When looking for a vacation spot, there are so many things to consider. Like time to get there, costs of flying to get there and where do you stay and what do you do when you do get there. Puerto Penasco is your best place for every aspect of a vacation. First, it is only a short 4 hour drive from Phoenix or Tucson and with no waiting in long lines at the airport. Secondly it is not expensive to get here, third is we have the best deals for accommodation on the Sea of Cortez and last, there is a multitude of things to do here every single day. No over crowded beaches here, just miles of pristine sand.

Crossing the US/Mexico border is very easy (just make sure you have your passport or passport card for re-entering to the US). Buy your Mexican auto insurance either online or from your own agent.

A short 1 hour drive south of the border and you are here. About 30 kilometers south of the border you will pass the Pinacate Biosphere. Sometime during your stay, do go back out and tour the new visitor center Shuk Toak. It is very modern with a movie telling all about the craters and the surrounding area. The guide there will answer any questions that you may have and there are interactive touch screens throughout the building. Make certain to take your camera as the views from the center are gorgeous. This crater range is the largest in North America and if you feel like going up to see them, you can (4 wheel drive) is best. You may encounter many animals along the way.

Back in Puerto Peñasco if you are a seafood lover, take the drive out to the oyster farms and get some steamed clams, fresh shucked oysters or ceviche and have a cold beer if you like. While there take a dip in the water or just watch the Blue Heron and Egrets do a fly over along with countless Pelicans.

As you pass into town you will drive along the docks in the Historic Wharf District with all the shrimp boats moored and will be able to see nests of what we call Bald Eagles, but they are actually a little different. Both mom and dad tend the nests and dive in the harbor to get food for the babies. Again, camera time, as the boats make for awesome photography as well as the pelicans perched on the pongas (little fishing boats). Continue into the Malecon, were you can have your choice of food and very good service. A lot of history here as Al Capone use to stay there in the bootlegging days. As you leave the Old Port, make sure you stop into Mercedes Rusticos. Here you will find anything that you need for your home or as a gift. From the south of Mexico you will find blown glassware, Mexican table settings and weavings just to name a few things.

Sometime during your trip, venture out to what locals call “Rodeo Drive” and visit the many shops filled with everything from beautiful ladies apparel to upscale gifts for you home or condo. There is something there for everyone.

As with any vacation destination, demand will dictate flight availability. According to research from airfare tracking website Hopper.com, because Cancun is a leisure route, prices tend to be more stable and often fall until seven days before departure, though the difference between booking 35 days in advance and 10 days in advance is $8. But all that goes out the window at peak times—Christmas, spring break—when being an early bird pays off.

Visa

U.S. citizens visiting for less than 180 days don’t need a visa to enter Mexico. However, you will need to have a visitor’s permit, which can be obtained by filling out a form provided by your airline, travel agency, or at the point of entry in Mexico. Since 2007, a valid passport has been required to enter Mexico, whether you’re flying, driving, or arriving by cruise ship. Mexico requires that your passport be valid for at least 90 days following your departure date, but it’s a good idea to have six months’ validity on your passport at all times (not to mention unused passport pages for necessary stamps).

What to bring?

When you’re coming to the Riviera Maya, you might think there’s little more to pack than a bathing suit and flip-flops. But with its jungles to discover, ruins to climb, and underwater worlds to explore, this slice of the Yucatan Peninsula is a dream for adventurers. So depending on what activities you have planned, you might want to bring hiking shoes, diving gear, and outdoor clothing. And while it’s rare, the Yucatan can sometimes have cool nights in winter, so it’s always smart to bring a sweater, just in case.

The places you should consider if you're visiting Riviera Maya.

1. Tulum

This walled city was one of the last built by the Mayans. The pre-Columbian cliff top ruins are among the best preserved coastal sites where you can see stunning ocean views. Tulum has been a favorite destination for yogis and surfers for many years, but more recently the stylish hippie town has gained a reputation with international foodies, too. Unleash your inner food-lover at Hartwood with its daily-changing chalkboard menu. The daily catch — including grouper, mahi mahi, and Caribbean octopus — is cooked over an open flame for a rustic sea-to-table feast. Another option is for you to visit one of the local favorites, Antojitos La Chiapaneca, for some addictive tacos. Keep your evening going at Gitano with excellent mezcal cocktails and an outdoor disco floor.

2. Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is one of the most popular places to stay in the Riviera Maya. This coastal town offers a relaxed environment and welcomes you to wander around the pedestrian-only Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, that stretches 20 blocks. Here, you can enjoy many shops and bars. You can also walk a little further and enjoy beach-front hotels, restaurants, and clubs while taking in the beauty of the Caribbean Sea. Playa del Carmen is located in the center of the Riviera Maya which makes it a great home base for you to explore the historic ruins and natural wonders of the surrounding area.

3. Akumal

Between Playa del Carmen and Tulum is this small beachfront community. Akumal translates to "place of turtles" in Mayan. You can see where the town gets its name each summer when hundreds of endangered sea turtles return to the shores to lay their eggs. You can scuba dive and check out the beautiful coral reefs that are home to countless tropical fish, or, if you're not scuba-certified, you can enjoy the ocean landscape by snorkeling. You also have the option to dive and explore the fresh water cenotes and shipwrecks. If you prefer to stay on the land, hiking the caves and zip lining at Aktun-Chen National Park is a great way to spend your vacation.

4. Cobá

This mysterious Mayan city is surrounded by five cenotes, which is fitting because Cobá translates to "muddy waters." At this archaeological site, you can see the hub of an intricate system of paved stone causeways — called sacbes — that once connected Mayan city-states. Climb the steep steps to the top of the Nohoch Mul pyramid where you can survey the land. You can also purchase local crafts from artisans in the adjacent pueblo. Cobá isn't overly crowded because of its remote location, and many of the structures have not yet been excavated. This makes it a great option if you're looking for history without a lot of tourists.

5. Sian Ka'an

Nature lovers will find peace and immense beauty in the "place where the sky is born," or Sian Ka'an in Mayan. This protected biosphere reserve, the third largest in the country, offers you days of swimming or rowing through picturesque lagoons and hiking into the jungle. You can spot 800 species of plants and 360 different animals, including monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, crocodiles, and turtles. The vibrant ecosystem is filled with a kaleidoscope of color and is still off the beaten path for most visitors — it will make you feel like you have the whole place to yourself.

SQN Getaways offers you the best lodging options whether you are traveling with your family or your special one.

Source: How to Travel to the Riviera Maya, The 6 best destinations in Riviera Maya

You can check our Riviera Maya packages https://sqngetaways.com/packages

Mayan Ruins
Cozumel holds several ancient Mayan ruins sites. San Gervasio is the largest site on the island and the shine of the goddess of fertility Ix Chel. The island contains 24 sites discovered thus far, including El Cedral and the coastal watchtower Castillo Real. Visitors may also join a larger tour including sites on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Beaches
The list of Cozumel's beaches is an impressive one for an island only 32 miles long and 9 miles wide. The beaches include Passion Island Beach, Playa Uvas, Playa Corona and Paradise Beach. According to the This is Cozumel website, San Francisco is a family beach, Palancar Beach is a quieter area and Playa San Martin offers unspoiled beauty on the eastern side of the island. Paradise Beach serves as an example of all of Cozumel's beaches, lined with coconut palms, featuring white sands and clear water. Paradise Beach also has a heated pool, restrooms and changing rooms.

Diving
A large number of coral reefs ring the island. The reefs are a part of the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park. Dives in the area range from 25 feet to 130 feet in depth, depending on the reef, and area dives range from beginner level to advanced. Dive shops and scuba instruction are available on the island. Businesses such as Aqua Safari offer specialty diving courses for night dives, deep and drift diving.

Natural Areas
Punta Sur Eco Park, a 2,700-acre reserve, allows visitors to snorkel Chunchacaab reef, enjoy a catamaran ride or kayak tour of Colombia lagoon and explore the Celarain lighthouse or the Mayan ruin El Caracol. The park brings visitors close to wildlife and tropical flowers. Punta Sur Beach has restrooms and showers for those who want to go swimming and sunning.

Parks
Cozumel's parks offer visitors a wide variety of activities in and out of the water. At Chankanaab Park, only 3 miles from the cruise ship terminals, guests can try water recreation such as snorkeling, scuba, snuba, sea trekking, parasailing, and kitesurfing. Guests also have the opportunity to swim with manatees, sea lions, and dolphins. The park offers hammocks, beach chairs, huts, restrooms and showers for those who want to relax on the beach

At Playa Mia Grand Beach Park, guests may learn to prepare Mexican cuisine; visit the shopping center for crafts, clothing, jewelry and beach supplies; snorkel, scuba dive, take a banana boat ride or enjoy an outdoor massage. The park offers beach games, a swimming pool and for kids, it contains puzzles and giant-sized games. Craft sessions, sand castle contests and Spanish language lessons are also available, the also rents lockers, towels and umbrellas for use on the nearly 500 feet of sandy beach.

So choose your dates, book your stay at https://sqngetaways.com/packages, book your flights and get ready to have the most incredible Beach Geatway.