Choose from 73 Fun Things to Do in Riviera Maya The Yucatan
Cancun Wax Museum
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Casa Cenote
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Chichen Itza
The Basics
Chichén Itzá is a UNESCO World Heritage site, made up of many stone buildings in various states of preservation, all connected by a network of roads called sacbeob. The three most well-known of these monument complexes are El Castillo, the Temple of Warriors, and the Great Ball Court.
- Many tours are led by archaeologist tour guides, who are well-versed in Mayan culture.
- The Ossario group and Central group are open to everyone; Chichen Viejo (Old Chichen) is only open to archaeologists.
- Come prepared for the heat with light clothing, sunscreen, bottled water, and a hat.
- This popular site can get extremely crowded—book an early-access tour to beat the crowds.
Chichen Itza is roughly two hours from Cancun, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, Quintana Roo by car. Visitors to those coastal resorts will have plenty of options for day trips to the archaeological site. Departures are also available from Cozumel and Merida.
When to Get There
The best time to get to Chichen Itza is at opening time, before the crowds arrive and the sun is high in the sky. Some private tours and small-group tours offer early access to the ancient ruins. At sunrise and sunset on the spring and fall equinoxes, the corner of the pyramid casts a shadow of Kukulkan, a feathered serpent god, creating the illusion of a snake slithering down the north side with the sun's movement.
Nearby Cenotes
Croco Cun Zoo
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Balankanche Caves
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Captain Hook Pirate Ship
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Centro Ecologico Sian Ka'an
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site that encompasses numerous habitats. The variety of flora and fauna in Sian Ka'an is astounding, and the site is known to include 23 Mayan archeological sites, some of which date as far back as 2,300 years ago.
Explore the eco-tourism and education center and see how the Sian Ka'an Ecological Center serves as model for sustainable development in tropical ecosystems. The revenue generated from the center's activities fund conservation programs within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
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The Sian Ka'an Ecological Center is near Mayan ruins at Tulum and a section of the reserve is actually located in the Caribbean Sea as a coral reef. The center prides itself on using ecologically responsible technologies and promoting biodiversity.
Cenote Ik Kil
- The cenote can be difficult to access for those with limited mobility.
- A restaurant and changing rooms are located on-site.
- To access the cenote, you must pay the admission fee for Ik Kil Archeological Park.
Choco Story
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3D Museum of Wonders
- The museum is great for families, art lovers, and those looking for a fun activity beyond the beach.
- Expect to spend about two hours exploring the museum’s collection.
- Buy skip-the-line admission tickets in advance to avoid waiting at the ticket booth.
- The museum has a gift shop and restrooms.
- All photography, including flash, is allowed inside the museum.
- The museum is accessible to wheelchair users. Strollers are not permitted inside the exhibits and must be left by the entrance.
Cancun Airport VIP Lounge
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Costa Maya Cruise Port
- Most Costa Maya shore excursions are half-day tours, leaving time for you to hang out at the port or in Mahahual before your cruise ship departs, depending on your cruise schedule.
- Pay attention to the pickup and drop-off details of each shore excursion; some include port pickup but others may require that you make your own way to a meeting point.
Cancun Interactive Aquarium
- A walk through the aquarium takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how much you interact with the exhibits.
- The hands-on dolphin experience offers different packages in a range of price points and are designed for couples, groups, and families.
- The aquarium offers on-site bathroom facilities, showers, changing areas, towels, and secure lockers.
Cancun Underwater Museum
Essentially a bountiful series of sunken sculptures, the Cancun Underwater Museum is an ongoing project aimed at inspiring a love of art as well as Cancun’s magnificent coral reefs. Soon over 400 original sculptures will lie between depths of 9 to 20 feet, and so make for excellent viewing when either snorkeling or diving.
How does something this wonderful and unique come about? By simple artistic inspiration. Jason deCaires Taylor was the artistic brains behind the operation, and people have responded well to the idea. Eerie, beautiful, and spectacular are all words used to describe this underwater phenomenon that successfully promotes Cancun as an artistic residence, as well as an excellent diving opportunity.
Don’t miss this fantastic Cancun attraction.
Coba Ruins
- The archaeological site is vast, so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a fair amount of walking and at least a few hours of exploring.
- The top of Nohoch Mul is inaccessible to visitors with limited mobility, but pedicab services are available onsite for tours around the ruins. The Coba ruins are one of the more accessible Maya sites in the area.
- Restrooms can be found at the entrance to the ruins.
- Bring insect repellent, sunglasses, and a sun hat.
Avenida Kukulkan
- English is widely spoken in almost all of the tourist areas.
- Paths leading out to the beach are easy to spot from Avenida Kukulkan.
- Remember to bring sun protection and water, as the strip and beaches offer little shade.
- Get a taste of Maya culture at the Cancun Maya Museum and San Miguelito.
Cenote Chaak Tun
- Visit Cenote Chaak Tun on a small-group tour with hotel pickup and drop-off.
- Admission to the cenote includes a headlamp, helmet, and snorkeling gear.
- The cenote is open daily and offers restrooms and lockers.
CoCo Bongo
- CoCo Bongo isn’t a traditional nightclub with a DJ, but you’ll find those nearby if you’re planning on a club crawl.
- Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll likely be standing most of the night.
- The venue can become extremely crowded, especially during peak times.
Cuzama
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Cenotes Dos Ojos
- Some tours provide lunch, but bring food if you travel on your own because restaurants are scarce.
- Dos Ojos is open 8am–5pm everyday; toilets and changing facilities are available on site.
- Divers typically complete two dives, including one in the “bat cave,” home to plenty of the critters.