EXPLORING THE RIVIERA MAYA
Become an Explorer
RUINS
The ruins of the ancient Mayan people have lured adventurous souls for decades, and a visit to one or more of these beautiful sights is a must during your stay.
Just a few minutes bike ride from El Pez, the Tulum site holds the honor of being the most picturesque archaeological site in the Riviera Maya and the only one to have been built overlooking the ocean. A visit here offers spectacular views of the Riviera Maya beaches, Caribbean Sea and surrounding coastal region.
Coba site is a 40 minute drive inland from Tulum and well worth the visit. Unlike most archaeological sites on the Yucatan Peninsula, Coba is in the middle of dense jungle giving a different experience. Here you can still climb the main pyramid, Nohoch Mul, the highest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula. We recommend to hire a bike once inside the site to zoom around the jungle paths discovering the pyramids, the ball court and the observatory.
The most famous of the sites as it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Count on a long journey (2.5-3 hours each way) but well worth it for this incredible site. Chichen Itza shows evidence of a dazzling ancient city that was once one of the main centers of the Mayan empire. Visit during the equinox and you can see the snake shadow moving down the stone stairs of the huge main pyramid.
This lesser known site around 1.5-2 hours drive from Tulum is one of our favorites. You will want to check out the wall paintings in the Acropolis building. Only the center of this site has been excavated so far, so new discoveries are still being made!
CENOTES
Part of an extensive underground river system, cenotes are sinkholes in the limestone that allow access to the fresh water below. Swimming, snorkeling, and diving are popular ways to explore these interesting natural formations. Some cenotes are more like swimming holes exposed at the land surface whilst others are hidden underground deep within the jungle helping you realize why the ancient Mayans believed that the cenotes were portals to the underworld. Most day tours include at least one cenote visit for a quick and refreshing dip but you can also visit the cenotes by yourselves no problem. Some of the best ones are as close as a 10-15 minute drive from the hotel.
GUIDED TOURS
From Tulum there are so many wonderful areas to explore doing day trips as an independent traveller, however there are also many half and full day professional tours available to make things easy for you. Being on a guided tour has its advantages of having a professional multilingual guide explain the details and history of the cenotes or the ruins or the jungle flora and fauna that you might otherwise miss. Lunch and refreshments are always provided and some tours even visit a local Mayan village where you can experience the local food. Plus being on a guided tour means you can sit back and enjoy the scenery whist someone else drives for you. Please contact our hotel concierge for more info or for pre-booking a tour.
SCUBA DIVING AND SNORKELING MEXICAN CARIBBEAN
Whether you’ve got hundreds of dives recorded in your log book or you’re interested in becoming certified as a beginner, the Tulum area is the perfect place for all of your underwater adventures. The Caribbean Sea is teeming with life, and the reefs just off Tulum’s white sand beaches are home to fish like grouper, small reef sharks and numerous colorful fish. Sea turtles abound here, and if you visit during the summer months you’ll have the option to go on a snorkelling trip to swim with the migrating whale sharks! Snorkelling or diving in the cenotes is also a fantastic way to explore these underground cave and river systems and is an experience you’ll not soon forget. Your hotel Concierge will be able to book you with a trusted and reliable dive school.
KITEBOARDING AND SURF IN TULUM
If you’ve ever wanted to try this thrilling sport why not do so on your next visit to El Pez? The local experts at Extremecontrol.net have all of your kite boarding needs covered, and they offer lessons and rentals for SUP equipment as well. To top it all off these guys hold most of their kite boarding activities at a private beach just north of the Tulum ruins. This means that you won’t be dodging swimmers or boats while you’re whipping across the Caribbean Sea! They also do trips to the northern Yucatan coast where the cross shore winds are just perfect for beginners and experts alike. Ever tried yoga classes on a SUP? Tulum is just the place to try! Let us know and we will take care of it for you.
SHOPPING IN TULUM
From designer boutiques to local crafts Tulum offers incredible shopping opportunities that are perfect for local souvenirs and more. Spend a day browsing the collections of local shop owners to find the perfect item to commemorate your stay in Tulum. Local artisans work with clay, wood, and handmade textiles to create treasures that pay homage to the Mayan people. Choose one or more of these treasures to add to your home’s decor or as gifts for the special people in your life. For a more western shopping experience Playa del Carmen is just 45 minutes from Tulum and features well known shops and brands.
COOKING CLASSES
If you are in the mood to learn how to cook Mexican the way the locals do it then leave your Tex Mex ideals at home and book in at Lina’s Mexican Kitchen. Lina’s dedication to all things Mexico make this a must for anyone wanting to learn the tricks from a real Mexican Chef. She and her sister Miriam are wonderful hosts and will guide you through some wonderful traditional Mexican recipes in a lovely purpose built kitchen above Lina’s house. You make it, you eat it and you leave with a little recipe book so that you don’t forget it! Its lots of fun…trust us! Facebook: Lina’s Mexican Kitchen
BIRDWATCHING
You need not leave the comfort of your sun lounger to have some incredible sightings of pelicans and other seabirds prowling the waves for tasty fish, but if you’re interested in discovering more about the various species of birds in the Yucatan your choices are many. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is just minutes from El Pez and features some of the best bird watching in the world. You can take a hike on your own through this incredibly unique landscape, or you could join a tour that focuses on the many diverse bird species that call this area home. The Rio Lagartos Biosphere is also just a few hours drive away and is home to the largest Flamingo breeding ground in the Americas.
FISHING
The Mayan Riviera is home to some of the best sport fishing in the world. Professional and amatuer anglers come from every corner of the world to fish for grouper, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and marlin, some of which have been known to top 500 pounds. Charter a fishing boat for an incredible family or group fishing adventure, or, for something a little calmer, try your hand at fly fishing at one of the local estuaries.
NATURE PARKS
The nature and eco parks in the Tulum/ Riviera Maya area are a great way to spend the day. Especially with the kids. There are many to choose from, each providing a slightly different experience. Floating down water canals, exploring into caves, seeing turtles, snakes, monkeys, sting rays, dolphins and crocodiles up close, snorkeling in protected inlets where fish are plenty, seeing the ancient Mayan dances and rituals and ball games, exploring the ancient ruins. If this sounds like a great day to you, then let our Concierge provide you with more details so you can choose the best park to visit.
GET IN TOUCH
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Restaurant & Concierge
Tel:(+52) 984-116-3357 concierge.elpez @colibriboutiquehotels.com
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Carretera Tulum-Bocapaila Km. 5.5,Zona Costera, 77780 Tulum, Q.R.