula is a 4 hr 20 minute drive from Cancun.
Here’s my more detailed guide to Yucatan State.
Where is Riviera Maya
Both Riviera Maya and Costa Maya are the name of tourist areas on the east, Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Both are located within the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Because they are effectively tourism names, there are no distinct boundaries, like there are with state lines. And, quite often, where is Riviera Maya can come down to clever marketing by travel agents, local hotels and towns. For example, when I first visited the area, it used to be known as the Cancun-Tulum Corridor and you might hear many locals still refer to it this way. (Some pretty good re-branding, don’t you think?).
Above, I’ve created a map of Riviera Maya and Costa Maya so you can see where they are.
Today, Riviera Maya typically means the tourist area that starts south of Cancun and continues south to Tulum. The area used to start in Playa Del Carmen (around 52 miles / 68 km south of Cancun). More recently, Puerto Morelos to the north has been included as part of Riviera Maya and the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto, which is quite far south of Tulum is also sometimes included as part of Riviera Maya (even though it more naturally sits within Costa Maya). As you can see, there are pretty blurred lines between where Riviera Maya ends and and Costa Maya starts.
The most popular places to visit in Riviera Maya include Playa del Carmen, Akumal and Tulum. There are many cenotes (natural swimming holes) and excellent beaches in Riviera Maya.
Where is Costa Maya
Like Riviera Maya, Costa Maya is a tourist area on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. it is located in the state of Quintana Roo. As mentioned above, the boundary isn’t fixed and the answer of where is Riviera Maya vs Costa Maya isn’t always obvious. What is clear is that the two tourist areas run into each other and share the same spectacular coast line. Since Costa Maya is much further south of Cancun, it is less touristy. This can have the advantage of cheaper prices, fewer people and a chance to see a more authentic side of the Yucatan peninsula.
Costa Maya tends to refer to the tourist areas south of Tulum all the way to Chetumal in the south, close to the border with Belize. Costa Maya is a relatively new ‘invention’. In 2001, a new cruise port was opened just north of the small fishing village of Mahahual. From then, tourism has sprung up along this section of coastline.
When you’re booking your trip, be aware that some sights like Chichen Itza are a 3 hr 50 minute drive away from the cruise port. I’d recommend putting together a quick itinerary than looking at the maps below before booking where to stay in the Yucatan Peninsula.
The most popular places to visit in Costa Maya include Sian Ka’an, Mahahual town, Bacalar Lagoon and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off the coast of the Costa Maya.
Map of things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula
On this map you can see the best things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Things to do in Yucatan Peninsula
Now we’ve cleared up the geography, here’s a quick guide to the best things to do in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
1. Cancun
Cancun is predominantly a tourist resort and it’s the quality of the high end resorts that sit on pristine beaches in the Hotel Zone that draw visitors to Cancun. However, step beyond the manicured grounds and there’s real Mexican life to be found. I love grabbing tacos with the locals at Parque de las Palapas in Downtown. It’s an open air park filled with taco stands that are popular with families. The Hotel Zone and Downtown aren’t walking distance – grab a taxi.
How to get to Isla Mujeres from Cancun: If you want to visit the stunning Isla Mujeres, Cancun is the closest jumping off point. The ferry only takes 30 minutes so you can even visit as a day trip. The ferry company is Ultramar and it leaves from Puerto Juarez (Juarez Port). Cancun is also the best starting point if you want to visit the more northern island of Isla Holbox.
Related: How to Drink Tequila Like a Mexican | How to Drink Tequila Like a Mexican | Quick and Easy Guacamole Recipe From Mexico
2. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen has a special place in my heart. I spent a lot of time here, made some local friends and even considered buying a property here at one point. Yes, it gets ever more touristy each year but it’s hard to beat the fact that you have the beach, hotels and local restaurants all within walking distance of each other. That makes it really easy to check into a boutique or family-run hotel and put some money back into the hands of the locals.
The main tourist strip is 5th Avenue, filled with souvenir shops, bars and restaurants. One block after that is a golden stretch of sand fronting the Caribbean Sea. And running crosswise to 5th Avenue is 12th Street – famous for the best of Playa del Carmen’s nightclubs.
Tips: if you want local food (and cheaper prices), head to 10th Avenue, the next street over from 5th Avenue. From Playa del Carmen, it’s easy to hop a ferry to Cozumel.
3. Chichen Itza
If you only have time for one historic sight, make it Chichen Itza. There’s a reason this, out of the many Maya ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula, was listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. What is Chichen Itza? Today, it’s an archaeological site but once upon a time it was a Maya city. Even though it was built over 1,500 years ago, many of the temples are still intacts. The most famous of which is El Castillo, the Temple of Kukulucán. I’ve seen a lot of ancient sites, including the Pyramids in Egypt and I can’t imagine anyone not being impressed by Chichen Itza.
I recommend taking a tour, especially if you’re based in Cancun or further south – the ruins are around 120 miles (193 km) from Cancun. Not only will someone else do the driving, having a guide explain the history will really bring the ruins to life.
4. Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is just a short ferry ride off the coast of Cancun but it feels worlds away. This comparatively under-developed island is the perfect respite from the crowds, especially if you stay overnight. Popular things to do include lagoon-like Playa Norte beach (my favourite beach on Isla Mujeres), and the sunsets there are out of this world. Off the coast, the big attraction is the Underwater Museum of Art, MUSA. An installation of statues on the seabed, including a car and dinner table with guests, MUSA is a must-do. You can scuba dive, snorkel or take a glass bottom boat.
Back in town, don’t forget to rent a golf-buggy to explore Isla Mujeres – its the most fun way to get around. In case you’re wondering, Isa Mujeres (technically Isla de Mujeres) means Island of Women or Women Island.
5. Akumal
The tiny town of Akumal reached it’s first peak of popularity some time in the 1960s when a resort was opened near the beach. These days Akumal has become a popular attraction in the Yucatan Peninsula because of the chance to swim and snorkel with sea turtles. The turtles visit Akumal to dine on the sea grass and have being doing so for a very long time – Akumal means land of turtles in Mayan.
I visited quite a few years ago when there were only a small number of visitors each day. It was an insider tip from a local and I was overwhelmed by the ability to get so close to these gracious creatures.
Since then, there has been a huge boom in tourism in the area and a visit to Akumal seems to be on every tourist’s list. This has raised concerns for the preservation of the turtles’ habitat. If you can go swimming with turtles at Akumal (and do so in a responsible way), I’d highly recommend it, but do your research before you go.
Tip: Akumal is located between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Related: How To Swim With Sea Lions in Mexico – Baja California
6. Tulum
I don’t recognise Tulum any more and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. During my first visit, it was a sleepy town with picture-postcard white sand beaches, amazing Maya Ruins and cute beach cabanas for a rustic stay. This all still exists in some form. But add swanky resorts, crowds on those beaches, packed yoga classes by day and thumping clubs at night, and it’s a whole different vibe. Don’t get me wrong, Tulum is a hot spot on the Yucatan Peninsula and many of those yoga shalas, clubs and hotels are some of the finest you will find. I suppose I just enjoyed the sleepier version of Tulum that once offered a retreat from the resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen. But, I guess, progress marches ever on and if you do visit Tulum, there is plenty of opportunities to relax, stretch and party in luxury.
If you do only one thing while you’re there, visit the Maya ruins at Tulum. Of all the ruins, none (not even Chichen Itza) can compete with the location of the those in Tulum. Precariously hanging onto the edge of the cliff face that tumbles down towards the Caribbean Sea, the contrast of the dark grey material of the ruins against the backdrops of the aqua blue sea is unbeatable.
7. Cenotes – Natural Swimming Holes
The Yucatan peninsula is well-known for its cenotes – sink holes that have been created naturally when the limestone ground has fallen away. These natural holes are perfect as an alternative to swimming at the beach.
Whether you decide to swim, snorkel or dive, there are thought to be more than 10,000 cenotes to choose from. Dotted throughout the Yucatan peninsula, you’re likely to find one reasonably close by. Be aware that those around Tulum can get very busy. The cenote in Valladolid is a great option as it’s a short walk to the city and can be combined with a visit there.
8. Isla Holbox
Where the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico meet the Caribbean Sea, there is something very magical about Isla Holbox. A sleepy island off the north coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this traditional fishing island is by far my favourite. Yes, it takes a little more effort to get to, but that’s why it retains its sandy streets and oh-so laid back vibe.
Whether you kayak through the mangroves at sunset, swim with the whale sharks, dine on fresh fish tacos or see the bioluminescence by moonlight, Isla Holbox (pronounced ‘Hol-bosh’) promises a memorable trip.
9. Swim with whale sharks
Who doesn’t want to jump into the water to swim with the world’s largest fish? Whale sharks can grow as large as a bus and in the right season (from May to September), you can swim with them off the coast of Yucatan Peninsula. Tours typically leave from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres or Isla Holobox. I’ve seen humpback whales in Maui in Hawaii, turtles in the Florida Keys and Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica, yet swimming with whale sharks in Mexico has to be one of my best sealife experiences. Check out my guide: How To Swim with Whale Sharks in Mexico. Or just jump right in and book a whale shark tour.
10. Las Coloradas Pink Lakes
Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve has become a tourist draw thanks to the brightly coloured pink lakes, known as Las Coloradas. You will need to invest some time to get there, since they’re located on the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, but it’s worth it. What is Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve? In short, a series of salt lakes and protective wetlands filled with sea birds and wildlife. The pink lakes are coloured by red algae and shrimp in the water.
Tip: although Las Coloradas looks quite close to Cancun on a map, the trip is over 3hrs by car because of the roads – you have to head southwest before going north. Don’t be fooled. Taking a tour is a great option.
11. Merida
When people think of the Yucatan peninsula, their thoughts tend to conjure up images of beaches and islands, but the Yucatan has some amazing cities, and visiting pretty Merida makes a nice change to the beach vibe that dominates much of the region.
The capital of Yucatan state, Merida will give you an insight into everyday Yucatan life. The main plaza, Jardin Principal, is beautiful and there is often live music at night. Merida is also a place to get some very good local food.
12. Valladolid
Since we’re on the topic of cities in Yucatan, I highly recommend you add Valladolid to your trip. In fact, book a trip to Chichen Itza and most tours will stop in Valladolid. Offering a slower pace of life and a backdrop of stunning 16th century Spanish colonial buildings, it feels like you’re stepping back hundreds of years in Mexican history. Bonus: there is a cenote, (Cenote Zaci) a 10-minute walk from Valladolid centre.
13. Uxmal
The Yucatan peninsula is filled with Maya ruins and Chichen Itza is likely to be top of your list. However, I highly recommend taking the time to get to Uxmal (pronounced “Oosh-mal”). Sporting a distinctively different style, these ruins offer a fascination insight to this interesting culture. Invest in a guide and you’ll appreciate the ruins, the history and the myths all the more.
14. Izmal
If you love colonial architecture and brighly coloured buildings, you have to put Izmal, the yellow city, on your list of things to do. With many of the buildings in the city painted a stunning shade of rich yellow, you won’t know where to point your camera first. Nearby, you’ll find the Maya temple of Kinich-KakMo, which sees far fewer tourists than Chichen Itza.
15. Isla Cozumel
As a main stop on many Caribbean cruises, the island of Cozumel receives a lot of passing trade and this can show with high prices and a slight downshift in the quality of the food. But don’t let those niggles stop you. Dig a bit deeper, wander a bit further and you’ll discover the reason this bright, beautiful island is a tourist draw. That said, if you have a choice over which Yucatan island to visit, I would place Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox higher up your list.
How to get to Isla Cozumel: You can take a ferry from Playa del Carmen. The ferries runs every 30 minutes and take around 30 minutes. The main ferry company is Ultramar.
Popular Tours of Yucatan Peninsula
So, that’s my guide to the Yucatan Peninsula and the best things to do there. Got any questions or comments, leave a note below.
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Main image also by Luna Vandoorne.
Hi Jo,
I also have found your blog very informative and have made extensive notes. We are travelling Christmas and will get around in a rental car. Can we expect bad traffic outside of main towns that will extend the journey times mentioned by you and others? The whole Yucatan peninsular is bigger geographically than I imagined and staying only in Playa for our whole stay will make a trip to Merida and Uxmal toooo long a day I fear. What do you think?
Hi Lindsey – sorry for the slow reply (got struck down by dengue!). Traffic can be horrific around Tulum especially because it’s one road in and one road out but everywhere else you should be fine. I use Google maps because it gives a realistic estimate of time based on traffic. I hope you have a great trip.
Hi Jo. Great article! I’m travelling to the area next month and have been really confused about where to base myself for the various attractions. Your blog really helped. I’m in two minds about whether to hire a car some of the time and do the attractions myself, or use guided tours. What are your thoughts? Is it safe to drive? Do you have any recommendations for guided tour companies (I’ve read a lot of horror stories!!!)? Thanks for your help and happy travels!
Hi Alison, I didn’t drive in this part of Mexico (though did in Baja and had no problems). Mostly I got to the sights by the ADO bus. I did a few local tours of varying quality. These days I mostly book through Get Your Guide and just read the reviews. I have a lot better success that way. You can check them out here: Have a great trip!
Hi, I was wondering if this was the route you took while traveling through the Yucatan. I will be going in May and I will be flying into Cancun, but I’m not sure which is the best place to start. I plan to go everywhere on this list except Cozumel.
Hi Sasha, it’s not quite the route I took because I’ve put this post together after several trips to the region. You can pretty much do this trip in a loop though check the buses connect if you’re travelling that way. And some spots can be done as a day trip e.g. Chichen Itza from Cancun or Playa Del Carmen, same with Akumal. Uxmal can be visited from Merida. Have a great trip.
It’s awesome to know more about what to do in Yucatan peninsula. I definitely want to try Cancun out, even if I end up hating it instead of liking it. Like you said, we need to at least explore it once! We’re planning next year’s trip, so I’ll remember this.
Have a great trip, Ridley. (On a side note, please don’t try to add spammy promotional links in your comment. I will take the time to remove them. Also, as SEO goes, they’re pretty ineffective in 2019).
Incredibly helpful in determining what the key must dos are as I begin planning a short Cuban-Mexican trip for later this year (probably only in Mexico for around 6 days). I found this more useful than the equivalent (free) articles available on lonely planet, Trailfinders and others!
Hi Chris, always great to hear when something I’ve written has been helpful! Hope you have an amazing trip – say hello to Mexico and Cuba from me!
Your post was very helpful to stumble upon, thank you for all useful information as I attempt to plan our 3 week vacation with our 3 teens! We’ve never been to this area and I was hoping to find out how much Spanish is spoken there, or if one can always find English speaking assistance? My husband and I speak well in Spanish and our monolingual English kids need to be forced into using what little Spanish they know – so we want them to suffer and learn a little, is what I guess I’m trying to say. Lol
Hi Abra, I love your approach to getting your children to learn Spanish. There is a lot of English spoken in this region, particularly in hotels and restaurants. At the same time, you’ll find plenty of locals happy to speak Spanish, particularly if you’re taking local transport and using small, local shops and eating street food. Taking the Copper Canyon train was a much more immersive experience in terms of language – I barely spoke English for weeks. However, I think you should have a nice balance in the Yucatan. I would frequently just ask waiters or vendors if they had a few minutes so I could practice my English and the local people were always happy to oblige. I hope your trip is a success and your children come back closer to fluent!
I’m so happy to have come across your blog! Getting insight from a female solo traveler is awesome and much appreciated. I’m wondering if you would use the above destinations as a route for the Yucatan. I’m heading there in March and feel like I could go so many different directions! Thanks!
Hi Jessica, I’m glad you like the blog. I didn’t write this as a strict itinerary and the best thing to do will be to line up the bus routes using the ADO website. However, as a broad suggested route I’d go Cancun – Holbox (you have to take the bus from Cancun) – back to Cancun – Isla Mujeres (again, you need to go from Cancun) – back to Cancun – Playa del Carmen – Akumal (day trip from PdC) – Coxumel (you get there from Playa de Carmen) – Tulum – back to PdC for Merida and on from there a day trip to Uxmal. You can take a day trip to Chichen Itza from any of Cancun, PdC or Tulum. Hope that helps! Have an amazing trip, fellow adventurer!
I love this post, it’s so amazing and so true. I live here at the southeast Mexico, More precisely: Cancun.
Just an observation. Hope it doesn’t bother you… but by Yucatan Peninsula it is understood it’s ONLY Yucatan (a State), and you mention Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and Cozumen, those are part of another state, which is Quintana Roo.
You will love Campeche when you visit. It’s a marvelous place.
Thanks 🙂 and no it doesn’t bother me – there’s a little section in the article explaining the Quintana Roo point – I just thought it would be more useful to cover the area from a geographical point. I also think I’ll love Campeche. Hopefully I’ll get there before too long! Thanks for stopping by and so glad you liked my post!
I loved reading your guide to the Yucatan! I travel there every year and always explore more cities, towns and villages each time. I am heading to Merida and Campeche next month and am really looking forward to seeing these colonial cities. I loved swimming at Casa Cenote and Gran Cenote, both near Tulum. Valladolid is probably my favourite city in the Yucatan (so far) and I love that it’s less frequented by tourists. It’s a great city to just wander around through the streets and makes a great base for exploring Chichen Itza and Ek Balam. I highly recommend Ek Balam as well; it was definitely my favourite ruin!
Thanks for the tips Brittany. I’ll check out Ek Balam as well as the cenotes you recommend. Campeche has been on my list for a while. Hopefully I’ll get back to Mexico next year and be able to check these places out. Have a great trip and say hi to the Yucatan from me 🙂
No problem! Campeche looks like an absolutely beautiful and historic city. Thanks and will do!
Great article. Thanks – The beaches have been invaded by seaweed and are not inviting. Not sure if this is on Cozumel as well.
Thanks Gary – shame about the seaweed. I think that must be seasonal because I’ve been at different times of year and only once it was there…just can’t recall now which time of year!
thanks so much for this very informative and straightforward guide! going to Mexico in a few weeks, can’t wait to try some of your recommendations!
Great article! I’m baffled why people don’t rave about Calakmul more.
I haven’t been there yet, but will do so in November. It is a place that will probably bring you the closest you will ever come to feel like Indiana Jones and feel like you’ve gone back in time to the Maya empire.
Add on that the possibility of seeing rainforest wildlife then you’ve got me hooked!
Joe, I love your article! Especially the mosquito warning and the ADO bus. Great help! I do have one quick question, I’m really not good swimmer… well, actually, I don’t swim at all haha but the shark and turtles trips sound amazing. Do you think it is possible for me to do it and check it or I shouldn’t and sign up for swimming classes ASAP.
Thanks for the help!
Maria Vazquez
Ps: have you visited Taxco? Puebla? So much beauty!
SORRY! I spelled your name wrong. A million apologies. I am very enthusiastic about this trip that I’m writing like a maniac.
Maria, please don’t worry – sometimes half my family can’t spell my name right 🙂 I also have overexciteable typing fingers!
Maria, sorry for the delay (Greece: bad wifi). Hmm, swimming. I’d say for the turtles you’d probably be fine as there is a lot of floating and so long as you can use a snorkel (takes a little while to get used to breathing in a different way and you can learn while you’re away), you can ask for a life vest. Of course, you’ll need to get the hang of moving your arms and legs to get you from point A to B – might be exhausting without swimming lessons but not impossible. The whale sharks, I think is another matter. They swim so fast that you’d need a level of skill to move forward in the water quick enough to see them. Again, you’ll have a life jacket so won’t drown but you will need to be face down in the water with a snorkel on (to see the whale sharks!) and moving as fast as you can at the same time. I’d say take some swimming lessons – it is a good life skill and I think it will make you more confident and generally enhance your experience! Hope you have an amazing trip. Do come back and let me know how you get on!
Hey Jo! Really enjoying your posts, probably spent over an hour going through them. Not only is it informative but it is creative in its delivery, setting yourself apart from the undeniably vast sea of travel blogging! I was wondering if you could suggest the best way to get to Tulum from Cancun airport, ADO bus? Cheers and happy travels ~
Hi Katie, glad you’re liking my blog and thanks for the kind words. Sorry for the slow reply – I’m blaming the holiday season. Tulum to Cancun is super easy. Take the ADO bus from Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen (about 1 hour) – come out of the airport and head right all the way to the end of the terminal ignoring all of the touts on the play. In Playa you have two choices: 1) get another bus on to Tulum from the same station where you’re dropped off or 2) just outside the terminal there are lots of collectivos (minivans) that run to Tulum. The journey is about the same time (1 hour) and cost so choose whichever you prefer/goes quickest – though the bus is more comfortable and air conditioned. Hope that helps. You can check out the ADO timings here: (you have to do two searched on the site – Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen then Playa del Carmen to Tulum). Good luck and I hope you have an amazing trip.