Quintana Roo is home to some of the most magnificent beaches, friendly people and impressive cultural and historical sites making it one of the top tourism destinations in the world.
The state is located within the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula with a majority of its shoreline stretching along the Caribbean Sea. More than 1,300,000 people currently call Quintana Roo, the youngest state in Mexico, home. Having achieved statehood in 1974, the population of the area has only recently experienced tremendous growth primarily because of its burgeoning tourism scene.
This Caribbean part of Mexico is home to several popular resort cities along the Riviera Maya including Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. In these more populous and cosmopolitan cities, visitors will find many places to stay including luxurious all inclusives as well as boutique hotels. There are multiple fine dining options as well as food carts and grocery stores and a wealth of activities including cinemas, theaters, museums and sporting events. Some of the surrounding communities that are smaller and less well-known but just as beautiful, include the communities of Puerto Morelos, Puerto Aventuras and the turtle sanctuary of Akumal. Further south along the coast is the state capital of Chetumal and the up and coming cruise ship port town of Mahuaual.
The state of Quintana Roo also encompasses several unique islands including the scuba diver's paradise of Cozumel, the quaint and charming Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox and Isla Contoy which is primarily uninhabited but home to a bird sanctuary. With one of the largest reef systems in the world located just off the eastern coast, many of these cities and island serve as great spots to explore the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Snorkelers and scuba divers can see beautiful coral formations as well as marine life including exotic fish, eels, turtles, octopus and a variety of sharks. And with more than seven million acres of jungle and mangroves, there is an abundance of flora like orchids, red cedar and mahogany and fauna including monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, jaguars and snakes that can often be spotted. Dotted throughout the Yucatan and many times located deep within the jungles are cenotes, freshwater limestone sinkholes and caves that cover the area. Found very few other places in the world, these cenotes offer a place to cool off or explore.
Inland there are an impressive number of ancient Mayan ruins including Chichen-Itza, Coba and Ek Balam. Or venture away from the more established tourism destinations and explore the Maya Zone of Mexico which is located close to the major port city of Felipe Carillo Puerto. Here visitors can explore communities that have remained relatively untouched and learn about the area's history and traditions which include skills such as beekeeping and sisal rope making that provide economic support to the inhabitants of the region.
Cancun and Cozumel both have major, international airports that service Quintana Roo. An extensive and economical bus system connects to most other areas of the state via major highways. The region is typically hot and humid with average temperatures ranging around 85 F. Hurricane season starts June 1 and runs through November 1 which are also the rainiest months.