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Q is for Quintana Roo: Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula

- Cancun, Mayan Riviera, and More

From , former About.com Guide

Photo ©  Teresa Plowright.

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Photo © Teresa Plowright.
What a great name for a state: Quintana Roo (pronounced "Rrrow"), really rolls off the tongue. But the words have important meaning too, commemorating Andres Quintana Roo, a major figure in Mexico's Independence movement; he was imprisoned (with his wife), escaped from the Inquisition, and generally lived larger than life; he was even a distinguished poet.

As for Quintana Roo, the state: it's in the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula, at Mexico's south-eastern tip. Quintana Roo has land borders to the south with Guatemala and Belize, and has warm Caribbean seas to the east and north. (Left: scenic lookout, at Garrafon Park; most of Quintana Roo coasts are sandy beaches, not rocks!)

Mexico's Caribbean: Quintana Roo for Visitors

  • Isla Mujeres is a laid-back island a short boat ride from Cancun, with small hotels, the Garrafon National Park which has snorkeling and other activities, and a few all-inclusives. (See Avalon Reef Club Resort.)
  • Puerto Morelos is a still-sleepy town about 20 minutes south of Cancun, and midway to tourist-y Playa del Carmen-- which was itself a sleepy town not so long ago. Large resorts are moving into Puerto Morelos currently.
  • Playa del Carmen is a main tourist town in the "Riviera Maya", and the place where ferries depart for the island of Cozumel.
  • Mayan Riviera: this term refers to the long stretch of coast extending south of Cancun, a super area with interesting activities as well as beautiful beaches. For example:
    • >Mayan ruins: beautiful sea-side ruins at Tulum, and extensive ruins at Coba, inland
    • world's second-largest coral barrier reef
    • snorkeling lagoons
    • giant caves you can tour, featuring underground lakes
    • "cenotes" - freshwater pools created when limestone caves in
    • Xcaret- unique eco-archeological theme park
    • Xel-ha, Xcaret's sister eco-park
Read more about Quintana Roo's Mayan Riviera, for families.

Costa Maya: this less-developed area south of the Mayan Riviera has lovely uncrowded beaches, and ecotourism opportunities.

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