34 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.

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 this upscale, adults-only boutique hotel, rooms are contemporary in design, with polished concrete floors, spacious living rooms, direct beach access, and sundecks; king beds that have mosquito net canopies face double French doors that open to unobstructed views. Backing the property is a meandering lazy-river-style pool and sandy pathways that lead to rooms via a wooden bridge. Although it has amenities like air-conditioning and (slow) Wi-Fi, the hotel remains eco-friendly. Breakfast is complimentary and guests have a choice of two restaurants—Ziggy's, where cuisine is a modern take on Mexican staples, or Fresco's, where everything is fresh, local, and made to order. Junior suites feature private garden-surrounded pools and sun beds. The Beach Tulum is attached to a more budget-friendly counterpart, Cabanas Tulum.

Situated on 50 acres of jungle, this sprawling estate—once the home of an Italian duchess—has been converted into one of the Riviera Maya's most luxurious hotels. Nestled within the gardens are two-story cottages featuring private pools, enormous living rooms, wooden pavilions with outdoor dining areas, and high-tech entertainment rooms; villa rooms, tastefully decorated with hardwood furnishings and white linens, include a surplus of amenities like a Sub-Zero bottle refrigerator (stocked), and a satellite TV. Not a single detail has been overlooked, so expect everything from double rain-shower heads and Molton Brown bath products to 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets. The service is exceptional, as is the food.

At this sophisticated little hotel on the northern end of Soliman Bay, a large stone Buddha flanked by birds-of-paradise greets you in the lobby—which is outfitted with Indonesian carved-wood doors and Moroccan art—and two small swimming pools nestle in a garden of palms just beyond. Elegant rooms have Italian accents, with natural stone floors, luxurious linens, and top-end bathrooms; junior suites have large terraces with private plunge pools. Protected by a reef, the bay here is great for snorkeling or splashing around with kids. Indeed, for a place with such grown-up style, Jashita is remarkably child-friendly—it even has a baby crib-hammock for beach use. Breakfast is served overlooking the water, and if you head to the restaurant for another meal, skip the international portion of the menu and focus on the well-made Mexican classics.

On the shores of Laguna Bacalar, Rancho Encantado’s property is dotted with freestanding Maya-themed casitas, each of which is uniquely decorated with murals and hammocks and can comfortably sleep four people. Some are on the water and some are closer to the road; the newest are tucked away in a garden in between. Pick a room away from the road, or your nights may be marred by the sound of trucks zooming by. Rooms 8 and 10 have the most privacy. You can swim and snorkel off the private dock leading into the lagoon or tour the ruins in southern Yucatán, Campeche, and Belize. A large breakfast is included in the rate, and guests have free use of kayaks and paddleboats.

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.

Each small room in the main building of this bright, colorful seaside hotel has an ocean view and a private terrace, and next door are more expensive condos with Spanish colonial touches. The spacious one-, two-, and three-bedroom units have full kitchens, living and dining rooms, and oceanfront balconies. Decor is simple and beachy. Guests can rent golf carts, bikes, snorkeling equipment, and kayaks by the hour, day, or week on a first-come-first-served basis.

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.

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 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.

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).

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.

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.

This chic little hotel set right in front of the lagoon offers its guests creature comforts, an excellent restaurant, and lots of tranquility. Rooms are equipped with both air-conditioning and ceiling fans and are decorated with handcrafted furniture made of local wood. On-site amenities include a snack bar, a swimming pool, and a private dock.

Back in the 1960s, Pablo Bush Romero established this resort as a place for his diving buddies to crash, and it still offers pleasant accommodations and a congenial staff. The ocean view trumps the room decor, which is simple and functional. Multi-unit bungalows are surrounded by gardens and standard rooms in the three-story building have pool or bay views. There are also two restaurants and a large swimming pool here.

An interesting fusion of Maya and contemporary decor, budget-friendly Kinbé (which means "path to the sun") is steps from the beach. Even if you don't stay here, visit the impressive lobby, where an onyx bridge crosses an illuminated pool filled by a three-story waterfall. Rooms are divided into four categories: Pretty (the smallest, with one double bed), Moody (two doubles or a king), Rugiada (one king), and Garden (a striking bilevel option with a king bed in the loft). There are private terraces in 10 of the 29 rooms, but only one has a partial ocean view (for better views, head to the rooftop sundeck). Rooms are simple, clean, and stylish with bright white linens and small pops of color on pillows and blankets.

Large and modern by Chetumal's standards, Hotel Los Cocos has a pool framed by a pleasant garden (a boon on sweltering days) plus rooms—some with balconies or outdoor sitting areas—that are tidy, if not especially stylish. This is also one of the few area hotels that offers guests a gym and communal computers. The waterfront is within easy walking distance. Check the hotel website for discounts.

Although it has few facilities, this hotel is still a great value, with impeccable rooms set around a garden courtyard where trees grow past the third floor. Dark cedar furniture, queen-size beds, spacious bathrooms, and shared patios are among the creature comforts. There's no breakfast included here, but four suites have full kitchens where you can make your own. The beach is just a few blocks away, beach towels are provided free at reception, and beach club discounts are available for guests.

A perfect spot for a romantic getaway, this lavish adults-only hotel is in the heart of Tulum's world-famous hotel zone. Although the Diksha Spa is considered its main asset, the two excellent on-site restaurants don't stray far behind. Rooms offer wide ample space and make smart use of wood furniture and floors, including the spectacular bathtubs carved out from a single piece of fine local wood. 

This jungle-chic, environmentally conscious hotel on a pristine beach is all about the details—say, colorful, traditional cotton robes made on a loom and handblown glasses from Jalisco. All rooms have king-size beds draped in 200-thread-count cotton sheets and duvets; spacious cabanas come with private plunge pools that can be heated or cooled. The pleasant restaurant serves traditional Mexican dishes made with fresh ingredients, but reserve a seat at the Chef's Table—a small, intimate space featuring a special eight-course tasting menu—for something truly memorable. On Sunday nights, locals gather for free salsa lessons and late-night dancing. And on Saturday, locals gather for a beach party and barbecue.

Built for ecological sustainability, Las Ranitas (the Little Frogs) generates its own electricity through wind-powered generators and solar panels. Each chic and very private room has an ocean view, gorgeous tile headboards, and fabrics from Oaxaca. Terraces overlook gardens and ocean, and jungle walkways lead to the breathtaking beach. Yoga classes are held at 10 am in a fitness studio, and several swimming pools have been added to the property. There are 11 categories of rooms, so choose carefully.

This eco-friendly hotel, just a block from the lagoon shore, offers a laid-back atmosphere and personalized service. Rooms are small but simply and tastefully decorated, while the swimming pool is a piece of art divided into five parts, including a diving pit. The Waah restaurant and the Luuk bar provide interesting dining and wining experiences.  

This boutique beach property—complete with oceanfront pool and exquisite accommodations just steps from the secluded white sand—is one of the area's best. Each room has an indoor–outdoor lounge area, a king-size bed with Egyptian cotton sheets, air-conditioning, and cable TV; some also have luxuries like dual showerheads, additional queen-size trundle beds, and personal plunge pools that can be cooled or heated. Kayaks, snorkel equipment, and bikes are free for guests, and a private dock is the perfect place for a romantic dinner, wedding reception, or sunset cocktail—all of which the hotel would be happy to arrange.

On the quieter side of Tulum's beachfront, this small, hip hotel is a 25-minute walk from the ruins along a powdery stretch of white sand. Stylish rooms have vaulted ceilings, dark-wood furnishings, and adobe floors inlaid with stones. Splashes of red brighten the cream-colored rooms, four of which have spacious lofts and ocean views. The two suites have balconies facing the Caribbean. Only three rooms on the property lack an ocean view. Minibars, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning are included in all rooms.

When you think of Tulum, you might have something in mind like this minimalist, beachfront, boutique hotel with luxurious, boho-chic rooms and a private villa. Accommodations are spacious, and amenities include all-natural toiletries, air-conditioning, and Wi-Fi. The dining experience is superb at next-door sister restaurant Los Bowls de Guadalupe. 

Located in Paamul, south of Playa del Carmen, this rustic resort sits on a perfect white-sand beach. There are queen, king, and master suites, all of them fully equipped with air conditioning, TV, bathtub, and kitchenette. Ground-floor rooms feature private patios and direct beach access. There are RV and tent sites here, too. Facilities include a swimming pool, minimart, and restaurant; the full-service dive shop conducts PADI- and NAUI-certification courses.

Named after the famous pirate, this warm and family-friendly resort has multiunit cabanas plus freestanding bungalows on the beach's north end that are more private and charming. The A-frame bungalows are actually more like mini log cabins with pine furnishings from Chiapas and small lofts accessible by a ladder; each sleeps five and has a porch that faces a sandy path leading to the beach. The older units, simply decorated in shades of blue and white, have balconies, and some are practically flush with the ocean. An on-site animal refuge and a games room with Ping-Pong and billiards appeal to children.