The Riviera Maya has two international airports that receive the vast majority of arrivals into the area: Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (IATA code TQO), located about 12 miles southwest of Tulum, and Cancún International Airport (IATA code CUN), located about 5 miles south of the city center of Cancún and about 10 miles north of Puerto Morelos.

The mode of transport from the airport before December 2023 was typically private transport, or for those willing to brave sharing the road with the steely determination of Mexican motorists, rental car. In December 2023, the Tren Maya began operation, revolutionizing how tourists get to and from not just the airport and their resort or hotel but tourist attractions and Mayan cultural heritage sites.

Stops extend all the way up through Yucatán and Campeche states, including stops at Chichén Itzá and Palenque. For those staying and playing on the Riviera Maya, however, the stops you'll need to know are as follows:

Cancún International Airport (CUN, south of Cancún proper)
Puerto Morelos (~20 minutes from CUN)
Playa del Carmen (~45 minutes from CUN)
Tulum (~1 hour 35 minutes from CUN)
Tulum International Airport (~1 hour 55 minutes from CUN)

Going the other way, from Tulum International Airport, expect a 20-minute journey to Tulum Station and then 50 more minutes to Playa del Carmen. The longest journey is priced at roughly 400-500 MXP ($20-$25) one-way. Cancún International Airport to Playa del Carmen is about 200 MXP (approximately $10). For information on ticket purchases, routes, and other facts about the Tren Maya, visit www.trenmaya.gob.mx (site in Spanish and English).

If you don't want to take Tren Maya, we recommend private transport which you can book with us and will be ready for you when you arrive.

While many might think the obvious answer to safe walking on the Riviera Maya is "your resort" or "your hotel," there are plenty of other places to explore freely and safely.

Most resorts in the Riviera Maya are designed as sprawling sanctuaries with walking paths that wind through tropical gardens, beachfront promenades, and even small nature reserves. These spaces prioritize safety and relaxation, offering ample lighting, regular security, and well-maintained walkways. A morning beach stroll at sunrise or an evening walk beneath the stars is serene and secure within these private grounds.

Beyond resorts, Playa del Carmen is a highlight for those seeking a walkable town. Quinta Avenida (Fifth Avenue) is a pedestrian-only street brimming with shops, restaurants, and bars. It's lively and safe during the day and early evening, bustling with locals and tourists alike. For a scenic alternative, Cozumel offers a relaxed vibe with the waterfront promenade in San Miguel, a compact, walkable area featuring local shops, restaurants, and historical landmarks.

For quieter, laid-back exploration, Puerto Morelos is a charming fishing village with safe streets and a small downtown area perfect for leisurely walks. Here, you'll find turquoise sea views, colorful murals, and local markets in a relaxed, less-commercialized atmosphere. Similarly, Akumal offers peaceful walking opportunities along its beaches or paths leading to nearby cenotes and eco-parks. It's ideal for nature lovers who prefer fewer crowds.

Tulum combines natural beauty with bohemian charm, offering several walkable areas. The Tulum Ruins provide breathtaking ocean views and are easy to navigate on foot. In the town center, rustic streets lined with cafes, boutique shops, and street art create a laid-back vibe, while the beach road features eco-resorts and upscale dining. Just note that sidewalks can be narrow or uneven in some parts.

For those seeking a deeper connection with nature, the Riviera Maya's eco-parks and reserves, such as Xcaret, Xel-Há, and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, feature well-maintained walking trails. These parks allow you to explore jungle paths, cenotes, and beachfront areas within safe, controlled environments staffed by knowledgeable guides.

The Riviera Maya is one of the most heavily-touristed areas of Mexico, welcoming visitors not just from the U.S. but from all over the world. As a result, police presence is high, ensuring a level of comfort for all who visit, not just at their resorts but in the towns along the coast as well.

News of drug-related violence in Mexico is a frequent topic in U.S. media, and even the Riviera Maya isn't immune, with three high-profile incidents in 2023 and 2024. However, while one incident played out in front of tourists, tourists were never the target of violence, nor were any harmed. On this note, you'll notice police checkpoints as you enter and leave major cities such as Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and Tulum. These checkpoints are attempting to stop the transport of illicit drugs, and most times if you look as if you are a tourist, you are waved through the checkpoint with no other communication. If you are pulled over for whatever reason, practice this phrase or show it to the driver: "Soy turista y no hablo español. ¿Hay algún oficial que hable inglés?" It means "I am a tourist and I don't speak Spanish. Is there an officer who speaks English?"

Now with all that said, the Riviera Maya (especially during daytime hours) is relatively safe. There are a few recommendations we would give specifically for this area:

-Make sure to arrange taxis or other transport with your hotel or resort. Not only will these taxis be licensed, they might also give discounts as a thank-you for the hotel offering their business. These are great for shorter distances, but can become expensive quick. Consider private transport for longer journeys.
-There are informal taxis that are called colectivos that are primarily used by locals. They are cheaper than taxis and some tourists have used them with little problems, but we recommend not using them as they can be crowded and you could become the victim of a pickpocketing or other similar crime.
-Walking around heavily-touristed areas (Puerto Morelos, Tulum's pueblo and the ruins, Quinta Avenida and the Playa waterfront) is fairly safe to do during the day, but keep your wits about you and valuables on your person in concealed parts of your clothing. Using your phone or discreet camera is fairly safe as well although it's best to size up your surroundings before pulling out any high-ticket valuables.
-Walking around in Playa del Carmen is not recommended at night, even in groups (although you will be safer in groups). Take private transport or taxis arranged by your accommodations for safety.

The currency in Mexico is the Mexican peso (written as MXP, MXN, or $ like American dollars). In tourist situations, usually $ is not used as it confuses the tourist into thinking the price is in American dollars. MXP or MXN versus USD are used in these cases.

On the Riviera Maya, as in many parts of Mexico that cater to tourists, American dollars are accepted in a wide variety of situations, from paying for excursions offered by your resort to tipping hotel staff to buying purchases in tourist areas like Tulum's Artisan Market or Quinta Avenida in Playa del Carmen. While many places do accept American dollars, not all do. The ones that accept dollars will not be using the bank exchange rate either, factoring in their own fees in exchanging foreign currency and giving you a higher price than if you just paid in pesos. American dollars are accepted in hotel tipping situations, but pesos work just fine as well.

The Riviera Maya has many ATMs, and credit/debit cards are widely accepted at many businesses, from local boutiques to modern shopping malls and resort amenities and conveniences. If you need cash from an ATM, the ones with the best exchange rates and low fees are the ones from Santander Bank (red in color) and Citigroup/Banamex (blue in color). Cash is recommended to carry in small amounts as some businesses might prefer cash in transactions. Haggling is somewhat acceptable in markets but not on the level seen in other parts of the world. Other shopping centers, from boutiques to modern shopping centers and supermarkets, all have fixed prices.

Many people in tourist contexts will speak fluent English. Guides can be hired in English and many other languages at tourist sites such as Xcaret and the Tulum Ruins, and signs in places like Quinta Avenida or Tulum's pueblo will frequently be in English as well as Spanish. You'll run into more problems when it comes to ordering at restaurants; the level of English mastery might not be as high and menus might only be in Spanish. But if you're willing to try (even with the help of your phone), many places will ensure you get a good meal and one you want to eat.

It's important to brush up on certain phrases in Spanish, not necessarily pleasantries (as many people already know those), but numbers and how to express those in souvenir situations, so you make sure you understand what you're paying for and how much it will be. The Riviera Maya is very hospitable, and people will make an effort to bridge gaps in communications in the vast majority of circumstances.

Mexicans typically have their main meal, "comida," between 1:30 and 4 p.m., while dinner, or "cena," is often lighter and eaten around 8 to 10 p.m. On the Riviera Maya, especially in high-end or popular restaurants, it's highly recommended to make reservations in advance, particularly during peak tourist seasons. This ensures you secure a table at your preferred time and avoid long waits, as the region attracts a mix of international visitors and locals, making dining spots quite busy.

Expect to find a mix of traditional crafts and modern retail on the Riviera Maya. This is best exemplified by Playa del Carmen's 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida), which is the go-to place for souvenirs, boutique shops, and international brands. Note that some of the shopkeepers and workers in this area might be particularly persistent in getting you to shop at their stores. If you are not interested, say "no, thank you" and keep walking down the street. Hesitancy only convinces the employees that you might be persuaded. These persistent employees are not particularly harmful or ill-intentioned; they just might simply have higher prices than shops offering similar items farther down the street.

The above advice would also apply to touristed areas such as the markets in Tulum's pueblo, where you can find beautiful textiles, pottery, and jewelry, with a fair bit of competition in variety and price. For unique finds, visit artisan shops in Puerto Morelos or Cozumel's markets, where you can purchase locally-made chocolate, tequila, and hammocks. Haggling is common in markets but not at all in boutiques and malls. If a smaller shop or market vendor says their prices are fixed, respect it. Try to pay in Mexican pesos as paying in dollars may be convenient but will result in a disadvantageous exchange rate, meaning you will pay more for that particular item with your dollars.

The Riviera Maya's nightlife varies from town to town. Playa del Carmen leads the way with its lively clubs and beach bars, while Tulum is known for its bohemian vibes and open-air parties. Both cities boast venues that keep the party going until the early hours of the morning, though Playa del Carmen has more of these venues than Tulum. For a quieter evening, enjoy a romantic dinner in Puerto Aventuras or sip cocktails at a beachfront bar in Akumal. Wild partying can definitely be accommodated in Playa del Carmen, but most everywhere else, nightlife here leans more toward relaxed sophistication.