The Best Beaches in the Riviera Maya: No Filter Required

The beaches of the Riviera Maya are legendary, gracing the covers of travel magazines and living in the daydreams of anyone longing for a beach vacation and a great escape. A postcard from Playa del Carmen on your fridge and the wallpaper on your computer is set to a scene from Tulum, the best beaches in the Riviera Maya live in all our fantasies and our Instagram feeds. No photoshop, no filter required, the beaches of the Riviera Maya are some of the best in the world for their natural beauty that needs no editing.

Mexican Caribbean Geography 101: Where are the best beaches in the Riviera Maya?

A little breakdown for beginners, here is the scoop on the Mexican Caribbean.The state of Quintana Roo is on the southeast coast of the country of Mexico and includes the islands of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel and a coast of hundreds of kilometers of white sandy beaches. Cancun is at the north end of the state and as you travel south you will pass through the beach towns that make up the Riviera Maya; Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Akumal and all the way down to Tulum. Further south you’ll find the Sian Kaan Biosphere and the region even further south is known as the Costa Maya.

The Mesoamerican Reef: WHY are the beaches in the Riviera Maya so cool?

Just off the coast of the state of Quintana Roo lies the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest reef in the WORLD after the Great Barrier Reef. The white sand beaches in the Riviera Maya are formed with the eroded corals and shells from the nearby reef, built over thousands of years! The white sands we love are so soft, so cool and never hot to the touch, the best kind of beaches for your family vacation. The reef also acts as a “barrier, " protecting the coast from big waves. You’ll find fabulous Riviera Maya beach with calmer waters perfect for floating and swimming the day away.

Where to stay for the best beaches in the Riviera Maya?

Looking for that picture postcard beach for your vacation? The Riviera Maya is calling your name. With hundreds of kilometers of white sandy beaches it is not easy to choose where to stay for the BEST beach as the “best beach” for one person is different from the next. We have our faves of course, some of them are secret, hidden beaches like Punta Brava in Puerto Morelos near The Grand Residences Riviera Cancun. The beach of Playa del Carmen is simply stunning, a stay at The Royal Haciendas will bring you the very best beach vacation of your life. Paamul, XpuHa, Xcacel, Soliman Bay, there are so many beaches in the Riviera Maya to discover, you’ll just have to return again and again!

Contact a local expert today to learn more about the best Riviera Maya beach and reserve your dream vacation. Ready to feel the sand between your toes and the ocean breeze on your skin? Yes, you are, contact us now!