DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has a special atmosphere and an immense variety of attractions, including some of the world’s best beaches and diving areas. The modern, glittering resorts of the east coast’s “Mayan Riviera” lie alongside charming old Spanish Colonial towns, sleepy Mayan villages, and the awesome remains of ancient civilizations.

Puerto Morelos

Much lower key than the islands, but deep water close to shore means superb fishing.
Puerto Morelos

The reef off Puerto Morelos is one of the least disturbed sections of coral near the mainland in the northern part of the Maya reef and is now protected as a marine park. Snorkelers can see spectacular marine life – lobsters, giant sponges, luminous parrot fish, and angelfish. Dive operators in the town offer low-impact snorkel and diving tours.
Puerto Morelos

One of the most vibrant of the mainland beaches and now officially protected as a parque maritimo . The reef is unusually close to the shore, and so is great for snorkel tours and introductory diving. The few dive and snorkel operators in Puerto Morelos give personal, friendly service.
Puerto Morelos

An undisturbed gem of the Mexican Caribbean, which has kept its mellow, fishing-village feel despite close proximity to Cancún. No real nightlife, but lovely beaches, and many small hotels and apartments offer long-term rates (see Puerto Morelos, Puerto Morelos).
Pufferfish

Bizarre fish that, when provoked, inflate themselves by taking in water in order to deter attackers.
Punta Allen

The atrocious state of the road keeps visitor numbers down, but the trek deep into Sian Ka’an (4-wheel-drive only) takes you to a tiny fishing village of sand streets and giant palms, with landing stages by the beach and a few easy-going restaurants and welcoming places to stay. Local guides offer snorkeling, bird-watching, and fishing trips (see Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve).
Punta Bete

Often unnoticed between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, and kept off the beaten track by a bumpy 3-km (2-mile) access road through the jungle, this point is flanked by long lines of palm-fringed bays – perfect arcs of dazzling white sand by a smooth turquoise sea. They are shared by a few resort hotels, and far more small-scale (and much cheaper) clusters of mellow beach cabañas (see also Punta Bete, Punta Bete).
Punta Bete

One of the most beautiful spots on the whole Riviera – palms, white sand bays, and turquoise sea. A terrible access road helps keep it that way.
Punta Bete

A well-rutted track off the main Highway just north of Playa del Carmen leads in three bumpy kilometers (2 miles) to superb, curving beaches of dazzling white sand and a perfect turquoise sea. Some resort hotels have opened up here, but there are still clusters of laid-back beach cabañas (see Cabañas Ana y José, Tulum) among the palms.
Punta Laguna

Getting to see local wildlife in the natural habitat, rather than in zoos or nature parks, can take a lot of time and effort, but at this small reserve north of Cobá you can see spider monkeys jumping through the trees after just a little exciting exploration. Village guides lead the way – deer, wild boar, and lots of birds will probably be around, too.