20 Best Things to Do in the Yucatan Peninsula & Riviera Maya

When it comes to unforgettable travel experiences, few places compare to the Yucatán Peninsula and Riviera Maya. I’ve explored this region extensively, from its ancient Mayan ruins to its pristine Caribbean beaches, and I can confidently say it’s a paradise for adventure seekers, history lovers, and beach enthusiasts alike.

Whether you want to swim in crystal-clear cenotes, stroll through charming colonial cities, or snorkel along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, this tropical haven offers something for everyone.

One of the most mesmerizing aspects of the Yucatán Peninsula is its rich Mayan heritage. Places like Chichén Itzá, Tulum, and Uxmal offer a fascinating glimpse into one of history’s most advanced civilizations. But beyond the ruins, the region boasts some of Mexico’s best beaches, from Playa del Carmen’s lively coastline to Isla Holbox’s secluded shores.

For nature lovers, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve and Rio Lagartos offer incredible wildlife encounters, including flamingos, jaguars, and sea turtles. Meanwhile, foodies can indulge in authentic Yucatecan cuisine, savoring dishes like cochinita pibil, papadzules, and sopa de lima.

In this guide, I’ll share the absolute best things to do in the Yucatán Peninsula and Riviera Maya, covering hidden gems, must-visit spots, and insider tips to make your trip truly unforgettable. 

20 must-do things in the Yucatan Peninsula

From colonial towns to Mayan ruins, from crystal-clear lagoons to tropical islands… let’s take a look at everything there is to see and do in the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula:

1. Valladolid

Stroll through the historic center of Valladolid , one of the most beautiful towns in Yucatan. Colonial architecture, streets full of history, craft shops and streets full of color await you here.

Tip: If you have time, spend 2 days here as there are many things to see and do in Valladolid .

2. Ek Balam

An interesting excursion to do from Valladolid is to visit Ek Balam , one of the most unknown and surprising Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula. Being able to climb its enormous pyramid and contemplate the jungle from above alone is priceless. Here we tell you about our visit to Ek Balam .

3. Eating, one of the best things to do in the Yucatan Peninsula

Another thing we recommend doing in the Riviera Maya is trying some typical Yucatan dishes . Our favorite? Cochinita pibil tacos, with marinated pork cooked slowly in an underground oven.

Take out IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here . Whatever your destination

4. Suytún Cenote

Take a dip in one of the many cenotes in the area . We loved the one in Suytún and were lucky enough to be able to enjoy it completely alone (you have to get up early for that). However, it must be said that it has become very popular lately, so if you want to go, it's best to go early or late in the morning to avoid tours.

A cenote that we discovered on our last trip to the Yucatan Peninsula is the Xcajum Cenote.

5. Chichen Itza

Be amazed by the most famous Mayan pyramid (and one of the 7 wonders of the modern world ): the Kukulcan pyramid, in the Chichén Itzá archaeological complex . Here we tell you everything you need to know to visit Chichén Itzá (and not screw it up).

6. The Reds

Take a photo at Las Coloradas , a pink paradise located in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula, in a small fishing community within the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve . Why are its lagoons pink? The reason is due to the high concentration of salt and special microorganisms that live in the water.

We didn't go, so we left it pending for our next trip to the Yucatan Peninsula.

7. Holbox

Spend a few relaxing days in Holbox , a paradise where you can unwind and recharge your batteries. It's best to leave it as your final destination for an unbeatable end to your trip. Here we tell you 15 things to see and do in Holbox.

8. Isla Mujeres

Another island worth visiting is Isla Mujeres , although be prepared because it is quite touristy. The best thing to do is to rent a golf cart (yes, it is the most typical means of transport on the island) and explore it at your own pace. We leave you with our guide to visiting Isla Mujeres so that you can fully enjoy this destination.

9. Tulum

An essential stop in Riviera Maya is Tulum . Whether to visit its Mayan ruins (the only ones overlooking the sea), to relax on its beaches or to spend a few days resting in the town. The truth is that there are quite a few interesting excursions in the surroundings and they say that the city has a special energy. In our case we didn't notice it especially... but perhaps because the sargassum ruined our plans. We will return to give it another chance! This is the best of Tulum.

10. Bacalar Lagoon

Bacalar Lagoon is one of our favorite places in the Riviera Maya, so it can't be missing from this list. Its waters are so beautiful that you'll feel like you're on a Caribbean island. Seriously, what an idyllic place! And the town still has a quiet vibe, far from the hustle and bustle of other areas of the Riviera Maya. Here we tell you everything you need to know to visit Bacalar Lagoon .

11. Akumal

Take a dip at Akumal Beach : you can see sea turtles swimming just a few meters from the shore. But be prepared for the tourist circus that sets up… there are lots of tourists and a very annoying “mafia”: they charge $100 just to access the beach. A trick is to have a drink at the Lol Ha restaurant (it’s expensive, but not as much as “the entrance fee”) and they will let you access the beach for free (it also has free parking). And please, don’t get too close to the turtles and of course don’t touch them!

Remember to get the Revolut card ( with a €10 promo ) to avoid commissions when paying and withdrawing money abroad

12. Cancun 

Cancun is not our favorite place, but you will most likely end up passing through here and hey, it's not that bad, especially if you stay at a resort in the hotel zone hehe ;). So you better read this post with all the things to see and do in Cancun (taking a dip in Playa Delfines is the best).

13. Merida

If you're traveling like us during the Day of the Dead, try to coincide with it in Mérida , where these celebrations are celebrated in style. And of course, stay a couple of days to enjoy everything Mérida has to offer .

14. Saint Francis of Campeche

San Francisco de Campeche , the capital of the state of the same name, was one of the great surprises of the trip: we thought it was a beautiful colonial city and its gastronomy was yummy! We ate so well, those coconut shrimp! One day is enough to see the main attractions, but try to stay overnight, at night the city has a special charm. Here we tell you what to see and do in Campeche .

15. Izamal

Come and visit Izamal , a magical town all in yellow. Its crown jewel is the Convent of San Antonio de Padua, but the entire town is amazing. Fun fact: in the Mayan language, Izamal means “dew from heaven.” In this case, we also recommend spending a night there, but if you don’t have time, you can visit it for a couple of hours before continuing your tour. It’s well worth it. More information about Izamal .

16. Calakmul

The Calakmul ruins are some of the least accessible in the entire region, and they are surrounded by miles and miles of jungle. But trust us: getting there is well worth it and will be one of the best things to see and do in the Riviera Maya (although when you first hear the howler monkeys you might be a little scared, thinking they are pumas). Here we tell you about our visit to Calakmul . Tip: if you don't plan on renting a car, one idea is to sign up for this tour to Calakmul from Bacalar .

17. Coba

Other ruins that you have to visit in the Riviera Maya, especially if you are staying in Tulum, are the Cobá Ruins . They were the last ones we visited and perhaps for this reason, one of the ones we liked the least (although objectively they are amazing, eh). Get up very early to get there when the ticket office opens: we were there around 10 and it was packed with tourists and of course, this took away quite a bit of charm. Here we tell you about our visit to Cobá .

18. Edzná

And of course, we can't miss the Edzná Archaeological Zone , which goes straight to the top 5 of our list of Mayan cities ! Here we found very few people and we were able to enjoy the ruins in complete tranquility. The five-story temple is one of the most impressive we saw in the entire Yucatan Peninsula. If you plan to visit Edzná, check out this article .

19. Uxmal

We're not done with the ruins yet, as there are still some that we recommend you visit on your trip to the Yucatan Peninsula. These are the Uxmal Ruins . For us, they are even better than the previous ones! The Pyramid of the Magician, the Nuns' Quadrangle and the Governor's Palace are some of the best preserved and most beautiful Mayan works you'll ever see. Here's our guide to visiting Uxmal .

20. Mahahual and Xcalak

If you like less crowded beach spots, write down this name: Mahahual . It is a small, relaxed and good-natured coastal town, perfect for relaxing or for going on snorkeling and diving excursions to the nearby coral atolls. Here we tell you everything to see and do in Mahahual .

And if you continue towards the border with Belize, you will reach the last fishing village on the Costa Maya: Xcalak . It is a peaceful place, with cabin accommodations facing the sea and a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for exploring the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef on snorkeling or diving tours, sailing through the mangroves in Chetumal Bay looking for manatees and taking a few days of relaxation. This was our experience visiting Xcalak .