Jungle, flora and fauna, archaeological sites, solitary beaches, a turquoise-colored sea with crystal-clear water which turns to silver by moonlight, the fantasy and warmth of the tropics, the mystery of the millenary culture which lives on in the Maya people, are just some of the qualities which have turned the Riviera Maya into a destination which can compete favorably with all the rest of the Caribbean's tourist destinations.

The Riviera Maya is a 180-kilometer stretch located along the coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The region offers a diversity of attractions from solitary beaches to modern architectural complexes, including hotels, marinas, sports facilities and restaurants. Playa del Carmen, the main town in the Riviera Maya, for example, which used to be a small fishermen's village, is now the site of prestigious international hotels, numerous restaurants and shopping. Nearby is the area's principal ecological reserve, Sian Ka'an.

The Riviera Maya's principal quality is its diversity. Here one can choose everything from adventure sports, golf and tennis to jungle tours on foot or horseback, water and nautical sports, and touring the indescribable cultural and archaeological treasures of the Maya world. One of the favorite activities for visitors is scuba diving on the Great Maya Reef, the second-largest in the world, located along the Riviera Maya's coastline and experiencing cavern diving in the region´s underground rivers. The spectacular tropical marine life here is unique and unforgettable.

Few places are as perfect as the Riviera Maya for enjoying water sports. Naturally, there's the unique and captivating fascination of the Mexican Caribbean itself, which in the Riviera Maya is paired with the subterranean world of Maya territory. Here underground rivers wind gently beneath the surface creating thousands of "cenotes" (Sinkholes) in which visitors can explore the region's unique cavern systems.

The Riviera Maya offers visitors an elaborate and varied selection of sports and recreational activities tailored to the tastes and desires of each visitor. From contemplating the vast and diverse Maya culture, which is present in its architecture and paintings on view in the many archaeological sites throughout the region, to the enjoyment of different water sports such as diving and fishing, and tennis or golf.

For more info about the Riviera Maya please visit the tourist boards official web site at www.rivieramaya.com.