Quintana Roo Travel Guide
El Castillo at the Tulum ruins, Quintana Roo. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Quintana Roo is the Caribbean face of Mexico: a long strip of white-sand coast on the Yucatan Peninsula where the sea runs through every shade of turquoise. This is where most first-time visitors to Mexico land, and the infrastructure shows it: an international airport at Cancun, a mature hotel zone, and day-trip access to some of the country's best Maya ruins and cenotes.
The coast divides into three personalities. Cancun is the purpose-built resort city with the long hotel zone beach. The Riviera Maya, running south through Playa del Carmen to Tulum, mixes big resorts with smaller beach towns. Inland and offshore sit the quieter draws: the island towns of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, the ruins of Coba, and the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve.
Destinations in Quintana Roo
Tulum ruinsThe walled Maya city on a cliff above the sea, with El Castillo as its postcard. Go early to beat the crowds.
Isla MujeresTwenty minutes by ferry from Puerto Juarez: Playa Norte, calm snorkelling water, and a slow island town.
Gran Cenote and the cenote routeSwim in crystal-clear sinkholes along the road between Tulum and Coba; Gran Cenote is the classic first stop.
Playa DelfinesCancun's best public beach: wide white sand, big surf, and the famous colourful CANCUN sign.
CobaA sprawling jungle city with Nohoch Mul, at about 42 metres one of the tallest Maya pyramids you can still climb.
Bacalar LagoonThe lagoon of seven colours near Chetumal: freshwater swimming in shades of blue, far from the crowds.
CozumelThe island of swallows, ringed by the Palancar reef: Mexico's best-known Caribbean diving.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere ReserveUNESCO-listed wetlands south of Tulum: lagoons, manatees and empty beaches, best seen on a guided boat tour.
Museo Maya de CancunThe region's archaeology museum with the San Miguelito ruins beside it, right in the hotel zone.
Xcaret and Xel-HaThe big eco-parks near Playa del Carmen: underground rivers, snorkelling lagoons and evening shows.
MahahualA sleepy fishing village turned low-key beach town near the Banco Chinchorro reef.
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Top Cities & towns in Quintana Roo
Regional food
- Cochinita pibil and poc chuc: Yucatan's slow-roast pork traditions, found across the Riviera Maya
- Ceviche and aguachile at beach shacks from Puerto Morelos to Tulum
- Marquesitas: crisp rolled crepes with cheese, the Yucatan street snack
Getting there
Cancun International (CUN) is Mexico's busiest tourist airport, with direct flights from across North America and Europe. ADO buses link Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum; the new Maya Train runs down the coast from Cancun toward Chetumal. Ferries to Isla Mujeres leave from Puerto Juarez, and to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen.