Are you coming on vacation to Riviera Maya? This guide helps you organize your trip to Riviera Maya in an all-inclusive hotel, giving you tips to better enjoy the destination, with excursion recommendations and giving you an average daily budget for your vacation.

We are going to make the movie of your vacation in an all-inclusive hotel in the Riviera Maya. Whether you are Mexican, Spanish, Argentine, Colombian or American, all these destinations offer trips in all inclusive hotel to the Mexican Caribbean.

The reason why we know the destination well is to have worked for more than 10 years in the Riviera Maya in tourism, where we have had the opportunity to do many excursions in the area and know it well from the tourist side and also as locals. We hope to help you with our knowledge of the area, we like to help you to better enjoy the destination.

BASIC PLAN FOR 9 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS IN RIVIERA MAYA ALL INCLUSIVE

During the year you can find different prices for packages with plane + hotel all included. The prices change according to the hotel (they give you a choice between several options of hotels the agency) and during the year they launch different offers. We take as reference the Spanish market, which is the one we know the most about prices.

TRAVEL TIME: 9 days / 7 nights (One night the plane is counted, due to the distance and the consequent time lag between the two countries)

PRICE TRAVEL ALL INCLUDED: from the 850 euros to 3000 euros from Spain. 850 euros is a super good price, an average price of 1400 euros up to prices of more than 3000 eros per person depending on the season and hotel.

THE PRICE OF THE TRIP INCLUDES: Roundtrip air tickets, hotel, 2 airport transfers and travel insurance. Surely Mexico exit fees are not included in the package, there are a few 50 euros that you will pay on departure at the airport (take the money in cash). We explain it completely in this article of tips for all-inclusive hotel tourist

STAY IN RIVIERA MAYA: in the all inclusive hotel you will be 7 nights, that gives you 8 days in Mexico of which 2 practically are transfers from the airport to the hotel. Then you have a total of 6 full days in Riviera Maya. We imagine that in addition to being in the hotel you will want to get to know the area. A plan would be to make four excursions, 3 days at the hotel for panching and relaxation and one day in Playa del Carmen. According to desire and budget, we each travel our own way.

GENERAL PLAN FOR 9 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS: 3-4 days of excursions, 2 days complete enjoying the hotel, and maybe 1 day walking through Playa del Carmen or doing a tour on your own.

I link what we write about the Recommended places to visit for free in Riviera Maya and how to go.

HIRING EXCURSIONS IN RIVIERA MAYA 

  • TRAVEL AGENCIES IN RIVIERA MAYA: in the numerous travel agency that you find in the destinations of Riviera Maya, such as Playa del Carmen, Cancun or Tulum. There is a lot of offer, surely you find what you want.
  • BY INTERNET: You can do it through the internet before arriving in Riviera Maya. There are several companies that sell excursions on the internet.
  • WITH YOUR AGENCY OF ORIGIN: with your own agent If you come in a vacation package, your agency gives you options when you arrive at the destination.
  • FROM YOUR HOTEL: from your hotel you can also book excursions, hotels have travel agencies that sell the most popular destinations in Riviera Maya.

The first two options are usually cheaper what to do through your own agent or hotel.

We leave you the complete guide of the best excursions in Riviera Maya

PLAN TO TRAVEL TO RIVIERA MAYA IN ALL INCLUSIVE HOTEL IN A VERY SIMPLE AND PRACTICAL

How would I plan my stay to make the most of my time? The first day I would have already booked an excursion and I will explain why: from experience I know that the first one you wake up in Riviera Maya is usually very early in the morning, around 6, due to the jet lag (temporary sleep disorder that affects travelers who cross more than three time zones). Take an excursion from the ones that come to pick you up early at the hotel, and that good wiggle of the first day believe me that places you on the trip once more than being in the hotel getting used to it. That day your travel agency usually gives a talk about the morning 9 at your hotel to talk about the destination and offer excursions. It is not obligatory to go to the talk, you can go hiking the first day without problem. For this you must have purchased some of the excursions online. Some travelers use this first day to go to Playa del Carmen to look for excursions and make contact with the country outside the hotel.

From this personal advice, the other days I would plan as the body asks, interspersing excursions with days in the hotel.

DETAILS TO KNOW IN YOUR ALL INCLUSIVE HOTEL: In addition to the buffets restaurants, they usually have A la carte restaurants for different types of food like Italian, Japanese, Mexican restaurant. To access these restaurants you must book, so plan your days and reserve from one day to the next to taste them all. Remember that some restaurants have a dress code, such as not wearing flip flops and shorts. All-inclusive hotels have activities and shows that vary every day. Ask about the day's activities at the hotel to better plan. Also remember that some all-inclusive hotels offer daily transportation to Playa del Carmen.

WHAT EXCURSIONS TO CHOOSE IN RIVIERA MAYA?

What I'm going to do is recommend the 7 excursions that I would do to have a complete taste of the destination. In addition to assessing through personal taste, we have included options that we know are in high demand such as the Xcaret or XelHá park. Our criterion when choosing is also based on the maximum of the more the better: We refer to complete excursions that offer to see up to three tops in a day, like the ones we present below.

From this idea you can ride it your way taking as reference these day tours and the experience of others.

Guet Your Guide is an agency that sells online a complete assortment of excursions where you find what you are looking for, competitive prices, ease of booking with free cancellations up to 24 hours in advance and the ability to see other travelers' ratings. We are affiliated with them, which means that without an increase in prices for you, we receive a small commission on sales. This helps us to continue with our work with the blog. So if the information is useful, you can contemplate as an option to make your reservation from the blog and share with friends and acquaintances who travel to Riviera Maya. Thanks in advance.

I link you to my favorite excursions so you can book them for your trip if you feel like it. According to your interests and budget, plan your trips. I give you ideas for excursions every day so you can plan to your liking.

THE EXCURSIONS PLAN IN RIVIERA MAYA

1 DAY- ARRIVAL IN FLIGHT TO THE CANCUN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

We wrote some tips for the all-inclusive tourist where we deal with the subject of the plane, the arrival, the transfers and the airport taxes.

Pyramid of Kukulkan. Chichen Itza archaeological zone, Yucatan

2 DAY- CHICHÉN ITZÁ WITH EK BALAM AND A CENOTE 12 hours 440 km approx

Chichen Itza It is a jewel in the crown of the Mayan Riviera, something of the Mayans you will see, so Chichén Itzá is the first candidate. In this case it is possible that going on a trip is more economical than going free, we made the calculation to give you the information as is. BY RENTAL CAR we calculate about 800 weights per day the car, if you go by fee road 760 weights of payment, some 700 gasoline weights, entrance to Chichén Itzá which is 242 pesos for foreigners and the extras you want to put on your trip, like entrance to cenotes on 100 pesos, 40 parking, economic food 120 weights, more purchases if you do them. Total price of the trip2700 pesos (if you go 4 people save and you win in freedom, everyone travels according to their tastes and customs, so basically you choose how to go). Read the Complete guide to go to Chichen Itza by rental car  BY BUS FROM CANCÚN OR PLAYA DEL CARMEN: the round trip bus ticket leaves you at 600 pesos, entrance to Chichén Itzá 242 pesos if you are a foreigner, if you are Mexican 162, plus a meal for 120 pesos. Total price of the trip: 962 pesos per person (40 euros). TIPS IMPORTANT: if you buy before in the ADO website you get much better prices, I leave the information how to go to the archaeological zones by bus from Riviera Maya.

My choice to go to Chichén Itzá would be to combine it with Ek Balam and a cenote. The agency Get Your Guide offers this full excursion for about 2100 pesos (about 90 euros). They go to Cenote Hubiku in this case

CHICHEN + EK BALAM + CENOTE RESERVE

The trip with more sales offered by GYG to Chichén and cenote for a few 1500 pesos (65 euros) is this. You can book it securely online. You can cancel up to 24 hours before

RESERVE TOUR TO CHICHEN + CENOTE

The most economical and classic of GYG for Chichen Itza comes to you for about 1300 pesos, and offers a visit to the archaeological zone, cenote Ik kil and visit to Valladolid.

CHICHEN + CENOTE IK KIL + VALLADOLID RESERVE

A different excursion to Chichen Itza is to visit it at dawnTo see the Wonder of the Modern World without people is luxury. It costs you about 900 pesos (40 euros). On the web they explain to you very well what the tours include so you can get surprises.

CHICHEN AT DAWN

And I link you to one of the Civitatis agency that you usually have at a very good price, about 40 euros, cheaper than going on public transport, and they also pick you up at your hotel and visits a cenote. It's the bargain to go to Chichen Itza.

CHOLLO A CHICHÉN ITZÁ
Tulum, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo

3 DAY-TULUM AND COBA WITH A CENOTE 12 hours 230 km approx

Tulum y Cobá they are the other archaeological zones essential to know from Riviera Maya. They are not far from each other, only about 45 kilometers, so you can combine them to go on the same day and do some cenote or snorkel in one of the reefs in Riviera Maya. BY RENTAL CAR: we write to make your job easier how to do this excursion by rental car from Riviera Maya to Coba and Tulum, I hope it is helpful.

My recommended for Tulum and Coba in GYG tours is to visit the two archaeological sites with a cenote, in this case they take you to cenote Choo-Há, of the most beautiful in the area. You get for 1800 Mexican pesos, 75 euros, with transfer from your hotel and food.

COBÁ + TULUM + CENOTE

There is another very cool to Tulum and Coba that changes the cenote for two swimming in the coral reef with mask and tube. This has an approximate price of 1900 pesos, on the 80 euros. Do not worry about everything, they give you the equipment to swim and they will pick you up at the hotel.

TULUM + COBÁ + NADO IN ARRECIFE

And a good combination is also seeing Tulum and Coba with a visit to a Mayan community. They offer it for about 2000 pesos, maybe you are more interested in this one but you are very water.

TULUM + COBÁ + MAYAN COMMUNITY
Isla Contoy National Park, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

4 DAY- ISLAND CONTOY AND ISLA MUJERES

If you come to the Mexican Caribbean, what less than navigate this beautiful sea sea that entangles with your blues and it stays in the heart of your memory. In the meantime to choose, this excursion that brings together these two islands is excellent for a trip to the Riviera Maya, Contoy e women Island they are two gems ..

The most sold and with more GYG views is the one I recommend. They go to look for you by your hotel, you can cancel until 24 hours before and you will be able to swim in the crystalline waters of the Mexican Caribbean. Full day of Caribbean blue 🙂

CONTOY + ISLA MUJERES + NADO EN ARRECIFE
Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, Quinrtana Roo, Mexico.

5 DAY- BIOSPHERE RESERVE SIAN KA'AN 12 hours 160 km approx

Sian Ka'an is one of the most beautiful Biosphere Reserves that you can visit near Riviera Maya: they make an excursion where you can see dolphins and turtles in their natural habitat, you must drive on a dirt road in a beautiful natural environment until you reach the more remote from the Reserve, the road is an adventure in 4 × 4. GO FOR YOUR ACCOUNT TO SIAN KA'AN: You can go for free to the Sian Kaan reserve.

The most recommended is the Excursion in 4 × 4 for the Reserve, I think it is a different and adventurous opportunity to do in your vacations, like those who have an adventurous spirit. The price is about the 3350 pesos, about 140 euros.

RESERVE 4X4 TOUR IN SIAN KA'AN

Another fantastic tour to see Sian Kaan, I have not done it but my friends have recommended it and it is this tour where they pick you up halfway to the Reserve and make more boat trip. As with the other you can see wild dolphins, sea turtles and different species of birds and manatees with good luck, why not?

BIOSPHERE RESERVE SIAN KA'AN

There are Another interesting way to tour the Sian Ka'an Reserve by boat and also visits Muyil, another beautiful archaeological zone. It is not so well known, but I really like this exit, that's why it is here. It is also cheaper and does not occupy much time, you get about the 2300 pesos, about 100 euros.

SIAN KA'AN + MUYIL
Las Coloradas, Yucatan, Mexico

6 DAY- EK BALAM, LAS COLORADAS AND RÍO LAGARTOS 13 hours 430 km

The Coloradas, the pink lagoon, became fashionable in this part of the world. The photo behind that pink color is very precious. Honestly, it seems to me that it is just a matter of going to take the photo just like some do, it's about three hours away from the Rviera Maya. Going by car can be done, but it is probably very long and heavy and you do not take advantage of the route as much as if you do it on a trip.

I love this area, so I will recommend you the most complete excursion to these directions that I have seen from the Riviera Maya. It is with the GYG agency; visits Ek Balam, the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve and a beautiful Xcanché cenote. It will cost about 120 euros, 2,600 Mexican pesos.

BOOK THE COLORADAS + EK BALAM + CENOTE + LAGARTOS RIVER

7 DAY- XCARET PARK

I'm not the biggest fan of this kind of Entertainment parks in the Riviera Maya. I've been to almost everyone in the years in tourism in the Mexican Caribbean. What is very clear to me is that they are very well assembled and they like it a lot. We have designed vacations for blog clients that yes or yes wanted to go to one of the parks like Xplore, Xel Há or Xsenses.

The cheapest thing is to buy directly through the Xcaret website, they do direct promotions. We are affiliated with this company, you can book through the link safely. Ah, you can book with or without transportation, if you don't want to complicate it, book with transportation included. Xcaret is takes you a whole day.

8 and 9 DAY-TRANSFER AIRPORT AND RETURN.

If you take a flight to Spain, remember that you arrive a day later than you leave. If you leave Cancun for example on Tuesday the 6th, you arrive in Spain on Wednesday the 7th. To the rest of the countries of America such as Argentina, Colombia or the United States, the arrival is the same day as the departure. If you leave Cancun on Tuesday the 6th, you arrive on the 6th.

THE ONE THAT I CAN NOT LOSE IN SEASON

There are activities that are only done in season, as is the swim with the whale shark in the Mexican coasts. This activity only takes place four months a year, from mid-May to mid-September, and it is one of the most demanded. It is the chulada of the chuladas swim with this bit bug in open and crystal clear waters, so cheer up that it is worth it. In this case, I would change the excursion to Contoy and Isla Mujeres for the swim with the whale shark and I explain why: in the swim, they take you to a ceviche on the coasts of Isla Mujeres or Contoy, then you sail through the Caribbean and you see the islands and their surroundings. How about? I leave the direct link of the tour, remember you can cancel 24 hours of departure.

NADO TIBURON WHALE
Holbox, whale shark

AN IDEA MORE OF AQUATIC EXCURSION BECAUSE I LIKE: What struck me the most when I arrived at the 2007 in Riviera Maya was having a beach where you could swim with turtles. Ugh, I've gone countless times, it's a cool one, it does not tire. Akumal is something that was at the heart of my memory. GO FOR YOUR ACCOUNT TO AKUMAL: You can go on your own to the bay of Akumal, it's not complicated. You can combine it with the visit to caleta Yal-Kúsimilar to the de Xel-Ha but in a natural state, a wonderful place. We explain here how to go on your own to Akumal.

Akumal, swim with turtles. Riviera Maya, Mexico

An excursion that can go great if you are looking for something like that It is what GYG offers in its extensive offer is Akumal and swim with turtles and go to a cenote to swim. in this case you go to the cenote Azul, very cool, similar to the cenote Crystalline, I link it to you if you want to see photos of something similar.

SWIM WITH TURTLES + CENOTE

In this case of Akumal I leave the Civitatis tour (agency also that sells through the internet with whom we collaborate), which has an excursion that I especially like because you do the swim with turtles in Akumal and the caleta de Yalku, that I love.

RESERVE NADO WITH TURTLES AND CALETA YALKÚ IN AKUMAL

WHAT TO DO TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN IN RIVIERA MAYA

Riviera Maya is an excellent destination for traveling with children because it is very well suited for families, from hotels to activities, you will find a huge range of possibilities. What we did is write a special article for those who travel with children, we hope it will help you to enjoy your vacation to the fullest.

Tips for traveling with children to Riviera Maya

DIFFERENT CONTRIBUTIONS OF EXCURSIONS FROM CIVITATIS

Another of the affiliated agencies so you have options. I have taken the time to look at one by one all the excursions that offer to offer you what they have different that you may find interesting.

I think an interesting proposal combine Tulum with the underground adventure in Rio Secreto, one of the most attractive proposals in Riviera Maya. This tour is good for those who want to see Tulum, but without Cobá because you are not so archaeological and it is more a bit of adventure and nature. Read about Río Secreto in case you dare to know the place. You can book the tour from this link.

Laguna de Bacalar It is another of the nature destinations, like Sian Ka'an or Las Coloradas, which has become famous for its beauty. It is a very valid option also that you can contemplate. As always I leave you the Bacalar link where you can make your reservation.

BUDGET OF THE TRIP TO RIVIERA MAYA

The price of your trip to Riviera Maya or Cancun in all-inclusive mode usually includes roundtrip airfare, hotel, 2 airport-hotel transfers and travel insurance. Surely Mexico exit fees are not included in the package, there are some 50 euros that you will pay on departure at the airport (take money from leftovers in Mexican pesos or euros, do not accept cards.) There are ATMs at the airport in case you need to withdraw money.

AVERAGE BUDGET EXCURSIONS: calculate a half of 90 euros per excursion. They usually last between 6 and 12 hours and food is included.

TIPS IN ALL INCLUSIVE HOTEL OF RIVIERA MAYA 

What about tips? A very commented subject that creates confusion and discomfort for many is not knowing what to tip to be correct. It should be borne in mind that in countries like Spain the tip in a restaurant is not compulsory, it is not usual for many to leave it, in contrast to countries like the United States where the tip is compulsory. Undoubtedly, the culture of each country on the daily use of tips influences the way they behave, which is why many Spaniards fight over the fact of having to tip for everything, while an American tips in the usual way. As you have just arrived, you will surely only bring euros, so you should know that euro coins cannot be exchanged at the bank or exchange houses, only bills. The United States has bills starting at one dollar, two, five, whereas the euro starts at 5. For tips the US dollar is much better.

YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT THE TIPS THAT: gratuities in an all-inclusive are also included, A tax of 3% is paid with the reservation. So the tip is not mandatory but everyone expects it, that is the theme. In Riviera Maya we expect tips for everything, the parking lot, the packer in the supermarket, in the hotels ... this is how you live here, do not be surprised.

WHAT TO DO THEN WITH THE TIP IN AN ALL INCLUSIVE? Despite not being mandatory, as we have said, you will see Americans or Canadians give out tips. Feel free to give or not to tip in the all inclusive. My advice would be to give a thank you to the people who have given you a good service in your stay, we give you examples.

PROPINES AT THE HOTEL'S ARRIVAL: The usual thing in a hotel is to tip the person who accompanies you and help with your luggage to your room, some 20-30 weights would be an estimated average. Departure if you want to help you with your luggage you must notify reception.

TIPS IN THE BAR OF ALL INCLUSIVE: if you are going to ask for a drink at a bar you do not need to leave a tip, but imagine that you spend in a bar area by the pool where the waiter serves you as you like and makes you stay better for attention, because in this case definitely leave a small tip according to the service around 40 weights is fine,

TIPS IN THE RESTAURANT ALL INCLUDED: It is not usual to leave, you will see that the Americans do tip, but not Spanish, French or Italian, for example. In my case in this circumstance I do not leave a tip except in specific cases that I have done with a waiter (waiter).

TELL THE SHOWCASE: Sometimes you will find a piece of paper thanking you for the tip in the room from the cleaning person. On the 20 pesos per day It's fine, if you think so and you think they give good service.

Tipping is not mandatory but everyone expects it

OUR BRUSH ON THE ROAD

We hope that our tips will help you plan your vacation. We make the blog giving the information so you can plan your trip freely. If you are one of those who prefer fast track and you want to stop reading forums and travel blogs, to solve your doubts quickly and personally, you may be interested in our One hour advice. This option is proving great for travelers to organize their trip.

Riviera Maya tripsWe offer advice for 1 hour at 30 euros/ 650 pesos to help you plan. Contact me at sandra@elcaminomascorto.es I would love to be able to offer you our knowledge so that your trip is a unique experience.

If the information has been useful to you, you can share with those friends and acquaintances who travel to Riviera Maya. Any questions, leave us a comment. Enjoy the holidays a lot 🙂

Good way,

Travel hacks
the shortest way participate in affiliate program this means that we get a small commission if you buy through these links accessing discounts; in no case does it suppose an additional cost for you and in this way you help us to maintain the blog.

If you prefer, you tell us your idea of ​​the trip and together we organize it.


Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

error: Content is protected !!