The Riviera Maya still basks in the splendor of one of the major cultures of the ancient world, the Maya. The city of Tulum lies on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean, and just 41 km away, in the jungle, stands the important ceremonial center of Cobá, and other lesser sites such as Xel-há, Xcaret and Muyil dot the area.

The pre-hispanic past and the fun-loving present are two of the jewels in the crown of the Riviera Maya. The coastal strip is a chain of sun-soaked beaches washed by the caribbean and adorned by exuberant foliage. Many of the resorts along the coast are exclusive hideways where the visitor can commune with nature. Colorful coral reefs fringe the coast.