Quintana Roo · best-of list
The 9 Best Outdoor Spots in Quintana Roo
All 9 outdoor spots our route editors picked in Quintana Roo, across 3 destinations, gathered in one list. Expect trails, beaches, parks and viewpoints, spread across 3 destinations.
Our curated picks
9 outdoor spots in Quintana Roo, grouped by destination. Destinations with the most picks come first; this is not a ranking.
Bacalar 3 picks
Cenote Azul
Bacalar · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
90-m deep cenote for swimming, with a lakeside restaurant.
Tip: Go weekday mornings.
Photo: Mayra Macias · Google
Cenote Cocalitos
Bacalar · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Lagoon spot with stromatolites and hammocks in the water.
Tip: Do not stand on the stromatolites.
Photo: M M · Google
Los Rápidos
Bacalar · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Section of lagoon with a gentle current you can float down.
Tip: Bring a float; arrive before groups.
Photo: Los Rápidos de Bacalar · Google
Playa del Carmen 3 picks
Akumal Bay
Playa del Carmen · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Bay known for snorkeling with green sea turtles.
Tip: Use a certified guide; keep distance from turtles.
Photo: Akumal Bay Beach & Spa Resort · Google
Playa Mamitas
Playa del Carmen · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Lively beach with beach clubs north of the center.
Tip: Weekends are busy; rent loungers at a club.
Photo: rocio rodriguez · Google
Punta Esmeralda
Playa del Carmen · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Local beach where a cenote spring meets the sea, with calm water.
Tip: Good for families; fewer vendors.
Photo: Anna Wiśniewska · Google
Tulum 3 picks
Cenote Dos Ojos
Tulum · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Connected cenotes famous for snorkeling and cave diving.
Tip: Book a guided snorkel for the dark sections.
Photo: Paula Llopis · Google
Gran Cenote
Tulum · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
Clear cenote with caverns for snorkeling and turtles.
Tip: Shower required before entering; go at opening.
Photo: Melody May · Google
Playa Paraíso
Tulum · On our Tulum & Riviera Maya route
White-sand beach just south of the ruins.
Tip: Swim after the ruins.
Photo: S. Lankowski · Google
How we picked these
Every entry is a stop on at least one of TripsCircle's hand-curated routes, chosen by our route editors, who wrote the reason to go shown with each place. These are our curated picks, not a scored ranking: we haven't rated or reviewed them against each other. The list is grouped by destination, and within each destination places that appear on more routes come first.
Prices ($ to $$$$) and visit lengths are rough guides from our route notes, not quotes. Check opening hours before you go.
About this list
How did you choose the outdoor spots in Quintana Roo?
Each one is a stop on a TripsCircle route that our editors built by hand, and each comes with a written reason to go. This page shows all 9 of them. They are curated picks, not a ranked score.
Which part of Quintana Roo has the most outdoor spots on this list?
Bacalar, Playa del Carmen and Tulum lead with 3 each; the other picks are spread across 0 more destinations.
Are any of these free?
2 picks on this list are marked free in our route notes: Punta Esmeralda and Playa Paraíso. Check ahead, since parking or special exhibits can cost extra.
More lists for Quintana Roo
Best outdoor spots nearby
Destinations on this list
- Bacalar 3 on this list
- Playa del Carmen 3 on this list
- Tulum 3 on this list
Turn this list into a plan
Open a curated route in TripsCircle, add the spots your crew wants, vote with polls and keep everyone on one shared itinerary.