With many, many choices for day excursions in the Riviera Maya to choose from, how can one decide? There many cenotes, ruins, beaches, and more that could fill up your week with plenty of adventures to remember.
Here are the 10 best day excursions in Riviera Maya:
The 10 Best Things To Do in Riviera Maya
1. Chichen Itza
You can’t miss this one. It’s of course one of the most visited, but for a reason. It’s sacred grounds and Maya Ruins make for a great day trip.
2. Ik Kil Cenote
One of the most photographed cenotes in all of Mexico, one can easily see why. If you have just one to go to, this is the one. Right next to Chichen Itza, it can be easily reached in the same day.
3. Tulum Ruins
Right along white sand beach, the ruins sit propped up overlooking the ocean.
4. Xel-Ha
Often a bit touristy, this wonderland of eco adventure has it all. Swim and snorkel, and more in this grand park.
5. Cenotes Dos Ojos
A flooded cave system near Tulum, it makes for a great adventure.
6. Sian Ka’an
Kayak through canals, and see the abundance in wildlife.
7. Coba
Maya Ruins with one of the highest pyramids, the view is stunning from the top.
8. Akumal
The “place of the turtles,” offers you a chance to see these beautiful creatures up close and personal.
9. Cenote Yokdzonot
One of those hidden gems and often missed, this cenote is one for the books.
10. Vallodolid
Get a taste of the local Yucatan way of life by way of markets, shops, and cafes.
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
1 Comment
That last picture — is it of Cenotes Dos Ojos?! Otherworldly beautiful.