Enjoying a diving session in the Riviera Maya could be compared to visiting a parallel universe. The Mexican Caribbean hides magical corners in its depths, so incredible that, at times, they give the sensation of having been taken from a different plane of reality: underwater homes full of multidimensional landscapes where beings from another world intertwine their lives in a network of eternal evolution.
Nearly 4 billion years ago, the oceans were the origin of existence as we know it, thanks to microscopic plankton and their ability to generate oxygen. In the ancient cultures of Mexico, the birth of the whole is related to the power of the gods, which remains hidden from the ordinary eye. Cenotes, deep wells that reach deep into the heart of the earth and are fed by underground rivers, were considered the gateways to the Mayan underworld. Diving in them is just the beginning... or the consecration, depending on how you look at it. Next, we tell you about the best spots in Riviera Maya for scuba diving, so that you can discover the wonders it hides during your next vacation.
Puerto Morelos Reef National Park
Close to Playa Paraiso is the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park, one of the best places in the Riviera Maya for scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as one of the closest to the Iberostar Playa Paraiso complex, which has a Dressel Divers diving centre on its premises. There you can sign up for day trips and take PADI courses to get you started in this exciting sport while staying at one of its five hotels, including JOIA Paraíso by Iberostar, a superior category accommodation especially geared towards adults that has won numerous awards. Here you will experience the joy of combining active tourism and luxury with an extraordinary ecosystem, always under a sustainable philosophy. An interest in coastal health, which also includes the restoration of coral reefs, will be very present throughout your trip.
The Puerto Morelos Reef is part of the Great Mayan Reef, which in turn belongs to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. To give you an idea, this protected area of especially warm waters alone is home to more than 1,300 species of animals and plants, 58 of which are at risk of extinction, such as the elkhorn coral or the hawksbill turtle. The best months for pleasure dives? From April to August, although in Cancun, the good weather will be with you all year round.
Mesoamerican Barrier Reef or Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS)
Another key location in the Riviera Maya for scuba diving without leaving the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, also known as the Belize Barrier Reef or the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System (MBRS), is the coastline of Playa del Carmen. From there, diving and snorkelling expeditions are organised to get to know this prodigious coral reef that enchanted Jacques Cousteau himself. It can be reached by swimming from certain areas of the coastline. The barrier reef stretches for more than 1,000 kilometers and encompasses the territories of Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula, as well as the island of Cozumel, another Mexican coastal destination, where the Iberostar Waves Cozumel hotel, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras are also located.
In Playa del Carmen, Iberostar Waves Quetzal and Iberostar Waves Tucán invite you to open your eyes to the sea and all the riches it holds. From the very first moment, your stay at these five-star beachfront hotels will be intimately connected to the local tradition, where gastronomy, with typical dishes such as tacos, mole or exotic Caribbean fruit cocktails, occupy a special place. In addition, to further contribute to protecting the coasts and corals, 100% of the fish and seafood served in all Iberostar restaurants in Mexico comes from responsible fishing sources.
Tajma Ha and Dos Ojos Cenotes
As we mentioned before, the cenotes in the Riviera Maya are closely linked to the history of their original peoples. Under the name of Xibalbá, the Mayans conceived the existence of an underworld of spirits in the core of the planet, a sort of Beyond which could be accessed through sacred porticoes such as the pyramid of Chichén Itzá, the seabed or these freshwater wells with their endless caves and passages. Diving inside them will teleport you to that mysterious pre-Columbian imaginary through the exuberance of nature, another form of divinity. Close to Playa del Carmen and in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by wildlife and endangered plants that cannot be seen anywhere else, the Tajma Ha and Dos Ojos cenotes observe the sky with their bodies immersed in the afterlife. Their caves of phosphorescent rocks will leave you speechless. Other renowned cenotes are Cenote Azul and Cenote Cristalino.
Mama Viña Shipwreck
In the Riviera Maya, there are also shipwrecks to swim through. One of them is the Mama Viña shipwreck, an enigma in Playa del Carmen that lies more than 30 meters deep under the ocean. It is believed that this old shrimp trawler ended up there back in 1995, when it sank. With the passage of time, a beautiful and strange reef has formed around it; a colony that attests to the great capacity of adaptation and resilience that corals possess, capable of thriving even in the most unexpected places. However, if you decide to visit it, you have to keep in mind that it is a high difficulty dive, as it is totally vertical and very deep, only suitable for experienced divers.
On the other hand, diving with sharks in Riviera Maya in an ethical way is also possible in Mama Viña, because between the months of March and November many of these animals come to swim in the area. Although, contrary to popular belief, sharks are not aggressive and do not attack people easily, we recommend that, before embarking on such an adventure, you learn about all the options from the native guides, who will also show you how to practice community-based tourism by supporting local projects while perfecting your diving techniques.
Akumal
One of the best places in Riviera Maya for scuba diving if you are an animal lover is located in Akumal, a paradisiacal spot bathed by calm and crystalline waters located about 30 minutes from Playa del Carmen and known as "the land of turtles". In fact, there you can snorkel (in a snorkeling area) with turtles, among which you will see loggerhead and hawksbill turtles, both endangered species in Mexico. They feed in the underwater meadows near the shore, protected by coral reefs. In addition, from May to September, females come to spawn on the beach at night. As in the case of sharks, approaching these creatures with respect, trying not to interfere with their routines or their habitat, is essential to take care of them and their home, the sea. This can be a good activity for children to learn to interact with animals ethically, also in other destinations in other areas of Mexico such as Riviera Nayarit (Iberostar Selection Playa Mita, another exclusive Mexican oasis, awaits you there), where the trip will enrich the whole family.
Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA)
To experience Mexico's culture and traditions to the fullest, you should allow yourself to be carried away by its energy and get lost in its towns and beaches, but also visit its museums, including the marine kind. The Underwater Museum of Art or MUSA is a curious submerged corner where, among other things, you will contemplate evocative sculptures of a special material fixed to the bottom and wrapped in plants. It opened in 2009 with the aim of promoting interaction between artistic creation and natural sciences. Thus, his works are specially designed to be inhabited by marine fauna and flora. The creations encourage the growth of reefs, increasing biomass. And the reefs intensify the beauty of the creations, more and more, mimicking the ecosystem and part of it. Because Riviera Maya scuba diving (you are beginning to see for yourself) is not only a leisure plan. It is also culture in movement, environmental awareness, enjoyment and, connecting it all as an inner thread, a path full of treasures that will allow you to access a new dimension of you.
