The 16 places the travel guides we read name most, what they say about each, and fares from your city.
From the 8 guides that rank for "best beaches in riviera maya"
Named by 4 of 81. TulumTulum has some of the widest, softest beaches on the coast, with eco-hotels and beach clubs along the beach road.Cliff-top Maya ruins stand 15 metres above the water, though the exposed beach road can get heavy seaweed in summer.Best time to visit TulumBest beaches in Tulum
Named by 3 of 82. Playa del CarmenWhite sand beaches of varying width, about an hour south of Cancun by bus or car.The sand north of the 5th Avenue beach clubs is wide and groomed, with calm water.
Named by 3 of 83. Puerto MorelosPuerto Morelos is a former fishing village with a calm, shallow beach behind a barrier reef 400 metres out.It is only about 34 minutes from Cancun and has a national park reef.
Named by 3 of 84. Sian Ka'anSian Ka'an is a biosphere reserve south of Tulum with tropical forest, mangroves and marshes.Its beaches are described as unspoiled and typically less busy than others in the region.
Named by 2 of 85. AkumalAkumal Bay is a protected horseshoe bay where wild green sea turtles feed in the mornings.The bay limits swimmer numbers and needs guides in peak season; arriving by 8am beats tour buses.
Named by 2 of 86. Isla Mujeres (Playa Norte)Playa Norte is on an island eight miles east of Cancun and has calm, shallow water.It is an easy day trip by ferry from Cancun.
Named by 2 of 87. Xpu-HaXpu Ha is a sugar-sand beach with open ocean views, a dive shop, a restaurant and camping.It is named among the beaches for a slower pace.
Named by 2 of 89. PaamulPaamul is among the quieter stretches listed for a slower pace.The Xpu Ha to Paa Mul stretch is a section of the coast guide.
10. Playa Delfines (Cancun)Playa Delfines is the best free public beach in Cancun's Hotel Zone, wide and long with no vendors.It faces open Caribbean with stronger waves, enough to bodysurf.
11. HolboxHolbox is part of the Yum Balam reserve, with water barely three feet deep, and sea turtles and flamingos can be seen.
12. X'cacelX'cacel is undeveloped with no facilities, and is a nesting beach for endangered sea turtles.
13. Soliman BayThe outer reef keeps the surf down, suiting novice snorkelers and kayakers.
14. TankahTankah is a reef-protected, less-traveled beach with decent snorkeling, north of Tulum.
15. Puerto AventurasPuerto Aventuras has the largest marina between Cancun and Belize and a reef-protected bay on Fatima Bay.
16. Punta EsmeraldaPunta Esmeralda is mostly void of tourists, but avoid Sundays when families fill it.Live fares. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.
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Travel guides don't agree on one best time to visit Riviera Maya; its page has the weather and what's on, month by month.