These are the 9 destinations in Quintana Roo that you shouldn’t miss

Quintana Roo is the most visited state in Mexico because of Cancun. Cancun International Airport reported receiving 3,884,708 visitors from January to August 2021 and 82% of that number are American travelers.

There are many places to visit in Quintana Roo but not all of them are accessible or fit the tourism layout yet so in this list, we will only give you the 9 best ones not to miss.

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⁉️ What does Quintana Roo mean in English?

Quintana Roo was named after a famous lawyer, Andres Quintana Roo in 1902. Quintana was from the city of Merida in the state of Yucatan. Together with his wife, Leona Vicario, they both fought for Mexican independence.

Actually, Leona Vicario is also a popular street name all over Mexico (i.e. Leona Vicario Avenue in Cabo San Lucas). Latin American nations use both paternal and maternal surnames. Quintana was Andres’ paternal name and Roo was his maternal name.

???? What is Quintana Roo known for?

Ultimately, you will hear or know about Quintana Roo because of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen – the three major destinations in the state. Quintana Roo is known for its turquoise waters and white sand beaches which attract many tourists from all over the world to do their vacation here.

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???? 9 places to visit in Quintana Roo

#1: Tulum

Tulum has been a hotspot for young professionals, Spring Breakers, and young travelers but today, many families with kids have been attracted to this small town. It is known to be an eco-friendly destination and holistic practitioners flock Tulum to hold yoga retreats and wellness trips.

Plan your trip: ????️ Tulum Hotels | ????️ Tulum Things To Do | ???? Tulum Rental Cars

#2: Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is about a 20-minute ferry ride from Cancun. The island is 4 miles long which makes it a good place to enjoy a small-town vibe. It is one of the places to visit in Quintana Roo if you’re looking for a place that isn’t saturated with resorts and loud nightlife scene. This destination is for everyone who wants to have a quiet vacation.

Plan your trip: ????️ Isla Mujeres Hotels | ????️ Isla Mujeres Things To Do

#3: Cozumel

Cozumel is the most visited place in Quintana Roo. From January to August 2021, Cozumel Airport reported to have received 121,716 visitors. This is the top destination for diving not only in Mexico but in the world. Many divers come to Cozumel to see the magnificent sharks, eagle rays, and bull sharks.

Plan your trip: ????️ Cozumel Hotels | ????️ Cozumel Things To Do | ???? Cozumel Rental Cars

#4: Chetumal

Chetumal is the capital city of the state of Quintana Roo. It is Mexico’s trade gateway with Belize and is an important port in the state. Chetumal is famous for its traditional wooden buildings and is somewhat referred to as the “place of redwood.” Although you won’t get a complete beach getaway, Chetumal has interesting museums and parks to visit and it’s still the cheapest destination in Quintana Roo.

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#5: Mahahual

Mahahual used to be a fishing village but today, it has grown to be the only cruise port in Quintana Roo. It is relatively younger than other places to visit in Quintana Roo but they already have a decent hotel infrastructure, good restaurants, and a lot of virgin beaches to explore! You can experience both slow and city life when you visit Chetumal.

Plan your trip: ????️ Mahahual Hotels | ????️ Mahahual Things To Do

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#6: Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is a digital nomad and expat hub in Quintana Roo. The cheaper cost of living, beaches, and vibrant nightlife is what draws many foreigners to live here or visit. The weather is great all year round and there are many things to do. The most popular activity is visiting the great Mayan Ruins and the stunning cenotes of Mexico. Playa del Carmen is only an hour from Tulum so you can combine these two for your trip.

Plan your trip: ????️ Playa del Carmen Hotels | ????️ Playa del Carmen Things To Do | ???? Playa del Carmen Rental Cars

#7: Cancun

One of the best places to visit in Quintana Roo is Cancun, a destination in Mexico that received the most number of travelers. In 2021 alone, numbers show that Cancun International Airport received 3,884,708 foreign visitors. Its reputation for being a resort city in Mexico is strong and this resort culture will not fade anytime soon. Cancun is an American’s favorite destination as 82% of its visitors are from the US.

Plan your trip: ????️ Cancun Resorts | ????️ Cancun Things To Do | ???? Cancun Rental Cars

#8: Bacalar

A 4-hour drive from Cancun International Airport, Bacalar has been growing as favorite remote places to visit in Quintana Roo. It is not that popular with tourists and even Mexicans yet but is visited by tourists who wants to get away from the hustle-bustle in Cancun. There are areas in Bacalar that have no phone signal so take this time to unplug and stay in an ocean villa by Bacalar Lake.

Plan your trip: ????️ Bacalar Hotels | ????️ Bacalar Things To Do | ???? Bacalar Rental Cars

#9: Isla Holbox

Isla Holbox is another world. The main mode of transportation in the island is golf carts so you will see a lot of them in traffic. Everyone knows everyone and it’s so easy to make friends here! During the season, swimming with whale sharks is the main attraction. In the Mayan language, Holbox (pronounced as olbosh) means black hole.

Plan your trip: ????️ Holbox Hotels | ????️ Holbox Things To Do | ???? Holbox Rental Cars

✈️ Ready for your trip to Mexico? If you need more information about the best places to visit in Quintana Roo, I’d be happy to update this post – just leave your questions below!