Things To Do
Chichén-Itzá
Famous mayan city ruins and pyramid
Xcaret Park
"A water park, theme park, amusement park, eco-archaeological park, and more". Admission is ~$120 for the day, and they have packages with their other parks as well. Great place for kids/ families.
Cenote Azul
There are loads of cenotes in the rivera maya, but this is one of the more accessible ones.
Ik Kil
Another great cenote, very close to Chichen Itza.
Tulum
"It's about the vibes, man" About 2 hours south of the CUN airport, Tulum is a rapidly growing town that was once a Mayan walled city. Tulum has more recently has gained a reputation for it's unique expat-heavy culture. It has a bustling live music scene (think house and techno), lots of vegan dining options, and upscale bohemian eco-friendly shops. There's no shortage of gringo influencers here. There is also an archeological zone where you can tour the Mayan ruins.
Valladolid
Nice colonial town worth a visit if you're going to make the trek to Chichen Itza.
Cozumel
Cozumel is an island easily accessible by ferry from Playa del Carmen known for great snorkeling and diving.
Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres is an island about an hour from Cancun including a 30 minute ferry. Luisa says it has the best beaches in the region.
Cenotes
There's an abundance of Cenotes (or natural springs) throughout the area, some busy, some secluded, some underground, search around! Most you have to pay a small fee to access, and most you can swim in. Some you can even dive!
Playa del Carmen
About 1 hour south of the CUN airport, Playa del Carmen is known mainly for white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a laid back bohemian vibe. The famous 5th avenue is a pedestrian walkway that runs through town and is lined with shops, restaurants, bars and palm trees with twinkly lights.