Mexico is a country that has something for everyone. If you’re looking for a quiet beach town to relax in, or an action-packed city with plenty of nightlife, Quintana Roo is sure to have what you’re looking for.
Here are the 16 best things to do in Quintana Roo Mexico, no matter what type of traveler you are!
Swim with dolphins at Xcaret
Xcaret is an eco-archaeological park located in the Riviera Maya. It’s a great place to spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the ruins. One of the most popular things to do at Xcaret is swim with dolphins. You can sign up for a program that will allow you to get in the water with these beautiful creatures.
Tickets for this excursion will cost around $200 USD.
Visit the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is one of the seven wonders of the world, and it’s located in Quintana Roo. This ancient city was once the capital of the Maya civilization. Today, visitors can explore the ruins of temples, palaces, and pyramids.
There is an entrance fee of around $10 USD to visit Chichen Itza, and the site is open from 8am to 5pm.
Visit the ancient ruins of Tulum
Tulum is a Mayan city located on the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico, and for good reason – the ruins are breathtakingly beautiful. You can easily take a day trip from Cancun or Playa del Carmen to visit Tulum, and the entrance fee is only around $4 USD.
The ruins are open from 8am to 5pm.
Ride horses on the beach in Puerto Aventuras
Puerto Aventuras is a small town on the coast of Quintana Roo. It’s a popular destination for tourists, thanks to its beautiful beaches and calm waters. One of the best things to do in Puerto Aventuras is ride horses on the beach.
You can find a number of tour operators who offer horseback riding tours, and the cost is usually around $50 USD per person.
Take a catamaran cruise to Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is a small island located just off the coast of Quintana Roo. It’s a popular destination for tourists, thanks to its beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. You can easily take a day trip from Cancun or Playa del Carmen to visit Isla Mujeres, and the cost is usually around $25 USD per person.
Zipline through the jungle at Aktun Chen
Aktun Chen is a nature reserve located in Quintana Roo. It’s a great place to hike, swim, and explore the jungle. One of the most popular things to do at Aktun Chen is zip line through the canopy of the trees.
You can find a number of tour operators who offer zip line tours, and the cost is usually around $60 USD per person.
Enjoy a traditional Mexican dinner
Mexican cuisine is some of the best in the world, and you can find great Mexican restaurants all over Quintana Roo. A couple of our favorites are La Cueva del Chango in Tulum and El Camello Jr. in Playa del Carmen.
Both restaurants offer traditional Mexican dishes, as well as local specialties. They’re also reasonably priced, with meals costing around $10 USD.
Enjoy a drink at a rooftop bar
Mexico is famous for its rooftop bars, and Quintana Roo is no exception. There are plenty of places to enjoy a drink with a view in Riviera Maya. Some of our favorites are La Palapa in Playa del Carmen and Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Akumal.
Both bars offer stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, as well as a wide selection of drinks. Prices for drinks start at around $5 USD.
Take a cooking class
If you’re interested in learning how to cook Mexican food, there are plenty of great cooking classes available in Quintana Roo. A few of our favorites are Cocina de Merida in Merida and La Casita del Tequila in San Miguel de Allende.
Both classes offer a variety of different dishes, as well as a chance to learn about Mexican culture and history. Classes typically last around 3 hours, and cost around $50 USD.
Lounge on the beach at Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a town located on the Riviera Maya. It’s known for its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving, or simply relax on the beach.
Playa del Carmen is a great place to stay if you’re looking for nightlife – there are plenty of bars and clubs to choose from.
It’s also a popular destination for expats and digital nomads, so there are plenty of co-working spaces and cafes to get your work done. You’re sure to meet people from all over the world here!
Shop for souvenirs in downtown Cancun
Cancun is a city located on the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s a popular tourist destination, thanks to its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife. Visitors can find plenty of things to do in Cancun, from lounging on the beach to exploring ancient ruins.
Downtown Cancun is the perfect place to pick up souvenirs for friends and family back home. You can find everything from traditional Mexican handicrafts to T-shirts and shot glasses. Prices vary depending on the item, but you can typically find souvenirs for around $10 USD.
Visit the spectacular cenotes (sinkholes) near Chichen Itza
A cenote is a natural sinkhole that’s formed when the roof of a cave collapses. They’re found all over Quintana Roo, and they’re popular tourist destinations.
There are plenty of cenotes to choose from, but some of the most popular ones are Cenote Ik kil, Cenote Dos Ojos, and Cenote Angelita.
Entrance fees for cenotes typically cost around $10 USD, and they’re open from 8am to 5pm.
Take a day trip to Cozumel
Cozumel is a beautiful island located just off the coast of Quintana Roo. This island is known for its stunning beaches, crystal clear water, and great diving. Visitors can also take a ferry to Playa del Carmen and explore the mainland.
The ferry rides from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen are around $12 USD.
Take a scuba diving course in Cozumel
Cozumel is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. The island has crystal-clear waters and a wide variety of dive sites, making it the perfect place to learn how to scuba dive.
There are a number of diving schools in Cozumel, and most offer courses that last around 3 days. Prices start at around $250 USD.
Have fun in the sun at Xel-Ha
Xel-Ha is an eco-park located in the Riviera Maya. This park is home to a variety of different animals and plants, and offers a variety of activities such as swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, and zip-lining.
Tickets for Xel-Ha cost around $60 USD.
Enjoy a night out on the town in Playa del Carmen
As I mentioned before, Playa del Carmen is a great place to stay if you’re looking for nightlife. This town has a wide variety of bars and clubs to choose from, so you’re sure to find something to your taste.
Prices for drinks start at around $5 USD.
Quintana Roo offers a wealth of things to do for visitors of all ages. From history and culture to natural beauty and adventure, there’s something for everyone in this Mexican state. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today!
Hi, I’m Tiana – founder of and author here at Where Tiana Travels. I’m a 20-something with a love for all things travel, photography, and food. I have been living abroad for the past 5 years and solo traveling the globe in my free time. I created this blog to share my travel stories and inspire other women to go out and see the world. Read more about me here!
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