Riviera Maya
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Gay Travel Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya, also known as the Mayan Riviera, lies just to the south of Cancun but feels worlds away. The stunning Playa del Carmen has all the brilliance of its neighbor up north, but without the hoards of tourists and all the tchotkes that come with them. In fact, try flying into Cozumel and then taking the ferry over – less crowded and a far cooler experience!
This 75 mile chunk of the Yucatan Peninsula is often lauded as the most beautiful part of Mexico, and with perfect weather, soft white sand beaches, and sparkling clear water, it’s easy to get lost in this Mexican paradise. And easier to swim: the island of Cozumel blocks much of the pounding Gulf surf, calming things down nicely!
The Riviera Maya starts 10 miles south of Cancun and includes the beach town of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Tulum. Tulum was an original resort town for Mayan kings, where they rested and seriously worshipped the sun. The town is dotted with Mayan ruins, many right on the beach, which provides a unique contrast from the ruins further inland.
Most visitors rent a car in Cancun if they are planning to do much exploration of the peninsula. It costs $40 for the 45-minute ride from Cancun to Playa, and if you can decipher the public bus system then it’s cheaper and worth the adventure! Towns like Tulum and Playa are small, so it’s much easier to walk than drive. The mean temperature is around 75 º F, although the rainy season might dampen your beach plans from May through November. Tropical storms rarely make landfall here, but are known to form off the coast.
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