Top Things to do in Quintana Roo
Top Hotels in Quintana Roo
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The 10 Best Historic Sites in Quintana Roo, Quintana Roo
Discover the best top things to do in Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula including Zona Arqueologica Kohunlich, Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben, Multum Ha Cenote, Zona Arqueologica Playa del Carmen, San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site, Zona Arqueologica El Rey, Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar, Scorpion’s Temple, Holy Cross Catholic Church (iglesia Santa Cruz), Hacienda Mundaca.
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1. Zona Arqueologica Kohunlich
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 50 reviews
Reviewed By markpN8874JB - Denver, United States
This site is a bit more accessible than some of the other nearby site and more extensively restored. You can see an acropolis, several residential areas and the Building of the Figureheads. There you will see several 6' tall figureheads that are well preserved since they were entombed by a later structure.
2. Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 558 reviews
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
There are 3 outstanding sights you should see while your cruise ship is docked at Costa Maya port: Chacchoben ruins, Bacalar lagoon (7 blue lagoon) and Mahahual beach. Here, I'll give precise tips how to do all 3 in 7 hours, based on our great experience from Jan 2020. First advice is do NOT book via your ship or third party - DO it yourself: you'll save a lot of money, see more and have comfort over your time. - on the Costa Maya docking date get up early, have your breakfast and bring with you beverages from the ship (suppose you have a drink package paid), - be among the first to disembark the ship (this is important for later crowds at the archeological site), - skip (just walk through) the whole Costa Maya port. It's a pretty big labyrynth style shopping area, built in Mayan theme-park like houses with inflated prices catered to cruising passangers. You can visit it on your way back when embarking the ship if you want, - ignore the taxi drivers inside the port, they're more expensive, - walk to the port gates and ramp and exit, there're plenty of taxi drivers waiting, - haggle with them for day hire, telling the route you want: Chacchoben-Bacalar laggon-Mahahual beach, ask 7,8 of them until you reach a favorable offer, - to have a picture - their offer is around 200$, we managed to negotiate 140$ (paying is at the END of the tour), - first stop is Chacchoben archeological site (around 40 min drive). Here you have to pay taxi's parking fee 8$, plus 6$ pp entry fee. You can opt for a guide (30$), but no need, you'll see them around and can put your ear close to hear the story, moreover there are few explanation plaques, - we reached the ruins at around 9.30 AM, almost the only one there (therefore is getting up early important). Count on around hour and a half for visit. The site is great, like Chichen Itza on a much smaller scale, but in a lush jungle. The driver waits you on the parking lot, - when exiting around 11 AM huge crowds, no parking space, no place for pics with noone around (see my pics and get up early), - second stop Bacalar lagoon - the 7 blue lake color lagoon (slightly more than an hour drive from the ruins). 2 hrs free time - terrific swim in crystal lake water, rent a kayak (10$ only), - third and last stop is Mahahual beach (less than an hour from the lagoon) - more relax time before embarking (see my reviews on that page). All the drivers we spoke to (haggled) were very nice, not pushy. That was also the case with our Xavi, very honest and decent man, only downside he didn't speak English, but we made it on our poor Spanish. At the end when paying we tipped him extra 10, so rounded the whole trip to 150$ - real bargain. Do not be afraid, do that trip on your own and have a great time with no rush for much less money and in your own comfort without groups. For your info, only Chacchoben (WITHOUT Bacalar and the beach) costs 119$ pp if booking via ship.
3. Multum Ha Cenote
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 387 reviews
Reviewed By scottsnew1
We came here right after visiting Coba. It is easy to find just use google maps, and we visited another one also very nearby here. Entrance fee is 100 pesos and there are life vests. Just an FYI, the photos show a dock, but it was submerged about 3 feet underwater when we were there. This is a super deep cenote! I'm not sure how deep it is, but I think it was the deepest one we visited. Well worth the visit!
4. Zona Arqueologica Playa del Carmen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By Honey0725 - Portland, United States
It almost seems surreal to be able to walk up close to the ruins in Playacar Fase 1. These are the only ruins in Mexico that are free to view. A must see on any trip to PDC.
5. San Gervasio Mayan Archaeological Site
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,669 reviews
Although not as popular as Chichén Itzá, these ancient Mayan ruins are noteworthy in their own right, as this is the site where Mayan women paid tribute to the goddess of love and fertility.
Reviewed By AlyBeau - Columbia, United States
I'm SO happy we made a visit to San Gervasio! Get there and get yourself a tour guide to hear stories about this amazing historical site!!! We were so very fortunate to have Louie tell us about the things we saw. His story-telling is so passionate and extensive and it gave me the goosebumps a couple of times. I felt deeply connected through the story-telling and history. This place is incredible!!! If you are staying on Cozumel and torn about leaving the island to go to other Mayan sites, know that this space is well worth the visit if you want to stay on Cozumel!!
6. Zona Arqueologica El Rey
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,576 reviews
The past meets the present in this ancient Mayan structure located right in the middle of Cancun's Hotel Zone.
Reviewed By P9965XItracyk - Cochrane, Canada
We stayed at the Crown Paradise hotel and walked across the street to this place. We took a lot of kids to get away from the pools for awhile. The adults and 16 year old cost 55 pesos each. The kids were free. They loved it as much as I and especially spotting iguanas! I hope this society has more visitors so they can afford story signs. I found myself wanting more information!
7. Fuerte San Felipe Bacalar
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 925 reviews
Reviewed By ruthf65 - Dallas, United States
It was great visiting the inside of the fort. We had taken pictures of the outside but decided to pay the entrance fee. There is a small museum inside which provides the history of the area and why the fort was built. Wonderful views
8. Scorpion’s Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By 88ShannonK - Utica, United States
We saw this while walking down the beach and just walked right up, I don’t think we were supposed to as we had to duck under a rope to get to it. Scorpion’s temple is small but is an excellent photo opportunity, if you are staying close by it is definitely worth seeing! It’s awesome how this is right in the heart of the hotel zone!
