One of keys to a great vacation is choosing the right resort and with all of the incredible options available in the Riviera Maya this may not be as easy as one may think. The best place to start is thinking through what you want out of your vacation. Some people want a great beach; others want a huge pool and others still want to make their resort has both! Perhaps you are taking a family vacation and want plenty of options for the kids or maybe this a getaway without the kids and a resort with only adults would be preferred. Whatever your specific wants and needs for the ideal resort, the Riviera Maya has plenty of choices to choose from.
Here is a list of important questions to think through while searching for the right resort for your vacation.
- What kind of pool do you want? Almost all, of the resorts offer pools and many times they include multiple pools. These pools will range in size and type. For instance, some resorts offer “quiet” pools without the entertainment personnel playing music or organizing activities for the guest. Other resorts have dedicated kiddie pools or kiddie areas that have water slides, fountains and super shallow areas. Many resorts have swim up bars included in their pool area while others don’t. The key is knowing what you like and then checking on these specifics when researching your resort.
- What kind of beach do you prefer? It is important to know that not every resort offers the same type of beach. One of the hallmarks of the Riviera Maya are the beautiful white sand beaches. However, some of the resorts are located on portions of the Yucatan coastline that is more “rocky” with less sand. Some resorts offer large, wide sand areas while others offer a more narrow or smaller beach area. There are several resorts that have created their own inlet/lagoon to provide a beach area for their guests. It really all depends on what you prefer and how that matches with your budget.
- What level of shade do you require? This is actually a really important question when staying in Caribbean. The sun can be quite intense and avoiding a severe sunburn can be a vital key to an enjoyable trip. All the resorts offer some amount of shade structures … like umbrellas or palapalas … around the pool and beach areas but they differ greatly on the amount of shade available. Also, some of the beach areas offer varying amounts of natural shade from palm trees and the mangrove trees as well. Make sure to research the resort you are choosing to make sure it offers enough shade for your specific needs.
- Are you a “foodie”? We all have our likes and dislikes when it comes to the type and quality of food we desire and just like with the pools and beaches, the resorts along the Riviera Maya fall into a varying degree of options they provide. A basic rule of thumb, when looking in to all-inclusive resort, is that you get what you pay for. Meaning that the cheaper the resort the higher the likelihood there will be a lower quality and variety of food. This is not always the case. So it is worthwhile to research multiple reviews to find out how people like the food.
- Location of the Resort. Some people like to go to the resort and then never leave… which is quite doable at many of the all-inclusives… while others enjoy planning excursions or day-trips outside the resort during their stay. If you are looking to get out of the resort and explore other areas (Mayan ruins, eco-parks, ect..) then you may want to consider booking a more centrally located resort nearer to Playa del Carmen (which is basically the middle point of the Riviera Maya). Transportation options outside of the resort range from renting a car, booking a private tour, using a taxi or public transportation (called “collectivos”). So a closer proximity to the other locations that you want to visit maybe be helpful.
- What are your room needs? Many of the larger resorts have similar offerings in regard to the general types of rooms they offer with a choice of either king (queen) or double beds. However, for a larger family it can be difficult to find rooms that are adjoining or that offer pull out couches or a roll away bed option. It’s very important to check with each resort on the types of rooms available. If you are a couple without kids, then an all-adult resort or section of the resort may be more advantageous and offer more options of room types and amenities.
The questions above are a good starting point to help decide what type of resort is best for you. Keep in mind that in Cancun and along the Riviera Maya there are hundreds resorts and hotels to choose from, so taking a little time to identify your specific wants and needs will go a long way in helping you find the perfect place to book your vacation.
Important Note: The designation of “All-Adult” normally means ages 18 and up. However, choose wisely as the Riviera Maya does offer “lifestyle” oriented resorts as well, such as clothing optional or au-naturel.
