Things to do in Riviera Maya / Playa del Carmen

The Riviera Maya is a tourism and resort district south of Cancun, Mexico. It is located along the Caribbean coastline of the state of Quintana Roo, in the eastern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula. The Riviera Maya was originally called the "Cancun–Tulum corridor", but in 1999 it was renamed as the Riviera Maya. The Riviera Maya is famous for its large scale all-inclusive resorts and a historical tourism base of smaller boutique hotels as well as the many restaurants available along the Fed 307 and on or near the beaches. Playa del Carmen is a popular tourist area in eastern Mexico, that offers a wide array of tourist activities due to its geographical location in the Riviera Maya. Originally a small fishing town, tourism to Playa del Carmen began with the passenger ferry service to Cozumel, an island across the Cozumel Channel and a world-famous scuba diving destination. It is a stop for several cruise ships. The Xcaret Eco Park, a Mexican-themed "eco-archaeological park", is a popular tourist destination located just south of the town in Xcaret. The city is famous for its beaches decorated with palm trees and rich coral reefs.