The Riviera Maya says goodbye to Day of the Dead and starts November with a rise in bookings: a good time to travel at a calmer pace before high season.

What's making news this week

The third edition of Playa del Carmen's Janal Pixán, with monumental altars, traditional food and more than 300 artists, closes this Tuesday, November 3, at Plaza 28 de Julio, with free activities for residents and visitors. In Cozumel, CONANP has temporarily restricted access during October and November to four areas of Cozumel Reefs National Park (San Francisco, San Francisco Bajo, Santa Rosa and Santa Rosa Wall) so the coral can recover; other sites are not part of the restriction, but always dive with authorized operators and ask which spots are open (the report gives no exact reopening date). On sargassum, the latest advisory shows heavy arrivals in Playa del Carmen and Tulum, while Cozumel's west coast remains in better shape; if you're traveling these days, check the advisory before choosing a beach. And on occupancy, hoteliers report a slight rise in bookings for early November, a sign that there's still good availability.

Must-do activities

  • Janal Pixán at Plaza 28 de Julio — last day Tuesday, November 3, with altars, music and traditional food, free of charge.
  • Chankanaab Park — on Cozumel's west coast, with a beach, reef snorkeling and a botanical garden, in an area less exposed to sargassum.
  • Cenote Car Wash — a very clear cenote on the Tulum–Cobá road, with aquatic plants and good visibility for snorkeling.
  • Punta Laguna — a community reserve near Cobá where you can see spider monkeys in their natural habitat.
  • Xenses — a Grupo Xcaret park with sensory circuits and optical illusions, fun for the whole family.

Best spots to visit

If you're after an almost untouched Riviera Maya, Punta Allen, at the far southern end of the reserve, is a fishing village surrounded by mangroves and turquoise sea, famous for fly fishing and boat trips to see dolphins and turtles. The dirt road is long, so it's best to go on a tour or in a suitable vehicle.

Where to stay: the top-rated hotels

  • Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa — on Cozumel's west coast, with its own beach and snorkeling right off the hotel.
  • Catalonia Royal Tulum — adults-only on Xpu-Ha bay, surrounded by jungle.
  • Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal — a spacious all-inclusive near Akumal's beaches, with a golf course in the complex.
  • The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences — in Playa del Carmen, with spacious suites and a relaxed beachfront feel.
  • Mahekal Beach Resort — rustic-style bungalows steps from Fifth Avenue, with a beach and a bohemian vibe.

Where to eat

In Cozumel, Kinta is one of the most recommended spots for contemporary Mexican cooking in San Miguel; and in Tulum, El Camello Jr. is a local favorite for ceviche and fresh fish at good prices, right in town.