History of Riviera Maya in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 21, 2025

The Riviera Maya is a tourism and resort district located south of Cancun, Mexico, along the Caribbean coastline of Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula. Initially referring to the area between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, it has expanded to include Puerto Morelos to the north and Felipe Carrillo Puerto to the south. This larger region is now promoted as the Riviera Maya tourist corridor.

1999: Riviera Maya Renamed

In 1999, the "Cancun–Tulum corridor" was renamed the Riviera Maya, drawing a comparison to the Italian and French Riviera. This change was initiated by Miguel Ramón Martín Azueta, who was the municipal president of Solidaridad, Quintana Roo, at the time. The Riviera Maya includes the municipalities of Solidaridad and Tulum.

2008: Quintana Roo Speleological Society Report

By 2008, the Quintana Roo Speleological Society (QRSS) reported over 700 km of flooded cave passages in the Riviera Maya, including the Sac Actun and Ox Bel Ha, which are the two longest underwater cave systems globally. These caves provide essential groundwater resources.

March 2011: International Airport Construction Bidding

In March 2011, bidding for construction contracts for a new international airport, located about 20 km north of Tulum, was to be concluded.

2018: Tren Maya Construction Started

In 2018, construction began on the Tren Maya, a railway intended to run the length of the Riviera Maya and connect it with other destinations on the Yucatán peninsula.