Holidays in Playa del Carmen

At the heart of the Mexican Caribbean we find one of the most charming places in the country: Playa del Carmen. This area will amaze you for its beaches with crystalline waters, its Mayan archaeology and green jungles, and the fantastic underwater world where you'll get to see the second largest coral reef in the world.

In Playa del Carmen, you'll find the Hotel Riu Tequila, Hotel Riu Lupita, Hotel Riu Palace Mexico, Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Hotel Riu Playacar and the Hotel Riu Yucatan, where you will enjoy the best amenities during your holiday. And, in the vicinity all our hotels, you'll find the loveliest scenery and the best leisure offer for an unforgettable holiday.

Unforgettable landscapes

The beaches you'll find in Playa del Carmen invite you to enjoy the Caribbean climate to the utmost. You can relax on their fine white sand and cool off in their crystalline waters, or practise aquatic sports like snorkelling, kayaking and wind surfing, amongst many others, and start to make the most of your holiday in Mexico.

If you want to see the incredible scenery that surrounds the area, we recommend you visit the island of Cozumel, a few minutes away by ferry, where you'll find an amazing marine ecosystem. It's also interesting to visit the Xcaret and Xel-Ha parks to lose yourself in their jungles, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, the caverns and cenotes of Río Secreto, and the town of Bacalar and its lake, the Laguna de los Siete Colores.

Discovering the traces of the Mayan world

One of the biggest attractions of the area are the Mayan ruins. In the ruins of Tulum and the archaeological traces of Cobá, you'll discover world famous enclaves where you can tour the ancient temples and pyramids of one of the most important Pre-Colombian civilisations. And, not far from Playa del Carmen is Chichén Itzá, the ancient capital of the Mayans and a UNESCO World Heritage Site also considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Gastronomy in Playa del Carmen

In Playa del Carmen you'll be able to enjoy a cuisine rich in fish and seafood prepared in very unusual ways and typically accompanied by spices and chiles. Amongst the most common dishes are shrimp-stuffed avocados, lobster, huachinango (red snapper), and snails. You'll also find typical meat stews like relleno blanco, chocolomo, and the traditional cochinita pibil. If you want to taste typical Mayan beverages, you have to try balché and saka.

Bahía de Punta Solimán:

In this bay you'll find several enchanting beaches with palm trees that reach the edge of the crystalline waters. It's a very good area for snorkelling and getting away from the crowds.

Ruins of Tulum and Cobá:

In these historic places, you'll find the most important monuments of Mayan culture, like the largest pyramid on the Yucatán peninsula, the God of Winds Temple, and the Temple of the Church.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve:

A protected natural space that is home to a wide variety of animals of the country's fauna, like fox, anteaters, pumas, jaguars, crocodiles... Because of its great natural interest, it has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Great Maya Reef:

The second-largest coral reef in the world and home to 500 species of fish and 65 varieties of coral. It's a paradise for snorkelling or scuba diving.