Are you searching for the Best Places to Visit in Quintana Roo? Are you thinking of a trip to North America and wondering what to explore in Quintana Roo? We’ve got you covered. Many people think of Caribbean islands as paradise islands like Barbados or Jamaica.
Other countries can also enjoy a piece of the turquoise sea, especially Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula. This state is home to stunning Mayan temples. Stay in Playa del Carmen to experience white sand beaches and fascinating cenotes. These are the top things to do in Quintana Roo.
Tulum Mayan Ruins
Tulum Mayan Ruins is one of the best places to visit in Quintana Roo. One of Yucatan’s most striking Mayan ruins, perched high above the Caribbean Sea from cliffs. The Tulum Mayan Ruins are some of Mexico’s most beautiful pre-Hispanic ruins located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. These ruins consist of well-preserved buildings set within fortified walls dating back to the 13th Century.
High cliffs, the Caribbean Sea, and a defensive wall protected it. The town is believed to have been a significant trading post and thrived until 1518 when the Spanish invaded. The peak of Tulum was between the 13th-15th centuries.
It was also one of the most important Mayan cities that fell to the Spanish. Despite being small, the ruins are still one of Mexico’s most famous archeological sites. You can enter the ruins through the north walls and be instantly drawn to El Castillo. This is the largest building on the site.
It towers over the entire area at 25 feet (7.75 meters). You can only view El Castillo because the structure is currently under protection. Entry is not allowed. Before the tour buses arrive, it is best to arrive early in the morning. Better yet, arrive before sunrise to see the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea and illuminate El Castillo.
You can swim in the clear turquoise waters of Tulum and imagine the traders’ canoes arriving and departing from the cove below the towering ruins. It is only 1,640 feet (500m) long, so it takes about an hour to explore. Wear comfortable shoes and a hat. Tulum Pueblo, located approximately 2 miles (3 km) south, has many great restaurants.
These ruins are located about an hour from Playa del Carmen and 80 minutes from Cancun. Regular buses run between Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and other destinations. Shared van service is also available. You can also take a shared van service if you drive to Tulum.
Cancún Underwater Museum
This underwater art gallery is like being in Atlantis. You can swim or take a boat with a glass bottom. The mysterious monolith is surrounded by naked effigies encrusted in nascent coral. Fish play around in the jaunty Mexican Volkswagen Beetle.
Concrete hand grenades’ edges are softened with seaweed. Jason deCaires Taylor (British artist) created most of the 500 objects. He opened the park as a conservation project in 2010, and it is now the first-ever artificial reef art gallery. Are you ready for the leap?
Xcaret Eco Theme Park
This popular theme park is home to an underground river, so you can commune with nature and explore ancient ruins. Xcaret Park combines a wildlife sanctuary, a theme park, and an archaeological site. There are many activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained. There are so many that it is almost impossible to see them in one trip.
Xcaret is all about getting closer to nature. In the Caribbean Sea, swim with nurse sharks and dolphins. Take the tropical jungle trail to learn about the park’s conservation efforts. This guided hike passes sacred Maya trees as well as endangered species. It would be best if you stopped at the butterfly pavilion, where you can see twenty endangered species of butterflies flying above your head.
Follow the crowds to the most popular attraction in the park, the underground river that runs for half a mile (800 meters). You will swim under rock stalactite formations, cavern walls, and marine fossils. The currents are gentle, the water is clear, and the depth is approximately five feet (11.5 meters).
Natural openings light the route, so it is somewhat light.
There are also exit points for tired swimmers. All swimmers, regardless of their ability, are equipped with float vests. A collection of Mayan ruins are part of the theme park. The Mayan architecture at Xcaret dates back to around A.D. 1200-1500. Maya would visit this location to bathe in the water and purify their minds and bodies. The majority of the ruins are open to visitors.
Xcaret presents a nightly song and dance performance that takes you through Mexican history, from pre-Hispanic times to give. It is located in Riviera Maya, about 37 miles (60 km) south of Cancun International Airport and 3.7 miles (6 km) from Playa del Carmen.
You can drive to Xcaret. There is no charge for parking. You can also take a bus to Xcaret from Cancun’s Uxmal Avenue or Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue.
Xcaret Park is accessible all year round.
Bacalar, Quintana Roo
Bacalar, a Mexican town located in the state close to the Belize boundary, is Bacalar. The beautiful Laguna de Bacalar lake is the highlight of Bacalar. However, there are many other things you can do in Bacalar.
Bacalar was discovered by chance while I was still in Belize City. I used to shop in Mexico and often crossed the border when I could.
You can visit Bacalar’s Fort of San Felipe, Cenote Cocalitos, Cenote Negro, and Canal de Los Pirates’. You can do many things in the lake, including kayaking, stand-up paddling, and just watching the sunset.
Playa del Carmen Main Beach
Playa del Carmen Main Beach is one of the best places to visit in Quintana Roo. Playa del Carmen Main Beach offers a wide range of attractions and experiences that can be enjoyed. You can stay for just a few hours or spend the whole day there!
Playa del Carmen Main Beach is accessible, so you can keep your wallet safe. You’ll find many excellent attractions near this tourist area, Playa del Carmen. You should also visit the El Camaleon Mayakoba golf course, Mamitas Beach Club, and Xcaret Eco Theme Park.
Akumal Beach
Enjoy the gentle currents of turtles and rays on one of the Riviera Maya’s most tranquil beaches.
Akumal Beach, located in Riviera Maya, is approximately 75 miles (120 km) south of Cancun, Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. The beach is white and sandy so that you can relax on it. You can also swim in the calm waters protected by an off-shore reef. In the Mayan language,
Akumal means “The Place of the Turtle,” named after the turtles that nest here once a year. This quiet bay is far from the crowds and offers a relaxing environment. Relax on a deck chair by one of the cabanas, and enjoy a book or a refreshing Cerveza. Fish, sail kites, surf, and visit the ruins to swim in the cenotes (sinkholes). Flippers are a must to swim with barracuda, stingrays, manta rays, and green and loggerhead turtles.
The area is ideal for underwater photography, as the waters are often crystal clear. The Centro Ecological de Akumal is located less than a mile (1.66 km) north. Here, researchers work to preserve the marine environment and the turtle population.
Many local hotels, dive organizations, and independent marine tour operators have teamed up with the CEA to protect these fantastic sea creatures, who come to the beaches once a year to lay eggs. However, Akumal Beach is a beautiful base for exploring the Riviera Maya.
With its relaxed resorts, bars, and dive shops, you don’t need to leave. You can either rent a car or hail a taxi to take you to the cenotes, ruins, and nightlife of Playa del Carmen.
Delfines Beach
This tranquil beach is perfect for beach lovers of all types. Playa Delfines sandy beaches are wide and stretch for miles. This beach is a popular spot, so you will be able to find a quiet place. You can surf or take the children to the lifesaver-patrolled beach.
Playa Delfines is surrounded by Cancun’s stunning turquoise waters and has no hotels within its immediate vicinity. This beach offers the laid-back experience many tourists come to Cancun for.
Place your towel and find a spot under one of the many umbrellas.
You won’t want to leave once you get there, so make sure you find a shaded area. Surfers love this beach for its medium-sized waves. Although there are no surfboard rentals at the beach itself, you can rent them from downtown Cancun.
Playa Delfines has lifesavers on duty during the day. This makes it an excellent place for small children. The waves are calm and close to the shore. Parents can rest assured that there is a trained physician on-site.
Playa Delfines, which means “Dolphin Beach,” is the best place in Cancun for these magnificent creatures. You can see them from the shore most of the time, but chartered tours are available for those who want a more intimate experience.
Playa Delfines does not have large restaurants, but many street vendors sell authentic Mexican food. The food is more traditional and more affordable than many tourist-oriented restaurants. Local favorites include fresh fish wrapped in banana leaves or Kibeis, an old Yucatan favorite.
Playa Delfines can be reached by taxi or bus from Cancun, 10.5 miles (17 km) away. Playa Delfines has free parking, a rare find on the Cancun beaches. Although the beach is open 24/7, you can only find lifesavers during the day. The beach is free of charge.
Playa Paraiso
Playa Paraiso is one of the best places to visit in Quintana Roo. Spending time near the water is the best thing. Gather the family, make a picnic, and take a stroll to Playa Paraiso.
Tulum will be where you’ll find Playa Paraiso. You’ll be able to explore more of the area because it’s free! You’ll also find Tulum Mayan Ruins and Tulum National Park along the coast.
Norte Beach
Spend a day on Isla Mujeres’s best beach. It is a paradise of white sand and transparent water, with stunning sunsets. The crushed coral sand of Norte Beach, Playa Norte, surrounds the northeast coast of Isla Mujeres.
This is the idyllic image of the island that you will see in travel brochures. Norte Beach, located just a few minutes from the main commercial area, is popular with families, sun-seekers, and watersports enthusiasts. You can also watch the sunset from this spot.
This is the perfect spot to relax and unwind, surrounded by lush greenery and the Caribbean Sea’s crystal-clear waters. Grab your towel and get your feet in the sand. You can rent sunbeds, umbrellas, and deckchairs at the beach bars and restaurants. The bars offer great views to enjoy a cold beer, cocktail, or fruit juice.
The water is shallower than the beaches of Isla Mujeres. It extends several hundred meters from the shoreline. It is ideal for families with small children. Look down to see schools and species of sea turtles and tropical fish as you swim out to sea. To get a better view of multicolored marine life, bring snorkeling equipment.
Norte Beach, located in the Centro District, is only 10 minutes from the island’s ferry terminal. There is parking available on the streets leading to the beach. The Centro district offers traditional Mexican cuisine and fresh seafood. Here, you can see murals depicting the ocean on walls and sides of buildings.
Norte Beach offers mild temperatures all year round, making it an excellent destination for all seasons. To guarantee a prime spot, arrive early in the morning during peak season from January to April. Playa Sol is the continuation of the beach, offering more of the same coast utopia.
Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo
Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo is one of the best places to visit in Quintana Roo. Puerto Morelos has many activities. Even though it is only 11 miles from Cancun, this small town is still a quiet fishing village.
Puerto Morelos is still one of the hidden gems along the Caribbean coast on the Yucatan peninsula. It’s a great place to relax on the weekend, thanks to its beaches and laid-back vibe.
Puerto Morelos has a rich and diverse marine sanctuary. Quintana Roo’s town promotes ecotourism to preserve and protect its reef parks. This makes a visit more enjoyable.
Conclusion
All destinations are awesome! According to my opinion, Bacalar is the best to start. I hope you have enjoyed our list of Best Places to Visit in Quintana Roo.
I would be very thankful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to your friends or sharing it on Facebook, Medium, Reddit, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram. Thank you!
Related Destinations
You may check these destinations also!
- Best Places to Visit in Queretaro
- Best Places to Visit in Puebla
- Best Places to Visit in Oaxaca
- Best Places to Visit in Al Wakrah
- Best Places to Visit in Al Rayyan
