There’s plenty to do on the Riviera Maya but everything is very relaxed and of course you might always prefer to lie back, dip your toes in the sea and enjoy the attentive service of our beach butlers.
When you can stir yourself our water sports facility will organize a dive on this world class reef for any level of experience. Playa del Carmen has shops, clubs and bars; browsers stroll through in bright sarongs draped over tanned bodies. And then there are the fascinating Maya sites, but they’ve been there for hundreds of years so you can always see them tomorrow.
Our concierge has put together his recommendations, including sights to see, places to dine and where to shop. Please see below for details.
Water Sports - At the hotel We offer our own water sports facilities at the resort; you can enjoy kayaking, snorkeling and deep sea fishing.
World-class Scuba Diving Off the Riviera Maya coast exists the second largest barrier reef in the world. The warm clear Caribbean waters allow excellent diving conditions all year round. In addition you can dive in the cenotes, underwater wells sacred to the Ancient Maya.
Horseback Riding - Half and Full Day Tours View the flora and fauna from horse back, canter along the white sands by the sea. Stop for a refreshing swim, perhaps your horse will take a cooling dip too. The tour organizers will collect you from our hotel and our concierge will make all your arrangements.
Playa Del Carmen - 10 Minutes/7 Miles or 11 Km Take a trip into nearby Playa del Carmen, with shops, restaurants and also its eponymous beach. Shopping along Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is varied but quite casual. In town you’ll find plenty of restaurants and cafes and into the evening there are numerous bars and clubs.
Nightlife - 10 Minutes/7 Miles or 11 Km Sip Margharitas by the beach or drop in and out of the various bars and clubs with their very individual themes, from underground caves to roof top bars where you lounge on beds. The dress code is relaxed, white linen adorns tanned bodies; you’ll find many in beachwear and sarongs.
Mayan Encounter - Full Day Tour A day combining a visit to Coba Maya Ruins followed by a visit to a living Maya community who offer an informed guide to the surrounding flaura and fauna. Finally for physical adventure; zip wiring through the jungle canopy and diving into the cool depths of the cenote.
Jungle Crossing - Full Day Tour Beginning with a 4x4 drive through the jungle to reach Nohoch Nah Chich cenote. Here you can snorkel in the crystal clear cave waters, admiring stalactites and stalagmites. Afterwards travel to the Caribbean shores for sea kayaking and reef snorkeling.
Mayan Zip Line - Half Day Tour Combining, cycling, swimming and flying through the jungle canopy. This tour also includes informed guidance on Maya subsistence farming and the traditional Maya purification ceremonies, which are demonstrated by a mystic cenote.
Things to See
Beaches - At the hotel Riviera Maya has some of the best beaches in Mexico with 90 miles of coastline, washed by the calm, turquoise Caribbean. Our resort is set on its own stretch of white sands.
Tulum - 1 Hour/45.4 Miles or 73 Km Tulum is a Maya fortress by the sea, a wonderful situation for this 10th century archaeological site. There are over 40 structures to explore; including temples, sacrificial sites and homes.
Xcaret - 20 Minutes/11.2 Miles or 18 Km Xcaret is renowned as an all day destination where you can explore some well preserved Maya ruins. It is a highly developed site, with many organized attractions such as swimming with dolphins and a jungle adventure park. At night, enjoy a wonderful dinner show exploring classic Mexico.
Chichen-Itza - 3 Hours/170 Miles or 271 Km The most famous archaeological site in the Yucatan and one of the most famous sites in the world. It covers four square miles and includes many highlights including an extremely well preserved ball court, the 75 foot El Castillo pyramid, temple of jaguars and a sacred cenote.
Coba - 2 Hours/69 Miles or 110 Km The grandest city in the Yucatan sprawling over 40 square miles, and while much of the site remains unexcavated there are still 6,000 ruins visible including Nohoch Mul, the tallest Mayan pyramid in northern Yucatan.
Nature - At the hotel Mandarin Oriental’s situation is a naturalist’s paradise; surrounded by tropical forest and mangrove reserves, with turtles nesting on the nearby beach. We are committed to preserving and nurturing the area, taking care to catalogue native plants and providing in depth information for our guests.
Arts - At the hotel Mexican contemporary art is hot on the world scene. We bring you a collection of major exhibits by some of Mexico’s leading artists. This is a unique opportunity to view a range of such large modern creations in any one place. The sculptures and installations completely redefine their spaces; including abstract concepts that are provocative and contemplative constructions. They are an important facet of our resort’s design.
MO Shopping Boutique Within our resort are three excellent boutiques in which we have carefully selected some of the highest quality jewelry, local art and crafts.
Paseo del Carmen - 15 Minutes/9 Miles or 14 Km Paseo del Carmen shopping mall has international stores like American Apparel, Harley Davidson, Diesel and many stores where you can find Mexican handicraft, clothing and fine jewelry. You will also find a variety of cafes and restaurants.
Where to Dine
Ambar - At the Hotel In the center of the resort is our signature restaurant, fine dining offered in a wonderful and imaginative setting overlooking the lagoon.
El Puerto - located next door to our resort
With views over the lagoon, El Puerto menu offers an array of seafood dishes including Caribbean lobster, shellfish platters, clams, oysters, white shrimps and daily fisher market delicacies.
Al Cielo - 35 Minutes/30 Miles or 48 Km Attached to a small boutique hotel this is an upmarket beach side restaurant specializing in fresh seafood. The chef takes an international approach to his cuisine.
Yaxche - 10 Minutes/7 Miles or 11 Km A characterful restaurant dedicated to preserving Maya culture and offering Maya cuisine. It has received awards for best regional food. A spacious courtyard is available for al fresco dining. Guests are frequently entertained by musicians.
