With an abundance of natural wonders, magnificent archeological ruins, exquisite white-sand beaches, and plethora of oceanfront resorts -- plus scenic golf courses, ecological theme parks, and the world's second largest coral reef -- it's no wonder Mexico's Riviera Maya is surging in popularity as a tropical vacation destination for travelers from all over the world.

The Riviera Maya, named for the Mayan people who have made the Yucatan Peninsula their home for centuries, stretches 86 miles along the Caribbean coast from Puerto Morelos in the north to Tulum in the south.

Most visitors fly into modern Cancun International Airport, and then rent a car or take a hotel shuttle to their resort along the Riviera Maya. As visitors journey from cosmopolitan Cancun down the shoreline, the vibe becomes decidedly more laid back. "I like to say that Cancun is shoes, Playa del Carmen is flip-flops, and Tulum is bare feet," shares Jeanette Rigter, a local resident who moved from her home in Amsterdam to the Riviera Maya 15 years ago -- and never looked back!

Where to Stay in the Riviera Maya

The first town south of Cancun that marks the beginning of the Riviera Maya is Puerto Morelos, which has resisted development and remains an authentic fishing village. Small restaurants and cafes line the town square just feet from the beach. A stay at one of the nearby resorts offers the best of both worlds -- the ability to experience small-town Mexico and its friendly residents, combined with all of the modern amenities at a contemporary hotel.

Playa del Carmen, once a fishing village and today a thriving (but not overdeveloped) resort town, is known as the heart of the Riviera Maya. It beckons visitors with its convenient location to the Cancun airport (about a 45-minute drive), clean beaches, and pedestrian-friendly Fifth Avenue, lined with sophisticated restaurants, fun bars and nightclubs, and loads of shops. Here, you'll also find the dock for the ferry to Cozumel, which makes a fun day trip, no matter where you're staying along the Riviera Maya.

Further south, Puerto Aventuras is a modern golf and marina community, with a central lagoon where visitors can frolic with dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery attraction. Folks who stay in this area can also tee off on the nine-hole course with challenging par 4s, or board one of the boats docked in the expansive marina to go on snorkeling, scuba-diving or deep-sea-fishing adventures.

Akumal means "place of the turtle" in Mayan, and indeed, many females come on shore here to lay their eggs in the sand every year. Snorkeling is a very popular activity the clear, calm waters of Akumal Bay and Half Moon Bay. Conservationists, bird watchers and other outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the quiet nature of this eco-friendly, seaside community.

Finally, Tulum is known for its wonderfully preserved Mayan archaeological site, perched on a cliff above the Caribbean Sea. Here, visitors can learn about Mayan history from knowledgeable guides, and walk through the remains of the ancient walled city, which include temples, palaces and other ceremonial buildings. Pack your swimsuit and towel when you visit the Tulum ruins; you can walk down to the white-sand beach for a dip in the turquoise ocean -- which feels so refreshing after touring the grounds in the hot sun!

Chances are, your resort along the Riviera Maya will be an all-inclusive property -- more than three-quarters of all the accommodations here are all-inclusive, which means your food and drink, entertainment and activities are included in your room rate.

But no matter where you overnight along the Riviera Maya, you'll appreciate that none of the buildings are more than three stories tall -- no high-rise hotels to be found, ensuring marvelous ocean or jungle views from your resort property.

What to Do in the Riviera Maya

Outfitters throughout the Riviera Maya offer tourists the experience a variety of activities, from parasailing and horseback riding to jungle ATV rides and zipline tours. Simply ask your resort's concierge for help in booking these exciting adventures.

Other popular attractions are the region's many cenotes, which are also known as sinkholes or lagoons. They were formed when rainwater carved tunnels through the ground's limestone, and then the ceilings collapsed, opening up the caves to the surface. Here, you can swim, snorkel and dive in these otherworldly underground rivers, home to a variety of marine life, as well as nifty stalagmites and stalactites. Gain entrance to cenotes at various spots off of Highway 307, the main thoroughfare along the Riviera Maya.

You can also explore cenotes at two of the Yucatan's ecological theme parks, Xcaret (between Playa del Carmen and Puerto Aventuras) or Xel-Ha (between Akumal and Tulum). While entrance to these nature parks is pricey (starting at $75 for adults), you can certainly spend the entire day at either of them and never run out of things to do.

At Xcaret, you can swim with dolphins, sample Snuba (diving without a tank) or Sea Trek (strolling underwater with a helmet). Also enjoy leisurely snorkeling, take a float trip on a raft, or watch a spectacular night show with more than 300 dancers, singers and performers. Here, you an also see a number of animals, fish and insects, from manatees and turtles to jaguars and butterflies.

Xel-Ha gives visitors the opportunity to float down a freshwater river in an innertube until it meets up with a saltwater bay; along the way, you can hop out to jump into the water from cliffs or maneuver a tricky rope crossing. Dolphin swims, Snuba and Sea Trek are also available at Xel-Ha, and kayaking (included in the admission prices) is also a popular way to explore Xel-Ha.

Of course, rest and relaxation are also important on any tropical vacation. Be sure to take the time to find a quiet spot under a palm tree on a pristine beach with a frothy drink in hand -- now that's a slice of paradise!