Holidays in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

• Coruscant coral reefs
• Ancient Maya ruins
• Quiet stretches of sand
• Cool off in a cenote

Occupying a sliver of the Yucatán Peninsula, the Riviera Maya is a tiny slice of Mexico where beaches, ancient ruins and watery worlds all jostle for the limelight. The fact such a bounty of wonders is squeezed into this coastal corridor forms much of its allure, but the fact it draws a fraction of the visitors that northerly neighbour Cancún attracts, is another great reason to consider it for a luxury holiday.

The Riviera Maya’s entire length is one long stretch of powdery sand, lapped by turquoise waters harbouring untouched kaleidoscopic reefs. It’s a collection of beaches that rival any across the country and one where groups of dolphins and whale sharks can be spotted a little further out to sea.

Inland, a wealth of pyramidal ruins lurk among the wild undergrowth, a legacy of the ancient Maya civilisation that has left its mark on the Mexican landscape. They’re fascinating whether you’re a history buff or not, and in truth, there’s something for everyone along the Riviera Maya regardless. A number of eco theme parks are thrilling escapes for children, couples can enjoy the buzzing nightlife of the beach towns and its collection of cenotes (natural sinkholes) make for dreamy cooling spots. Bliss!

Far quieter than its neighbour Cancún, Mexico's Riviera Maya is a relaxing coastal stretch. Resorts along it are more like cocoons, where you only have the odd dolphin or shark for company among the glittering sea views and powder-soft sand.

The dry season in the Riviera Maya runs from December to April, while the rainy season is from May to November.
Hence its name, the dry season is your best bet for uninterrupted sunshine, where the temperatures average around 26°C. Showers do still occur but they are very infrequent.

Towards the end of the dry season, around May, the humidity and temperature start to rise. Between July and September, the humidity can be fierce while temperatures can top 30°C. June to November is the official Caribbean hurricane season and while the Yucatán Peninsula dodges many of the hurricanes that Caribbean islands can often encounter, storms (though rarely destructive) are not uncommon. On the flip side, whale sharks and dolphins appear off the coast of the peninsula from mid-May to mid-September.