Destination information
This 30-kilometre slice of the Yucatan Peninsula from Playa del Carmen to Punta Allen, offers up a seemingly endless coastline of stunning white sand beaches and an absurdly blue sea, ancient temples and exceptional diving opportunities. The sands are backed by low-lying jungle to give you that tropical feel as the palms sway gently in the breeze, with the emphasis on the simple pleasure of kicking back and relaxing.
Famed for scuba-diving and snorkelling due to the spectacular Great Mayan Barrier Reef, there are amazing coral formations and tropical sponges, to be seen with the reef a natural refuge for a multitude of marine creatures. But the fun doesn't end here! There is no area in the world with as many underwater caves or cenotes, as the Mayan Riviera. Cenotes, are natural sinkholes found only in this part of the world, and are freshwater pools with access to vast underground cave systems.
Travel to Tulum with it’s sugar white sands making it one of the best beaches in Mexico, but also make sure you take in its dramatic and mysterious cliff-edge Mayan temple. Go and gawp at the amazing ruins of the stepped pyramid of Chichen Itza. The most famous and best restored of the Yucatán Maya sites, Chichén Itza will impress even the most jaded visitor. Try and also squeeze in a visit to Xcaret and Xel-Ha Eco Parks, to swim in underground rivers, see butterfly pavilions and archaeological sites. Where else in the world can you get all this?
Eats & drinks
The national dish is mole (pronounced mo-lay), which can be made with either chicken or turkey, but on the coast, seafood such as red snapper and tuna are delicious. Good dishes to watch out for include Pollo Pibil - a Yucatan speciality consisting of chicken marinated in orange and spices then barbecued in banana leaves. Tamales are cornmeal and chicken paste wrapped in corn or banana husks, then steamed. Then the old favourite, Enchiladas, are tortillas coated in a tomato and chilli sauce, stuffed with vegetables, chicken or pork then folded and baked and topped with sour cream.
Getting around
With roads in this region relatively new, it’s easy to hire a car and explore all that the area has to offer. The bus system in the peninsula is reliable and inexpensive to carry you comfortably between all the towns and sights. To travel further afield, catch the regular ferry from Playa del Carmen over to Cozumel for the day.
Additional info
Time zone offset: GMT -6 Hours
Language: Spanish
Currency: Mexican Peso
Getting there
From June 2012: Fly non-stop from London Gatwick on Virgin Atlantic's award-winning service to Cancun. Flight time: 11 hours.
Pre June 2012: fly non-stop from London Heathrow on Virgin Atlantic’s award-winning service to Miami, where you conveniently connect on to your short flight to Cancun. (An overnight stay in Miami may be required). Flight time: Approx 10 hours to Miami, 1 hour 15 min from Miami to Cancun.
Please note: Only holidays beginning in June 2012 are web bookable. For holidays that start before June 2012 please call our call centre.