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.

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The Riviera Maya has the extraordinary combination of the Caribbean Sea, tropical jungle and historic Maya sites. From the beach in front, our hotel guests can enjoy a raft of watersports, from reef diving to catamaran sailing. Our resort is surrounded by jungle and several ancient Maya sites are within easy reach.

The nearby town of Playa del Carmen has shops, clubs and bars; browsers stroll through in bright sarongs draped over sun tanned bodies.

Our concierge has put together recommendations for things to do and see, including places to dine and where to shop. Please see below for details.

Things to Do

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Water Sports

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We offer our own water sports facilities at the resort managed by Underwater Expeditions. Guests can explore the coastline by Kayak, parasail or catamaran and we have expert instructors in the thrilling Kite surfing. Deep sea fishing and fly fishing in the peaceful lagoons are both excellent. We offer a comprehensive range of snorkeling and dive tours including PADI certification. For more information please see our sports page.

Location - At the hotel

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World-class Scuba Diving

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The Riviera Maya is rated one of the best scuba diving locations in the world with miraculously colorful reefs and a spectacular variety of sea life. We offer PADI certification courses from beginner to advanced open water. We can also arrange dives in the fresh water underwater caves, called cenotes.

Location - At the hotel

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Horseback Riding - Half and Full Day Tours

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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.

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Playa Del Carmen

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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.

Location - 10 Minutes/7 Miles or 11 Km

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Cedam Museum

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Situated in Puerto Aventuras, this small museum houses various pieces of interesting salvage from shipwrecks over the past 400 years.

Location - 30 Minutes/16.8 Miles or 27 Km

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Museum of Mexican Art

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This is a recently opened Museum in Cancún which displays handcrafts, Mayan relics and photography from all over Mexico.

Location - 50 Minutes/42 Miles or 67 Km

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Nightlife

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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.

Location - 10 Minutes/7 Miles or 11 Km

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Mayan Encounter - Full Day Tour

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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.

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Jungle Crossing - Full Day Tour

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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.

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Mayan Zip Line - Half Day Tour

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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.

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Snorkeling

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In 15 minutes you can snorkel off Punta Maroma Reef, one of the 'best beaches in the world' and we can take you to the whale shark migration route to snorkel with the world’s largest fish in its natural habitat. For something entirely different snorkel in the jungle’s freshwater cenotes, gliding through crystal clear water past stalagmites and stalactites.

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Deep Sea and Fly Fishing

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Take a boat to the Yucatan Channel in search of Marlin, Barracuda, Kingfish and Sailfish. Or settle by the peaceful lagoons, these world renowned flat fishing locations offer snooks, tarpons and jacks. We operate an ecological fishing policy.

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Things to See

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Beaches

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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.

Location - At the hotel

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Tulum

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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.

Location - 1 hour/28 Miles or 45 Km

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Xcaret

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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.

Location - 20 Minutes/11.2 Miles or 18 Km

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Chichen-Itza

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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.

Location - 3 Hours/170 Miles or 271 Km

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Coba

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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.

Location - 2 Hours/69 Miles or 110 Km

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Nature

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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.

Location - At the hotel

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Arts

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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 such a large collection 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.

Location - At the hotel

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Where to Shop

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Playa del Carmen, Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue)

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The pedestrianized street is lined with small reasonably priced shops, selling a selection of local crafts and produce such as ceramics, hammocks, various gold and silver items, as well as the locally mined amber gemstones.

Location - 10 Minutes/7 Miles or 11 Km

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MO Shopping Boutique

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Within our resort are three excellent boutiques in which we have carefully selected some of the highest quality jewelry, local art and crafts.

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Paseo del Carmen

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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.

Location - 15 Minutes/9 Miles or 14 Km

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Where to Dine

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Ambar

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In the center of the resort is our signature restaurant, fine dining offered in a wonderful and imaginative setting overlooking the lagoon.

Location - At the Hotel

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El Sol

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Here you can enjoy innovative Mexican cuisine, blending the flavors of the Yucatan, Maya and Creole Cultures.

Location - 15 Minutes/10 Miles or 16 Km

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Punta Bonita

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Punta Bonita offers light fare and Mexican specialties for lunch. For dinner, regional specialties are served family-style.

Location - located next door to our resort

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El Puerto

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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.

Location - located next door to our resort

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Al Cielo

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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.

Location - 35 Minutes/30 Miles or 48 Km

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Yaxche

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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.

Location - 10 Minutes/7 Miles or 11 Km

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