Spectacular Oceanfront VillaN°001
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Private pool
From $7,230 per night
Photo by Mikhail NilovCaribbean sands, Mayan ruins and jungle pools of impossible blue
The Riviera Maya runs south from Cancún along Mexico's Caribbean coast, a ribbon of white-sand beaches, reef-protected coves and jungle threaded with cenotes, the region's famous freshwater sinkholes. A private villa in Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras or the quieter coves towards Tulum pairs barefoot beach living with staff, security and a concierge to unlock the coast's reefs, ruins and restaurants.
- Swimming and diving in crystalline cenotes hidden in the jungle
- Snorkelling the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef system on Earth
- The clifftop Mayan ruins of Tulum and the jungle pyramids of Cobá
- Beach clubs, dining and nightlife along Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida
- Beachfront and gated-community villas with private pools, staff and concierge service
Known forWhite-sand Caribbean beaches, cenotes, the Mesoamerican Reef, Mayan ruins at Tulum and Cobá, Playa del Carmen nightlife
Best time to visitDecember to April for dry, sunny weather; June to September for whale sharks and warm, quieter months
Nearest airportCancún International (CUN), 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on your villa
Ideal forFamilies, groups of friends and couples wanting beach, adventure and culture in one trip
Mexican Boutique Villa with Tennis Court and PoolN°002
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Private poolSea view
From $6,845 per night
Beach Front Villa with Spectacular Ocean ViewN°003
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Private pool
From $5,445 per night
Beautiful Beach Villa With Palm Trees And Caribbean SeaN°004
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Private poolSea view
From $5,417 per night
Extraordinary Villa With Pool And 2 JacuzzisN°005
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Private poolHot tub
From $1,130 per night
Grand Lux Villa With Jacuzzis And Plunge PoolN°006
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Private pool
From $1,130 per night
7homes available
2–14bedrooms
up to 28guests
7with a pool
Riviera Maya in pictures
Events not to miss in Riviera Maya
- Late November
Riviera Maya Jazz Festival
Playa del Carmen's long-running festival stages free beachfront concerts by international jazz artists at Mamitas Beach. Warm nights, bare feet in the sand and world-class music make it a highlight of the shoulder season.
- Late October to early November
Festival of Life and Death Traditions at Xcaret
Timed to Día de Muertos, Xcaret park hosts one of Mexico's most atmospheric celebrations of the Day of the Dead, with altars, theatre, music and Yucatecan food traditions across several evenings.
- Around 21 March
Spring Equinox at Chichén Itzá
At the equinox, the setting sun casts a serpent of shadow down the staircase of the great pyramid of Kukulcán. Crowds are large, but it remains one of the ancient world's great spectacles, a day trip from the coast.
- February
Carnaval de Cozumel
The island across the water celebrates one of Mexico's oldest carnivals with parades, costumes and music in the days before Lent, an easy and colourful ferry excursion from Playa del Carmen.
Riviera Maya through the seasons
- High Season (December – April)
Dry-season beach days at their best
Sunny skies, low humidity and calm, clear seas define the Caribbean prime time, ideal for reef snorkelling, ruins and long beach-club lunches.
- Late Spring (May – June)
Hot days and cool cenote swims
As temperatures climb, the jungle's freshwater cenotes come into their own, and uncrowded beaches and good value reward travellers ahead of the summer.
- Summer (June – September)
Whale sharks and nesting turtles
Whale sharks gather off the Yucatán coast for snorkel encounters, and sea turtles nest on beaches such as Akumal and Xpu-Ha; brief afternoon downpours keep the jungle green.
- Autumn (October – November)
Quiet sands and the jazz festival
The coast at its calmest, with Día de Muertos celebrations opening November and free beachfront concerts at the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival closing it.
The Area and Where to Stay
The Riviera Maya stretches roughly 120 kilometres from just south of Cancún down to Tulum and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Playa del Carmen is its cosmopolitan centre, with the pedestrian Quinta Avenida, beach clubs and the ferry to Cozumel; villas in gated communities such as Playacar put all of it within reach while keeping the calm of a private pool and garden. South of Playa, Puerto Aventuras is a family-friendly marina community with sheltered beaches, while the coves of Xpu-Ha and Akumal offer some of the coast's most beautiful sand and turtle-grazed shallows. Tulum anchors the southern end with its bohemian beach scene and clifftop ruins. Choose Playa del Carmen for walk-to-dinner convenience, the mid-coast for quiet beachfront, and let the concierge handle chefs, transfers and reservations throughout.
Things to Do
Few coastlines pack in so much. Snorkel or dive the Mesoamerican Reef from Puerto Aventuras or Akumal, cross to Cozumel for world-renowned wall dives, and in season swim alongside whale sharks, the largest fish in the sea. The jungle behind the beach conceals thousands of cenotes, from cathedral-like caverns to open garden pools, unforgettable for swimmers, snorkellers and certified cave divers alike. History runs deep: the walled Mayan city of Tulum stands on cliffs above the Caribbean, Cobá's great pyramid rises from the forest, and Chichén Itzá, one of the world's most celebrated ancient sites, makes a rewarding day trip. Add the eco-parks of Xcaret and Xel-Há for families, kitesurfing and paddleboarding on the flats, and boat trips into the Sian Ka'an reserve for dolphins, turtles and flamingo-pink horizons.
Food and Local Flavour
Yucatecan cooking is one of Mexico's great regional cuisines, and the Riviera Maya serves it at every level. Seek out cochinita pibil, slow-roasted achiote pork, alongside fresh ceviche, grilled octopus and tacos al pastor from market stalls and beach shacks. Playa del Carmen has the coast's broadest dining scene, from taquerías off Quinta Avenida to polished contemporary Mexican kitchens, while Tulum's jungle-chic restaurants have earned international attention. Beach clubs turn lunch into an all-day affair, and fruit stands supply mango, papaya and fresh coconut for villa mornings. A private chef is one of the region's best luxuries, shopping the markets and serving dinner by your pool; the concierge can also arrange mezcal and tequila tastings and cooking classes.
When to Visit
The coast is warm year-round, with two broad seasons. December to April is the dry, sunny prime time, with low humidity, calm seas and the liveliest atmosphere, peaking around Christmas, New Year and Easter. May and June turn hotter and stiller, good value and excellent for cenote swimming. June to September brings the whale sharks, sea-turtle nesting on beaches such as Akumal and warm, blue water, with brief tropical downpours that clear quickly. September and October are the quietest and wettest months, within the Caribbean hurricane season, so travel with flexibility. November is a lovely shoulder month, dry, uncrowded and closing with the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival in Playa del Carmen.
Getting There
Cancún International Airport (CUN) is one of Latin America's best-connected hubs, with direct flights from across North America and Europe, including nonstop services from London, Frankfurt, Zurich, Madrid and Paris. From the airport, the four-lane coastal highway runs south: allow around 45 minutes to Playa del Carmen, an hour to Puerto Aventuras and 90 minutes to Tulum. Private transfers are the comfortable standard and easily arranged by the concierge, who can also organise a driver for ruins and cenote days. A hire car adds freedom for exploring, and ferries from Playa del Carmen reach Cozumel in about 45 minutes.