Riviera Maya Attractions And Things To Do

The Mayan Riviera is a fabulous place to visit because of the enormous amount of attractions and things to do.  That's why Travel Weekly recently voted the Riviera Maya the Best Vacation Destination in Mexico. Our Blog post here was created to give you a glimpse into the Riviera Maya, its beauty, its diversity, and why out of thousands of vacation destinations around the world, it should be at the top of your bucket list.  

While our Blog post describes many things to do and attractions in the Riviera Maya, below we have provided two concise lists.  The first lists things to do within a short walk of Ocean Breeze Akumal, in the heart of the Riviera Maya.  The second lists attractions and things to do in the Riviera Maya within an easy drive of Ocean Breeze Akumal.  As you will see Ocean Breeze Akumal is ideally situated for your vacation adventures.

Only a short 400 m stroll from the apartment is our local beach, Playa Xaac.  Usually it has a few turtle nests and is great for a stroll along the coast, or reading a book on the sand in front of the Caribbean. Usually it's deserted and is where you can spend time exploring shells, rock pools, fossils and coral.

A jungle trail starting 200 m from Ocean Breeze Akumal takes you from Eco-Sirenis, past the local cenote, to Playa Xaac and then on to the Grande Sirenis Resort. Walking along the trail, especially in the early morning you can experience the local wildlife: birds, coati, iguanas, and sometimes spider monkeys, in addition to numerous species of tropical birds.

The 5 star Grand Sirenis Resort is located within a 10-15 minute walk of the apartment rental on the other side of the residential area.  As a guest of our accommodation you are able to purchase a day pass to use the facilities of the resort.  This is great if you want to spend 1 or 2 days enjoying the pampering of an all-inclusive resort during your stay. 

Just past the entrance to the Grande Sirenis Resort, a 10 - 15 minute walk, from Ocean Breeze Akumal, is a local cafe and bistro.  Operated by local resident Edgar, you can get your daily Cappuccino, Latte or Americano.  In addition Edgar produces homemade pizza's, calzones, and grilled sandwiches as well.

Around the corner from Edgar's cafe and bistro is an Oxxo convenience store.  If you're in need of a few items the Oxxo store will likely have them or similar items until you decide to go to the local Chedraui supermarket.

For most people the biggest attraction of the Riviera Maya are the spectacular white sand beaches, and the warm crystal-clear Caribbean ocean.  Fortunately there are a host of great beaches within a short drive of Ocean Breeze Akumal.  The beaches listed below are all less than a 20 minute drive away us.  So top of your list of things to do is a visit to several of these fabulous local beaches.  

For a comprehensive review of the best beaches along the entire Riviera Maya coastline read our Blog post Best Beaches In The Riviera Maya, Mexico, and look at our maps of where the beaches are located.

Interested in more than throwing down your towel and soaking up the sun and waves, but not into an all-inclusive resort?  Then a beach club's a thing to add to your to do list.  They range from providing access to sunbeds, shade, and a local bar and restaurant, to luxury amenities including spa's, showers, billiard tables, and personal sleeping shacks.  For a small fee that will increase based on the luxury you are looking for, you can have a fabulous beach experience.

Consider these Riviera Maya beach club attractions which range from providing basic to luxury amenities.

Cenotes are a natural phenomenon and one of Mayan Riviera's greatest attractions because the majority of the worlds cenotes are here!  A Cenote is a natural sinkhole created where a cave ceiling has collapsed. These caves have created lush, freshwater lagoons that are wonderfully refreshing.  In addition they are often great places to snorkel because of the different varieties of fish.  Many cenotes are linked together by underwater channels making them perfect for those interested in scuba diving.  Some can stretch 100's of km.  While there are over 6,000 cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, below are listed a few along the Riviera Maya coastline.

One of the great things to do in the Riviera Maya is taking a day or 2 to visit some of the Mayan Ruins during your visit.  Dating back to as far back as 2600 BC there is a rich Mayan culture here.  Review our map of the best Mayan Ruins to visit and for detailed information read our blog post Mayan Ruins in Mexico.  Below are a few local sites you might want to visit.

If your list of things to do in the Riviera Maya includes a little more outdoor adventure and excitement then there are plenty of options for you to choose from at these adventure and water parks.

So another great attraction of the Mayan Rivera are the vast number of excellent restaurant choices available.  From local taco stands, and homemade pizza, to quality and reasonably priced Mexican and international cuisine, to elegant restaurant experiences for that special occasion.  From low key family lunches to romantic dinners on the beach under the stars it has it all.  With so many to choose from, below are a few local favorites.

For information can be found on 10 of the best restaurants in the Riviera Maya.

Scuba Diving

In 2019 Scuba Diving Magazine voted the Riviera Maya the #1 place to scuba dive in the world.  One of the reasons for this is that it is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world.  Obviously scuba diving is a major attraction for divers to the Riviera Maya.  The reef has abundant coral and marine life to explore.  Around Akumal the deep reef starts at a depth of approximately 60 to 70 feet and extends out in finger like ridges, and drops to between 100 and 140 feet of beautiful canyons. A second reef ranges from 50 to 70 feet in depth, making this a perfect choice for a second dive of the day. In addition, shallow portions of the reef run between 25 to 45 feet in depth with large Elkhorn formations.

As well as the ocean, cenotes also attract cave divers who explore the extensive labyrinth of the caves which can stretch hundreds of km's.  Cenote diving provides a whole new dimension to your diving options.

The best place to find more information about scuba diving in the region is the Akumal Dive Center.  This is the most established dive center and has been operating since 1975.  In addition to daily dives, they provide scuba diving instruction and PADI classes, and rent equipment and gear.  As a guest of our vacation rental accommodation, you can receive free transportation to and from our accommodation when registering with Akumal Dive Center.  The Akumal Dive Center is only an 8 min drive away.

Fishing

With 100's of km's of coastline fishing is an activity to do for many people.  However, you don't need to bring your own boat to go fishing!  Offshore fishing charters are attractive because of the variety of fish available including Tuna, Billfish, Wahoo & Dorado, Sailfish, White & Blue Marlin, Barracuda, and Mahi Mahi.  Learn more about Riviera Maya Fishing Charters, or our Fishing Tours. 

Another option, a little further away, is to hire an independent charter fishing boat at Puerto Aventuras a 16 minute drive from Ocean Breeze Akumal.

Other Water Sports

At many beaches and beach clubs you will be able to rent equipment and/or receive instruction on a variety of water sports.  From boogie boards, paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing, to jet-ski watercraft there are lots of options.  Interested in an evening sail on a catamaran over dinner?  No problem. 

With a coastline surrounded by tropical jungle on the one side, wildlife experiences around here are certainly not uncommon.  Daily you'll see numerous iguanas basking in the sunshine, and not uncommon are Coati (often seen from our pool deck), Capybara, and occasionally spider monkeys.  Added to this there are nearly 400 different bird species in the region ! 

If you are looking for wildlife adventures an things to do then there are several options to consider, including the following.