Xcaret Ecological Park, Riviera Maya

Photo credit: Mexico Tourism

Perhaps it's worth reiterating that the Riviera Maya has "endless stretches of pristine beaches of soft white sand gently caressed by the turquoise-blue waters of the Caribbean," yadda, yadda, yadda . . . but my bet is that you've already heard it all. You've seen the ads, the brochures, and the articles in the Sunday travel sections. So I'll spare you the purple prose and get right to the things you'll need to know.

The Yucatán's Caribbean coast is 380km (240 miles) long, stretching from Cancún all the way to Chetumal, at the border with Belize. The northern half of the coast has been dubbed the "Riviera Maya"; the southern half, the "Costa Maya." In between is the large Sian Ka'an Biopreserve.

A long reef system, the second longest in the world, protects most of the shore. Where there are gaps in the reef -- Playa del Carmen, Xpu-Ha, and Tulum -- you find good beaches. The action of the surf washes ctix silt and seagrass and erodes rocks, leaving a sandy bottom. Where the reef is prominent, you get good snorkeling and diving with lots of fish and other sea creatures. Here mangrove often occupies the shoreline; the beaches are usually sandy up to the water's edge, but shallow, with a silty or rocky floor.

Inland you'll find jungle, caverns, the famous cenotes (natural wells leading to underwater rivers), and the even more famous ruins of the Maya. Activities abound.

• Acapulco
• Cancun
• Cozumel
• Ixtapa
• Los Cabos
• Mazatlan
• Mexico City
• Playa Del Carmen
• Puerto Vallarta
• Riveria Maya