By Chantae Reden | Published on December 14, 2022
The word riviera is typically used to describe stretches of scenic shores, and it's fair to say both the Mexican Riviera and the Riviera Maya have earned their titles. On the western coastline of Mexico, a Mexican Riviera cruise reveals a journey to a wild desert peninsula, dramatic cliffs, romantic cities and epic waves surfers cross oceans for.
Cruise to the eastern coastline for a Mexican vacation along the Riviera Maya, and you'll find ancient Mayan ruins slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, tropical warm waters, thriving coral reefs, stunning cenotes and a vibrant culinary scene. With two wondrous places to consider, here's how to know whether traveling to the Mexican Riviera or the Riviera Maya for a vacation cruise is right for you. Spoiler alert, you can't go wrong with either.
What Is Considered The Mexican Riviera?
The Mexican Riviera is considered a stretch of coastline when spanning over 4,500 miles along Mexico's west coast, encompassing over 20 towns and cities like laid-back Ensenada, fisherman's haven Cabo San Lucas, lush Puerto Vallarta, foodie-friendly Acapulco and the surfer's paradise of Puerto Escondido. The Sea of Cortez tucked in between Mexico's mainland and the Baja Peninsula is within the Mexican Riviera, too. Because a cruise to the Mexican Riviera covers such a large stretch of coastline, you could be kayaking around a dramatic rock formation one day and strolling the streets of an ancient city the next. For travelers who love grand journeys covering varied landscapes, there are few trips better than a cruise to the Mexican Riviera.
What Is Riviera Maya Known For?
Outdoor Travel Ideas On The Coasts Of Mexico
The coastline of the Mexican Riviera ranges from uncharted to world-class when it comes to waves. Puerto Escondido's barreling beach break tempts only the most daring of surfers. For those who want a more mild ride, there are plenty of other waves to explore — like the friendly breakers in front of the surf schools at Ensenada, Todos Santos and Cabo San Lucas. At these spots, surfers of all ages and abilities have a shot at standing on a wave. Some of the best waves I've ever surfed were perched on the points along the Baja Peninsula, many of which are nowhere to be found in surf guides. While the Riviera Maya is not known to entice expert surfers, there are beginner-friendly waves off Puerto Aventuras. Both the Riviera Maya and the Mexican Riviera offer other ocean activities like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
Mexico has no shortage of fun things to do, largely thanks to its intriguing history and striking natural landscapes. Ever wondered, "What is Riviera Maya known for?" You'll find the answer as soon as you roam away from the shore. Venture just a few miles inland of the Riviera Maya to admire Mayan structures built by one of mankind's most innovative civilizations. The ancient city of Chichén Itzá is a day trip from Tulum, housing the grand pyramid of El Castillo and nearly 30 other ruins on the grounds. In Tulum, the relics of a stone fortress guard a turquoise sea. In between Tulum and Chichén Itzá, the Mayan city of Cobá reveals a civilization largely built around 600 A.D. Archeologists believe most of the structures of Cobá have yet to be uncovered, so tiptoeing around the jungle ruins is an intrepid experience. In the Si'an Khan Biosphere Reserve on Riviera Maya's southern end, the Muyil Ruins stand as a testament to one of the earliest civilizations in the Yucatán Peninsula, now hidden within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve teeming with wildlife.
Which West Caribbean Beach Has The Prettiest Water?
Along the Mexican Riviera and the Riviera Maya's majestic shorelines are the locations of Mexico's best beaches and the prettiest water. The Riviera Maya is where you'll find those Caribbean blue hues, palm trees and sugar sands we've all been pining for. A prime snorkeling spot is often just a few fin kicks away. Beaches range from lively to untouched, with beach bars, lounges, yoga classes and hidden enclaves all throughout. The water here tends to be warm year-round, and generally calmer than the Pacific Ocean side. For wading and swimming, there are few places better to be.
With the Mexican Riviera's coastline stretching the length of Mexico's western end, there's a beach for every type of traveler. Surfers, sunseekers and beach bums all have a place in the sand. The beaches of Baja California are often surrounded by striking limestone formations, like the wisps of sand tucked in between the cliffs of Land's End at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. Cobalt blues stretch to the horizon all along the coast, occasionally marked by the spray of a humpback whale's exhale. The beaches of Ensenada are wide and spacious, and it's easy to find a spot to yourself. South along the Mexican Riviera, Puerto Vallarta's beaches take on a more tropical feel as waters get warmer and the sands whiter. In Acapulco, it's tempting to lounge the day away under an oversized umbrella — but head to the La Quebrada to witness the heart-thumping performances of cliff divers bounding from the edge of 100-foot-high cliffs into the sea.
Things To Do: Mexican Riviera Vs. Riviera Maya
You won't go hungry (or thirsty) on a Mexican Riviera or Riviera Maya vacation, and it's no surprise that both regions are renowned for their seafood. In the Riviera Maya, order a bowl of ceviche for lunch. While no two ceviche recipes are quite alike in the Riviera Maya, you're likely to have some fine-tuned combination of fresh fish marinated in lime juice, tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, onion and a touch of habanero pepper sauce. Despite its seaside proximity, the most famous dish in the Yucatán is cochinita pibil, pork marinated and braised in local spices — traditionally cooked in a stone-lined barbecue pit. Sopa de lima, Yucatan-style lime soup, is made with meat, juice from Yucatán limes, cilantro and chiles.
Because the Mexican Riviera's coastline is longer than the Riviera Maya, the cuisine is more varied. Dive into Ensenada's taco scene, and embrace tortillas stuffed with fish, cabbage, salsa and fresh lime. Order tostadas in Cabo San Lucas, a flat tortilla topped with fresh seafood and salsa. Legend states that the beloved margarita was first concocted in northern Baja California, and while the facts are blurry, it's only right to order one near its fabled place of origin. If cocktails aren't what you fancy, Baja California's Valle de Guadalupe supports tens of wineries, producing nearly 90% of Mexico's wine. You can't go wrong with a glass of chardonnay or sauvignon blanc just before sunset. Further south, it's all about pescado embarazado in Puerto Vallarta, where fish is first smothered in a chile and achiote paste and then set on a grill.
Save room in your suitcase no matter if you're on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera or to Riviera Maya, there are plenty of things worth bringing home. Larger towns and cities like Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán on the Mexican Riviera as well as Playa del Carmen and Tulum in Riviera Maya have boutiques and markets selling Mexico's finest wares, often crafted elsewhere in Mexico. Look for silver jewelry (typically made in Taxco), brightly colored Talavera ceramics, vibrant textiles, musical instruments and intricate Huichol beaded jewelry.
There's fun to be had long after the sun goes down on a Riviera Maya and Mexican Riviera vacation, but you'll need to know where to look. Live music, dancing, superbly mixed cocktails and cold beers are found in just about every major town and city in Mexico, but some parts of the coastline have more of a party reputation than others. Shows, festivals and performances take place in both areas regularly — it pays to check upcoming event schedules ahead of your journey.
Grabbing a drink at Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas is practically a rite of passage for a Mexican Riviera cruise. But if a more mellow evening is what you're after, there are sunset cruises, beer and wine tastings, and laid-back beach bars. Puerto Vallarta hosts bars and nightclubs in the heart of the city and dancing in the town square. The quaint area of Zona Romantica has a blend of mellow pubs and bumping clubs, making it easy to ease in and out of a scene depending on your mood.
The Riviera Maya has always had a pulse come nighttime, but its nightlife scene has really picked up in recent years. The once-sleepy town of Tulum now hosts a party each night of the week, with live music sets as part of the norm. Playa del Carmen is also lively under the stars, with bars offering bottle service to impromptu hotel parties bumping reggaeton. Don't forget to pack a pair of dancing shoes.
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Want to witness the beauty of Mexico for yourself? Venture on a Mexican Riviera Cruise for a blend of beach life, adventure, history, and culture. Oh, and delicious food.
