The Riviera Maya, a comprehensive tourist corridor of white-sand beaches, stunning ruins and awe-inspiring Cenotes, was made for road-tripping. Yes, it has been growing fast, almost too fast some will complain, but despite all the new development, you can still find yourself in a small, dreamy fishing village or head inland to explore a glimpse of the Mexico that has been forgotten by forgot.

If it's partying you seek, you'll find plenty excitement in boomtown Playa del Carmen. Playa still trumps rapidly growing Tulum as the Riviera's wildest city, but it's got nothing on Tulum's spectacular Maya ruins perched high above its beaches.

Whether you are traveling by car or by bus, getting from one town to the next is super easy – after all, the Riviera only has 135km of well-paved coastline that stretches from south of Puerto Morelos to Tulum. Everything is within a short driving distance - as a matter of fact, so close that you can go scuba diving in Puerto Morelos by day and still enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner in Tulum.