The Yucatan peninsula has been the heart of Mayan culture for several centuries as evidenced in the many Mayan archeological sites.  Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the best preserved and is only a two hour bus ride from Cancun.  Tulum is located on the ocean and only 75 miles south of Cancun.  There are 25 smaller Mayan sites on the island of Cozumel, but because of the complete destruction of these sites by the Spaniards, the scale is limited.  A couple of smaller ruins are located in the Hotel Zone, at Xcaret and at various points around the Yucatan peninsula.  Other Mayan sites in Quintana Roo can be found at Coba, Muyil, Oxtankah, Kohunlich, Dzibanche and the largest settlement found to date: Chacchoben.

The Riviera Maya is home to the second largest coral reef in the world.  It stretches 1,000 kilometers (about 621 miles) from North of Cozumel to Belize.  Cozumel is the hands-down best place in the region to dive and snorkel, although there are plenty of other options.  Ilsa Mujeres and Isla Contoy has fine diving and snorkeling spots.  Snorkeling can also be enjoyed at the Eco-Parks of Xel Ha, Xpu Ha and Xcaret.  Cave diving is possible in the many “cenotes” of the region (see below).  Limited snorkeling can be enjoyed just off the beach at various resorts along the coast including the Paradisus, Excellence, Maroma Beach Resort and Mi Hotelito.  

Because of the bio-diversity of the region, each ecological nature park has a different draw.  Xcaret is built around an underground river into which guests can enter at one end of the park and come out at the other while a mule carries their clothes and items to meet them.  Xel Ha is built around a lagoon where both salt and fresh water are present.  The 1.3 million acre Sian Ka’an, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to tropical forests, lagoons, marshes, exotic marine habitats and wetlands and lies just south of Tulum commanding almost the entire coast to Belize.  Other notable ecological parks include Xpu-Ha, Tres Rios, Ik Kil, Ak Tun Chen and Zona de Cenotes.

The Cancun area has a growing number of golf courses including ones designed by Jack Nicklaus, P.B. Dye, Robet Trent Jones, Jr., Robert Von Hagge, Tom Lehman, Pedro Guereca and two by Greg Norman.  2007 marks the PGA Tour’s first Official Money event in Mexico held at the brand new Greg Norman designed El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club.  These fine courses are scattered up and down the coast from Cancun to Puerto Aventura.

There are several marinas in the area including some directly on the beach at resorts.  Sports fishing for marlin, sailfish and others can be organized from almost any resort in the area.  Most of these excursions will depart from Playa del Carmen at the main dock downtown.  Other places for departure include Cancun, Playa Maroma, Puerto Aventuras, Akumal and Punta Allen in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve where fly-fishing is also available.  At most of these docks private and shared fishing excursions can be booked as well as sailing day trips of all levels.  Your resort will have resources to book your day trip and may even be willing to cook your catch and serve it to you for dinner. 

Not all of the areas cultural and ecological sites are outdoors.  Cancun offers a few indoor options to explore the rich heritage and riches of the region.  The Museo Arqueologico de Cancun located next to the Convention Center has more than 100 archaeological pieces excavated from the region’s pre-Hispanic sites.  The Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano at the Embarcadero exhibits examples of popular arts and crafts from Mexicos various regions.  A museum of the local indigent movement against the Spaniards with a  Botanical Garden that displays medical plants of the region can be found in Tihosuco.  A brand new interactive Aquarium opened to instant success at La Isla shopping center.  There is also a small aquarium at the Xcaret Ecological Park. 

This has become such a popular pastime for local tourists (if not for the dolphins) that several places now offer daily schedules.  The only “natural” tank in which to do this is at Xel Ha, where the dolphins are located in a cove that is fenced in on one side, but otherwise open to the ocean.  Other locales include Xcaret near Playa del Carmen, Wet ‘N’ Wild in Cancun and Chancanaab National Park located on Cozumel. 

Getting around to your excursions is easily accomplished by using the resources at your resort.  The largest local tour company is Lomas Travel, which has representatives at most of the areas resorts.  They can book excursions to the archeological sites, eco parks, dance clubs as well as simple private car or bus transport. 

To get to the islands in the area, get a ride to the appropriate ferry dock.  Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy are accessible from the Cancun Marina.  Cozumel is accessible for foot traffic from the Playa del Carmen dock.  Cars must take the car ferry to Cozumel from Puerto Morelos. 

Because of the prevalence of limestone, the Riviera Maya is riddled with subterranean rivers and “cenotes.”  A cenote is a type of sinkhole that is thought to have mystical and healing powers by the Mayan culture.  This system of underground rivers accessed through sinkholes is found nowhere else in the world.  Cave diving is popular in these underground formations.  Zona de Cenotes is located just west of Playa del Carmen and is comprised of many impressive sinkholes including Chac-Mool, La Ponderosa, Dos Ojos, Nohoch-NA-Chich, Gran Cenote, Car Wash, Taj Mahal and Angelita.  Other popular dive spots are located at Ik Kil sacred blue well, Coba and the Sian Ka’an biosphere.

All-inclusive resorts will supply non-motorized water sports at the resort, but you are not limited to just kayaking or hobie cats when it comes to water sports.  There are myriad companies offering every conceivable water sport there is.  These include Parasailing, Water skiing, Submarine Tours, Jet Skiing, Small Boat Mangrove Tours, Windsurfing as well as Sailing, Deep-sea Fishing, Swimming with Dolphins and, of course, Diving and Snorkeling.