76 Best Hotels in The Riviera Maya, Mexico

Ocean breezes sweep through this pretty little hotel adorned with wicker-basket pendant lamps and mosquito-net-draped queen-size beds that swing from ropes. Rooms sleep up to three and have all the basic necessities including hot water, air-conditioning, TVs, and Wi-Fi. For an ocean view, request one of the four suites. Outside, a small stream winds through the open-air courtyard to a palapa bar and restaurant. The beach—and the hotel's adjacent beach club—are a stone's throw away.

Named after the Maya sun god, Kin Ahau, this beachfront property has rooms ranging from simple Balinese huts to palapa suites with 20-foot vaulted ceilings, enormous decks, and two-person hammocks that make you forget the day of the week. Suites are in two-story buildings, and top-level rooms have vaulted ceilings and sprawling ocean views, while those on the ground floor open onto the sand. The more affordable huts offer jungle views and portable air-conditioning units on request. Yoga and aerial dance classes are available for an extra fee. For a sunny nap with an ocean breeze, head to one of the beach beds or shaded hammocks dotting the sand.

Considered the most upscale property on Laguna de Bacalar, Akalki offers nine luxurious cabanas built over the water, each with a private dock and direct access to the enchanting turquoise waters. Solar-powered cabanas have hardwood floors, king-size beds, thatch roofs, hot water, and electricity (evenings only). Pampering perks include soft linens, thick towels, and other amenities like honey shampoo, chocolate soap, and handmade candles. Dishes at the restaurant are prepared with natural ingredients from the on-site garden, and the small spa offers massages, mud masks, and temazcal rituals, but gets decidedly mixed reviews. Kayaks and bikes are included in the rate, while yoga and boat trips are available at extra cost.

On the powdery shores of Xpu-Há, this boutique inn has four chic rooms named after the four elements, all with hardwood floors, thatched roofs, and beds draped in white curtains. Rooms on the top floor have unobstructed ocean views, while those on the ground floor have private plunge pools; the two-story villas have their own infinity pool and are the only category that allows children. Patios with two-person hammocks face the sea, but if you want to get closer, head to the tiny palapas in the sand where silk curtains hang over thatched umbrellas for added privacy. Since a car is needed to reach restaurants in Playa del Carmen, most guests opt for the half-board package, which includes breakfast, dinner, a bottle of wine, and a couples' massage.

One of only two fully green eco-hotels in the area, Almaplena Resort also happens to be the most luxurious, with large, rustic-chic rooms—in two-story white buildings—featuring textiles from Chiapas, rugs from Michoacan, wood from Yucatán, and iron from Jalisco, as well as stone floors, private balconies, and four-poster beds. Choose one on the ground level (with direct beach access) or move up a floor for better views. Rainwater is collected for daily use, and wind turbines produce the hotel's electricity. The remote location, halfway between Mahahual and Xcalak, means you fall asleep to the sound of waves. The restaurant and beach club are open to the public, often turning the isolated beach here into a crowded hot spot for cruise-ship passengers.

This small, eco-friendly resort hotel caters to the yoga and meditation set, with three spacious, second-floor yoga studios—one with sweeping beachfront views. Rooms are small and simple, with large, firm, comfortable beds draped in gauzy mosquito nets, open bathrooms, and decks or balconies that open to the sand. A small pool, spacious deck set with sun beds and tables, and small, health-conscious restaurant overlook the beach.

At the most recent addition to Mayakoba's selection of superluxurious resorts, guest rooms are fresh, modern—with a palette inspired by the colors of the surrounding jungle—and loaded with a wide array of deluxe amenities. There are six gourmet à la carte restaurants, including a vegan bar and a stylish Mexican bar with live music. A great spa, kids club, two outdoor pools, world-class golf course, and canal boat rides, make for great complements of an all-around outstanding resort. 

This small, colorful inn three blocks from the beach is split in two, with a family-friendly side and a separate adults-only area, both with pools. The garden restaurant serves up tasty fare for an early dinner (try the tequila shrimp, but go early: it closes at 9 to keep noise down for guests). A palapa out back hosts a weekly fresh market and daily pay-what-you-can yoga classes. The design is a work of art, with Mexican decor, batik wall hangings, and rustic wood-frame beds. Junior suites in both buildings have living rooms and microwaves for a quick meal. There's also a small business center and spa.

Situated on a beautiful beach with a protected reef just offshore, this all-inclusive family-friendly resort has six pools, eight restaurants, and several categories of rooms, including swim-up rooms and family suites that accommodate two adults and three children. Most of the 435 rooms on property—tastefully done with cream bedding and marble floors—are oceanfront. Kids will appreciate a kids-only water park, welcome drinks, and piñata-making lessons. For families, strollers, bottle-warmers, changing tables, and baby food are included.

This all-inclusive megacomplex consists of four upscale hotels (Akumal, Cobá, Tulum, and Sian Ka'an) with extensive shared facilities reachable by shuttle from 7:30 am to midnight. The two luxury lodgings—Akumal and Sian Ka'an—have access to facilities at all four properties. For peace and relaxation, Sian Ka'an is near the golf course in a jungle setting and has an adults-only section; if you want an ocean view, opt for Akumal. For families, the massive Cobá resort has a water park and family zone, while Tulum has a dolphin pool with daily programs. As with many all-inclusives, there are tons of buffet and à la carte restaurants; the difference here is that the food is tasty in all of them. Other on-site facilities include a little market area, and a disco, spa, and casino.

Ecologically sensitive Balamku, located 5 km (3 miles) south of town, sits on a stretch of pristine private beach where you can lose all track of time. Cool, spacious rooms are bright with Mexican tiles and textiles, and outdoor palapas are set up for the hotel's top activity—"hammocking." But it's not all about sleeping in the sun: a famously generous breakfast plus kayaking and snorkeling equipment are included in the rate. Canadian expat Carol Tumber runs an ecologically tight ship. In addition to generating power with solar panels and wind generators, the property uses water-saving toilets and composts all hotel waste. There's an outer reef for snorkeling and a platform where you can catch some rays after a swim. The restaurant serves only snacks, but there are two more robust restaurants five minutes down the beach road, one in each direction.

This Thai chain has brought its own traditions to Mexico's Riviera with stunning results—in addition to vaulted ceilings, lounge areas, dining rooms, private gardens, and Talavera earthenware sinks, all rooms have outdoor bathtubs and private 376-foot swimming pools, a unique perk. Guests are always greeted with a bow from the attentive staff, most of whom come from Thailand. An on-site romance coordinator can organize sunset boat tours with a private chef. The spa here is considered one of the best in Mexico, with 16 spa pavilions and state-of-the-art hydrothermal facilities.

This funky boutique hotel melds retro with modern, as evidenced by the red vinyl couches in the lobby and the exceedingly cool rooftop pool bar, where tables and chairs wade in the water. Whitewashed concrete walls lead to stylish rooms with wood-plank floors imported from Brazil; freestanding whirlpool tubs; dual rain shower heads; and basics like a TV, minibar, and safe. Guests receive a good deal at the ground-floor sushi restaurant.

Designed by owner-architect Sebastian Sas, this chic beachfront hotel is like a beautifully executed canvas—each room is a pure work of art, with exteriors made from the wood of reclaimed train tracks, peaceful outdoor terraces or balconies, and interior features that might include wicker couches and Brazilian wood floors draped with cowhide rugs. Rooms 16 and 20 have rooftop pools, shady lounge areas, and sweeping views of the ocean and Sian Ka'an Reserve. Meandering through the property is a plank pathway that leads to two pools and a two-story beachfront restaurant with nightly live music. Void of TVs, this peaceful hideaway is all about relaxation. Private yoga lessons and massages at the (expensive) spa can be arranged upon request.

Connecting jungle and beach, a labyrinth of paths threads through the grounds at this elegant, renovated-in-2023, Maya-themed hotel, where butterflies and parrots fly, and the scent of flowers fills the air. Rooms, which have private terraces, are exquisitely decorated with indigenous art and handcrafted furnishings; king-size beds are draped in mosquito netting, and there's nightly turndown service with aromatherapy. Luxurious beachfront suites have their own fitness rooms, plunge pools, and indoor–outdoor showers. Daily à la carte breakfast is included, and there are plenty of activities and unique experiences like cooking classes, tequila tastings, bee therapy, and under-the-sea meditation.

At this resort on the south end of Maroma Beach, a 25,000-square-foot spa offers massages and body wraps made with chocolate, seaweed, and coffee, and winding paths extend over the mangroves, leading to bungalow suites that rise above the lush vegetation. Also available are five beach casitas and more affordable patio rooms built around sculpture gardens. All rooms have Asian influences like rice-paper walls, onyx sinks, and rain-forest showers. A private dock marks the launching point for diving expeditions. Since this property was formerly the Mandarin Oriental, it doesn't have the typical all-inclusive feel often associated with large resorts in this area.

Home of the "grand slam" (fishing lingo for catching three different kinds of fish in one trip), this charming lodge has nine bungalows, each with air-conditioning, two double beds, couches, bathrooms, and screened-in porches. Boats and guides for fly-fishing and bonefishing are included in the price; you can rent tackle at the lodge. Meals (which are also included) consist mainly of fresh fish dishes and Mayan specialties. You can book a three-night package for $2,155; weeklong stays are a comparatively better deal, though at $3,600 per person per week this is never going to be a cheap ticket.

This fishing lodge is on a rocky outcrop on remote Punta Pájaros Island, reputed to be one of the best places in the world for light-tackle saltwater fly-fishing. The almost all-inclusive stay includes your charter flight from Cancún, a fishing boat and guide, and all meals but not drinks for $6,649 per person per week. An open-air, thatch-roof bar welcomes anglers with drinks, fresh-fish dishes, fruit, and vegetables at the start and end of the day. Cheaper nonfishing packages are also available. A 50% prepayment is required.

Five minutes from the town square and opposite the main beach, this charming hacienda-style bed-and-breakfast has five rooms with firm, comfortable king-size beds plus private terraces, some with partial ocean views, and six larger cabañas with kitchens. Each cheerfully decorated option features local artwork, terra-cotta tile floors, and added perks like a small refrigerator, a coffeemaker, filtered drinking water, organic shampoo and conditioner made with honey, and beach towels. 

This lavish, adults-only resort was designed around the surrounding jungle and has a great beach, nonstop activities, and terrific food for a resort in its price range. Activities like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, aqua aerobics, water polo, and pool volleyball can keep you occupied for the duration of your stay. The marble-floor lobby has bamboo furniture and a central waterfall underneath a giant palapa roof. Rooms have pleasant wood furniture and private terraces with views of the lush foliage. Three large pools, separated from the outdoor hot tubs by an island of palm trees, look out onto the spectacular beach. The food is exceptional and varied, with everything from Spanish tapas to fruit smoothies.

Slip through the nondescript entrance, and you'll find a charming property with a lush, sprawling garden with partly tiled pathways, lights strung up from palm trees, two inviting pools, and a spacious central palapa with whirring ceiling fans. Rooms encircle the garden, and all are large, clean, colorful, and decorated with furniture purchased secondhand from Mexican haciendas in neighboring states. Being in town instead of at the beachfront has its perks, more local color and much better prices chief among them. Plus, guests here can take advantage of a day at the beach at one of this property's sister hotels. If you're traveling with kids, ask about adjacent rooms. If you're feeling like a splurge, ask about rooms with whirlpool tubs. And if you're sensitive to noise, ask for something at the back of the property (away from the busy road out front).

Tranquility and seclusion are the name of the game in these adults-only, cozy bungalows located a stone's throw from the beach. Although small, each has a bath, a queen- or king-size bed, a hammock, and a terrace that leads to a garden; the three-person suite has an extra pullout bed and a kitchenette. Added creature comforts include hair dryers, TVs, Wi-Fi, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. Meals are served in an on-site restaurant, where the menu includes seafood, grilled dishes, and brick-oven pizzas. To cool off, there's a small swimming pool and the beach is just a two-minute walk away.

The guest rooms at this sprawling resort—built around a lofty lobby with views across the grounds and to the sea—are lustrous, from the contemporary Mexican decor to the marble bathrooms. Some first-floor accommodations also have private plunge pools and direct beach access. Preferred Members enjoy a private beach area and VIP lounge, plus ocean views and private whirlpool tubs. By day you can enjoy volleyball, yoga, Spanish classes, and cooking courses, and, by night, live performances, theme parties, and movies on the beach. Sailing, snorkeling, and kayaks are also included. While parents relax poolside, kids can play at the Maya-themed Explorer's Club, which has a pyramid-shaped climbing wall, a planetarium theater, and a CPR-certified staff. An adjacent playroom with a ball pit and toys appropriate for small children is available for parents with babies or toddlers.

Since access is only via a walk along the beach, there isn't much standing in the way of you and the ocean at this stark-white property, which, as the tallest hotel in Mahahual, also offers spectacular views from its rooftop, where you'll find a small infinity pool and a rooftop bar (open 5 to 10 pm). Most rooms feature two double beds, and all of the rooms here have a hand-painted mural, air-conditioning, cable TV, and a mini-refrigerator; the four rooms facing the water have balconies. This hotel also features one handicap-accessible room on the ground floor with a bed and a futon.

Although this beachfront property has been overshadowed by its newer neighbors, the location—amid 500 acres of lush jungle—is as alluring as ever. A crystal chandelier and marble infinity fountain vie for attention in the extravagant lobby. Junior suites have small sitting rooms, king-size beds, hot tubs, and ocean-facing terraces; in the more upscale Casitas Royale section, swim-up casitas have dome roofs and oceanfront terraces. Eight restaurants serve exceptional dishes. Despite the size of the resort, it strives to be eco-friendly by using solar water-heating systems, energy-saving air-conditioners, and recycled water; a 70,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse grows most of the vegetables served. There's free shuttle service to Cancún and Playa del Carmen for organized shopping tours.

If you absolutely need a place to stay in the area, then this simple three-story hotel is really your only remotely acceptable option. Rooms, which can accommodate up to three people, are bright and clean but basic and dated; upper level ones toward the back are quieter than those on the street level. The restaurant does a brisk business with locals who come for good Yucatecan specialties like poc chuc (pork marinated in sour-orange sauce), bistec a la yucateca (Yucatecan-style steak), and pollopibil. The mole is also recommended.

A pair of curvaceous buildings contains stylish condo rentals, each complete with a fully equipped kitchen, washer-dryer, and Balinese furnishings. In El Taj Oceanfront, luxurious touches range from stone showers to private whirlpool tubs and rooftop barbecues. Across the street at El Taj Beachside, a lap pool set off by tree-trunk columns winds through a quiet courtyard. You can make your own meals in each condo's designer kitchen or dine at nearby Plank, where El Taj guests receive 15% off. Guests also receive 15% at the Magic Hands spa and free access to The Gym, including fitness classes. El Taj is also one of the few pet-friendly properties in Playa del Carmen.

Just 15 minutes from Cancún Airport, this sprawling adults-only resort is centered on an indulgent spa and six meandering pools. Its grand entrance leads to a Spanish marble lobby; rooms are similarly opulent—all have whirlpool tubs, ornate Italianate furnishings, and private balconies. Guests have a choice of 13 bars and 10 restaurants, including a lobster house and an Indian restaurant, all with dinner dress codes that make every night date night. There are plenty of activities here, including kayaking, volleyball, tennis, archery, and dancing lessons, and if you prefer lounging on the beach to learning to salsa, this is where you'll find one of the largest, nicest beaches in the area. This is one of the few all-inclusive resorts that doesn't require guests to wear wristbands, make dinner reservations, or sign for services. For something extra romantic, ask about a room with a rooftop whirlpool tub.

Set under a mangrove canopy, this sprawling luxury resort sets new standards in the Riviera Maya for sustainability and comfort—not only is it recognized for its green practices and community involvement, but it also has biodegradable bath products, a recycling program, rooftops made from recycled tires, and bicycles stationed throughout the 240-acre property. Golf carts pass every five minutes, and wildlife boat tours are offered hourly. All three types of rooms were built within the existing habitat, including standard rooms in the main building, oceanfront suites, and casitas with lagoon or mangrove views. Guests have access to the Mayakoba golf course, tennis, and the spa with its own Melipona beehive for honey treatments.

This small hotel is a repurposed 25-year-old house that caters mostly to divers who come to the XTC Dive Center and use it as launching point for their adventures and explorations. The rooms are cozy and fresh, with ceiling fan and comfortable mattresses. Some include a kitchenette, while others enjoy gorgeous ocean views.