Chichén Itzá (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

One cannot go to the Mayan Riviera without visiting Chichén Itzá. This site was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2007 and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Located 200 kilometers from Cancun, this ancient city was home to 50,000 - 100,000 Mayans and dates back to between 750-1200 AD, after which time the city was abandoned for reasons still not understood. At this breathtaking site you can climb the famous Pyramid of Kukulcán, a 30-meter high pyramid that attracts visitors from around the world. You will also see an ancient ball court, a square of a thousand columns, several temples, and a sacred cenote. Chichén Itzá makes a wonderful day trip for your wedding group, and several companies in the area offer day tours to this site.

Tulum

Approximately 125 kilometers south of Cancun you will find an ancient city perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Tulum, meaning "fence" or "wall," is the name given to this walled city, which flourished between 1200-1600 AD. Tulum offers a spectacular view of unparalleled turquoise Caribbean waters, and provides a glimpse into the extinct Mayan culture. You will see various structures including the city's castle, watchtower, several temples, alters, and shrines.

If you are staying in the Mayan Riviera, Tulum is an easy half-day trip that should not be missed.

Cobá

Deep in the jungle you will find the ancient Mayan city, Cobá. Here stands one of the tallest pyramids in the Yucatan Peninsula, Nohuch Mul, towering 42 meters high. Cobá was not excavated until the 1970s, and many of the structures are still unexcavated today, making it a treasure for archeologists. As this city is quite spread out, you can expect to walk three or four miles through the jungle to see many of the site's structures. Alternatively, you can rent a bike to explore the city. Many tour companies will arrange day trips to this mysterious ancient city.

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Sian Ka'an, meaning "where the sky is born," is an important conservation reserve located 6 km south of Tulum, which has been protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. This massive ecological park comprises almost one third of the Caribbean coast of Mexico, spanning 120 kilometers from north to south. Over 100 mammals are known to inhabit the reserve including the jaguar, puma, ocelot, crocodiles, spider monkeys and howler monkeys. It's also an important nesting site for two endangered sea turtle species. Sian Ka'an is also home to 23 Mayan archaeological sites, with relics dating back 2,300 years. Guided tours can be arranged through Community Tours Sian Ka'an http://www.siankaantours.org/. For more information visit the official Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve web site at http://www.cesiak.org.

Xel-Há

Xel-Há is located near Tulum, 60 minutes from Cancun, and makes a fun day trip for families. Visitors can enjoy the local flora and fauna on a nature walk, snorkel with the tropical fish, or even swim with the dolphins! This park offers a fantastic snorkeling experience where you can explore a variety of tropical fish in the river, creeks, lagoons, caves and canyons. The park also offers snuba adventures, which is a combination of snorkeling and scuba diving that allows you to descend deeper without having to hold your breath. The Sea Trek exploration is a type of helmet diving that allows you to walk along the sea bed. For more information, visit www.xel-ha.com.

Xcaret

This eco park is located 45 minutes from Cancun, and 5 minutes from Playa del Carmen. There is so much to see and do at Xcaret, you will want to devote a whole day to exploring the park. The park offers water activities, a variety of flora and fauna, a Mayan village, a museum, and a spectacular Night Show. Some of the park's attractions include water activities like floating down the ungerground rivers, scuba and snuba diving, Sea Trek exploration, and swimming with the dolphins. The park also has a variety of wildlife including manatees, turtles, wild cats, monkeys, flamingos, a bat cave, a butterfly pavilion, and more! For more information, visit www.xcaret.com.

Hidden Worlds Cenote Park

If there are adventure lovers in your group, you'll want to visit the popular Hidden Worlds Cenote Park, located 1.5 hours drive south of Cancun, 15 minute north of Tulum. Thrill seekers won't want to miss the chance to get a bird's-eye view of the jungle with either the skycycle canopy tour or the tree top zip line, which allows you to soar over the trees via a 600-foot cable! This park is also a great place to enjoy cenote snorkeling, or some spectacular cave diving. In fact, Hidden Worlds was one of the sites where the 2001 IMAX movie Journey Into Amazing Cave was filmed. For more information visit www.hiddenworlds.com.

Aktun Chen

Aktun Chen, meaning "cave with an underground river inside," is another popular family excursion in the area. You'll find this park 107 km south of Cancun, 4 km south of Akumal. Explore this magnificent cave with three cenotes through an easy one hour walking tour that's suitable for all ages. The cave has been enhanced with indirect lighting for a better view and enjoyment of the thousands of stalactites and stalagmites and natural sculptures, formed by water and calcium carbonate over millions of years. The park also has 988 acres of unexplored rainforest home to local wildlife including spider monkeys, badgers, wild boars, wild turkeys, iguanas, and several bird species. For more information visit www.aktunchen.com.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a charming Mexican city located halfway between Cancun and Tulum. The unofficial capital of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen attracts thousands of tourists from all across Mexico and around the world. It's a great place to find local handicrafts, which make great favors to send home with your guests. Strolling down 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida) you'll find several boutique shops, restaurants, bars, cafés and numerous street vendors. For nightlife, two of the more popular clubs are El Espiral and Señor Frog's.

Isla Cozumel

Cozumel, "Island of Swallows," is the largest inhabited island in Mexico, located just across the sea from Playa del Carmen. It is most famous for being Mexico's top diving destination, with over 200 species of tropical fish and water visibility to 200 feet. Divers from around the world come to explore the famous reef under the island, spanning over 20 miles, making it the second largest coral reef in the world! Many actually consider Cozumel to be one of the best diving destinations on earth, second only to Australia. The easiest way to get to Cozumel is by the 30-minute ferry from Playa del Carmen, which costs approximately $16 USD, round trip. For more information visit www.islacozumel.com.mx.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres, "Island of Women" is a small island across from Cancun that makes a great day trip to escape the busyness of Cancun and just kick back island style. There are a couple of Mayan ruins you can visit on the southern tip of the island including a lighthouse and a small Mayan temple, Ixchel (the goddess of fertility). The island also has some great parks for you to enjoy including Dolphin Discovery where you can swim with the dolphins (see www.dolphindiscovery.com) and Parque Marino El Garrafón, a snorkel park that also offers scuba diving, underwater strolls, snuba, zip line flights and bungee jumping (see www.garrafon.com). To get to Isla Mujeres from the Cancun Hotel Zone, take a taxi or the "Ruta 13" bus to Puerto Juárez and catch an express boat. The boat ride takes 15 minutes and costs approximately $35 pesos (about $3.50 USD). For more information visit www.isla-mujeres.net.