Cancún & the Riviera Maya
The Mexican Caribbean combines white-sand beaches and a warm turquoise sea with Maya ruins, swimmable cenotes and some of the Caribbean's best diving. UK visitors come mostly for winter sun between December and April, when it's dry and around 29–32°C; summer and autumn are hotter, wetter and fall within hurricane season, and seaweed can foul beaches from spring.
Overview
Flights land at Cancún, and most UK holidaymakers then stay in an all-inclusive along the Hotel Zone or the 130-odd kilometres of coast south to Tulum. Cancún suits families and those after nightlife; Playa del Carmen is a walkable town with ferries to Cozumel; Puerto Morelos is quieter; Tulum mixes Maya ruins with boutique beach hotels and cenotes. A day trip to Chichén Itzá, two and a half hours inland, is close to obligatory. December to April is the dry season, though prices peak at Christmas and Easter; September and October are the wettest months and carry the highest hurricane risk.
Map of Cancún & the Riviera Maya
Highlights
- 1History
Chichén Itzá
The great Maya city's stepped pyramid of Kukulcán is one of the New Seven Wonders. Coach tours leave Cancún early, but driving yourself and arriving at the 8am opening beats the heat and crowds; add a swim in nearby Ik Kil cenote.
- 2History
Tulum ruins
A small walled Maya port on a limestone cliff above a Caribbean beach, still occupied when the Spanish first sailed past. Go at opening time, as the site is compact and fills with tour groups by late morning.
- 3Nature
Gran Cenote
Freshwater sinkholes are the Yucatán's signature swim, and Gran Cenote near Tulum has shallow, gin-clear water, stalactites and small turtles. Arrive early, shower before entering and skip the sunscreen to protect the water.
- 4Nature
Cozumel's reefs
Drift dives along Palancar and Columbia reefs, part of the Mesoamerican Reef, are among the Caribbean's finest, with visibility often beyond 30 metres. The ferry from Playa del Carmen takes about 45 minutes, and snorkellers have good shore spots too.
- 5Beach
Isla Mujeres
A small island a short ferry ride from Cancún, with the calm, shallow water of Playa Norte and golf-buggy lanes to explore. From roughly June to September, boat trips leave here to swim with whale sharks.
Where to stay
Cancún Hotel Zone
A 22-kilometre sandbar of big resorts, shopping and nightlife about 20 minutes from the airport; easiest for families and first-timers wanting everything on site.
Playa del Carmen
A walkable town built around the Quinta Avenida strip, with restaurants, beach clubs and Cozumel ferries; good for couples who want to leave the resort.
Puerto Morelos
Low-key fishing village between Cancún and Playa, with a protected reef just offshore and calmer beaches; suits families and couples after quiet.
Tulum
Boutique beach hotels, yoga retreats and cenotes on the doorstep; stylish but pricey and spread out, so better for couples than for families.
When to go to Cancún & the Riviera Maya
Best time: Dec–Apr.
Average climate in Cancún
How much does Cancún & the Riviera Maya cost?
Per person per day excluding flights. Return flights from London typically cost £550 off-peak and £1,150 in school holidays.
Visas & entry for Cancún & the Riviera Maya
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
If you’re visiting Mexico as a tourist, you do not need a visa. You’ll get a stamp in your passport with the number of days you are allowed to stay.
British nationals entering Mexico by land must fill in an immigration form online.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueMeaslesRabies
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- Very low risk of malaria
- There is a very low risk of malaria in Mexico: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Mexico
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 16 Nov 2026 | Revolution Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 1 Feb 2027 | Constitution Day |
| Mon 15 Mar 2027 | Benito Juárez's birthday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 16 Sep 2027 | Independence Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Sargassum seaweed can blanket east-facing beaches between roughly April and October, varying hugely by year. Check recent reports; Isla Mujeres's Playa Norte and Cancún's bay-side beaches are usually less affected.
- ADO buses run from Cancún airport to Playa del Carmen and Tulum for a fraction of the taxi fare. Walk past the timeshare and transfer touts in arrivals; pre-book if you're not on a package.
Plugs, money, phrases, emergency numbers and more: see our Mexico guide.
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