10 Nature & Parks in Quintana Roo That You Shouldn't Miss

May 19, 2022 Nicolette Lion

Discover the best top things to do in Quintana Roo, Yucatan Peninsula including Palancar Reef, Cenotes Sac Actun, Cenote Santa Cruz, Maya Chan Beach, Lake Bacalar, Mayan Bee Sanctuary, Playa Delfines, Akumal Beach, Yal-ku Lagoon, Aktun Chen.
Restaurants in Quintana Roo

1. Palancar Reef

Parque Marino de Cozumel One mile off the southeastern coast, Cozumel 77600 Mexico
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4,062 reviews

Palancar Reef

This beautiful reef sits in about 80 feet of water and is a popular diving spot.

Reviewed By Larry-Crystal - Florence, United States

Palancar Caves, Palancar Gardens, Palancar Big Caves, Palancar Bricks.....all great dive sites. A good Dive operation will take the time and expense to drive their boats down to the southern dive sites where visiting scuba divers will see the best variety of sea life, coral mounts, swim throughs, and pelagics. We had a great experience with ScubaLife.

2. Cenotes Sac Actun

Carretera Federal 307, Tulum 77760 Mexico +52 998 734 9728 [email protected] http://www.cenotessacactun.com
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,633 reviews

Cenotes Sac Actun

Underground water paradise in the Riviera Maya, this visit will certainly be a unique experience like no other, mystical and extreme, you can snorkel or dive in the cavern full of formations.

Reviewed By StefR - Brooklyn, United States

After reading about so many cenotes, I was a bit overwhelmed as to which to choose. So we let our tour guide make this recommendation. It just so happened he had worked as a guide at this cenote for several years before becoming a tour guide so we just got lucky. This cenote is amazing! After parking and picking up lifejackets, we headed down the stairs and into the mouth of the cave. Our guide didn't really describe what we were about to do so it was a bit of a surprise to find such a huge cave system before us as we swam around. He knew his way around and we had such a great time seeing this natural wonder. We were there for 2 hours before seeing another soul. We had the whole place to ourselves for almost the entire time. There seemed to be endless tunnels and caves to explore so we were very happy to have a guide as we would have gotten lost very easily. Can't recommend this site enough! Definitely get a guide, bring a waterproof camera (or waterproof case for your phone) and enjoy!

3. Cenote Santa Cruz

Akumal 77776 Mexico +52 984 182 6052 [email protected] http://www.cenotesantacruz.com
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 693 reviews

Cenote Santa Cruz

Friends, if you are calling us and we don't answer your calls it is because we don't have good reception. We work only with previous reservations that can be made on our website or direct to our E-mail. We will answer you as soon as possible, we apologize for the inconvenience. Eco-friendly tours. Our excursions are groupal, private and personalized. “We invite you to live an awesome and fun adventure, enjoying the wonders that the Yucatan Peninsula has to offer, its heavenly beaches, Cenotes, Natural Reserves and archaeological sites. We are focused on sustainable, educational and recreational tourism in order to get the maximum and closest experience with the local communities, getting to know the flora, fauna and regional culture.”

Reviewed By jlwilm - Madison, United States

We were told that the Cenote Santa Cruz is a “must see” and we were not disappointed. We were 4 people picked up at our condo by Juan Pablo (JP) and it was immediately obvious that he has a passion for Mexico and the natural beauty. He made us very comfortable and alleviated any apprehensions. He explained everything and told us so much history of the surrounding area. JP kept insisting that this was “our” tour and we could take as much or as little of his time as we needed. The Cenote is breathtakingly beautiful with cool, clear water and we felt like we were in another world. This was not my first visit to a Cenote in Mexico but this was by far, the best, most informative and most beautiful one. I highly recommend Cenote Santa Cruz.

4. Maya Chan Beach

K.M. 6.5 Carretera Majahual-Xcalak, Mahahual 77940 Mexico +52 983 101 3585 [email protected] http://www.costamayabeachresort.com/
Excellent
91%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,739 reviews

Maya Chan Beach

Private beach resort for cruise ship passengers.

Reviewed By plantemar

We visited Maya Chan Beach while on a cruise. It was perfect : super friendly staff, very good homemade food, excellent bar service, nice floating chairs and paddle board, nice sandy beach and refreshing pool. We had a beach cabana with chairs, day bed and hammock for ourselves. Could not ask for better because it was THE best. Can’t go wrong with this gem!

5. Lake Bacalar

Bacalar Mexico
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,594 reviews

Lake Bacalar

Reviewed By 389florka - London, United Kingdom

Pueblo magico - truly is !!! There are different shades of blue from the lightest to dark dark blue . We took a boat with tour guy which cost about 260 peso it took about 2.5 h all around lake with few stops when we could jump in the water and enjoy this beautiful place . Water is sweet which made the experience even better:) , would highly recommend it . We stayed near Playa del Carmen and it took us 3.5 h drive , the best is to early morning so can make most of it . Plenty shops and restaurants around to get some snacks or food.

6. Mayan Bee Sanctuary

Carretera Transversal Km 10, San Miguel de Cozumel, Cozumel 77660 Mexico +52 987 141 5321 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/Mayan-Bee-Sanctuary-216814582603528/
Excellent
89%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 45 reviews

Mayan Bee Sanctuary

The Mayan Bee Sanctuary it´s a place to discover the stingless bee and the Melipona honey. The Mayan Bee Sanctuary, is an interactive place in which you become in an explorer of the history of one of the most nutritional food in the world. Behind The Mayan Bee Santuary there is one of the largest operators of tourism of Mexico, Aviomar Adventours, a company with over 50 years of experience and hig

Reviewed By invitationOvoyage - Milwaukee, United States

Happened to pass this place on the way to the East side of the island. Glad we stopped! Joined a family and listened/saw to some Mayan history and legend as well as learn about the awesome bees that be on the island. Nice little gift shop with bee-themed authentic Mexican pottery and lots of different honey products. Staff and guide very friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. Tour in Spanish and English. Thumbs up!

7. Playa Delfines

Boulevard Kukulkan, Punta Nizuc - Cancun 335 Zona Hotelera, Cancun 77500 Mexico
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,518 reviews

Playa Delfines

Reviewed By Nest_Of_Snakes - Mexico City, Mexico

If you are tired of the standard beaches along the Hotel Zone, visit Playa Delfines, a beautiful and very large beach with fine sand and slightly intense waves located near El Rey archaeological zone. Here, you can rent chairs and beach umbrellas as well as bring your own drinks and snacks. You will also find bathrooms, showers, "palapas" and parking lot, all these services totally free. Here you will also find a beautiful wooden lookout with the colorful "Cancún" sign that appears on many of the city´s postcards and brochures.

8. Akumal Beach

Akumal Mexico
Excellent
63%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 13,346 reviews

Akumal Beach

Reviewed By Hiram_Vienna - Vienna, Austria

The powder white sand is fantastic - you can swim with the sea turtles just 20m from the beach - it’s like a dream here

9. Yal-ku Lagoon

Riviera Maya, Akumal 77776 Mexico +52 984 875 9065 http://www.facebook.com/yalku
Excellent
54%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
5%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,044 reviews

Yal-ku Lagoon

Reviewed By MinnesotanTraveler

Yal-ku lagoon is an estuary where fresh and salt water meet, so the biodiversity in the lagoon is incredible. The water is teeming with fish. You can rent a snorkel or bring your own. The park around the lagoon features interesting art statues. There is a small snack bar, clean restrooms, and lockers.

10. Aktun Chen

Highway 307 between Akumal and Xel-Ha Km 107, Akumal 77780 Mexico +52 984 806 4962 [email protected] http://www.aktun-chen.com
Excellent
75%
Good
19%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,063 reviews

Aktun Chen

An underground cave with spectacular rock formations.

Reviewed By jordyguth - Logan, United States

We thoroughly enjoyed our day at this unique and authentic site. It was fun to be off the beaten path in a relaxed setting that hasn't been overrun by tourists. It is a very well run establishment, and the entire staff was friendly and accommodating. The guides were upbeat and patient with us, as well as being very knowledgeable about the caves and the ecology. The prices were very reasonable, and we got a package deal when we went to the Tulum ruins that included a guided tour of the Tulum ruins plus the Aktun Chen cave tour and cenote swim for around $54/each (3 adults, two teens, and two 12 year olds). We tacked on the zipline for a discounted price. We spent all day and enjoyed every aspect of the experience, including the restaurant (reasonable prices and good local fare) and the animals (mostly animal rescues in a semi natural enclosures). We also saw several native butterflies (blue morphos and black/orange longwings) in their natural jungle setting. The absolute highlight was swimming in the underground cenote among the cave formations, fish, and the clearest water I have ever seen. It is incredibly dramatic with the natural light from above through holes in the limestone ceiling. All of the guides we had were wonderful and seemed to love their "office" setting. I would definitely rank our day at Aktun Chen as one of the main highlights of our trip! Thank you for a wonderful experience.

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