It is possible for one to say that they have visited all of the Riviera Maya’s beautiful beaches, cenotes, and adventure parks, eaten at all of its amazing restaurants, and shopped all of the global brands that have opened stores and boutiques throughout the area. After over twelve years of living here, I still cannot say I have done it all, but sometimes you just want a change of scenery. Aside from the fact that Cancun International Airport can fly you almost anywhere in the world you want to go, I love the fact that there are several places very diverse in nature within just a few hour’s drive of the Riviera Maya.
MERIDA
Being born and raised in a big city, I much prefer to visit large cities than live in them. Just a couple hours away from the Riviera Maya, Merida balances the laid back, colonial Mexican city vibe with a modern, energetic culture that has resulted in a rebirth of its architectural and culinary scene. Over the past decades, many old haciendas throughout the city have been remodeled, creating amazing vacation rentals which provide an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city. Intimate neighborhood squares, like Santa Lucia, are lined with spectacular restaurants serving traditional Mexican food from the Yucatan and Oaxaca. Just around the corner is Mercado 60, which is an outdoor market that has live music as well as delicious food and drink offerings. If you really need a big city fix, there is also Galerias Merida on the northern side of the city, a huge mall, complete with the only ice skating rink in the peninsula.
HOLBOX
Holbox is a small island that requires a 1.5 hours drive, and a 30 minute ferry ride to reach. With no paved roads, you have the option of walking, or renting a bike or golf cart to get around. What makes Holbox special are its shallow, turquoise waters that allow you to walk out for hundreds of meters into the Caribbean. On moonless nights, you can also experience bioluminescence in the water, which is caused by the movement of small plankton (imagine fireflies all around you). Since the island has grown in popularity over the past few years, more and more high-quality restaurants are opening, putting their own twist on the local seafood. One of the most popular dishes to try is lobster pizza.
ISLA MUJERES
Playa Norte (North Beach) on Isla Mujeres is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mexican Caribbean because it is wide, white, and the water is shallow. It is also a favorite pastime to rent a golf cart to drive the road that loops the island to see Punta Sur (the easternmost part of Mexico). During the summer months, whale sharks migrate off the coast, and swimming with them is another one-in-a-lifetime experience that the area offers.
LAKE BACALAR
Just one photo of Lake Bacalar shows you what makes it so special: it is the Caribbean within a lake. It is called the “lake of 7 shades of blue,” and for good reason. Just a 1.5 hour drive south of Tulum, the town is developing quickly, bringing great, new restaurants, like La Playita. There are many options for going out on the water, whether it be by kayak, paddle board, motorboat, sailboat, or jet ski. Once you’re out, it’s fun to go over to the far end of the lagoon, where there is Mayan clay to bathe in, and shallow water to relax with friends.
