Visiting the magnificent Mayan Ruins at Chichen Itza is an experience you wil never forget. There are also other sites at Coba and Tulum. These sites can be visited by taking a tour, renting a car or, in the case of Tulum, you can take a collectivo.

Puerto Morelos, located 33 km south of Cancun, is a small fishing village that has a car ferry to Cozumel. Dive excursions to the reef 600m off shore can be arranged at the dock. Don't miss Jardin Botanico Dr Alfred Barrera where you will see orchids, bromeliads and other flora growing in their natural habitat.

Playa del Carmen is an excellent hopping off spot for all the attractions found on the Riviera Maya. The bus terminal in Playa is serviced by several bus companies and you are able to get buses to almost every destination in Mexico from here. The 45 minute ferry trip to Cozumel leaves the dock every hour.

Tres Rios Ecopark is located 10 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Explore nature in this tropical reserve.

Cenotes are natural limestone and coral wells that lead to underground rivers, caverns and cave systems. They provide fabulous views of stalactite and stalagmite formations, halagtites, rim pools and a rainbow of colored tropical fish. Here are a few places to experience them:

Cenotes Kantun-Chi is an ecotourist park located 22 kms. south of Playa del Carmen and 2 kms south of Puerto Aventuras - across the highway from the entrance to the Barcelo Maya hotel. Inside the park there are four cenotes: Kantun Chi, Zaskaleen Ha, Uchil Ha and Zazil Ha. You are able to swim, snorkel and scuba dive inside the cenotes. Snorkeling equipment is available for rental. Bike rentals and horseback riding is also available.

Dos Ojos - "two eyes", is the home of east and west, two giant fresh water cenotes with huge columns and two cavern zones. Gran Cenote-ladder steps lead to a half-moon shaped cenote decorated with small passages and openings. Part of the Sac Aktun system. Both are found on the road to Coba from Tulum.

At Chac Mol you will find jungle, paths and two cavern zones with a noticeable flow of water. Chac Mool, Taxma-Ha, Cristalino and Cenote Azul are all cenotes located on highway 307 in the Puerto Aventuras area.

Pac Chen Jungle Tour: Enjoy a traditional meal cooked the Mayan way at an authentic Mayan community tucked away in the jungle. This expedition includes canoeing and rappelling.

Punta Laguna: Spend time with spider monkeys and howler monkeys in their natural habitat. You can trek in the jungle and travel Punta Laguna by boat. Birds, deer, turtles and crocodiles are among the other wildlife to be seen. Punta Laguna is northwest of Coba.

Xel-Ha is a great place to go snorkeling or swimming. It is a fresh water bay that meets the ocean. Many sea creatures make their home in the bay and its tributaries, and a snorkel around the bay will simply blow your mind.  It is well worth the price of admission and a great place for kids. There are many well-trained lifeguards on duty.