Rivera Maya versus Cancún are among Mexico’s top beach destinations. Below, we explain the pros and cons of staying in each.
Riviera Maya versus Cancún: the details
Together, Riviera Maya and Cancún occupy a large portion of Mexico’s northern Caribbean coastline in the state of Quintana Roo. The two destinations are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are distinct. Cancún is relatively urban, with back-to-back beach resorts occupying most of its shoreline, especially in its Hotel Zone. Riviera Maya starts roughly 20 miles south, stretching another 75 miles over a greater variety of beaches and resorts to the city of Tulum.
Cancún is lively — especially its nightlife — and condensed; Riviera Maya is vast
Cancún’s high-rise hotels, sprawling resorts and busy shopping areas like La Isla and Puerto Cancún place it among Mexico’s liveliest and most cosmopolitan cities. The Hotel Zone and its surrounding neighborhoods are especially buzzing, with an array of touristy sites, a major golf course and other commercialized attractions. Playa Mujeres, to the north of the Hotel Zone, is the exception. This resort-filled area is notably quieter. Natural barriers in between each property offer more privacy than what you’ll find in the Hotel Zone. Overall, Cancún has a reputation as a party destination (but Cancún can be great for families, too).
Riviera Maya, on the other hand, is characterized by charming beach towns, quieter resorts and a strong connection to its Mayan heritage, particularly around Tulum, which gets its name from nearby ruins of an ancient Mayan port. There’s a greater emphasis on the region’s natural beauty — some beaches stretch for miles without resorts or hotels. Except for towns like Puerto Morelos, which has a higher concentration of resorts, Riviera Maya’s nightlife is limited to individual properties. Whereas Cancún often feels electric, Riviera Maya is more bohemian.
Choose Riviera Maya for variety
Cancún has a mix of traditional and all-inclusive resorts ranging from world-class luxury retreats to casual, family-friendly options, the majority of which are beachfront properties owned by well-known hotel brands, such as Hyatt, Hilton or Marriott. Riviera Maya has a much wider range of hotels and resorts spread across its 75-mile-long coast. These include upscale all-inclusive resorts, wellness retreats, vacation rentals, boutique hotels and other independent properties. There's a greater balance between locally owned properties and big-name hotel brands. Whether you prefer one or the other, Riviera Maya delivers.
If you’re visiting the region with kids, both Cancún and Riviera Maya have some of the top all-inclusive family resorts in Mexico.
Riviera Maya and Cancún both offer access to amazing beaches, Mayan ruins, cenotes and other sites
The benefit of Riviera Maya and Cancún being so close together is that their respective attractions are accessible regardless of where you stay. But the two areas offer distinct attractions. Beaches in Cancún vary in quality. Some are relatively quiet, while others are filled with parties, especially around spring break. Beaches along the Riviera Maya are more relaxed. Some beaches in Riviera Maya see relatively few visitors at any given time of year; many are favorite spots for locals.
Both areas feature Mayan ruins. However, if this is a priority, Riviera Maya’s ruins in Tulum are among the most impressive sites on the coast. Large stone temples and the remnants of homes and other structures form a small city, with satellite villages in the surrounding jungle. Within Cancún, the ruins in the El Rey Archaeology Zone are better suited if you’re only passively interested, encompassing a series of small stone structures with beach resorts in the background. Just outside the city proper, the El Meco Archaeological Zone is grander. (If you’re especially interested in Mayan ruins, the ancient city of Chichen Itza — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — is roughly 2.5 hours from Cancún or Tulum.
Cenotes are natural landmarks largely limited to Riviera Maya, but there are smaller, less notable examples in Cancún. Most cenotes form over thousands of years, when the roof of a cave system collapses and the resulting sinkhole gradually fills with rain runoff. They’re often surrounded by lush vegetation, resulting in a striking contrast between the deep-sapphire water and emerald-green vegetation. Many cenotes are fit for swimming or even diving, and most are open to the public.
Finally, Playa del Carmen has similar attractions on a much smaller scale, and there are a handful of towns elsewhere in Riviera Maya that offer more of a local, authentic experience.
Which area is better overall, Riviera Maya versus Cancún?
Choosing between Riviera Maya versus Cancún comes down to personal preference. If you’re interested in attractions in both areas, stay near the northern tip of Riviera Maya. This only places you around 30 minutes from Cancún International Airport, the city and Riviera Maya’s cenotes and other sites. If you prefer convenience, beach parties and all-inclusive packages, Cancún’s Hotel Zone is more up your alley. A Fora Advisor can help you weigh factors important to you and narrow down your options.
Riviera Maya versus Cancún: FAQs
Read on for more information about Riviera Maya and Cancún.
Why is Riviera Maya suddenly so popular?
The sudden surge in Riviera Maya’s popularity has more to do with marketing and rebranding than its influx of travelers. Until the last couple decades, resorts in Riviera Maya often marketed themselves as Cancún resorts. Recently, many of these properties have instead capitalized on Riviera Maya’s quieter vibe and focus on nature as an alternative to Cancún, which has built a reputation as a party destination (even though that’s not totally accurate).
Are the beaches swimmable in Riviera Maya and Cancún?
Beaches across Mexico’s Caribbean coast, including Riviera Maya, Cancún and Tulum, are perfectly safe for swimming. This is one of the perks of Cancún vs. Cabo, the latter of which only has a few swimmable beaches.
Some beaches on the Caribbean coast experience large seaweed blooms between May and October. Resorts make a great effort to clear the water though, and it's rare that the blooms actually prevent swimming — even when they do, it’s generally safe to be in the water.
What are the best months to go?
Omitting peak hurricane season, which runs from August to October (but that’s what travel insurance is for), there aren’t bad months to visit either area. The weather is comfortable year round. However, the best time to visit Cancún for optimal weather is between December and April, which is also peak travel season). Travel in May to June for fewer crowds and better rates at the expense of slightly more humid weather.
Are Riviera Maya and Cancún safe to travel to?
Like any new place, exercise caution. But both areas are largely safe for travelers.
“Go! So many people are nervous about safety in Mexico. I felt incredibly safe during my time in the Riviera Maya,” Fora X Advisor Erica Christie said. “This is an incredible destination with beautiful resorts and wonderful people.”
She recommends arranging transfers to and from the airport, though, more to avoid unreasonably high taxi rates and scams than crime.
“Most Mexicans are very warm and happy to have travelers,” Fora Advisor Nancy McLaughlin added.
Can you drink the water in Riviera Maya and Cancún?
Water at resorts is generally safe for consumption. Reputable resorts either filter their water or serve bottled water. Tap water in public areas may be unsafe for consumption, though.
Is Playa del Carmen the only city or town in Riviera Maya? Is Tulum part of Cancún or Riviera Maya?
Playa del Carmen is not Riviera Maya’s only notable urban area. Tulum, near the riviera’s southern tip, is another laid-back destination known for its namesake Mayan ruins and wellness-focused resorts. Several smaller towns, like Puerto Aventuras, dot the coastline. These towns usually have marinas, local eateries and other attractions geared toward travelers.
Does Riviera Maya have its own airport?
There are no major airports in Riviera Maya. However, Playa del Carmen airport services private jets and charters as an alternative to Cancún International Airport. If you’re interested in a more exclusive flight experience, your Fora Advisor can recommend private options that fly to Playa del Carmen.
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