Beachfront resorts lining the white sand and turquoise sea of Cancún

Mexico · Yucatán Peninsula

Cancún & the Riviera Maya

Turquoise water at the resort, with cenotes and Mayan ruins a day trip away.

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Cancún and the coast stretching south toward Tulum pair powder-white beaches with remarkably easy access, which makes the area a natural choice for spring break, long weekends and first international trips with children.

Beyond the resort, the Yucatán is full of reasons to leave the lounger: swim in a jungle cenote, walk through ancient Mayan cities, snorkel alongside rays and tropical fish, then return to a sunset dinner by the sea. The main choice is the stretch of coast: lively Cancún, or the quieter Riviera Maya to the south.

Highlights

A short flight, then cenotes, ruins and reef

01Short, often nonstop flights from much of the U.S.
02Swimming in freshwater cenotes
03Mayan ruins at Tulum and Chichén Itzá
04Snorkeling the Mesoamerican Reef

Sample itinerary

A route to start from

The Maya Temple of the God of the Winds at Tulum, on a rocky headland above a small beach and the turquoise Caribbean

Family5 nights · guide price from $2,700 ppCancún Family SunA family beach trip on the Mexican Caribbean, with a kids' club, a cenote swim, the ruins at Tulum and a gentle reef snorkel for young swimmers.View the itinerary

Cancún's Hotel Zone, or further south?

Families, couples or both? Say whether you want nightlife nearby or none at all, and we'll start you off with a short list of resorts.

Start a draft for Cancún and the Riviera Maya