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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.

There is so much more to the Yucatán Peninsula than the Riviera Maya. If you have two weeks to explore, you’re in for a treat: refreshing cenotes (sinkholes), scuba diving with whale sharks, white-sand beaches either deserted or full of life (take your pick), breathtaking Maya ruins, beautiful colonial towns, nightlife for every taste and whim, delicious cuisine, biospheres and reserves, and majestic haciendas all await you in the Yucatán Peninsula.

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.

When warm weather beckons but time is short, a weekend trip to Cancun and Riviera Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula is your perfect go-to. Beautiful Mexican Caribbean beaches, inclusive resorts, and an easy trip from the United States add up to a weekend of ease. But there’s much more to the area than white sand beaches, including day trips to explore Mayan culture ruins, the caves and calm waters of Dos Ojos Cenote, and nights out dancing. Yes, spring breakers, the area is your paradise too: head straight to the clubs in the hotel zone. You can sleep when you get back to school.

A brilliant work of architecture and astronomy, the Pyramid of Kukulkán at Chichén Itzá is so precisely engineered that on the vernal and autumnal equinoxes, the sun casts shadows that slither like snakes and seem to descend the structure’s stairways. Said to represent the plumed-serpent deity Kukulkán, the shadows return to earth twice yearly to drink from sacred sinkholes known as cenotes. Today the phenomenon attracts thousands to the already crowded archaeological site, but almost-identical light-play can be seen the day before, alongside a mere fraction of the visitors.

Your introduction to Andaz Mayakoba begins with mangroves and a cenote, or at least an architectural tribute to these natural features of the Playa del Carmen landscape. The elegant pillars that support the towering porte cochere mimic the angled roots of the mangrove trees nearby. A tall passageway, lined with dark wood, leads to an open-sided lobby. At the center of the lobby, aptly called El Sanctuario, a shallow circular pool reflects the sky through an opening in the ceiling above. The Andaz—which opened on the Mayakoba development in late 2016—has 214 guest rooms and suites, all in low buildings carefully placed on the delicate limestone crust of the peninsula. Some of the buildings surround pretty lagoons and offer easy access to the resort’s restaurants, Casa Amate, the fine-dining option, and Cocina Milagro, which serves three meals a day in a pavilionlike space overlooking the property’s pools. A spa, fitness center, shop, and kids’ club are also an easy walk away. The balance of guest rooms are in a separate complex of buildings beside the beach. A clutch of umbrellas and lounge chairs on the white powdery sand before an impossibly blue sea presents a stunning picture. In the beachside portion of the resort, another pool and two casual restaurants, OllaTaco and OllaCeviche, add up to a slightly funkier vibe. Guests are transported around the grounds by golf carts and are encouraged to use bikes parked everywhere. Lagoon boats make regular stops between the four resorts at Mayakoba, and guests are encouraged to take a daily cruise of the winding waterways with a naturalist guide. Andaz staff are young, attentive, and warm. Colorful street-style murals, depicting animals and fish, splash across the buildings’ exterior walls. Inside the airy guest rooms, artfully tiled sections of floors and walls add fields of color and interest to an otherwise mild, sunny palette. Architect Ronald Zürcher has channeled the extraordinary local beauty—the light and darkness of the region’s beaches and jungles, the vivid pops of color of flowers and birds, the sacred hush of the cenote—and designed a gorgeous and intimate boutique resort.

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.

Named after the mythical Alux drawn from Maya lore, this unusual restaurant is located inside a naturally formed cave. According to legend, Aluxes are the guardians of property and only appear at night. Born in the moonlight, they seek magical places in which to hide and play, such as in caves and cenotes. “Sensitive” diners claim that they feel their ancient power in this cenote - in between the stalactites and flowstones. Along with an unusual ambiance, the restaurant is a palate pleaser with fine Mexican and International cuisine. If you’re looking for a cozy romantic getaway, or a unique place to dine, look no further. Alux is more than just a restaurant. It is an unforgettable experience.

Xel-Há is one of the area’s most popular attractions. The name identifies both the archaeological site and the ecotourism marine park and the site attracts hundreds of visitors from around the world, throughout the year. Ceremonial centers and religious sites extending alongside the sea are classified by groups: The Temple of the Birds showcases frescoes representing local fowl; Temple of the Jaguar highlights the descending figure of a jaguar and the Dock Group, which is thought to relate to the zone’s maritime activity. The remains of the principal archaeological site are located in the jungle across the highway from the park. Known as the “greatest natural aquarium in the world,” by savvy travelers and locals alike, Xel-Há’s chain of inlets, lagoons and cenotes (underground rivers) provide a refreshing playground in which to cavort with the friendly denizens of the deep. You can swim, snorkel, go tubing or play with the dolphins. Other options include a visit to a sea turtle camp or delving into caves, cenotes and archaeological sites. Park services include restaurants, shops, changing rooms and snorkel rentals.

AllTournative off-track adventures get you up close and personal not only with nature, but with the ancient Maya culture. Several tours are available, which may include a bike ride through jungle paths, exploring ancient archaeological sites; mystical purification ceremonies; exhilarating zip-lining through the air on a series of “you Tarzan, me Jane” flights high above the jungle via a series of “z-wires” which become progressively longer, steeper – and more exhilarating. Once you’ve completed your solo flights climb aboard an inner tube or snorkel around the crystalline cenote to get a glimpse of the mysterious underwater world of caverns and crevices formed by Mother Nature eons ago. Following a lunch of highly seasoned Yucatécan treats such as chicken steeped in a toasted chile sauce, rice, vegetables, salad and jugo de jamaica (made from a branch of the hibiscus family), you hop on your bike for the short ride back to the van and depart this jungle oasis.

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.

It may look like an ordinary 5a Avenida restaurant from the outside, but once inside Aldea Corazón, you’re transported to an intimate jungle enclave - complete with small cenote and Maya ruins. It’s the perfect rendezvous place after a busy day of sightseeing or beach hopping. Typical Mexican delicacies including fresh seafood, tacos, guacamole and frosty drinks may take a back seat to the atmosphere, but it’s well worth a visit.

Cancun is famous for its beaches, but these aren’t the area’s only natural features. Some of the land surrounding Cancun is covered by dense forest, perfect for zip lining. Several outfitters offer zip line adventures; many of these adventures are half-day tours that include lunch and, in some cases, an afternoon dip in a natural pool, called a cenote. If you just can’t lose sight of the water, try the zip line in Garrafon Natural Park in Isla Mujeres; it hangs suspended 100 feet above the Caribbean Sea. Most outfitters offer excursions seven days a week.

The Maya name for Laguna Bacalar means the Lake of Seven Colors, and spending a little time here will show you why it’s such an apt moniker: from turquoise to cobalt blue to jade green and everything in between, the colors of this fresh-water lake seem to shift and change against its white-sand bottom. When you’re ready to do something else besides admire the breathtaking view, you can go swimming or kayaking, enjoy spa treatments and yoga, or adventure off to a nearby cenote and fort. And there are plenty of comfortable hotels and good eats in the town of Bacalar. This oasis in the middle of the jungles of Quintana Roo is the perfect off-the-beaten-track destination for travelers ready to escape the touristy Riviera Maya madness. It is also a refreshing rest stop on the way to the ancient Maya ruins of Dzibanché, Kinichná, and Kohunlich.

One of the most interesting collections of Mayan buildings in Yucatán is situated only 15 minutes from Mérida. It is the site of Dzibilchatún. Considered one of the most important of the ancient Mayan culture, the population at its height was around 40,000 people. 8,400 different structures have been found on the site, many of which can be seen by visitors. The main building is “La Casa de la Siete Muñecas” or the House of the Seven Dolls. The temple was given that name because of the offering of seven stone human figures that were found inside. During the equinox each September and March 21st, the sun can be seen though the main door, creating an amazing performance of light and shadow. There are 12 “sacbés”, a maya word for the white paths that connect together the main parts of this antique city. Dzibilchaltún also has its own cenote, complete with crystalline waters covered in water hyacinth, that are great for cooling off on a hot day. The archaeological site is only 10 miles north from Mérida, and is easy to reach by car, bus or taxi. (Images courtesy of yucatan.gob.mx)