A young girl smiles as she holds a small monkey on her shoulder while wearing a pink-brimmed straw hat. The monkey is part of the various tourist attractions at the Pre-Colombian Mayan ruins of Tulum, Mexico, overlooking the Caribbean Sea on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Written by Mod Fam on July 5, 2019

Riviera Maya Things to Do

4- to 5-Day Itineraries . Hiking . Mexico . Outdoor Recreation . Travel . Worldwide Travel

Things to do in Mayan Riviera and Yucatán: A view of the main stone structure at the Pre-Colombian Mayan ruins at Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The stone structure sits on a cliff overlooking the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. A white sand beach, rock outcroppings, and dark green foliage fill the foreground.

Tulum-Xel-Há, the perfect combination of culture, sea and sun. Tulum, Riviera Maya.

4 Perfect Days in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and the Yucatán Peninsula

Looking for Riviera Maya things to do? We’ve planned the perfect itinerary so you don’t have to! Check out each of the days below to put together your own vacation to Cancun, Tulum, Cobá, Ek Balam, and Chichén Itzá. And be sure to visit the best beach in Tulum, Playa Paraíso, while you’re here.

Click on any day below for full itinerary details!

Things to do in Mayan Riviera and Yucatán: A view of one of the beaches at the Pre-Colombian Mayan ruins at Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The ruins sit on a cliff overlooking the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and a public beach below. — The turquoise waters of Tulum

Click for Day 1: Things to do in Puerto Morelos Mexico

Stop by the town of Puerto Morelos for great local food and shops

Mexico's Puerto Morelos, South of Cancún along the Riviera Maya. The sun shines over the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and a pier juts out into the water. Blue sky peeks through billowing white and grey clouds along the horizon. Walking around Puerto Morelos is one of the best things to do in Riviera Maya and Yucatán! — Pier on the Caribbean at Puerto Morelos, Mexico

Click for Day 1: Mayan Palace & Grand Mayan

Settle in to the resort and check out the enormous complex of swimming pools
Access sandy beaches and water sports along the Caribbean
Choose from a great selection of restaurants at the resort

A view of the beach near the Mayan Palace and the Grand Mayan, a luxury resort complex South of Cancún along the Riviera Maya. The sun sets over the waters of the Caribbean Sea. A lifeguard station with a square thatched roof sits on an empty white sand beach. Blue sky peeks through white, pink, and grey clouds along the horizon. Watching the sunset on the beach at the Grand Mayan is one of the best things to do in Riviera Maya and Yucatán! — White sand beaches for days at Vidanta’s Grand Mayan Resort

Click for Day 2: Tulum Ruins

Enjoy breakfast downtown Tulum
Visit the Mayan ruins at Tulum overlooking the beach

Riviera Maya Things to Do. A view of the main stone structure at the Pre-Colombian Mayan ruins at Tulum, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The stone structure sits on a cliff overlooking the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Rock outcroppings and dark green foliage fill the foreground. Visiting Tulum is one of the best things to do in Riviera Maya and Yucatán! — The Mayan ruins of Tulum, overlooking the Caribbean

Click for Day 2: The Best Beach in Tulum

Relax at Playa Paraíso

Things to do in Mayan Riviera and Yucatán: Young children play in the turquoise blue water of the Caribbean Sea at Playa Paraíso, near Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on the Yucatan Peninsula. An anchored fishing boat floats further out in the surf, and other swimmers enjoy the warm waters at the best beach in Tulum. — Bring on the surf! The best beach in Tulum, Playa Paraíso

Click for Day 3: Cobá & Pool Day

Bicycle through the Mayan complex of Cobá
Hike to the top of a dizzying pyramid
Head back to the Mayan Palace to sip piña coladas at the resort’s luxury club

Things to do in Mayan Riviera and Yucatán: A mother and her two young daughters ride in a bicycle rickshaw at the Mayan ruins of Cobá, in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Coba consists of multiple pyramids and structures in different archaeological groups. — Riding around the ruins at Cobá

Click for Day 4: Chichén Itzá and Ek Balam

Drive through Valladolid and Ek Balam
Walk through the impressive complex at Chichén Itzá

Things to do in Mayan Riviera and Yucatán: A view of Kukulkán, el Castillo, the largest stone pyramid at the Pre-Colombian Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. The stone structure sits in the center of the ceremonial complex at the site; storm clouds gather in the sky. — Kukulkán, el Castillo, the largest stone pyramid at the Pre-Colombian Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá

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