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.

Xel-Ha

This snorkel park is another of the Riviera’s big family attractions. Few kids are not enchanted by swimming and snorkeling in the coral lagoon, and exploring its lush forest setting.

Xel-Ha
Xel-Ha

One of the Riviera’s most popular attractions, this snorkel park was created around a magnificent natural coastal lagoon that’s especially good for children. It can seem crowded, but if you swim a bit away from the landing stages, you’ll still find plenty of fish and coral. There are also forest trails to explore.
Xel-Ha

One of the most luxuriant coral inlets on the coast has been made a “snorkel park” that’s one of the Riviera’s most popular attractions – experienced divers may find it tame, but it’s great for easy snorkeling, especially for families. Around it there’s a forest park and a beach. Just outside the park and across the Highway are the Mayan ruins of Xel-Ha (see Xel-Ha Ruins).
Xel-Ha

One of the oldest Mayan sites near the modern Riviera, with ancient murals of birds.
Xel-Ha Ruins

Just across the Highway from the popular snorkel park, this ruined Mayan city is one of the oldest in the region. On some buildings there are murals dating back to about AD 200.
Xlapak

Smallest of the Puuc sites. Its Palacio has a frieze of elaborately carved Chac-masks.
Xlapak

The smallest Puuc site is as attractive for the undisturbed woodland walk as for its ruins. The little Palacio has intricate Puuc carving (see The Puuc Cities).
Xpu-Ha

Seven bays with some of the coolest, whitest sand, most graceful palms, and most colorful coral on the Riviera. Several are occupied by resorts, but X-4 and X-7, signposted on the Highway, are open to anyone.
Xpu-Ha

The superb reefs offshore here are a favorite destination for Playa del Carmen dive operators. Angelfish, triggerfish and parrot fish are abundant, along with a luxuriant range of coral (see Cozumel and the South).
Xpu-Ha

Along these seven gracefully sweeping bays, 3 km (2 miles) south of Puerto Aventuras, are some of the Riviera’s most idyllic beaches, with exuberantly alive reefs and some of the most exquisite turquoise waters. Several are now occupied by resort complexes (the Xpu-Ha Palace, the Copacabana, Robinson Club). However, two (signposted X-4 and X-7 from the Highway), are still open to anyone, and at X-7 there are some small cabañas , a camping site, and a dive shop.