A huge country, Mexico is a holiday destination with many different attractions. Instead of trying to cram all the highlights in one go, we recommend you concentrate on one or two areas, and, if you love the seaside, wind down at a favoured spot on the thousands of kilometres of beaches lining the coast. Of course, Mexico’s sunny tropical shores also constitute a worthwhile holiday destination in themselves…
On the Yucatán Peninsula, the Caribbean Mayan Riviera refers to the stretch of uninterrupted golden sands south of the heavily Americanised purpose-built resort Cancún, which is jam packed with large resort-style hotels, many of which are all-inclusive. There are a number of small resorts and former fishing villages within an hour or so’s drive of the airport which cater for visitors, notably the family-friendly Playa del Carmen, with smaller good value hotels as well as the large sprawling resorts to the south of the town.
Intimate and exclusive properties, both luxurious and simple, lie within the privacy of their own extensive grounds on less developed stretches of coast and there are forgotten pockets of unspoilt paradise on the Gulf coast.
Between them lie several very exclusive upmarket properties hidden away in their own grounds.
There is plenty to see and do on the Riviera, with hotels and agencies offering excursions and outdoor activities, there are marine parks, and diving opportunities. Apart from the ruins of Tulum on the shoreline, you might visit any of a number of ruined Mayan cities buried away inland in rainforest: Chichén Itzá and Uxmal being the most impressive.
Esencia
La Tortuga
Mahekal Resort
Maroma Resort and Spa
The Tides Riviera Maya
Zoetry Paraíso de la Bonita
Las Villas Akumal
at Tulum ruins:
Be Tulum
Ana y José
| |  Mahekal Resort, Playa del Carmen
 The peaceful beach at Esencia
 Tulum
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