We're off to the Maya Riviera in Mexico (staying in the Iberostar Paraiso Beach) in two weeks for 8 nights - any suggestions on good things to do around there?

cfor info on things like cenotes, restaurants, markets, etcheck out www.locogringo.com

The resorts usually have daily activities and nightly entertainment, shopping excursions, tours.

www.xelha.com Incredible place!! Natural Aquarium park

Yeah I know the resorts have lots to offer, I just wanted to see if other people had suggestions too.

Rio Secreto underwater river and caves. Amazing!http://www.riosecreto.com

We loved isla mujueres. Most beautiful beaches - highly recommend!

we took collectivos everywhere and skipped the tours, much more our speed. Akumal is a great little area to visit as is Tulum.

if you like history, make a trip to the pyramid at Coba......if you are into snorkelling, swim with the green turtles in akumal and check out the corals at puerto morelos

A day at Xel-Hal is great - snorkelling, swim with dolphins, lazy river.....head into Playa one late afternoon, to wander along 5th Avenue shops and restaurants/pubs (27 blocks)....take a cab to Dos Ojos - beautiful cenote to swim in and snorkel around. Coba is a long day, but well worth it - it's one of the last 'ruins' that you can still climb.

loved that resort !!! have fun !!!

Please do no support swimming with the dolphins

Hey Sharon, we went last year and did an excursion booked through our resort that took us to Coba (Mayan ruins you can climb), then to a Mayan village for a traditional lunch, short kayak, a couple zip lines, and then a spiritual ritual before a repel into a cenote (a pool of water in a cave thing) for a bit if swimming. It was definitely worth the money and was probably the best part of our trip. I can tell you more about it on Monday if you want!

Sounds excellent Kevynn, looking forward to it

Millie - agreed:) Please do not support swimming with the dolphins.

Can someone tell me why to not support swimming with dolphins?

It depends how you look at it but dolphins are kidnapped from the ocean where they usually swim upwards of 50km per day - then they are ripped away from their family/pod and put in a giant aquarium where they can barely swim at all. Most dolphins die and actually commit suicide after awhile by not surfacing. This is why places like SeaWorld are now going out of business. Some dolphinariums treat the animals better than others and some think that they atleast help create a connection to humans who can then help "save them" from being slaughtered and kidnapped. I dunno. For me, it's definitely temping to swim with them. I've scuba dived with them in the wild which is quite different. But sacrificing a few for the many I'm not sure I'm behind. Personal decision really

On another note: I went to Cancun on a media visit and Riviera Maya / Play Del carmen. It's certainly not a "mexican" experience but there are some cool activities: Snorkel, dive or swim in the cenotes. Drive a Ferrari around a race track in Cancun city. Party at Coco Bongo. Visit the temples such as Tulum (and go to the beach there forsure) and Chichen Itza. Scuba dive in the sea. Visit Xa-an park (I think thats the name - its a unesco world heritage site as well)

Xcaret is awesome too ... the night show is excellent ...

If you like more of an adventure park xplor is a fairly new option. Lots of activities!
For snorkeling our favorite spot was akumal. You can take the local transit from playa del carmen to the beach for next to nothing. Bring your own equipment or rent for cheap. We got a private guide and gear for $25, but you can easily do a self guided one. So many turtles and rays! Beautiful.

No dolphin swimming anywhere. Watch the documentary the Cove. You will then understand

Allison-how do you get from your resort to the cooking school? Taxi? Collectivo?

This sounds so interesting! Thanks?

Collectivos run all day. We never had an issue using them and quite liked them.

Sharon Whelton I was jsut doing a search and this came up!!! We need to chat!

Absolutely Gillian!! X