Riviera Maya region of Mexico offers everything a traveler could want
I’ve been to a large part of Mexico over the past 30 years, and had spent a week in Cancun back in 1995, but it wasn’t until 2017 that I spent anything more than a day in the Caribbean coastal region of Mexico between Puerto Morelos in the north and Punta Allen in the south that is officially known as the Riviera Maya (or Mayan Riviera in English.)
We got a kick out of the coati, a type of Mexican raccoon that was prevalent at the Grand Mayan.
riviera maya is a great place to stay, whether you are looking for modest accommodations, or a 5-star all inclusive resort
Two friends and I booked a one-week visit to the Grand Mayan Resort and enjoyed exploring this part of the Yucatan Peninsula. The resort is part of the Vidanta ‘vacation ownership’ program, which to me, was the only negative. (That will be the subject of a future post, but be forewarned that the salespeople at this resort are relentless.) The location is excellent–just a short cab ride from Puerto Morelos and a slightly longer ride to Playa del Carmen, keeping us busy exploring everything we could fit into that all-too-brief seven day stay.
My friends and I really enjoyed our visits to Puerto Morelos in the Mayan Riviera region of Mexico.
It was unanimous that we enjoyed Puerto Morelos to Playa del Carmen, as Puerto Morelos is smaller (with a population of roughly 10,000) and more authentic to the Mexican tradition than Playa del Carmen, which a much larger city with a population of approximately 200,000 and much more commercialized. But both were fun to visit.
We enjoyed checking out the Alma Libre Libros Bookstore in Puerto Morelos.
Both of my favourite meals during our visit were in Puerto Morelos. The beachfront location at Restaurante Pelicanos couldn’t be beat, and it was cool to be able to walk out on the pier to speak to fishermen who had just returned from a deep sea sportfishing excursion. Check out the teeth on that catch!
A popular excursion in Puerto Morelos is to go sport fishing for a catch like this.
Check out the teeth on this barracuda fish!
And we also really enjoyed our lunch at La Pepita, where we had grilled shrimp with salad and rice for just 150 pesos (about $10 Canadian dollars) each. This was a fabulous fresh-caught feast with great service and live entertainment in a simple setting, just a block from the beach.
We loved the grilled shrimp served at La Pepita in Puerto Morelos.
We enjoyed being serenaded by the musician who visited us during our lunch at La Pepita.
And don’t think I forgot about the chocolate, while basking away in the Mexican sun. We enjoyed a visit to Ah Cacao Chocolate Cafe in Playa del Carmen, and sampled the brownies, the Mayan chocolate bar, and the Frio Mocha (iced cafe mocha) that featured espresso coffee mixed with Ah Cacao’s delicious chocolate. The shop also sells bags of Mexican coffee to take away and enjoy in your room or take home as a gift or souvenir.
One of the best places to go for chocolate in the Mayan Riviera is Ah Cacao.
Ah Cacao’s Mayan chocolate bar features just the right blend of chili peppers and spices.
Have you been to the Mayan Riviera? What was your favourite part of the experience? Let’s share travel tips, as that’s how I learned of Ah Cacao–from one of you wonderful readers. 🙂 Thanks as always for reading, and please remember to subscribe, like, or share to help me keep Chocolatour high in the rankings with anyone interested in chocolate travel.
This was lovely blog post, I have witnessed the incredible wonders of Mexico through your blog. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this blog with so many lovely pictures. It definitely makes me feel like I should be planning my next trip very soon.
It’s my home away from home and someday I will spend months rather than weeks in Puerto Morelos. You won’t go hungry and can dine in five star restaurants or out of the back of a can on a side street. Each experience will be equally delicious.
Thanks so much for your comment, Laura, and welcome to Chocolatour! I envy your ability to return to Puerto Morelos year after year for increasing amounts of time. My goal/dream/intention, is to retire away from winter permanently. But I’m not quite sure where yet!
Wonderful place! Mexico is such like a beautiful place and Mayan Rivera is particularly striking.
Thanks for the share. Mexico is a really wonderful place. It’s like a Dreamland!
I haven’t been to Mexico yet, but it’s on the list. I usually read about Cancun or Mexico City. I haven’t heard much about the Rivera Maya region. It sounds pretty fun though.
Chocola tour is one of the best blogs, I always read its post and love to read. In this post, you share much information about Mexico and that really important. Mexico has many wonderful places for travel. I want to spend some time with my family in this country. If have any information about Where to stay in Mexico in cheapest coast? please reply me.
looks like a great place to spend some time especially the food available (I will take the fish after the teeth have been removed)
Interesting place and nice topic about about Mexico. After reading the above topic iam very much interested to visit place. In short i definitely will travel to that place.
Thanks for sharing! Your trip to Mexico seems amazing and the photos are the best! Wish I could visit Mexico someday!
Amazing detail and destination for the Riviera Maya, It feels like that we just have a trip.
Thanks for sharing! I like your blog. Mayan Rivera is a great place for a getaway.
Puerto Morelos looks like a lovely place in the Mayan Rivera. A great place for a quiet getaway, something we would really love. I loved the part about being serenaded by a local musician during lunch. Finally, I was on the lookout for chocolate and there it appeared in its tantalizing best.
Riviera Maya looks like an exotic resort with all amenities and surrounded by beautiful nature. I loved the decor of Alma Library and it looks perfect for book reading. Chocolate tour sounds interesting and I would also opt for it.
I never heard of Maya Riviera before but it looks like an amazing place to enjoy your vacation. You’re right the region offers everything a traveler could want. I loved reading your experiences – the fish catching, the grilled shrimp, Mexican raccoons, the musician, the bookstore, and delicious dose of chocolate – looks like my type of holiday. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I can clearly see the reason behind the popularity of riviera maya region of mexico. Who won’t want to be pampered in an all inclusive resort with 5 star facilities. And add to that all the delicious sea food. And a visit to the raccoons!! Something there for the adventurous soul!
Hi Neha and thanks for your comment. There are many budget hotels and accommodations as well. The Mayan Riviera is indeed known for its 4-5 star resorts. But there are plenty of other options for visitors.
If they are anything like our raccoons, they can be quite a pest and sometimes destructive! Yikes! Although they’re cute, I wouldn’t want one climbing up my leg! 🙂
I loved visiting this area of Mexico! Puerto Morelos was near the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun where I stayed and I also remember having a great lunch there! Would love to go back. I haven’t seen the Mexican coatis that you saw at your resort! What a cute pic!
Hi Debbie! Yes, I hadn’t seen coati before this visit to the Mayan Riviera. They are quite cute and friendly. I saw one trying to climb up a fellow’s leg to get at a treat he was holding!
Amazing detail and destination for the Riviera Maya, It feels like that we just have a trip.
I’ve never been to Mexico but Riviera Maya really looks like a great place to visit. That fantastic food and the chocolate from Ah Cacao in the Mayan Riviera! I’m sold! 🙂
Thx so much for your comment, Michela, and welcome to Chocolatour! Yes, Mexico is really a fantastic destination that offers something for everything traveler. And lots of great chocolate, too! 🙂
This looks like such a fun spot to visit. I’ve never seen coati before. They look adorable! I love the fresh and affordable seafood in Mexico those shrimp look so yummy.
Hi Sue. I’m honest in telling you that I’ve not met a Mexican destination I didn’t enjoy. Except for the border towns, and I haven’t been to those in many years so can’t speak of their state today. Have a great long wkend! 🙂
This is one of our favorite places to visit! It’s so wonderful that you enjoyed your time there. Those teeth on that barracuda are HUGE! Definitely not something you’d care to run into under water, lol. This wonderful post makes me want to go back ASAP and enjoy the delicious food and time under the water. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for your comment, Lisa. I, too, would love to go back to the Riviera Maya. 🙂
Thanks for sharing! Your trip to Mexico seems amazing and the photos are the best! Wish I could visit Mexico someday!
Hello Cat and welcome to Chocolatour! Mexico is truly a fascinating country. If you’d like to read more about it on my site, just search “Mexico” and it will bring up a wide variety of posts. Cheers!
Hi Doreen, I’m very curious to read your next post so I can find out what a “vacation share” is. I presume it’s something like a timeshare? I hate pushy salespeople; they can ruin a vacation!
Hi Rachel. It won’t be my next post, as I’m waiting for the finalization of the sale/transfer of ownership of my timeshare. Once that’s complete … I will share all the gory details.
Riviera Maya region does seem enticing. The beaches seem pristine and the seafood remarkable. The teeth on that Barracuda will haunt my nightmares for nights to come
Hi Denny and thanks for your comment. Yeah, that barracuda was not a friendly looking fish! Glad I saw it OUT of the water, vs IN. 🙂
Doreen — I have not been to that part of Mexico. A girlfriend and I spent 3 weeks in Mexico many years ago (before we were both married) and had an absolutely wonderful time. I also visited a few years later with my husband. Alas, I also got sick both times, so I’m afraid my vacation plans don’t include Mexico anymore. I’ll have to be content with fond memories.
Hi Jeannette. The standards in Mexico have greatly improved over the years. In many places, you can now drink the tap water, and there is way less danger of getting stomach upset. I, too, had gotten sick back in the 80’s when I visited Puerto Vallarta. And it was from a very nice resto! But I’ve spent a considerable amount of time there over the past 2 years and have eaten the street food with no repercussions. Plus we now have easy access to meds that very quickly deal with any upset. So I bet it would be safe for you.
Always interested in a winter escape – and this looks like a beautiful and delicious one!
Hi, Anne. And I bet you’d be pretty pleased with the markets! Mexican markets are so amazing. Thx for stopping by.
This looks and sounds gorgeous. We have not been to Mexico, but this certainly inspires some ideas, especially when the weather is being so persistently dreary.
I hear you, Debra! On March 28th here in Manitoba, we are having a very dreary day of cloud, heavy winds, a temp around the freezing mark with precipitation falling on both sides of the freezing mark. I’ll take warmth, a nice beach and fun in the sun anytime! 🙂
The seafood looks absolutely mouth-watering *drools*
Love Mexico, your pictures and the look of the food. Would love to go there now to escape the cold winter.
Our weather hasn’t been too good here on the Canadian Prairies either, Catarina. Seriously hoping that spring will set in.
I really hope to get to Mexico in the next couple of years. One of the (many) reasons I want to go is that I love Mexican food – I’m not sure about those big fish but the shrimps look lovely and fresh.
And, Karen. when you get to Mexico, you’ll find the Mexican food to be even better as everything is fresh and unprocessed. It is a country of textures and flavours.
I would recommend making the Riviera Maya (state of Quintana Roo) an annual destination and not a bucket list. Puerto Morelos is just a short ride from the Cancun airport. Prices are very reasonable. The reef out front of PM is a maritime national park! Check out Layla Guesthouse too. I was there last Oct. and can’t wait to go back!
Thx very much for your comment, Eric, and welcome to Chocolatour! I would love to be able to visit Puerto Morelos every year! Lucky you!
Anytime, Doreen!
So glad to be part of the 3 musketeers, or maybe chocolateers is more apt, on our trip to the Riviera Maya last year. It brings back warm memories on a day like today that’s overcast in the GTA, but thankfully snow has melted. Trips like that are a tonic for the spirit!
Love the pic of the coati and remembering you following them stealthily to get that perfect shot. Well done!
Thanks so much, Margaret. For sharing that great trip with me, and for your friendship. We’ll have to take another trek together sometime soon. 🙂
The Riviera Maya sounds fascinating! Love the view of the beach and the chocolate sounds absolutely heavenly! 🙂
The Riviera Maya looks absolutely beautiful, with so many things to see and do I can see why you’d recommend it for a perfect holiday. The food looks delicious too, I would love to eat all the yummy local sea food and the traditional Mayan chocolate!
Hi Perri and welcome to Chocolatour. I don’t think we had one bad meal in the Riviera Maya for the entire week we were there. Mexico on the whole, is a great destination for foodies. 🙂
Wow, putting Riviera Maya on our bucket list. You have beautifully brought out the soul of this place through your photos. Really enjoyed reading your post!
I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I certainly enjoyed exploring the area of the Riviera Maya.
My travels in Mexico are so limited; I truly must put Mexico higher on my Bucket List. I really enjoyed you narrative about Playa del Carmen to Puerto Morelos; so many adventures. And yum on the chocolate too! 🙂
Hi Marilyn. Yes, I think the key is to search out the personality of the resort or destination that best suits your own personality, as I think that can make or break a vacation. I hope Mexico shows up on your radar soon. 🙂
The Riviera Maya is filled with wonderful sights and spectacular hotels. I’ve also enjoyed a nice chocolate snack at Ah Cacao Chocolate Cafe in Playa del Carmen! Yum, yum. Unfortunately, I’ve heard that the area is having cartel problems currently.
Yes, it does seem that Playa del Carmen is not the safest at present. As mentioned, while in the area, I would choose Puerto Morelos and felt much safer there.
Riviera Maya has wonderful sprawling resorts on the beach; the perfect antidote to winter!
Right on, Irene! We’re supposed to be in spring, but we’ve still got snow here on the Canadian Prairies. And I hear you folks in NY had quite the snowstorm this past week. It makes Mexico sound just that more inviting, doesn’t it? 🙂
This has been one LOOOONG winter!
Thanks for your reply – confirmed, those were amazing photos taken on your iPhone !!
Could not find where to sign up for your blog.
Please will you do it for me as I would like to know what you are doing and see your amazing photos.
Thanks,
Phyl.
OK, Phyl. I will attempt to add your e-mail address to the list of subscribers. I believe you will receive a confirmation e-mail, asking you to confirm. Glad to have you onboard. 🙂
Hi Phyl. I am having trouble getting into the admin file of my subscriber’s list. What are u using to try & subscribe? There is a subscription box in the right hand side bar. If u don’t see that, click on the arrows to the right and the side bar should appear. Or you can sign up via the pop up box that comes up once you visit the site. Sorry I can’t do it for you at this point in time.
Ah, more reasons to make another trip to Mexico after too many years away. I don’t like faces on fishes that I eat, though!
I hear you, Rose! The first time I was presented with a Rainbow Trout in the Canadian Rockies as a whole entity really gave me the creeps! I’m sure those fellows who caught the barracuda had no intention of eating it whole!
Tee hee. I was once served trout with the skin on and bones in place. That was when I learned to say: Filet, please. Or order Salmon–you’re never getting served a whole one of those!
Right on, Rose! You and my friend Margaret Fehr (you’ll see her comment in this thread) must be soul sisters as you haver the same way with words, and same feisty spirit. Hopefully, we can all go on a chocolatour together sometime soon. 🙂
One of these months, Doreen!
Doreen, this makes me want to visit Mexico soon! Que bello! Now I’m craving for seafood. 🙂
Hello Lord and thanks for your comment. Mexico is an incredible country. So many different things to see, and many different sub-cultures to explore. And, yes! the fresh seafood is amazing. 🙂
Hi Doreen. Did you talk to the owner st Alma Libre Bookstore. Unless it has sold recently, I think the owner is Canadian who retired to this area. Gorgeous beaches. Love the area.
Hi Janet. The owner was away on holidays when we were in the bookstore. I did leave my card for her, but didn’t hear back. Was thinking I may possibly do a chocolate event here or there in MX once volume II of Chocolatour comes out. And they do sell chocolate there art the bookstore. 🙂 Thx for stopping by.
We were just in the Mayan Riviera in November after 30 years ourselves, and were amazed at the growth in the area, the new airport terminal in Cancun, etc (oh, and the Vidanta vultures are right there at the exit of the baggage claim, so yes, unless you want to get talked into a timeshare, pass by them quickly and insistently!)
Hi Jane. Yes, we saw those Vidanta vultures at the Cancun airport. How sad it is that there are people on this earth who can lie looking you straight in the eye.
I’ve only passed through Playa del Carmen briefly on a cruise stop day trip to Tulum ruins, but would love the chance to experience more of the Riveria Maya region. Puerto Morelos sounds like a place I’d enjoy.
Hi Donna. Yes, we, too, had passed thru Playa on a day trip via a cruise. But I’d never spent time there until last year. Would definitely like to go back and stay in Puerto Morelos. There aren’t fancy hotels there. But there are a few nice and small hotels right on the beach, and I think the rate was only $65/night.
Just spent 3 weeks in Cozumel and sampled an all-inclusive day in Ventus at Puerto Morelos. My husband regrets not going to Ah Cacao especially because of that bag of coffee for taking home. My regret is for the chocolates!!!
Hi Carol.Yes, Ah Cacao is a really cool place. They have an air-conditioned interior where people can have refreshments, and tables outside as well. Definitely a great place for chocolate and coffee lovers! 🙂
Was snorkeling available at your vacation destination? Seeing all those colourful fish close up would be an awesome experience.
Hi, Bev! Yes, there was snorkelling at Puerto Morelos. I’m not sure if they were snorkelling right at our resort. I didn’t enquire as we were so busy with other things.
Riviera Maya is a wonderful land.
When reading your posts, I was really excited and would like to enjoy a vacation in Riviera Maya
Doreen,
I recently visited the Riviera Maya, spending time all along the coast – and then going across to Merida. !!
Absolutely loved your photographs, they were the BEST !! You are obviously a great photographer but may I ask what camera you are using ?
Much appreciated,
Phyl
Hello, Phyl and thanks for your comment and compliment. I usually take most photos with my iPhone, although I do have a small digital camera that I sometimes use.