What to See and some things to Know

Welcome! Here are some interseting facts about the Riviera Maya!

POPULATION/LANGUAGE: The official language of Riviera Maya's 125,000 residents is Spanish, although you will meet locals who do not speak Spanish at all, but mainly, they speak Mayan, especially in the small villages. English is also spoken.

CLIMATE: The average annual temperature of the Riviera Maya ranges from 25 to 30 degrees Celsius (77 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

ENVIRONMENT: The Riviera Maya has demonstrated a strong commitment to protecting and preserving the environment. This dedication to conserve and respect the natural surroundings has helped maintain the incredible beauty of the area.

AIRPORT: The major airport is the Cancun International Airport and is located 11 miles north of the Riviera Maya. There is an airport in Playa del Carmen can accommodate smaller planes.

CURRENCY: The official currency of Mexico is the Peso ($1.00 USD = 10.50 pesos), but U.S. Dollars and travelers checks are accepted; credit cards are often not accepted in small establishments.

GETTING AROUND: Two main highways run through the Riviera Maya - one, parallels the coast to Tulum and then turns inland, the other runs from Tulum to Cobá. Along the coastal highway, there are roads that turn towards the beach or into the jungle. Transportation between towns and beaches in the Riviera Maya is easy - buses run regularly from Cancun to Tulum, stopping at points of interest on the way. There are bus terminals in Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Taxis and tours buses are also plentiful. For longer trips, small planes leave from Playa del Carmen and there are ferries from Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen and Calica to Cozumel.

CAR RENTALS: Cars, jeeps and vans; motorcycles and bikes are available from a number of local and international car rental agencies.

PHONE SERVICE: International telephone service is available in many of the towns. To place a call from the U.S. to the Riviera Maya dial 011-52-984 plus the seven local phone numbers, however, to place a call to U.S. from Mexico, dial 001-then the area code and number.

VISITOR REQUIREMENTS: U.S. and Canadian citizens must prove citizenship with a valid passport or original birth certificate accompanied by a photo I.D. issued by a government office, and a return ticket.

TIME Zone: Central Standard Time

ELECTRIC CURRENT: 110 volts, 60 cycles, the same as in the U.S.