IWNA Issue 1, 2019

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Like a scene straight out of National Geographic , the ride takes
you past monkeys, birds, lizards, and other exotic wildlife. You’ll
learn about their habitats and the area’s history from an experienced
guide. Snacks and towels are included in the tour, and photos of
your wilderness adventure are available for a small fee. An added
perk is that all the horses have been rescued and rehabilitated, mak-
ing this a truly unique way to experience Riviera Maya.
XCARET
Once a sacredMayan city, Xcaret is now a 250-acre eco-archeological
theme park that features underground rivers and a coral reef aquarium.
On a hot day, that’s where we head first. From the dark waters of the
mangroves to the crystal blues of the reef, we dive in and snorkel to
our hearts’ content. The water is so clear you can see the bottom,
as fish nibble at pylons and coral. Stingrays flap past sea stars as
bright as traffic cones.
There’s a lot to experience above the surface at Xcaret, too,
including a butterfly pavilion and an aviary, as well as diverse perfor-
mances such as The Xcaret México Espectacular, which features 300
artists sharing the history, traditions, and folklore of Mexico through
music and dance. And nearby are several sister parks: Xplor (an
adventure park), Xichén Tours (offering archeological tours of Mayan
ruins), Xenses (a park that heightens the senses through interactive
activities), and Xoximilco (a gondola tour of Mexican culture). Needless
to say, you’ll want to set aside an entire day for Xcaret. Or maybe two
if you’re staying in Playa del Carmen: The park is just 6 miles away.
TULUM AND COBÁ RUINS
There’s no shortage of archeological sites in Mexico, but two of the
most dramatic settings happen to be in Riviera Maya. The first, Tulum,
is one of the region’s leading attractions due to its accessible and
appealing location on the cliffs above the Caribbean’s turquoise waters.
Hordes of travelers flock to this walled Mayan city with its
well-preserved ruins dating to A.D. 1200. This may just be the best
photo op of your trip, with temples fronted by iguanas basking in
the sun, and a backdrop of white sandy beaches.
If time permits, head to the less-congested Cobá. It’s about a
45-minute drive inland from Tulum, but worth the journey. Spread
across 43 square miles, this ancient city tucked in the jungle can
best be explored by bike (available for rent). At the site are rugged,
remote, white-stone structures from the late classic period (A.D. 600
to A.D. 900) — some of which are still climbable.
Save your Instagram shot for the 137-foot-high Nohoch Mul pyr-
amid, the tallest Mayan structure in the Yucatán. Make the climb for
breathtaking views and thigh burn at the top of 120 steps.
CENOTES
If you’re still longing to get your feet wet, visit any of the Yucatán’s
7,000 cenotes. Considered sacred pools by the Mayans, today you
can swim, snorkel, and dive in these freshwater sinkholes and subter-
ranean chambers bordered by impressive limestone formations.
Our three favorites are Aktun-Chen near Tulum, and Chikin Ha
and Kantun Chi, both neighboring Playa del Carmen. The best way
to experience local cenotes is through Secret Footsteps. This com-
pany educates visitors on everything from the underground rivers to
the Mayan civilization that inhabited the area.
SIAN KA’AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE
In the southern region of Riviera Maya, civilization fades and unpar-
alleled beauty begins at Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. The bulk
of travelers turn back at Tulum, but a minimal-effort drive 15 miles
south will take you to lush landscape, serving as a refuge for croc-
odiles, turtles, monkeys, jungle cats, and 345 species of birds,
including yellow-tailed orioles and Yucatán jays.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in the late ’80s, this
protected region is home to Muyil, a small Mayan site next to the
Chunyaxché lagoon. Take a short boat ride along the river, then float
in a life jacket on a 1,000-year-old canal, past four ecosystems of
jungle, wetlands, mangroves, and lagoons, where manatees munch
on seagrass below the surface.
AKUMAL
This protected bay meaning “place of the turtles” holds true to its
name. Navigate the glassy waters with 500-pound turtles, or snorkel
farther out to sea for abundant coral and marine life. Akumal Dive
Center has gear and guides for rent, and it’s right by La Cueva del
Pescador, one of the best seafood restaurants in town. Even if you
don’t plan on plunging into the sea, come for the thick powdery
sand and the nearby cenote, accessible through a jungle pathway.
During our week in Riviera Maya, we taste traditions of Mayan
communities, embrace the sacred sanctuaries of historic ruins,
bathe in the beauty of cenotes, and gain a deep respect for the
cultural identity of the Mexican Caribbean. n
San Diego–based journalist Marlise Kast-Myers has contributed to over 50
publications and traveled to more than 80 countries —mostly for surfing,
snowboarding, and hiking expeditions. She has authored nearly 30 Fodor’s
Travel Guides, as well as her own books, Tabloid Prodigy and Hikes on
California’s Pacific Crest Trail.
Charles O. Cecil/Robert Harding Photography; MISCELLANEOUSTOCK/Alamy Stock Photo; Cem Canbay/age fotostock
48 INTERVAL WORLD n Issue 1, 2019