2 weeks in Riviera Maya Itinerary

Mexico is an incredible destination for backpacking, and the region of the Riviera Maya is one of its true highlights.

One of the most popular beach spots in Latin America, this stretch of coast along the Caribbean really has it all.

Whilst most known for its hectic party scenes in Cancun, this Mexican region is also home to ancient ruins, a vibrant culture and of course those breathtaking beaches and cenotes you’ve seen on Instagram.

Riviera Maya Itinerary

In this guide we’ll explore the region of Riviera Maya.

With our personalised 2 week itinerary, we’ll look in-depth at the destinations of Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Akumal and Bacalar.

Getting around Quintana Roo State

Out of all regions to travel around in Mexico, this state is by far the best in terms of coverage and quality by public transportation.

Since tons of travelers are heading here, there are a dozen reliable operators who connect Cancun in the north all the way to Chetumal in the south.

Bus operators such as ADO and AU will be your best bets, and from our experience we can only say good things.

They’re pretty much always on time, seats are quite comfortable and spacious, and don’t have too many delays (of course you may get unlucky but that’s the travel lifestyle!).

Lastly, there are a few ferries as well departing from the mainland (from Cancun and Playa del Carmen specifically) that you’ll need to use to get to the islands of Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox.

There’s no need to even mention flights within the region, as everything can be done with ease with the above options, not to mention private planes being ridiculously expensive.

Other Things to know: Travel Tips

When completing the itinerary below of Quintana Roo, you’ll need a daily budget of $20-30 a day.

This amount will be for a dorm bed, food, some local buses and also a few (or in this case many) drinks or extras.

Other major costs such as international flights, travel insurance or long-distance buses are not included in this budget.

Is Riviera Maya Safe?

Next up we have the situation on crime, and the Riviera Maya is definitely among the safest within Mexico.

However having said this, it can be dangerous in areas of Cancun and within the outskirts of Playa del Carmen. Even if you decided to stay in the hostel and not leave, be sure to get travel insurance cover for protection while in Mexico.

However, if you stick to the touristy parts, you’ll have no problems. Some of the best hostels in Mexico are here too, so you’ll always find somebody to hang with.

Pickpocketing can be common here, so be sure to take precautions before heading out for the day or night.

Weather in Quintana Roo

When it comes to the weather, Quintana Roo is pretty hot year-round. This makes it easy to know what to pack; mostly shorts, T-shirts etc.

However if you do go during the rainy season (from May until November), then make sure to bring an extra layer or two, and a raincoat to keep you dry.

This low-cost Poncho is a great-bring to keep you and your things dry.”

Backpacking Riviera Maya (2 Weeks)

Now let’s explore the region of Riviera Maya.

We’ve specifically designed a two-week itinerary below, where you’ll be able to experience the very best of the region.

Isla Mujeres (Days 1-2)

Kicking off our itinerary we’ll arrive in Cancun (as it’s best for getting into the region with dozens of international flights daily).

However upon arrival, we’ll head straight out to the island of Isla Mujeres. You can easily catch a ferry from the port of Cancun here, which takes around an hour to arrive.

This small island is renowned for its stunning beaches and clear waters, which are known to be some of the best for snorkeling and diving in Mexico.

There’s many scuba/rental shops on the island offering courses for some pretty good rates, so if you ever thought of trying diving then this is the place!

You can also explore the infamous underwater sculpture museum here too, which is a very popular sight among those who come here.

One of the other great things to do on the island is to hit the beach, and Playa Norte is often renowned as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.

Need we say more?

Isla Mujeres also has a pretty solid backpacking scene, so you’ll find many hostels dotted around the island as well as plenty of nightlife options here too.

We recommend heading on this awesome snorkeling tour where you’ll get up and close with Whale Sharks and a whole host of other tropical beauties

Playa del Carmen (Days 3-7)

Heading back to the mainland, we’ll then catch a bus heading south from Cancun to the popular hub of Playa del Carmen.

Widely known as one of the most visited beachside destinations in Mexico (and most likely all of Central America), it’s a perfect stop along our route for its bustling streets, entertainment options and hectic nightlife.

One of the best things to do is to go for a stroll along the infamous Quinta Avenida, which is full of markets, novel shops and restaurants.

Here is the perfect place to buy a souvenir too during your travels. Another great thing to do is to head to Cocobongo.

One of the most popular clubs on the continent, it’s known for its opera-style performances and will be a truly unforgettable night out.

The beach in Playa del Carmen is nice, but if you’re looking for beauty then you’re best heading to nearby Xpu Ha. Playa is also a perfect place to base yourself for day trips.

The most popular is to the epic ruins of a Chichén Itzá, with the towering pyramid one of the classic staples of any trip to Mexico.

Here you’ll also see other impressive structures, and if heading around April or September you may be in for a real treat during the days of the Equinox!

Another cool day trip is to the island of Cozumel, which can be reached by ferry.

It’s known for its world-class beaches and waters for snorkeling and is perfect for a day trip to wind down away from the chaos of Playa.

When heading to Chichén Itzá, be warned that there can be massive crowds most times of the day. We recommend going with this early-access tour, where you’ll be shown around the ancient complex with nobody else around!”

Tulum (Days 8-10)

After our time in Playa, we continue south to the town of Tulum, which takes around 2 hour to reach by bus.

This town is also located along the coast, however, has tonnes more going for it than just the beaches (which of course are still beautiful and worthwhile anyhow).

One of the best activities you can do is to rent a bike from the center, and explore the Sian Ka’an Bio Reserve, where you’ll visit tiny authentic towns and epic untouched landscapes along the way.

The Tulum Ruins are just a short shuttle away from town, and is a must-visit when here. With many ancient temples to be explored, it’s also unique as they’re perched on a cliff overlooking the vivid blues of the Caribbean Sea.

Our final recommendation whist here is to head on a trip to the Dos Ojos Cenote. Famous all over the region, cenotes are like open cave structures with a pool of water in the middle.

Dos Ojos itself has two spectacular pools of turquoise waters, where you can swim with lots of tropical fishes.

Just be prepared for the cold waters, as after all the waters here rise up from a very deep cave system with no sunlight or natural heating!

We have found that this ultimate Tulum combo tour is by far the best to experience the very best of Tulum. Not only will you visit the picturesque Ruins, you’ll also visit a Cenote and trek through the steamy jungle.

Akumal (Days 11-12)

From Tulum we’ll then take a colectivo (local shared minivan) north again towards the town of Akumal.

Whilst you could spend more time here if you wanted, we found that two days is perfect to get the most from this best-kept secret of the Quintana Roo region.

Akumal is most famous for its turtles, and you can swim with these sea-friends pretty much all year (although the best times will be between May until October).

The beaches here are great, with Half Moon Bay a perfect place to enjoy the lapping Caribbean waters, with an abundance of restaurants and amenities hugging the beachfront.

Make sure on one of your days here to head to Aktun Chen, which is arguably one of the best eco-parks in Southern Mexico.

Known for its epic cave structures and bright blue, tranquil waters, it’s the perfect place to spend the day exploring.

As well as seeing the natural beauties, you’ll also get up and close with some of the local residents which include monkeys, deer, and bats.

Even if you don’t intend on going full-on snorkeling, these polarised swim goggles will come in handy when swimming in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean

Bacalar (Days 13-15)

Our last and final destination on this epic trip through Quintana Roo is Bacalar.

To get here we’ll head back down to Tulum from Akumal, and take a bus down to the town (ADO and AU as always connects both destinations very well).

Bacalar is most famous for its stunning lake, which has as many as seven different colors ranging from light blues and dark blues to emerald green.

The best thing to do in Bacalar is taking a kayak onto the lake and explore both sides; the busier side of Bacalar but also the more remote side too (don’t get out here as there is sinking sand on this side – George learned the hard way).

Bacalar as a whole is a much more peaceful town with a more bohemian vibe, and is great to wind down during your last few days in the region.

Be sure to check out the Fort of San Felipe too, which offers some impressive views over the town and lagoon. From Bacalar, you can then head back up to Cancun for your flight out.

Alternatively (if you have more time), consider continuing south towards neighboring Belize and Guatemala.

All in all, the best way to explore this multi-color lagoon is by heading on a transparent kayak tour. You’ll be able to spot exotic fish swimming right beneath you, and will also be taken to some of the best snorkeling spots too!

Best time to visit Riviera Maya

We’ve spoken a lot about the best time to visit Mexico on this blog (George is absolutely obsessed with checking the weather when we travel).

It really depends what you’re going for. We’ve found the months of December and March to be the best overall. Both are in the dry season, with only 1-2 inches of rainfall falling within each.

Temperatures are not overbearing but still nice and hot, with a daily average of 76°F. Highs can reach up to 83°F, with lows of 70°F.

Now this is where they vary. December is great when looking to kick back and party, with some real chaotic parties in and around Christmas and New Year .

However it is within the high touristy season, so prices for flights and accommodation will be more expensive than the rest of the year.

March on the other hand is low season and much more chill, making it one of the cheapest months for a visit.

Riviera Maya Backpacking Tips

⬇️ Below you can find a list of our top recommendations for Riviera Maya:

Backpacking Riviera Maya Itinerary

The region of Quintana Roo forever continues to be the most popular area of Mexico for backpackers. And with that coastline, Mayan ruins and cenotes in abundance, you’ll truly find it hard to leave here.

In this itinerary-style guide, we’ve looked at the Quintana Roo region including the top destinations, how much time we recommend in each, what to see and also our own top tips.

Be sure to come back to this article whenever you need help planning, or even to suggest your own tips once you’ve completed the adventure yourself.

Also see our Mexico backpacking guide for more travel inspiration!

👉🏽 P.S. If you’ve found this guide helpful, buy us a coffee here to say thanks! Or, support us by downloading our South America Travel Bible to get our best content.

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