Mexico is one of the most popular countries for American travelers with the Riviera Maya being a tourist hotspot. This gorgeous region of Mexico boasts 100 miles of white-sand coastline, beautiful turquoise waters, and numerous luxury resorts. Cancun’s bustling 17-mile Hotel Zone, the island of Cozumel, and beach towns from Playa del Carmen to Tulum offer an endless variety of hotels and resorts for all types of travelers. And if you fancy some romantic spots for you and bae, here are the best Riviera Maya resorts for the ultimate in luxury, romance, and relaxation.
Brief History of the Riviera Maya Region
The Riviera Maya or Mayan Riviera gets its name from the ancient Mayans whose ruins dot this region of the Yucatan peninsula. An indigenous peoples from Mexico and Central America, the Mayans were a highly advanced society, most known for their hieroglyphics–the only known fully developed writing system of the pre-Columbian Americas–the Mayan calendar, architecture, mathematics, art, and astronomy.
Top Riviera Maya Resorts
The swanky adults-only Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun provides the ultimate digs for a modern beach escape. The premier Royale Governor suite offers 861 square feet of luxurious accommodations with all the bells and whistles, including marble flooring, a double shower, and Apple TV.
For a modern take on Mayan influences, ultra-posh NIZUC Resort and Spa should be your pick.
Just south of Cancun lies Playa del Carmen, a very popular resort town with gorgeous beaches, wonderful restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. Just north of Playa del Carmen lies the private gated integrated resort development of Mayakoba, a popular honeymoon destination.
Two amazing properties that capture everything for a romantic escape are Rosewood Mayakoba and Banyan Tree Mayakoba. Rosewood Mayakoba, a 130-suite modern resort overlooking a beautiful stretch of the Caribbean, offers an exclusive experience that is super-luxurious. If you’re looking to splurge, stay in the amazing 6,500-square-foot Casa Laguna, a three-bedroom, three-bathroom oasis with a chef’s kitchen and open-air living spaces overlooking a private lagoon.
Nearby Banyan Tree Mayakoba is one of the best Riviera Maya luxury as well as in all of Mexico. The only all-pool villa resort in the Riviera Maya, Banyan Tree also offers a PGA golf course, nature trails, and a magnificent spa called Rainforest.
Another spot for beachside bliss is the Belmond Maroma. Wine and dine or simply unwind in this 200-acre resort nestled among coconut groves. The food, service, and accommodations are all reflective of the quality you expect from a Belmond property.
Further south in Tulum, Encantada offers a private paradise of some of the most amazing thatched bungalows overlooking a powdery white-sand beach. Adults-only Mi Amor resort offers classic elegance and features luxury rooms with beautiful wood floors and panels.
Top Things to Do in Riviera Maya
Spending time at the beach and doing beach activities is definitely one of the best ways to spend your time. However, here are other top things to do in Riviera Maya.
Mayan Ruins
One of the most notable archaeological sites in Mexico is Chichen Itza, which means at the mouth of the well of Itza. This ancient city was one of the largest and most diverse Mayan cities in terms of people and architecture.
Ven a la Luz Statue
Drawing people from near and far, the impressive 33-foot-tall (10 m) wooden woman sculpture known as Ven a la Luz, “come to the light” in Spanish, stands as one of Tulum’s must-see sites, with people lining up for hours for the perfect picture.
Water Activities
The Riviera Maya offers endless opportunities to go snorkeling and diving over stunning reefs as well as visiting beautiful mangroves. Taking a guided mangrove and snorkeling guided tour via speedboat is an exciting way to spend the day.
Cenotes
You might be thinking, ‘What exactly is a cenote?’
A cenote, which means sacred well in the Mayan language, is a natural swimming hole formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock, which has given way to incredible groundwater pools. Mayans settled entire villages around these spiritual wells and believed that they were a portal to speak with the gods. So when we visit these sacred wells, reflect on your inner spirit as well as the hidden beauty of our planet.
Yucatan Cuisine
Not only did the Mayans influence astronomy but they also left their mark on gastronomy, and you can thank the Mayans for introducing avocado, black beans, chiles, chocolate, tomatoes, and corn to the world.
Mayan cooking can be found throughout the Yucatan, where it’s all about citrus, habaneros, barbecuing, and achiote, a paste or powder derived from ground annato seeds.
Popular foods in the Yucatan include pollo or cochinita pibil (meat marinated in achiote, recados (spice mix), and bitter orange; wrapped in banana leaves; and cooked in a pit), relleno negro (black turkey stew), sopa de lima (soup made with lime-marinated turkey or chicken), and huevos motuleños (fried eggs served over sliced plantains, beans, and fried tortillas and topped with cheese, peas, and tomato sauce).
Here are some excellent restaurants that offer great eats from local dining to fine dining:
Rosa Negra – Cancun – This modern restaurant serves a variety of excellent dishes from around Latin America.
Chuchito Perez – Cancun – This local fusion restaurant blends Mexican and Japanase dishes. You can have tacos with sushi!
El Boticario – Playa del Carmen – This restaurant is a great place to hang out, offering wonderful food, drinks, and music.
Clorofila – Playa del Carmen – This local eatery serves an international menu of green and vegan foods with a Latin twist as well as a variety of fresh juices.
Hartwood – Tulum – Perhaps Tulum’s most famous restaurant, this beachside establishment utilizes sustainable practices, such as cooking all foods by an open fire and composting 100% of its waste. The menu changes daily and is based on only the freshest ingredients.
NU Tulum – Tulum – This romantic restaurant serves amazing Modern contemporary Mexican cuisine in a gorgeous setting.
Related post: A Perfect Day at Half Moon Cay
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