Ancient Mayan ruins. Miles of soft sandy beaches. Crystal-clear tourmaline waters. These are just some of the many enchanting features of Mexico's Riviera Maya.

Located south of Cancun along the Caribbean coastline in the eastern portion of the Yucat¨¢n Peninsula, this stunning and historic area is filled with a myriad of hidden gems just waiting to be explored.

These magical off-the-beaten-path destinations are the perfect way to connect with the culture and immense beauty of the Riviera Maya.

Though it's only 80 miles from the busy resort mecca of Cancun, the Mayan city of Tulum feels light years away in more ways than one.

Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the clear turquoise Caribbean waters, the former walled city was one of the last to be built by the Mayans, and its archaeological treasures remain incredibly intact.

Each Mayan city had a specific purpose and Tulum was no exception. As the only Mayan city built on a coast, Tulum served as a bustling seaport trading heavily in turquoise and jade.

One of few fortified Mayan sites, Tulum is perhaps the best preserved historic coastal sites in all of Mexico and is rumored to have some of the world's best magical energy.

Designed by astronomers, the main temple, El Castillo, was specifically constructed in direct alignment with the summer solstice. Sunrise on this day shines directly through multiple windows of this magnificent structure.

An expansive walkway extended out around the ruins and a wooden staircase leads down to a beach for swimming or sunbathing. The waters off Tulum are renowned as one of the world's premier diving locations.

Immaculate white sandy beaches reign supreme in Riviera Maya. While they're each superb in their own rite, one definitely stands out for its idyllic beauty and ecological significance.

Akumal, meaning "place of turtles" is a natural refuge for sea turtles that lay their eggs on Half Moon Bay Beach between the months of May and November.

A wide stretch of its stunning beaches encompasses a series of five picturesque bays. The protected offshore reefs makethe area ideal for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling or diving in its crystalline waters or exploring its underground rivers.

La Buena Vida (The Good Life) is a fun, festive beach bar with stunning ocean views, great seafood, and tropical drinks served feet in the sand under shaded palapas.

Two miradors or crow's nest outlooks are perched over the beach providing incredible panoramic views of the bay and sunsets.

Sacred to the ancient Mayans, cenotes, meaning "sacred wells," are rare geological freshwater sinkholes formed thousands of years ago when limestone ground caved in, thereby creating underwater reservoirs. These cenotes were a critical source of water during times of drought and were believed to be secret entrances to the underworld.

Dos Ojos, translated as "Two Eyes" was one of our favorites. Nestled in a nature preserve, the two cenotes shaped like a pair of goggles connect into a large cavern and have one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world. The crystal clear, azure water was refreshingly cool and pure-the perfect setting for cave diving and snorkeling.

Often lauded as one of the best-kept secrets of the Yucatan, Rio Secreto is a collection of underground rivers and caves containing thousands of spectacularly dramatic stalagmites and stalactites.

It came highly recommended and indeed this natural wonder is definitely a sight to behold.

For thousands of years, rainwater filtered down from the jungles above through the limestone and into the underground channels. This natural phenomenon has resulted in crystal clear fresh waters and awe-inspiring rock formations taking millions of years to form.

Donning wetsuits, helmet, and lanterns, we were accompanied by a guide down a spiral staircase to the caves and through a maze of almost indescribable hauntingly beautiful labyrinths.

Often called the Jewel of the Mexican Riviera, the quaint fishing village of Puerto Morelos is a perfect example of what coastal, laid-back Mexican life once was.

This quiet, charming town has only two principal streets and is one of the oldest communities on Mexico's Caribbean coast. Known for its iconic leaning lighthouse, today, Puerto Morales is most noted for its National Marine Park. This underwater world is home to part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest reef system in the world.

When seaside restaurants here advertise their catch of the day, they're not kidding. Fish coming off the boats head straight to these eateries for same day hook-to-table consumption.

With spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, the thatched-roof eatery Los Pel¨ªcanos with its large iconic white anchor and chain at its entrance serves up some fabulous Mexican cuisine.

Plato Pel¨ªcanos, a seafood mix for two was a sumptuous combination of lobster, shrimp and local fish grilled with butter and garlic.

There's no doubt Mexico's Caribbean coast is full of treasures. From its verdant jungles and sugary beaches to its ancient Mayan temples and magical underground, this area is one unforgettable destination.

Riviera Maya is something every wanderlust traveler should plan to experience at least once in a lifetime.