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Cuba, the largest island in the Caribbean, has no shortage of postcard-perfect shores, from family-friendly snorkeling spots to standout black-sand beaches.

Immerse yourself in Mexico’s Mayan side by exploring ancient sites beyond Tulum, seeking out adventures in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, and sampling traditional recipes.

AFAR’s picks for the 31 best new hotels in the world.

Safety is key for scuba divers—and cave diving is scuba without an easy escape route. What, then, is driving so many people to dive deeper in Belize?

To really understand how this city comes together, don’t travel underground. Head to the top deck.

Overview

Our 2026 picks champion a better way to travel the world: responsibly, creatively, and with eyes on places long overlooked.

These food-focused retreats in Tulum are leading the way to the region’s best bites.

With Hawaii leading the charge, many destinations are moving to ban reef-damaging sunscreens. Here’s the why, where, and what of the matter—plus some handy tips for picking your own eco-friendly sunscreen.

Between the animals and the water, this place is a colorful dream

Overview

Mexico’s Riviera Maya has become famous for its collection of beach towns—Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Tulum, and Punta Allen among them—that not so long ago would have been called “sleepy.” Today, they are increasingly popular points along a north-to-south Riviera Maya trajectory, offering archaeological sites, a biosphere reserve teeming with flora and fauna, and gorgeous beaches to explore. From climbing 13th-century Maya pyramids and swimming in freshwater cenotes, here are the best things to do in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

Montego Bay and the west coast of Jamaica attract first-timers to the island, and it’s easy to see why: white-sand beaches, the most glorious sunsets in Jamaica, plush resorts, a wide variety of restaurants, and a lively music scene. But there’s also plenty to see and do in the west coast interior away from Montego Bay: rivers, cenotes, and waterfalls such as the stunning Mayfield Falls.

Are you kidding me? 150 feet deep AND the opening to miles of underground caverns? And you want me to jump in? If it isn’t the 30 foot drop that gets you, its the inky blackness below or the who-knows-what that’s living down there. You see, the rainbows that shimmer in the water- falls, and the roots and vines that hang like some bridal veil, and the sunlight that flickers about the place are all just trying to pull you in--into the black nothing that lurks beneath. Never-the-less, if you are brave enough to take the plunge, you will be rewarded with velvety sweet water that feels like lotion on your skin and baby catfish that tickle your toes and, best of all, the exhilaration of knowing you swam in the very entrance to Xibalba, the Mayan underworld. So descend into the cavern and climb the chiseled staircase to the dive platform and make sure when you jump, you hold your breath, cause its a long way down.

Set deep in the jungle—about an hour from Cancún and far from the usual beaches and resorts—this adventure park boasts the region’s most impressive ziplines, designed for daredevil travelers in search of real adrenaline rush. Fun-loving guides glide heels-over-head through exuberant foliage along each circuit, from canopy-rope courses and traditional ziplines to a bungee swing and Superman-style flying above the tree line. You can even book packages that include a swim in a nearby cenote, complete with high-dive platform, or a (be forewarned, very dusty) ATV ride.