Mayakoba Riviera Maya, Mexico
Renovated
2023
Price
$$$
Rated for
Wellness Resort LuxeOutside the door
The house
AccorCanal-laced mangrove resort
Electric boats glide through miles of crystal waterways, connecting dense jungle lagoons directly to Caribbean beachfront.
“Rooms are bright and airy to reflect modern Mexican design and have deep marble soaking tubs.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Electric lanchita boats navigate mangrove canals linking nine pools with the beach.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Forbes Four-Star
Forbes Travel Guide
2026
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and The 50 Discovery.
the property is crisscrossed with canals, swimming pools, and lagoons, and has its own Greg Norman–designed golf course.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
El Camaleon golf course and El Pueblito square border the grounds, five minutes north of Playa del Carmen.
The rooms
Casitas and suites border the waterways with expansive terraces, finished with marble bathrooms and contemporary Mexican accents.
The pools
Bring a swimsuit.
Nine swimming pools spread between the mangroves and beach, including the 10,000-square-foot Las Olas lagoon with its swim-up bar.
The spa
Treatment suites open onto private balconies under vaulted timber ceilings, and a botanical garden supplies herbs for custom treatments.
The gym
Large garden-facing windows look out on tropical foliage across Technogym cardio machines and a dedicated movement studio.
Dogs stay too.
At the table
La Laguna floats wooden dining platforms directly over the canal, and Tauro serves dry-aged steaks beside a dedicated martini bar.
An impeccable blend of mangrove forest and Mexican-Caribbean luxury, Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya has earned its reputation as one of the most visually appealing resorts in Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
How it began
Architects modeled the layout on ancient Mayan settlements, scattering low-rise dwellings along waterways to leave the mangrove canopy intact.
“From the private, white sand beach, a series of canals and lagoons stretch into the lush mangroves of the 594 acre campus.”
Good to know
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Fairmont Mayakoba
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Riviera Maya
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.