Where to stay in the Riviera Maya
Mayakoba, just north of Playa del Carmen, is the easiest base for a first visit: Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Alila Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba and Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba share one lagoon and mangrove setting, and Fairmont Mayakoba sits beside the El Camaleón golf course. Farther north on the Maroma coast, between Playa del Carmen and Cancún, Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Chablé Maroma and Palafitos Overwater Bungalows suit travelers who want a quiet beach and fewer neighbors. The Kanai reserve holds Etéreo, Auberge Collection, The Riviera Maya EDITION At Kanai and The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, newer resorts with large grounds. Closer to Playa del Carmen, Viceroy Riviera Maya (Playa Xcalacoco) and Palmaïa-The House of AïA: All Inclusive Wellness Resort (Playacar) cover villas and wellness, while Paraiso de la Bonita, Adult All-Inclusive, a Luxury Collection Resort is in Puerto Morelos. Families and anyone planning to spend days at the parks should look at Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive and, for adults, Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only and La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret Adults Only. At the southern end, Hotel Esencia sits on Xpu-Ha beach, Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya lies between Tulum and Akumal, and La Valise Tulum, member of Small Luxury Hotels is on the Tulum beach road.
Quick picks
- First visit, in the Mayakoba lagoons: Rosewood Mayakoba (US$983–1,244 / night)
- Private pool villa in the Mayakoba reserve: Banyan Tree Mayakoba (US$437–736 / night)
- Quiet beach on the Maroma coast: Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya (US$819–1,327 / night)
- Newer resort in the Kanai reserve: The Riviera Maya EDITION At Kanai (US$409–849 / night)
- Overwater bungalow, adults only, all-inclusive: Palafitos Overwater Bungalows (US$1,298–1,597 / night)
- Xcaret parks included, adults only: Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only (US$600–809 / night)
- Small estate near Tulum and Playa del Carmen: Hotel Esencia
Reference rates: nightly, 2 adults in one room, before tax, across four dates a year; from about US$294 a night.
Alila Mayakoba
Mayakoba · near Mayakoba lagoons, north of Playa del Carmen · opened 2026 · 182 rooms
Alila Mayakoba is Hyatt's Alila brand in Latin America and the Caribbean, reworked from the former Andaz Mayakoba, and it began operating in early 2026. It has 182 keys, with about 40 percent suites, and a number of suites have their own plunge pool. Beachfront rooms sit near the Caribbean and lagoon suites overlook the waterways. It suits travelers who want the Mayakoba setting in a freshly redone resort.
Reference rate: US$294–574 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Hyatt Privé
Paraiso de la Bonita, Adult All-Inclusive, a Luxury Collection Resort
Puerto Morelos · near Puerto Morelos fishing village, about 20 minutes from Cancún airport
Paraiso de la Bonita is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort in Puerto Morelos, converted from the former Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita. It stands on 14 acres between a mangrove reserve and the Caribbean, with three restaurants. It suits adults who want a short transfer from Cancún airport.
Reference rate: US$320–361 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Marriott STARS
Fairmont Mayakoba
Mayakoba · near El Camaleón golf course · opened 2006
We know Fairmont Mayakoba as the first resort opened in the Mayakoba community, in 2006, and it was renovated in 2022. It sits beside El Camaleón, the Greg Norman course that has hosted PGA Tour events. It suits golfers and travelers who want the Mayakoba lagoons with a larger hotel layout.
Reference rate: US$337–354 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Accor Preferred (HERA)
La Valise Tulum, member of Small Luxury Hotels
Tulum beach road · near Tulum beach, Km 8.7
La Valise Tulum is a small boutique hotel on the Tulum beach road, at Km 8.7, with a private beach, two outdoor pools and three bars. It suits travelers who want to be on the Tulum beach strip in a small hotel rather than a large resort.
Reference rate: US$365–444 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Viceroy Riviera Maya, a Luxury Villa Resort - Adults Only
Playa Xcalacoco · near Playa Xcalacoco, about 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen · 41 rooms
Viceroy Riviera Maya is an adults-only beachfront resort of 41 private villas, each with its own plunge pool, on Playa Xcalacoco. It is about 10 minutes north of Playa del Carmen and 45 minutes from Cancún airport. It suits couples who want a villa close to Playa del Carmen.
Reference rate: US$373–526 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
The Riviera Maya EDITION At Kanai
Kanai reserve · near Kanai, 620-acre reserve · 182 rooms
The Riviera Maya EDITION is the brand's first Caribbean property, with 182 rooms and suites on a 620-acre reserve. Dining is run by two Mexican chefs, the spa has six treatment rooms, and there is a ballroom for up to 450 guests. It suits travelers who want a design-led resort with large grounds, and groups or weddings.
Reference rate: US$409–849 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Marriott STARS
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Mayakoba · near Mayakoba lagoons, north of Playa del Carmen · opened 2009
We know Banyan Tree Mayakoba as the brand's first resort in North America, opened in 2009 as an all-villa property where each villa has its own pool. More recent expansion added overwater pool villas and beachfront suites. It suits couples who want a private villa with its own pool.
Reference rate: US$437–736 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Accor Preferred (HERA)
Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only
Xcaret, Riviera Maya · near Xcaret park
Hotel Xcaret Arte is the adults-only hotel of the Xcaret group, all-inclusive and tied to entry to the group's parks and tours, including Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor and Xenses. Its rooms are all suites. It suits adult travelers who plan to spend most days at the parks.
Reference rate: US$600–809 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Palmaïa-The House of AïA: All Inclusive Wellness Resort
Playacar · near Playacar, south of Playa del Carmen · 234 rooms
We include Palmaïa as an all-inclusive wellness resort in the gated Playacar area, with 234 rooms on about 14 acres and its own beach. The spa has swimmable cenotes and a traditional temazcal. It suits travelers who want spa treatments and wellness programs close to Playa del Carmen.
Reference rate: US$699–832 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Chablé Maroma
Maroma coast · near Maroma Beach, between Playa del Carmen and Cancún · opened 2018 · 70 rooms
We find Chablé Maroma on the Maroma coast as the second property from Hamak Hotels, after the original Chablé in the Yucatán. It is made of freestanding villas, many with private pools, plus two three-bedroom Presidential Villas. The restaurant is led by chef Jorge Vallejo, and the spa draws on Maya traditions. It suits adults looking for a quiet beachfront stay with a strong food focus.
Reference rate: US$746–832 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya
Maroma coast · near Maroma Beach, between Playa del Carmen and Cancún
We know Maroma as one of the earliest hotels on the Riviera Maya, built around an estate that architect Jose Luis Moreno developed after discovering the site in 1976. It was redesigned with interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners and added ten beachfront suites. The rooms keep the white-stucco style of the original house, and many have shaded balconies or courtyards. It suits travelers who want a quiet beach and a place with some history.
Reference rate: US$819–1,327 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba
Mayakoba · near Fairmont Mayakoba and the Mayakoba lagoons
Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba is a collection of private residences, with three- and four-bedroom units in the Mayakoba community. The residences have terraces, and some have plunge pools. It suits larger families or groups who want separate bedrooms in the Mayakoba setting.
Reference rate: US$841–918 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Accor Preferred (HERA)
Rosewood Mayakoba
Mayakoba · near Mayakoba lagoons, north of Playa del Carmen
We know Rosewood Mayakoba as a suites-only resort of roughly 130 suites facing the lagoons or the beach inside the Mayakoba mangrove and waterway reserve. It suits a first visit where you want the full Mayakoba setting.
Reference rate: US$983–1,244 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite
Palafitos Overwater Bungalows
Maroma coast · near Maroma Beach, part of El Dorado Maroma · 30 rooms
Palafitos is a cluster of 30 overwater bungalows on Maroma Beach, adults only and all-inclusive, with a grill and wine bar at the head of the pier. It sits on the Cancún-Tulum highway at Km 55.3 and is part of the El Dorado Maroma resort. It suits couples who want overwater bungalows in Mexico.
Reference rate: US$1,298–1,597 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Preferred Hotels & Resorts
La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret Adults Only
Between Playa del Carmen and Tulum · near Xcaret hotels and parks · opened 2021 · 63 rooms
We include La Casa de la Playa as the smaller adults-only property in the Xcaret group, opened in December 2021 and open to guests 18 and over. It has 63 ocean-view suites of more than 100 square meters, each with a private pool. It suits adults who want the Xcaret parks without staying in a large hotel.
Reference rate: US$1,784–1,802 / night (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
Between Tulum and Akumal · near Akumal and Tulum · opened 2022 · 349 rooms
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya is a 349-room resort that opened in January 2022. It is beachfront, between Tulum and Akumal just off the Cancún-Tulum highway, and many rooms have private plunge pools, balconies or patios. It suits travelers who want a full-size resort near Tulum rather than a small property.
Reference rate: Rate on request (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Hilton for Luxury
Etéreo, Auberge Collection
Kanai reserve · near Kanai oceanfront, about 40 minutes from Cancún airport · opened 2021 · 75 rooms
We include Etéreo as the first hotel to open in the Kanai development, in December 2021, on nine oceanfront acres. All 75 rooms and suites have outdoor space, with plunge pools, hot tubs and sky-deck roof terraces, and categories run from studios to three-bedroom penthouse suites. It suits couples and small groups who want space and an ocean view from the room.
Reference rate: Rate on request (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Hotel Esencia
Xpu-Ha · near Xpu-Ha beach, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum
We find Hotel Esencia on a 50-acre estate at Xpu-Ha beach, midway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, on land that was once the home of an Italian duchess. It is a small, low-key hotel rather than a large resort. It suits travelers who want a quiet stretch of beach away from the main towns.
Reference rate: Rate on request (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso
Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive
Xcaret, Riviera Maya · near Xcaret park, about 10 minutes from Playa del Carmen
We see Hotel Xcaret Mexico as the main hotel of the Xcaret group, all-inclusive, with all rooms being suites. Guests have entry to the group's parks and tours, including Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xenses and Xoximilco. It suits families and groups who want the parks as the main activity.
Reference rate: Rate on request (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Preferred Hotels & Resorts
The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya
Kanai reserve · near Kanai mangrove reserve · opened 2023 · 143 rooms
We include The St. Regis Kanai as a 143-key resort (124 rooms and 19 suites) opened in March 2023 above a protected red mangrove on a 620-acre private reserve. The Presidential Suite measures 2,300 square feet. A spa suspended above the mangrove forest was added to the property. It suits travelers who want a large resort with extensive grounds.
Reference rate: Rate on request (2 adults, before tax) · Perk program: Virtuoso, Marriott STARS
FAQ
Where should I stay on a first trip to the Riviera Maya?
We suggest Mayakoba, just north of Playa del Carmen: Rosewood Mayakoba, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Alila Mayakoba and Fairmont Mayakoba share the lagoon and mangrove setting, and Fairmont Heritage Place Mayakoba offers private residences.
Which hotels are all-inclusive?
Hotel Xcaret Arte – All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, Adults Only, Hotel Xcaret Mexico - All Parks / All Fun Inclusive, La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret Adults Only, Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, Palmaïa-The House of AïA: All Inclusive Wellness Resort and Paraiso de la Bonita, Adult All-Inclusive, a Luxury Collection Resort are all-inclusive.
Which hotels are adults only?
Hotel Xcaret Arte, La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret, Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, Paraiso de la Bonita and Viceroy Riviera Maya are adults only. Hotel Xcaret Mexico is not listed as adults only.
Where do we stay for a quiet beach?
We would look at the Maroma coast, where Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Chablé Maroma and Palafitos Overwater Bungalows sit between Playa del Carmen and Cancún, or at Hotel Esencia on Xpu-Ha beach.
Which hotel suits a Tulum trip?
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya lies between Tulum and Akumal, and La Valise Tulum, member of Small Luxury Hotels is on the Tulum beach road; Hotel Esencia is on Xpu-Ha beach, midway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
Which hotels are newest?
Alila Mayakoba began operating in early 2026, and in the Kanai reserve we have The Riviera Maya EDITION At Kanai, The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya (March 2023) and Etéreo, Auberge Collection (December 2021).
How are the reference rates calculated?
Each rate is the nightly pre-tax price for 2 adults in one room on 2-night stays, checked on four dates across the year (February, May, August and November). We drop the most expensive date and show the lowest to the second-highest, in US dollars. Peak dates can cost more; we re-check live rates for your dates before booking.
What perks do I get when booking through Luxavoy?
Typically daily breakfast for two, a hotel credit (often US$100 per stay), and a room upgrade and early check-in / late check-out when available, at rates in line with booking direct. Perks vary slightly by hotel and we confirm them before you book.