79 Best Hotels in The Riviera Maya, Mexico

With three blocks of beach and grounds that include both sandy shore and cool jungle garden, this resort offers a taste of everything the Riviera landscape has to offer. The expansive all-inclusive property features comfortable lounge spaces in a large palapa reception, a quiet spa, a little library, four pools, a fitness center, a dive center, four bars (including one swim-up bar), and three restaurants. Rooms are spacious and filled with lovely details, like colorful sinks and pillows, murals painted lightly on concrete floors, and decorative preserved wood hanging from the walls. 

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.  

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.

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. 

In such an enormous all-inclusive, it's surprising to find staff members who go out of their way to make your stay pleasant, beginning with a glass of tropical juice at registration and continuing with helpful concierge service throughout your stay. Book the larger, pricier Royal Level rooms  for even more personalized service—there's a small reception office serving these 45 rooms exclusively. The hotel has a small artificial beach and walking access to Xcaret park. Request a top-floor room if you want to escape pool noise.

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.

This all-inclusive offers flash and class in a Vegas-meets-cruise-ship environment with 14 restaurants, 11 bars, and nearly 1,000 rooms housed in two buildings—the adults-only La Perla and the family-friendly La Esmeralda, where extras for the kids include PlayStations, nightly turndown with milk and cookies, and a pool area that looks like a water park. Consider purchasing the Nikté Upgrade package, which includes a water ritual at YHI Spa, an activities menu for kids and teenagers, and private whirlpool tubs. The two resorts are connected by way of the restaurants and bars, however, certain establishments are only open to La Perla guests, who pay higher rates.

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.

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.

Palatial in name, scale, and decor (oversize entrance columns, crystal chandeliers, fountains), this all-inclusive is known for its breathtaking beach and exceptional service. Although rooms are well equipped, they aren't very large, and you should request one overlooking the courtyard, away from the noisy entertainment area. A steak house and Japanese restaurant are the most popular of the many dining options, despite the fact that reservations are required. Guests are permitted to use the amenities (including restaurants for breakfast and lunch) at any of Riu Palace's six sister hotels throughout Playa del Carmen.

It may not have the bells and whistles of other Playa hotels, but this small property, on a quiet street two blocks from the beach, is very pleasant. Surrounding an attractive pool are rooms with tile floors, cedar furnishings, and spacious baths; suites also have hot tubs. If you want a balcony, request a "standard plus" room. Considering the central location and lovely setting, this may be the one of the best values in town. Although the hotel doesn't operate its own restaurant, there is one attached near the pool.

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.

Formerly known as Hotel Villanueva and now part of the Wyndham family, this basic property is a good, functional base for exploring the region. Amenities include a cute indoor swimming pool and a Starbucks counter. Rooms are very simple, but clean, comfortable, and equipped with air-conditioning and TV. 

Nestled in thriving mangrove forests, this adults-only all-inclusive is one of the few in the region that still embraces Mexican tradition. Marking the entrance are brick archways and terra-cotta walkways inlaid with mosaic tile. In hacienda fashion, the grand lobby features more than a dozen wrought-iron chandeliers suspended above marble floors. Wooden paths lead to private palafitos (structures on stilts), where couples can enjoy romantic dinners. Jazz or classical music echoes throughout the resort's 75 unspoiled acres. Standard rooms are richly decorated with teak furnishings and include sitting areas with plasma TVs and terraces with spacious hot tubs. The surf at the beach can be somewhat rough, but there are two huge pools, one with an artificial island.

What used to be a fishermen's village is now a hip hotel consisting of thatched-roof bungalows that make great use of local woods and offer rustic-but-classy luxury and an overall feeling of authenticity. A lively atmosphere around the beach and restaurant sets the tone for the rest of the place. 

Formerly known as the Panama Jack Resort, this property in the heart of Playa rebranded and reinvented itself as an all-inclusive, adults-only option, where the decor is modern without being flashy, and the overall atmosphere is fresh and relaxing. Most of the rooms, which are done in neutral colors with pastel touches, enjoy ocean views. Dining options include a traditional Mexican restaurant and a laid-back beach bar. 

On wild Punta Piedra (Rock Point), Zamas has small, rustic cabanas—with palapa roofs and ocean views as far as the eye can see—jungle-side rooms overlooking a garden, palapas facing a coconut grove strung with colorful hammocks, and two spacious private houses that sleep up to 11. Comfortable beds, tile bathrooms, beautiful murals, and bright Mexican colors make them a chic-bohemian alternative for budget travelers. Committed to sustainability, Zamas provides biodegradable bath products, runs on solar power, has a gray-water system, and employs local staff. The restaurant, known for its powerful margaritas, has an eclectic Italian-Mexican-Yucatecan menu, romantic views of the coast, live music five times a week during high season, and tasty portobello jerky. Ping-Pong, foosball, a selection of paperbacks, two small cenotes, several shops featuring local handicrafts and women's wear, and a dive shop round out the property. If you're looking for off-the-beaten-track activity suggestions, the owners are a wealth of information.