SURROUNDING
AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES
Touring near Cozumel ? The strategic location of the
island allows you to plan several
excursions to nearby places that make up part of
the beautiful Mayan Riviera. Begin by catching the ferry that departs from the
island?s main pier and arrives
at Playa del Carmen, a cosmopolitan
city known for its unique
restaurants, spectacular beaches and gorgeous
scenery. From there, you can continue on to
Cancun, a magnificent beach destination located 68
km (42 mi) north
of Playa del Carmen on Highway 307. Known as the gateway to
the Mayan world, Cancun has white-sand beaches,
azure-blue waters, modern tourist resorts and a booming
nightlife.
Another recommendable
route along Highway 307 runs from Playa del Carmen to Xcaret, which lies
about 8
km (5 mi) south
of the Mexican
tourist resort. For those looking
to relax or observe the region?s flora and fauna, ecotourism park Xcaret has a beach area, a network
of underground rivers, an aquarium,
a so-called dolphinarium, a
butterfly sanctuary, an orchid greenhouse
and an apiary.
At Xcaret you can also visit
an archaeological zone and a recreated
Mayan village. About 27 km (17 mi) ahead,
you?ll find Puerto
Aventuras, an ideal place to
play to swim, kayak and play golf by the Caribbean Sea. Just 2 km
(1.2 mi)
from there is Akumal, a romantic,
relaxing getaway spot with a white-sand
beach and turquoise-blue waters. If you?re looking
for close contact with nature,
Akumal is the place to visit.
Continuing southward along Highway 307, you?ll arrive at
Xel-Ha, which lies 47 km (29 mi) from
Playa del Carmen. Xel-Ha is
considered one of the best spots
to do snorkeling, as it offers a lagoon
and underground rivers.
The park has all the services
you?ll need, and you can also
swim with dolphins. Following the same highway,
you?ll reach Tulum, 64 km (40 mi) south
of Playa del Carmen. Tulum is one of
the most beautiful archaeological zones on the
eastern coast of the Yucatan
Peninsula. Among its most important
structures are El Castillo, el Templo de los Frescos and El Templo del Dios Descendente. A visit
to the Mexican
Caribbean is sure to leave
tourists with a lasting impression of the Mayan
Riviera.
