October is a month of tradition and good food in the Riviera Maya: culinary festivals, Day of the Dead altars and weather that gradually gets more pleasant.
What's making news this week
In October, Playa del Carmen hosts Playa Food Week, a week of special menus at its restaurants. From October 31 to November 2 comes Hanal Pixan, the Maya Day of the Dead, with offerings, mucbipollo and cultural tours. And at the end of the month, Xcaret's Festival of Life and Death brings together music, altars and traditions from across the country.
Must-do activities
- Xpu-Ha — one of the prettiest bays on the coast, with calm water and simple beach clubs.
- Punta Esmeralda — a white-sand beach where an underground river flows straight into the sea, in Playa del Carmen.
- Puerto Aventuras — a tourist marina with snorkeling and boat rides.
- Bacalar Lagoon — the "lagoon of seven colors," ideal for a day trip or an overnight.
- Hanal Pixan — offerings and traditional Maya dishes from late October into early November.
Best spots to visit
Beyond Fifth Avenue, Punta Esmeralda combines beach and cenote in one spot: fresh water from an underground river mixes with the Caribbean Sea, a contrast worth seeing any time of year.
Where to stay: the top-rated hotels
- Hotel Xcaret Arte — adults-only, with art and gastronomy built into the experience.
- Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún — adults-only luxury on one of the area's best beaches.
- Excellence Riviera Cancún — adults only, with personalized service and a spa.
- Azulik Tulum — eco-luxury in the Tulum jungle, with elevated villas and plenty of design.
- Royalton Riviera Cancún — family all-inclusive in Puerto Morelos, with many pools.
Where to eat
For contemporary Maya cuisine, Yaxche in Playa del Carmen is a reference point. In Tulum, Gitano offers a jungle atmosphere with creative Mexican cooking, and Burrito Amor is a casual favorite among visitors.