Riviera Maya is one of the most picturesque locations on the Yucatan and boasts a seemingly endless array of photo opportunities to take advantage of. Whether you're looking for historic sites, natural features, or charming towns, you'll find it all along this stretch of coastline.
When you visit Riviera Maya, you'll find photo opportunities around virtually every corner, and a lot of the best spots are easily accessible. The ancient Mayans tended to build impressive structures near picturesque viewpoints, so visiting historic sites makes it easy to capture the surrounding nature, too. Here are the most Instagrammable places in Riviera Maya.
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Dos Ojos Cenote
Drop by a cenote
- Adventure
- Photo
Dos Ojos Cenote is among the most popular cenotes around the riviera, thanks to its stunning blue water and geological majesty. Like all cenotes, this is essentially a sinkhole filled with water, but when you visit, you'll feel as if you've been transported to a different world.
Rugged rock formations will encircle you as the blue water shines below. You'll find well-maintained wooden steps that take you down to the bottom, where there's a platform you can use to get in and out of the water. You'll find this cenote about halfway between Akumal and Tulum.
Location: Cenote Jaguar Rd, 77780 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +52 998 980 0664
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Playa Ruinas
Discover ancient ruins
- History
- Photo
Read morePlaya Ruinas is a beach known for its Mayan ruins, and you can get photos of the shining Caribbean, vibrant surroundings, and historical ruins here. The ruins, which date back to the 13th century before the European invasion, are perched atop a cliff with a sandy beach at the bottom.
The ruins here are of a watchtower, so it's only natural that the site offers stunning views of the surrounding area. You'll find plenty of photo opportunities of the ruins themselves, as they're often used to showcase the historical value of Tulum as a whole. You'll find them just a short distance east of Tulum village.
Location: Zona Hotelera Tulum, 77765 Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Punta Sur
Reach a towering viewpoint
- Photo
Punta Sur is a stunning site that offers an unforgettable vantage point to take in the vast Caribbean Sea and the majestic bay of Isla Mujeres. Specifically, this viewpoint will put you more than 65 feet above sea level, letting you see out to the horizon without anything blocking your way.
When you visit Punta Sur, you'll find opportunities for photos no matter which direction you look. Plus, you can capture the nearby sculptural park and temple to add some diversity to your portfolio. You'll find it all on the southern tip of Isla Mujeres across the water east of Cancun.
Location: 77403 Quintana Roo, Mexico
Open: Monday–Saturday from 7 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 7 am to 5.30 pm
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Xcaret Park
Take part in the local ecotourism
- Adventure
- Photo
Xcaret Park is a resort and eco-oriented development offering nature-based attractions that are as fun as they are photogenic. You'll find a river that goes through a Mayan village as well as a concrete sluice underground that you're welcome to swim and snorkel in.
When you visit this destination, you'll have easy access to nearby reefs and even opportunities to swim alongside dolphins. Make sure you waterproof your camera, and you can easily capture it all. You'll find it all available just a few miles south of Playa del Carmen.
Location: Carretera Chetúmal Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 9 pm
Phone: +52 998 883 3143
Mapphoto by Miguel Discart (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
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Puerto Morelos
Soak up the charm of a fishing village
- Photo
Puerto Morelos is a charming fishing village that combines the flair of the Caribbean with a bohemian, relaxed atmosphere with natural attractions to photograph. The town itself is modest with scenic beaches and long piers perfect for getting the perfect angle on shots.
Natural features in the area have much to offer with mangroves, cenotes, and a jungle available for you to traverse. All of it is easily accessible, and the sunny climate makes it easy to get the lighting right on photos. You can see it all for yourself in between Caracol and Playa Paraiso.
Location: 77580 Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Chichen Itza
Capture images of a Mayan city
- History
- Photo
Read moreChichen Itza is a well-preserved Mayan city and archaeological site where you can capture photos that show off the fascinating history of the Yucatan. The city is more than a thousand years old, but some of its more recent pre-Columbian additions only date back a few centuries.
When you visit, you'll find quite a few spots you may want to get photos of, including the central temple and the Grand Ballcourt structures. Be sure to get some close-up shots of the structures to see the craftsmanship and little artistic designs. You can find the ruins a few miles west of Playa del Carmen.
Location: Yucatan, Mexico
Open: Daily from 8 am to 4.30 pm
Phone: +52 985 851 0137
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Sian Ka’an Biosphere
Check out the legendary origin of the sky
- Adventure
- Photo
Read moreSian Ka’an Biosphere is known as the origin of the sky in the Mayan language, and it consists of well-preserved forests, marshes, and mangroves to explore. This is one of the best destinations in the riviera if you're looking to take photos of the area's natural features and picturesque beauty.
When you visit, you'll find plenty of vibrant greenery throughout the marshes, and the wildlife here is also stunning. More than 300 species of birds frequent the area, so you can take photos of them as well. It's all located on the south side of the riviera a few miles south of Tulum.
Location: Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Phone: +52 984 145 6696
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Cenote Azul
Visit an easily accessible cenote
- Adventure
- Photo
Cenote Azul is a picturesque natural feature and one of the best destinations to visit if you're looking for scenic shots that are easy to capture. This cenote is known for its shallows, which comprise about half of its total space, so it's easy to take photos from the water in the cenote.
When you visit, you'll have opportunities for some more adventurous photos as well. The deep side of the cenote is popular for jumping, thanks to the small cliff nearby. You can try it out for yourself about 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen by car.
Location: Riviera Maya, Carr. Cancún - Tulum Km 266, 77734 Q.R., Mexico
Open: Daily from 8.30 am to 5 pm
Phone: +52 984 151 9925
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Akumal
Spend time at a fun beach and town
- Adventure
- Photo
Akumal is one of the most picturesque towns in the riviera and features a charming atmosphere and a stunning beach you won't want to miss. In the town, you'll find cafés and shops among historic buildings surrounded by vibrant green tropical plants.
The beach is a bit more popular with travellers than the town itself, though it's all relatively quiet compared to places like Cancun. You can go snorkelling to see through the clear waters and spot turtles and other marine life. Check it all out for yourself about halfway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Bacalar Lagoon
Explore an expanse of shallows
- Photo
Bacalar Lagoon is a massive body of water that's notably shallow, surrounded by soft, white sands, and home to crystals that give it all a bluish hue. The ability to simply walk out a fair distance from the shore presents a lot of opportunities for stunning photos.
When you visit this lagoon, you'll find a lot of wide-open space, but it can get quite busy on weekends. If you're looking to capture the natural beauty on its own, your best bet is to visit on a weekday early in the morning. You can find it all on the southern end of the riviera just a few miles north of Chetumal.
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
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