Most Romantic Resort in Riviera Maya

(At the end of this article, we’ll reveal (arguably) the most romantic resort in Riviera Maya.)

Still virtually undiscovered, the Riviera Maya was once a sparsely populated stretch of Mexico’s Caribbean coastline dotted with fishing villages and little-known Mayan ruins.

These days it’s Mexico’s fastest-growing tourist destination, with an incredibly romantic ambiance that attracts couples in search of peaceful and unspoiled beaches.

Stretching from the fishing village of Puerto Morelos, 30 minutes south of Cancun, through the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, about three hours further, Riviera Maya offers one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the western Caribbean. It’s famous for white-sand beaches fringed by palm trees and crystal clear water, protected by coral reefs. Divers and snorkelers will be excited by the wrecks of Xcaret and the Puerto Morelos of ships that met their peril on those reefs. Vacationers can also explore ancient Mayan ruins and pristine ecological wonders.

Playa del Carmen is the main town in the Riviera Maya. Here you’ll find many small inns, large-scale all-inclusive resorts, dozens of restaurants and some great shopping. The town still retains touches of the charming atmosphere that made it attractive in the first place. Although not the spring-break ambience of Cancun, you’ll find lively nightlife at funky venues and glitzy nightspots. It’s also from here that you catch the ferry to Cozumel.

At Puerto Aventuras, you’ll find beautiful beaches and an excellent marina. Puerto Morelos has, in large part, retained its charming fishing village atmosphere and is also home to a popular bird-watching hangout—the Barrera Marin Botanical Garden (Yaax Che).

The Tulum area is the center of ancient Mayan culture and a good place to explore cenotes, which are underground sinkholes that are filled with crystal clear water. Here’s a tip for you; the Tulum Mayan Ruins are often overrun with cruise-ship passengers (my husband used to run these tours). Arrive early in the morning when the area opens. Doing this will also ensure you avoid the heat of the day. And, make sure you check out the excellent beach here. For an unusual experience, visit the nearby Tulum Monkey Sanctuary.

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-designated Reserve that protects the many types of plant, bird, fish and other animal species that have made up the rain forests of the Yucatan for thousands of years, but is best explored with an experienced tour company.

Eco parks such as Xcaret (pronounced Ex-Ka-Ret) and Xel-ha (pronounced Shell-Ha) are places to snorkel and sunbath in lagoons which were sacred to the Mayan Indians. Don’t miss the floating bridge and nature walks. You’ll be given some eco-friendly sunscreen at the entrance, as the commercial variety is harmful to the fish in this protected area.

In our opinion, the most romantic resort in the Riviera Maya is the Rosewood Mayakoba. This is a luxury retreat situated along a mile of white-sand beach in the Riviera Maya about 45 minutes from the Cancun airport. The resort has a primeval lagoon feeling, surrounded by a mangrove jungle at the heart of the ecological enclave of Mayakoba.

If you’re looking for secluded privacy and to be in the lap of luxury, you’ll be delighted with the Rosewood Mayakoba. The hotel blends the romance of travel with intimate pool villas, each fully equipped with the latest technology. Everything here is provided a la carte, so you won’t be paying for things that you are not going to take advantage of. Don’t take that to mean it’s inexpensive; on the contrary, this is a very upscale property.

The SENSE spa, set on its own island, surrounds a natural limestone pool that is fed by subterranean springs. Make sure you check it out at the beginning of your stay, as it’s a great place to relax and be pampered in case there are any rainy days.
The beach offers vistas of Caribbean blue water and borders the second-largest coral reef in the world, making it a bonanza for scuba and snorkelers. Guests can enjoy all the features of the Mayakoba enclave, including the signature Greg Norman 18-hole golf course El Camaleón and tennis facilities. Cultural enthusiasts will enjoy lectures on ancient Mayan culture and the Yucatan ecosystem.

The resort is small with only 128 suites which are located along the beachfront or clear lagoons. The designers have utilized indigenous materials such as Yucatan limestone and renewable woods. They emphasize modern simplicity, with wooden lattices and hidden glass doors giving the accommodations an airy ambiance. Couples looking for romance will enjoy the private plunge pools, outdoor showers in lush gardens and the rooftop decks.

I’m Sheila Cannon and I help career focused couples, who have no time to plan, have the honeymoon, destination wedding or romantic vacation of a lifetime custom designed for them without them having to lift a finger.  If that’s you, click here to get started putting me to work for you!

Photos courtesy VisitMexico.com and Rosewood Hotels.