When planning a trip to Mexico, there are so many breathtaking destinations you could put into your bucket list—like the Baja California Peninsula, Copper Canyon (Barrancas del Cobre), the Yucatán Peninsula, the Pacific Coast, and the Sierra Madre Occidental, just to name a few! Having visited multiple times, I really love the beauty and charm of the Mexican Riviera. The Riviera offers a breathtaking mix of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and rich history, making it a paradise for photographers of all levels. The Riviera Maya, a stretch of Caribbean coastline in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, includes stunning locations such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and beyond. Whether you’re into landscape, wildlife, street, or underwater photography, this region has endless opportunities for capturing incredible images. Here are some of my favorites.
18-55mm lens; 2 sec.; f/5.0; ISO 1600, AV mode
Riviera Maya Cenotes
The Riviera Maya cenotes are one of the most magical and unique natural features in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. A cenote is a natural sinkhole formed when limestone bedrock collapses, exposing groundwater underneath. These were sacred to the ancient Maya, who believed cenotes were portals to the underworld. The Cenotes are scattered all over the Riviera Maya and I just loved visiting them but I took a private taxi to visit this one close by and crawl through the caves.
18-55mm lens; 1/4000 sec.; f/5.6; ISO 400, AV mode
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a vibrant coastal town in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico, and it’s got a little bit of everything—beaches, nightlife, culture, food, adventure—all wrapped up with Caribbean vibes. Playa started as a sleepy fishing village but has exploded into one of the most visited beach towns in Mexico. If you like street photography, you’ll love this place. I just love wandering the beach and see what pops up – as in this case!
Powershot A80; 1/500 sec.; f/5.6; ISO 50, AV mode
Tulum Mayan Ruins
Tulum is about 2 hours south of Cancún in the Riviera Maya, along Mexico’s Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo. I just love Tulum with its Mayan ruins perched over the sea. There are stunning cenotes in this region and jungle escapes that make for great photography. You may also want to check out the Coba Mayan Ruins and Chichén Itzá ruins. There are so many angles to choose from to capture this Mayan beauty.
18-55mm lens; 1.3 sec.; f/5.0; ISO 1600, AV mode
Xcaret Park
Xcaret Park is a massive eco-park just south of Playa del Carmen. I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy the photo opportunities here, but it turned out to be an absolute blast—and the pictures came out amazing! Xcaret Park in Mexico is one of the most famous and beloved attractions in the Riviera Maya, especially if you’re into a mix of nature, culture, water fun, wildlife, and stunning visuals. Check it out – you’ll love it!
Powershot D10 under water camera; 1/320 sec.; f/2.8; ISO 80, AV mode
Nature & Wildlife
You may also want to check out Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve – Rio Secreto and Cozumel for Nature & Wildlife photography. I love to snorkel and the Riviera Maya is one of the best places in the world for snorkeling! It offers a mix of vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear cenotes, and calm lagoons, making it perfect for all levels—from beginners to experienced snorkelers. I had my Canon Powershot D10 camera for this underwater adventure!
Conclusion
The Riviera Maya is a paradise of natural wonders, vibrant culture, and dramatic light—a visual playground for photographers of all styles. Whether you’re into landscapes, wildlife, architecture, underwater shots, or candid street scenes, this stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coast delivers in every frame.
The Finishing Touch
For this “Mexico” collection, I decided to use the Hahnemühle Bamboo Gloss Baryta paper. The natural white paper comes in a pleasant, warm shade of white and contains no optical brighteners. Combined with its lightly textured surface, Hahnemühle Bamboo Gloss Baryta offers a natural-looking aesthetic with the look and feel of an analogue baryta paper. The high-gloss premium inkjet coating delivers outstanding print results I love it – why not give it a try!
Happy Shooting & Printing!
Peter Dulis