Riviera Maya on the Yucatán Peninsula is one of the most beautiful coastal areas in Mexico. It lies along the Caribbean Sea and is from Puerto Morelos in the north to Tulum in the south. Visiting Riviera Maya with kids is also a great idea, as you can find tropical beaches, dense jungle, Mayan cities and cenotes within a short distance. Therefore, the area is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. The most famous places are Playa del Carmen, with stores, restaurants and nightlife, Tulum, with its Mayan ruins and the island of Cozumel, which is a paradise for snorkelers and divers.
Best travel time Riviera Maya with kids
The best travel time to visit Riviera Maya with kids is from December to April. During this period it is usually between 25-30 degrees and there is little chance of rain. But even during the Dutch summer vacations (months of July and August), visiting Riviera Maya with kids is a good idea. Despite a slightly higher chance of a tropical shower, the days are still sunny and temperatures pleasant.
In the afternoon you may then be surprised by a shower, but, with temperatures above 25 degrees, this is no reason to leave the pool or beach. Moreover, this period is relatively quiet and prices are lower than in high season.
Transportation to and in Riviera Maya
The easiest way to explore Riviera Maya is with a rental car. The roads in this part of Yucatán are well maintained and it gives you the freedom to explore the Riviera Maya at your own pace with kids. Most rental cars are allowed to drive in the provinces of Yucatán, Campeche and Quintana Roo, allowing you to travel from Tulum to the north without problems.
Most hotels offer free parking and along the Riviera Maya there are also many guarded parking lots. Always take advantage of this, as windows and tires are usually not insured and therefore at your own expense. You can easily rent a car at the Cancun airport. For more information on renting a car at Cancun airport, take a look here.
If you prefer not to drive yourself, the Autobuses de Oriente (ADO) network is a fine alternative. Buses run every twenty to thirty minutes to the airports, tourist attractions, such as Xcaret, and the major bus stations of Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun. You can buy tickets for these buses at the bus stations, but it is even easier to reserve a seat through the bus company’s app.
The price, of course, depends on the connection and distance, but you can assume that ADO buses are at least half as cheap as local cabs.
Children’s activities Riviera Maya
#1 Snorkeling in Akumal
One of our absolute highlights of this trip was snorkeling with sea turtles. If you’re visiting Riviera Maya with kids, you really don’t want to skip it. The small town of Akumal, which means “place of the turtles,” is home to huge groups of sea turtles thanks to the food-rich environment and safety provided by the bay.
Therefore, the chances of encountering a sea turtle while snorkeling are very high. To protect the sea turtles and their habitat, there are several rules for visitors. For example, only registered guides are allowed to accompany tours, only a maximum number of visitors are allowed to enter the bay and there are established routes in the bay.
Therefore, it is smart to book a tour well in advance to make sure it is not full on the day of the visit. You are also not allowed to use sunscreen because it affects the habitat and coral in the bay. A UV50 long-sleeved swimsuit is therefore not an unnecessary luxury for all members of the family.
In addition to sea turtles, you will find fantastic colored tropical fish, rays and protected coral in this protected coastal area. This is also the ideal place for young kids to snorkel, as the turtles often swim close to the beach and the water is very clear. Even my three-year-old daughter could spot a turtle this way, occasionally.
#2 Casa Tortuga
If you visit Riviera Maya with kids, you must have swum in a cenote at least once. A cenote is a natural hole in the ground created when a limestone bed collapses and the underlying water reservoirs emerge. Along the Riviera Maya, there are an awful lot of these cenotes.
The most famous is Los Ojos, but the cenotes near Casa Tortuga are much more fun to visit with kids. This nature park has facilities such as restrooms, spacious changing rooms and several restaurants and stores where you can enjoy local food. There are two underground and two open cenotes in the park.
The two open cenotes are great for the whole family to swim, play and jump in. The two underground cenotes can be a bit exciting for the youngest members of the family, but at the same time are impressive with the huge stalactites and stalagmites overhead.
Fortunately, an experienced guide accompanies you throughout the visit, who, in a very safe way, will teach you everything you need to know about the cenotes and their surroundings. Safety is the first priority in this park anyway. For example, everyone is required to wear life jackets and the guide regularly checks with the group to see if everyone is still feeling well. For an additional cost, it is also possible to zipline and kayak in the park, but unfortunately we ran out of time for that.
#3 A day to Xcaret
The park Xcaret is best described as a zoo, water park and museum all in one. Visiting Xcaret with kids is certainly not cheap, costing about €100 per person, but it is well worth it if you are visiting the Riviera Maya with kids. Xcaret is home to many different butterflies, birds, turtles and dolphins.
On your way to the snorkeling spots, you’ll walk through a huge butterfly garden or accidentally end up with sea turtles, dolphins or sharks. Another highlight is the Xcaret México Espectacular, where dancers in beautiful costumes showcase and perform Mexican music, history and culture. And of course, there are many different restaurants and stores, where you can eat, drink and attend workshops.
Upon arrival at the park, it is smart to look at the map and decide which routes you want to follow. Swimming in the underground rivers is a must for the whole family. Here you will swim through mysterious caves and tunnels in crystal clear water in about thirty minutes. For families with younger kids, the Splash Zone is fantastic.
Here, especially for the little ones, they have set up their own course with natural pools, climbing ropes and slides. Like many amusement parks, there are a variety of admission tickets for Xcaret. In addition to the basic ticket, you can also opt for all-day dining, various add-ons or a combination ticket with one of the other parks in the Xcaret Group.
#4 On an adventure in Xplor
One of the other parks in the Xcaret Group is Xplor. If at Xcaret the adrenaline and excitement wasn’t enough, Xplor is the superlative. Especially for families with older kids, this is a perfect park to visit. In the park, the course of ziplines is one of the most popular attractions.
The route lets you soar through treetops and gives you fantastic views of the cenotes below. You can also kayak in an inflatable boat in the underground rivers, snorkel in the underground cenotes and go off-road quad biking in the park’s rugged jungle. Of course, there are plenty of restrooms, changing rooms and restaurants throughout the park, where you can buy local food and snacks like the Marquesita.
The minimum age for the park is five years old, and from 12 years old, visitors pay the adult rate of about €100. You can also buy combination tickets with Xcaret, Xplor fuego and other tourist attractions. Furthermore, it is possible to choose the all-day-dining option for an additional cost.
It is important to realize, however, that not all spectacular activities are included in the basic ticket. Some activities such as snorkeling and diving in the cenotes require an additional fee.
#5 By boat to Cozumel
About 45 minutes by boat from Playa del Carmen is the tropical island of Cozumel. If you are visiting Riviera Maya with kids and you have a day to spare, visiting this island is a lot of fun. The adventure actually begins as soon as you get on the ferry. Again, there are two different providers, Ultramar and Xcaret Xailing, but our favorite was Xcaret Xailing. This shipping company not only sails more often, but also makes it a party on board, with crew dressed in style and service on board.
Cozumel is known for its beautiful snorkeling sites, and one of the best spots for families on this island is Playa Mia. Here there are swimming pools, slides and even pedal boats that allow you to take to the water. They also rent snorkeling equipment. A ticket to this beach costs €35. For an additional cost, you can use lounge beds, towels and umbrellas. A visit to Chankanaab Park is also highly recommended. This nature park has a beautiful beach, a lagoon, tropical gardens and crocodile enclosures, adding to its excitement.
At Ultramar it is possible to purchase a combination ticket, where you can visit Isla Mujeres and Cozumel in one or two days. You could consider that if you wanted to get a quick impression of both islands, but if you are visiting the Riviera Maya with kids, I definitely advise against it. Both islands are too nice to spend only a few hours.
Family-friendly restaurant Riviera Maya
You can also have great food in the Riviera Maya with kids. You have several nice restaurants in Cozumel, Tulum and Playa del Carmen. We list some of them:
Cozumel is home to a branch of the well-known American chain Margaritaville. You go to this restaurant for the margaritas and volcano nachos, but what really makes it fun for young and old are the dancing and singing waiters, the bingo and the Mexican lottery.
What are you saying? Hamburgers for breakfast? At Burgerito in Tulum, this is the most common thing in the world. From morning to night, the burger is on the menu. Fortunately, you can also order avocado toast and a croissant with jam, so you’re not forced to start the day with a burger.
In Playa del Carmen, unfortunately, there are not a lot of playgrounds, but after searching for a while we found a beach club with a playground. At Lido Beach Club in Playa del Carmen, especially younger kids can play in the small playground while you enjoy the local cuisine.
Just before the México Espectacular Show in Xcaret, you can reserve a seat for the dinner&show. You will be guaranteed the best seats for the show and get a seven-course dinner reserved. Although the kids mostly enjoy the show, the older kids and adults love being able to sample local and Mexican food.
Family-friendly hotel Riviera Maya
Of course, you can stay at the Riviera Maya with kids just fine. The two most touristic destinations are Tulum and Playa de Carmen, and for these 2 resorts we list the best rated family-friendly accommodations. Click on the blue link for more information.
Tulum:
Budget accommodation: Hotel El Capitan
Mid-range accommodations: Aloft Tulum
Luxury Accommodation: Hotel Casa Tortuga Tulum – Cenotes Park Inclusive
Also, check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Tulum for other options.
Playa de Carmen:
Budget accommodation: Hotel Mariachi by Kavia 5th Av
Mid-range accommodation: MARQUEE Playa Hotel
Luxury Accommodation: Riviera Maya Suites
Also, check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Playa de Carmen for other options.
If you do not want to spend the night in these two seaside resorts, then of course you have several other destinations where you can spend the night. Check out the entire list of family-friendly accommodations in Riviera Maya for other options in this region.
About the author: along with her daughter and partner, Lesley is always looking for new adventures. Thanks to their love of the Spanish language and culture, they are most often found in Spain, Central and South America.
