The Riviera Maya is warming up for winter season: new direct flights are landing in Tulum and the region is getting ready for Day of the Dead days full of music, altars and traditional food.

What's making news this week

As part of the winter route package announced by Quintana Roo, Tulum International Airport receives flights from Canada starting this week: Toronto on Air Canada and Montreal on Air Transat from October 25, Montreal on Air Canada from the 29th and Toronto on WestJet from the 31st, plus a Newark–Tulum route planned for December 17 (it's worth confirming dates with each airline). On the cultural side, the 20th edition of Xcaret's Festival of Life and Death (October 30 to November 2) will have Guanajuato as guest state, more than 37 altars and a Pandora and Flans concert on October 31 with a separate ticket. In Playa del Carmen, Janal Pixán runs October 30 to November 3 at Plaza 28 de Julio and Fifth Avenue, with altars and traditional food such as mucbipollo; the day-by-day program hasn't been published yet.

Must-do activities

  • Parque Los Fundadores — Playa del Carmen's seafront plaza, with the Portal Maya and Papantla flyer shows; a good starting point for a walk.
  • Cenote Azul — an open cenote with crystal-clear water between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with platforms for jumping and swimming.
  • Cenote Zacil-Ha — a small cenote near Tulum with a zipline over the water and a calm atmosphere.
  • Muyil Archaeological Zone — a jungle-surrounded Maya site south of Tulum, far less crowded than others.
  • Xplor — an adventure park with ziplines, amphibious vehicles and underground rivers, ideal for an active day.

Best spots to visit

Xcacel, between Akumal and Tulum, is a protected beach and sea turtle sanctuary, with no large buildings and a very wide stretch of white sand. Go early, bring water and biodegradable sunscreen, and respect the marked nesting areas.

Where to stay: the top-rated hotels

  • Sandos Caracol Eco Resort — all-inclusive between jungle and mangrove, with cenotes on site and family options.
  • Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya — adults-only, with an elegant feel and a wide beach at Punta Maroma.
  • Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya — modern, relaxed style within the Mayakoba complex.
  • Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya — adults-only on Akumal bay, with unlimited service.
  • Occidental at Xcaret Destination — all-inclusive next to Xcaret, handy if you're going to the Festival of Life and Death.

Where to eat

To start the day in Playa del Carmen, Chez Céline is a well-loved French bakery; in Tulum, Antojitos La Chiapaneca is famous for its budget tacos al pastor and Arca serves chef-driven wood-fire cooking. And if you go to Janal Pixán, try mucbipollo, the baked tamal typical of the season.