Revival Of The Riviera Maya

Whether you’re after natural beauty and cultural ruins or want to party and lounge poolside, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula is the place to play

- Luke Elijah

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has made waves in luxury travel in the last few years. The state capital of Mérida is famous for its rich Mayan culture and colonial heritage, with a modest population of over a million. Cancun is home to the Mesoamerican Reef, which is the world’s second largest coral reef. Located on the eastern seaboard of the Yucatán Peninsula and along the coast of Quintana Roo is lively and cosmopolitan Riviera Maya, which has revamped itself as an international travel destination for sun worshippers and history buffs. The Riviera Maya region stretches from the quaint town of Puerto Morelos and bustling Playa del Carmen and all the way down south to the small town of Tulum.

Just an hour away from the more commercially developed Cancun, visitors can revel in Playa del Carmen, a chic and trendy coastal town that is quickly shedding its spring breaker reputation for a more upscale one. Less than an hour’s drive south of Playa Del Carmen is the hipster bohemian town of Tulum, featuring some of the Riviera Maya’s best-preserved Mayan archaeology atop dramatic seaside cliffs overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Through word of mouth, Tulum has become an elite Instagram-worthy respite for celebrities and well-known bloggers.

At the nearby Sian Ka’an Biospshere Reserve, you can explore and immerse yourself in azure lagoons, mangrove swamps and intricate coral reefs inhabited by a myriad of indigenous marine life. There are also freshwater cenotes to swim and snorkel in. Day trips via ferry or speedboats to the offshore islands of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel are perfect spots for snorkelling and sea sports. The mysterious underwater museum of Museo Subacuatico de Arte with its hauntingly beautiful submerged statues attracts divers and eco-travellers with a penchant for the bizarre.