7 Amazing Adventures in the Riviera Maya

The Mayan Riviera region of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula offers exciting adventures and experiences beyond the walls of the all-inclusive resorts.

The tight harness I was wearing was pinching me at all the wrong places as I squirmed in vain to make last minute adjustments. My guide Emmanuel gave the cue to his counterpart somewhere down below on the ground, but I was busy fidgeting to locate where the disembodied shout of acknowledgement was coming from.   I mentally reminded my body what it was about to endure: roller coaster ziplining through the Yucatan jungle. At the exact moment that my feet left the treetop platform, I remembered a critical point: I did not enjoy rollercoasters one bit. I pondered if it was time to retire this notion of living life to the fullest but it was now too late to make that decision, as the first drop elevated my screams several octaves above what I have ever heard myself capable of.

As I careened in a graceful arc through the clearing in the jungle, I looked out for the hole that I am about to shoot into. The brochure promised a unique zipline course that starts up in the trees and ends with a literal splash in the deep, cold waters of a cenote, Mexican for a sinkhole, which one would access by flying right into the mouth of a cave. I see the opening drawing near. It couldn’t be more than 4 feet tall and wide, the jagged edges covered by a black plastic liner. My voice drops into almost a whimper as I constrict all sphincter muscle groups in my body, as if it were my only hope of squeezing through the narrow entrance. In one quick swoop, the bright mid-day sun was all but gone, with only a faint beam of light chasing me down through the hole into the floor of cave before it hit the water and then giving out completely. I have regained respiratory control and found that my screams are now echoing against the walls of the cave. The descent is swift, and soon, there was nothing but speed and total darkness.

The Riviera Maya

The Riviera Maya region of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is well-known for its all-inclusive resorts and tourist attractions. Spanning the length of the Caribbean coast south of Cancun, it stretches from Playa del Carmen down to Tulum. It is named for the ancient Maya civilization that flourished in southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and parts of Hondurans and El Salvador from 2000 BC to the 16th century.  Today, it is a year round destination for its beautiful beaches, temperate climate, exciting food scene, aquatic activities and archeological sites.  It is an easy 2 and 1/2 hour flight from Atlanta and 4 hours from New York area airports.

Amazing Mayan Adventures

We spent 4 days and 3 nights in the Sandos Caracol Resort in the resort town of Playa Del Carmen.   While we enjoyed our first time at an all-inclusive resort, we wanted to explore this area of the Yucatan peninsula.  So we arranged for two days of activities with Jay, the friendly and gracious owner of Your Private Tour. We had a wonderful experience with our awesome guide Karen.   They specialize in small group tour activities with great itineraries that covered the highlights of the Riviera Maya.   With their personalized service, we had a fantastic experience and highly recommend them.

Here are 7 amazing adventures in the Mayan Riviera.

1. Chichen Itza

 

My husband Glen, ever the history nerd, has made it his life’s mission to visit and pay his respects to as many ruins, historical landmarks, and other similar sites as possible. He had been keen on seeing the Mayan marvel of a city of Chichen Itza in Mexico for some time.

On the first day of our tour, our drive took us two hours inland from our seaside resort. One of the perks of being in a small tour group with a well planned itinerary is an early arrival at Chichen Itza before the mad rush of big tour groups descend upon tranquil environs of the pre-Hispanic enclave.

The most recognizable structure in the ancient city-complex is the Temple of Kukulkan, otherwise known as El Castillo, with its 365 steps corresponding to each day in the year. Our guide talked about the engineering and astronomical mastery of the ancient Mayans that led to the building of temple, which had a strong influence from another ancient Mesoamerican civilization, the Toltecs. This resulted in the system that accounted for the passing of time centuries before the Gregorian calendar was instituted.

A few hundred yards away from the temple is an ancient ball court where warrior-athletes literally played to the death in the one of world’s first team sport, scoring points by shooting a ball through stone rings 9 meters above the ground without the use of their hands.   An interesting twist to the game was that the captain of the winning team had the distinct honor of being killed in honor of his victory.

Walking around the city of Chichen Itza, there is a palpable sense of the ancient wisdom mixed with mysticism that built the complex. Architecturally impressive structures stand in quiet dignity while the throngs of tourists ogle at their feet.

 

2. Ik Kil Cenote

Just three kilometers from Chichen Itza is the Ik Kil Cenote. It is one of the several cenotes, or natural sinkholes formed by collapsed limestone bedrock, that we encountered on our trip. I found this one to be the most breathtaking, with vines draping the mouth of the open roof and trailing down the length of 26-meter height down to the surface of the water. Visitors walk down a carved stairway to a swimming platform where they can either gingerly make their way down wooden ladders or launch themselves cannon-ball style in the 40-meter deep water.

I opted for the slower way and carefully climbed down the ladder, all while thinking of the human sacrifices offered in this sacred place. As I got into the cold water, I was promptly greeted by the catfish who graciously shared their home with the tourists.

Looking up from the water to the sky framed by the mouth of the sinkhole was a glorious experience of communing with nature, complete with feet-tickling fish.

3. Tulum ruins

The second day of our tour started at the serene seaside ruins of Tulum, the only Mayan city built along dramatic limestone cliffs. Once a thriving pre-Columbian walled city used as port by the Mayans, it is now home to geckos and other creatures. Built around 1200 and 1450, it eventually succumbed to the diseases brought by the conquering Spanish settlers.

Today, tourists roam the city with its remaining buildings perched on the steep cliffs overlooking the blue and emerald waters of the Caribbean below.

Standing at the edge of the cliffs, one is rewarded with spectacular view of the sea as well as the Templo Dios del Viento or the God of Winds Temple), stoically standing guard as it has for centuries.

4. Dos Ojos Cenote

Snorkeling in the Dos Ojos Cenote was a different experience from frolicking in the waters of Ik Kil. While the later gives off an ethereal feeling of lightness as sunlight streams down into the waters, the former has a dark, mysterious and brooding mood.

Dos Ojos is named for the two neighboring cenotes that connect into a shared large cavern. With 61 kilometers of documented area, it is a one of the 10 longest underwater cave system in the world.   It is also the deepest in the state of Quintana Roo at 118 meters maximum depth at the Cenote Pit.

While snorkeling as a thrilling experience in itself, scuba diving would be the best way to fully enjoy the majestic underwater structures.

5. Swimming with Sea Turtles

From the dark depths of the underwater world of cenotes, we emerged into the bright sunlight and headed to Akumal Bay.   Our group made our way about 70 feet from the shore when we spot a few of the endangered green turtles who live in the area and lay their eggs on the beach.

Following our guide’s advice, we kept a respectful distance from the turtles and avoided swimming on top of them, as blocking the sunlight apparently confused them into thinking it was nighttime. It was a fleeting experience but certainly an exhilarating one.   While you could go with a tour group, the public has free access to the beach and anyone can jump right in and pursue an experience with the turtles.

6. Snorkeling at a Natural Aquarium

Having swam in the ocean and in cenotes, our guide had one more aquatic experience for us.   We were driven to Yal-Ku, a natural aquarium in the brackish waters of a lagoon.   The grounds surrounding the lagoon have well-maintained paths, manicured gardens, peaceful waterfront benches and interesting sculptures and statues.

The waters remain calm with  little or no waves at all, as is protected from the open water.  The submerged rock formation serve as an ideal habitat for the exotic marine creatures and form an enchanting underwater terrain.

7. Ziplining, Rappeling, Snorkeling and Aerocycling

On our last full day in Playa Del Carmen, we decided to go for another round of thrilling-seeking adventure.   Hidden Worlds Centotes Park did not disappoint with its exciting experiences.  The Ultimate Adventure tour included Snorkeling through a cenote into an underground cave, rappeling down a cenote, racing across a jungle zipline, pedaling above the treetops in the world’s first Aero-cycle and a roller coaster zipline that ends in a splash landing in an underwater.  Even the bumpy ride into the park on the bare bones truck was an experience in itself.

Ziplining

Ziplining into a cave with a splash landing

Rollercoaster zipline into cenote

Hidden Worlds Cenotes Park contact number is 1 800 681 6755 or 998-206-2507.