Colin & Angela
Just the two of us

The Riviera Maya, Four Ways: Cancún, Cozumel, Holbox, Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos

What we've learned from four trips to Mexico's Caribbean coast: Cancún beach days, Cozumel's water, slow island days on Holbox, a catamaran day off Playa del Carmen, and the quieter beach town of Puerto Morelos.

Quintana Roo, Mexico · 2022 – 2023 · by Angela

A couple taking a selfie on a white-sand beach on Holbox

Mexico’s Caribbean coast is the place we keep going back to. It’s a short flight from home, the water is unreal, and every town feels different. Between 2022 and 2023 we went four times. Here’s what we loved in each spot.

Trips
Cancún (Jan 2022) · Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Holbox (Mar 2022) · Playa del Carmen (Nov 2022) · Puerto Morelos for Jen and Brent's wedding (Aug 2023)
Who came
Colin, me and friends
Best for
Quick beach escapes and easy long weekends

Cancún

Our first trip was a quick January escape to Cancún: turquoise water, white sand, palm trees and a lounger. Sometimes that’s all you need.

Palm trees and greenery in front of turquoise sea
Caribbean blues
A couple standing on a white-sand beach by turquoise waterView over palm trees toward the ocean from aboveVivid orange and purple sunset over clouds seen from an airplane window

Cozumel and Playa del Carmen

In March 2022 we were in Playa del Carmen and took the ferry over to Cozumel, which has some of the clearest water on the coast. We swam, found conch shells on the beach, and had drinks over that bright blue water.

A couple standing waist-deep in clear turquoise water under a blue sky
Waist-deep in paradise
A smiling couple takes a selfie in front of palm treesA hand holds a plastic cup of drink over bright blue waterA hand holding a large conch shell on a sandy beach with waves behind

Holbox

On the same trip we went up to Holbox, a car-free island off the north coast. It was our favorite. It has white sand, shallow, calm water that stays knee-deep for ages, thatched beach bars at sunset, colorful murals, and bikes and golf carts instead of cars. You get there by ferry from Chiquilá.

A couple takes a selfie on the beach with turquoise water behind
Holbox happiness
A bottle of beer and a full glass on a table at a beach bar at sunsetA pink building painted with a colorful mural beside a sandy street at nightLooking up at palm fronds against a blue sky

Playa del Carmen with friends

In November 2022 we went back to Playa del Carmen with friends. The highlight was a day on a catamaran, surrounded by turquoise water. Then came dressed-up nights out in town.

A group of women posing together on the deck of a catamaran
Catamaran crew
Two women stand on the bow of a catamaran with turquoise water and a city shoreline behindTwo women in sunglasses take a selfie aboard a boatThree friends squeeze into a selfie in the sun

Puerto Morelos and Jen and Brent’s wedding

In August 2023 we were in Puerto Morelos, a laid-back fishing town between Cancún and Playa with a reef just offshore, for my best friend Jen’s wedding to Brent. They got married on the beach under a floral arch, and it was perfect. Around the wedding we went out on the boat, had cocktails at a palapa beach bar, and kept things slow. Right after, we headed out to Burning Man.

A floral ceremony arch and rows of chairs set up on the beach in Puerto Morelos
Jen and Brent's beach wedding.
A man and a woman in life jackets take a selfie on a boat on the waterA deep red cocktail with a salted rim and dried fruit garnish

Which Riviera Maya town is right for you?

  • Cancún: easiest, biggest resorts, best for a quick getaway.
  • Playa del Carmen: walkable, lively, good food and nightlife, with ferries to Cozumel.
  • Cozumel: clearest water, snorkeling and diving.
  • Holbox: car-free, calm and slow. Our favorite.
  • Puerto Morelos: quiet beach town vibes and a reef right offshore.

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