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Aerosaab, at Playa del Carmen, offers aerial sightseeing tours over the Riviera, Chichén Itzá, and other parts of the Yucatán, for around $150 per person.

The beaches here are an important breeding area for sea turtles, which coexist with the development along the bays. The reefs fringing the beaches are wonderful for snorkeling and diving. Akumal is also an important cave-diving center, with the Villas de Rosa Hotel (see Aquatech – Villas de Rosa, Akumal).

Long a favorite dive destination, with fabulous reefs and places for cave diving, Akumal has grown a good deal without being overwhelmed. It spreads over several long, lovely bays – Media Luna is the most beautiful, with the delightful Yal-Ku lagoon (see Laguna Yal-Ku, Akumal). There are more apartments, villas, and small hotels than big developments, so it’s still quite easy to find secluded spots – certainly the turtles try to, and the beaches near Akumal village are favorite breeding grounds.

The beach in the center of Akumal is a little busier, and behind it there’s a bigger choice of lowkey bars and shops.

Spectacularly colorful fish, with a fan-like shape and luminous stripes and patches in yellows and electric blue.

As well as cenote pools and underwater rivers, the Yucatán is underlain by a huge web of dry caves, sacred places to the ancient Maya. Balankanché, near Chichén Itzá, is one of the largest and most extraordinary cave systems.

Many varieties are found around the Yucatán reefs – but attacks on humans are almost unknown.

Fly-fishing and above all bonefish followers make their way to the remote fishing lodges along this road.