14 Best Hotels in The Riviera Maya, Mexico

There isn’t another hotel for miles, so this solar-powered B&B offers blessed isolation in beachfront cabanas that have kitchenettes, king beds, Wi-Fi, and private decks. Inspired by the ancient ruin Yaxchilán, upstairs beach-view rooms have Maya artwork and unique touches like hand-painted sinks and wood-framed mirrors in the large bathrooms, as well as king beds and sleeper sofas. In-room massages, cooking classes, diving tours, and fishing trips can be arranged on request. A three-night stay gets you a free cooking class, and a weeklong stay earns you one free night (in low season). This tranquil property mainly attracts guests over 50.

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.

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.

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 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).

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. 

From the lush jungle courtyard to the airy, stone-walled rooms to the sunny, plush rooftop deck with distant ocean views, this boutique hotel is designed to charm at every turn. Rustic chic hits you head on—you enter via a narrow hallway that spills into an open-air courtyard with fountains and streams leading to a breakfast atrium that overlooks a cenote. Purchased at Mexican flea markets, one-of-a-kind room furnishings range from vintage refrigerators to headboards made from 1960s mail-carrier bags; creature comforts include air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and organic bath products. For extra space, request Room 8 (with an outdoor shower) or Room 9 (with a tub on the terrace). The beautiful rooftop deck has sun beds and a cozy hammock. Laundry service and wine are included in the price.

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.

An elegant entrance, Spanish-tile floors, and hand-crafted Guadalajara furnishings greet you at this classy inn, where guest rooms have terraces, as well as sitting areas with dark hardwood furnishings and interesting local crafts. Although all rooms have been upgraded with soundproofed windows, some noise does get through those overlooking Avenida 5 rather than the garden. Breakfast is basic, but hotel offers designated parking ($12 per day) and free access to several beach clubs. Book direct for a 15% discount.

Far from the boardwalk, this small inn on the beach is a quiet, relaxing place, where the cabanas have simple concrete rooms—with private roof decks where you watch the moon rise from the sea—and the decor is a mishmash of styles with painted murals and Mexican blankets. You'll be tempted to spend much of your time outside, though, perhaps in one of the hammocks that sway under palapa umbrellas. Families might want to request Room 3, which accommodates four people. The Dutch owners are often in their small restaurant, where photos of Frida Kahlo, Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and other Mexican notables line the walls. Guests are served complimentary breakfast there; nonguests often show up between 3:30 and 8 pm to dine on specialties like the stuffed pineapple and get away from the bustle of town.

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.

Atop the main beach and in the center of the action, this property is the focal point of Puerto Aventuras, but its low-key luxury is a cut above the town's other resorts. Small for a full-service facility, it feels spacious and peaceful. Rooms have sitting areas with a plasma TV, plus terraces with hot tubs and views of the ocean, pool, or marina. There are plenty of spots to get your feet wet—including two connecting pools, a swim-up bar, a children’s pool, and the beach dotted with Bali beds. A 9-hole golf course is within walking distance, and the marina is just around the corner. Breakfast and a newspaper arrive at your room daily by way of a cubbyhole, to avoid disturbing your slumber.

Set on a lovely beach, this property has accommodations—all adorned with Mexican pottery and other collectibles—that include two apartments with private kitchens; a secluded jungle studio (which the owners refer to as "a tree house for adults"); and a house divided into three suites that share a kitchen, dining room, sundeck, and library full of books and board games. Yogurt and homemade granola prepared with coconut from the property's trees are stocked in the refrigerator for breakfast. Kayaks (suitable for both the ocean and the two lagoons just behind the property), fat-tire beach bikes, boogie boards, and snorkel gear are included in the rate. Guests are always greeted with free, strong frozen margaritas and a warm welcome from the friendly hosts.