Worth getting out of bed for...

Viewpoint

The view of the coast from the ruins at Tulum is exceptional. You won’t be able to climb the great temple-pyramid of El Castillo at Chichen Itzá but, trust us, the view from the Temple of the Wind is just as impressive.

Arts and culture

The Mayan ruins throughout the region will satisfy all levels of archaeological fancy. Once you’ve checked out the cliff-perched Tulum, pre-Columbian Cobá awaits inland. Surrounded by two lagoons, the jungle site has several pyramids, including the tallest one in the Yucatán region. It is believed to have been the home of 40,000 Maya.

Something for nothing

Take your snorkel down to Akumal Bay and search for rare turtles at this quiet and laid-back beach, south of Cancún.

Shopping

For a bit of light retail entertainment, head to Playa del Carmen for the best, if decidedly tourist-aimed, selection of shops. Don’t expect the Via Condotti, but pedestrianised Quinto Avenida (5th Avenue) has several internationally branded stores and small Mexican boutiques worth a poke around.

Daytripper

The finest of Mexico’s Mayan archaeological treasures is Chichén Itzá, around 100km from Playa del Carmen. The centrepiece is the 25m Pyramid of Kukulcán, which is also a complicated calendar – there are 365 steps and 18 terraces to represent the 365 days and 18 months of the Mayan year. Astrologers might be interested to know that the Great Cycle of the Mayan calendar will end on 21 December 2012, a date on which the Mayans believed one world would end and another begin. It’s best to get to Chichen Itzá early, or stay later, in order to enjoy the ruins without the midday crowds. And don’t overlook the less-frequented parts of the extensive site, either.

Best beach

It would be foolish to suggest one beach out of a coastline paved with only golden shores, but Tulum beach is perhaps the most beautiful, and it stretches right up to the south of the main archaeological site.

Perfect picnic

Beaches aside, you can lunch by a lake – Bacalar is a reed-flanked lagoon known for its seven- colour waters and underground cenotes. It’s not far from the Mayan ruins of Kohunlich and Chacchoben, and the port city of Chetumal.

Walks

Set off on a subterranean stroll and swim through Río Secreto – an underground network of caves and cenotes, set in dense tropical jungle. Río Secreto Tours (www.riosecretotours.com) operates guided journeys.

Children

Take your kids along for a day of eco-friendly exploration at Xcaret Theme Park (www.xcaret.com). They can swim with dolphins, trace underground rivers and climb all over archaeological sites.

Activities

Go scuba diving with Tank-Ha Dive Center (+52 984 873 0302; www.tankha.com) in Playa del Carmen. It’s one of the longest-running dive schools in the area. Head to Cozumel island for diving and snorkelling – its reefs form part of the second largest barrier reef in the world. Stop off at Grand Cenote on the way from Tulum to Cobá to cool off on a hot day. As well the usual beach activities (paragliding, windsurfing, fishing, etc), you can rent a Harley for a cruise down the coast in Playa del Carmen. Or join a bike expedition with Harley Adventures (www.harleyadventures.com).

And

The Riviera Maya is in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The region was nameless until 1902 when it adopted the moniker of early poet-patriot of the Mexican Republic, Andrés Quintana Roo.