Near Playa Del Carmen in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico lays the planned resort area of Mayakoba. Four luxury resorts, pristine beaches with mangroves and canals connecting the properties.
I was lucky to celebrate my 32nd birthday in the uniquely beautiful area of Mayakoba Mexico. This was my fifth time to the Yucatan and it was one of my favorites. We stayed at the newest edition to Mayakoba, the Andaz. I will speak to my experience in Mayakoba, at the Andaz but will also highlight the other luxurious properties.
What Makes Mayakoba Unique?
What sets Mayakoba apart is the unique way each resort is intergraded into the ecosystem. With options of either beachfront or lagoon/canal/mangrove front rooms.
Each Resort offers free boat tours along the lagoons and canals, this is a great way to see the clear waters, fish, birds and other wildlife as well as see the other resorts.
If you are staying on the lagoon side of any one of the four Mayakoba resorts you can either take a ride on a golf cart to the beach or grab a bike and peddle your way down.
The Andaz has two pool areas, one area consisting of 3 pools by the lagoon and 1 large pool by the beach. Every time we ventured to the lagoon pool we were usually the only ones there!
All four of the hotels work together while being separated. You can take a quick golf cart ride from any of the resorts to the others.
Food and Drink
You can also eat at the different restaurants at the different resorts, in fact; any front-office employee can schedule you a reservation at any of the resorts.
With 20 restaurants combined ranging from Thai, Mexican, Italian and more you will never bore of top culinary cuisine. There were even plenty of options for this vegetarian!
Don’t forget the margaritas! Or any drink you desire. I met more than one highly skilled bartender who made me my own specialty cocktail. We also partook in a “Learn to Make the Perfect Margarita” class.
Things to do Mayakoba
- Enjoy the Caribbean sea. With crystal clear waters and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world, there are plenty of water activities to enjoy.
- Snorkeling
- Scuba Diving
- Kayak
- Paddle Board
- Sail
- Boat Ride
- Spend a day or more enjoying the beach and tropical drinks.
- Visit Mayan Ruins. The most famous are Chichen Itza and Tulum Archeological Park.
- Xcaret, an eco-archeological park has loads of activities.
- Visit a Cenote- don’t leave Mexico without visit one!
- There are many other tours you can take like horseback riding, dune buggies, zip line and more.
Chichen Itza 
Sunset boat ride.
Beach 
Beach
Cenote 
Andaz Beach
Resorts in Mayakoba
Andaz Mayakoba
The newest addition to the Mayakoba area. Also the most modern and vibrant. There are 4 restaurants and a total of 214 rooms.
My clients receive(2020):
- Upgrade to the next room category, subject to availability.
- Daily breakfast buffet for two guests per bedroom.
- $100 USD Resort credit.
Visit the website.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Full of romance and beauty with an Asian influence. The resort is home to a award winning spa and 6 restaurants.
My clients receive:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability.
- Complimentary International buffet breakfast.
- Resort Credits ranging from USD $100 to USD $200 per villa.
- Preferential green fees at El Camaleon Golf Course.
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability.
Visit the website.
Rosewood Mayakoba
Timeless sophistication awaits at the Rosewood. There are 6 restaurants and 129 suites with private plunge pools. Every suite comes with butler service. There are 4 pools including the adults-only oasis, Aquinos me Quedo.
My clients receive:
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability.
- Daily Buffet breakfast for two guests per bedroom.
- $100 USD Equivalent Spa Services credit.
- Welcome mezcal amenity.
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability.
Visit the website.
Fairmont Mayakoba
The Fairmont has the largest beachfront of all the resorts. Designed in casual elegance. There are 4 restaurants, 401 rooms, suites and casitas. There are two pools, one for adults and one for families.
Visit the website.
Need more help planning your trip? As a professional Travel Advisor, it’s my job to design you the perfect Riviera Maya Mexico escape. Visit my travel planning page or planning process page to learn more.
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Full-service, luxury Travel Advisor/Agent. Travel Blogger. Married, dog mom, plant-based. Based in San Jose California but often traveling the world.
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