Spending time in the Caribbean Sea is one of the benefits of vacationing in Cancun and Riviera Maya. However, you may be wondering if that is the only water fun available in this area? Well, I can tell you that you can have water adventures both in the Caribbean Sea and on land.

My Top Picks for Water Fun Both On and Off the Ocean While in Cancun and Riviera Maya

Snorkeling

One of the best places to snorkel in the world is Cancun and Riviera Maya. The coral reefs out in the water are spectacular and they are all filled with tons of marine life. The best reef in the area can be found in Puerto Morelos. The reef is called the Great Western Atlantic Reef Belt, as well as the Great Mayan Reef. It is considered part of the Mesoamerican Reef System. Another excellent place to go snorkeling in Cancun and Riviera Maya is Isla Mujeres. This is where you will find MUSA, or the Underwater Museum of Art. There are more than 500 life-size sculptures in the museum, and they promote coral life.

 

Glass Bottom Boats

 

If you prefer being out on the water, but not in the water, a glass bottom boat tour is the perfect option. When you ride in this boat, you can easily see the marine life swimming around in the water below you. Some of the marine life you will see during your time on the water includes sharks, mantas, sea turtles, barracuda, and tons of tropical fish.  When on vacation in Cancun a glass bottom boat tour is a great way to see the fish without getting your toes wet.

 

Dolphin Experiences on your vacation in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

 

There are a few places where you can have dolphin experiences when you are on vacation in Cancun and Riviera Maya. I prefer the ones where you can interact and swim with the dolphins during your visit, because I think you get more out of the experience. It is easy to make a day of dolphin experiences, because you can lounge on the sand in between times out in the water.

 

Cenotes on your vacation in Cancun and the Riviera Maya

 

Do you know what a cenote is? If you don’t, it is a sinkhole that formed when limestone bedrock collapsed. That hole then filled with exposed groundwater. There are more than 30,000 cenotes all along the Yucatan Peninsula. The better cenotes are in the Riviera Maya, however, you can see a few that are in Cancun. They just aren’t as spectacular.

 

Rio Secreto

 

One of my favorite options for water fun is swimming in an underground river. Rio Secreto is one of the best, because it is a combination of underground rivers and cenotes. Rock formations surround the water, which makes it an even better experience visually. This adventure normally lasts for four hours. While part of your journey will involve swimming, other parts will have you walking along the dimly lit path. This is an excellent place to discover fossils, stalactites and stalagmites, as well as cave-dwelling fish.

These are my top picks for water fun both on and off the ocean while on vacation in Cancun and Riviera Maya. Of course, there are so many other options you can choose from when you are vacationing in this area. I would love to plan your trip to Cancun or the Riviera Maya. You can click here to be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a planning session at a time that is convenient for you. And if you are not ready to start planning, you can sign up for my newsletter here.