Dive right into the action, and visit one of the Riviera Maya’s ecotourism parks, Xcaret, Xel-Há, and Xplor. The parks offer natural waterways and underground cenotes (sinkholes that expose pools of groundwater) and cater to visitors of all ages, making them ideal destinations for families. Enjoy a full day of adventure swimming in the clear waters, zip-lining through jungle canopies, and snorkeling in lagoons. You can pick just one park to explore at your leisure, or opt for a tour that covers all three in a single day. In the evening, continue the fun at the parks with on-site dinners and dance performances.

Escape the resorts with a trip back in time at the Riviera Maya’s many stunning archaeological ruins. In the morning, beat the crowds at the most-popular site, Chichén Itzá. Afterwards, take in the coastal views from the picturesque ruins of Tulum or head to the ancient city of Coba. 

Once you’ve had your fill of local history, enjoy a horseback riding experience on the beach. In the evening, indulge in a seafood dinner as you watch the sunset over the Mexican Caribbean or head to a traditional temazcal (sweat lodge) for a Mayan cleansing ceremony.

After a busy couple of days, head to the ocean to cool off. Learn to scuba dive in just half a day at Puerto Morelos Reef Park, or snorkel over the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Opt for a half-day tour if you want to leave the rest of the day free for relaxation or independent exploration.

Alternatively, you can book a full-day excursion and head inland to the crystalline waters of Bacalar Lagoon—also known as the Lake of Seven Colors—where you can swim, cruise around the lagoon, see turtles, and snorkel in cenotes. To spend a full day on the ocean, sail out to Cozumel in a glass-bottomed boat, and snorkel over some of the region’s most impressive coral reefs.