It’s spring break season—which means everyone is jetting off to warm-weather locales for family vacations, bachelorette trips, destination weddings, and everything in-between. Where are we headed? Just south of Cancun sits Riviera Maya, Mexico—ideal for a luxe break of sun, sand, and plenty of tacos on the Caribbean coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula. While resorts are aplenty here, this is where we step in to share everything you need to know about visiting—or saying “I do” in Riviera Maya:
When to Go
The best time to visit is now! December through April has the best weather; although any time from May through November can also be quite nice, just beware of hurricane season’s height in August and October.
Where to Stay
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel is our pick for any nearly any occasion in Riviera Maya. When not booked for weddings, guests can range from honeymooners to young and seasoned families and everything in-between—think of a friendlier (but just as fashionable) crowd than in The White Lotus. While the design and experience is very authentic to the area—guests are treated to a Mayan cleansing ritual upon arrival—it feels like a luxurious and eco-conscious at the same time.
Tech-savvy guests will love that the hotel uses WhatsApp to help with any need. And no ghosting here! The response times are way quicker than your ex boyfriend.
Accommodations vary from deluxe rooms to suites and oceanfront villas, so if it’s a large destination wedding venue you’re looking for, voila. The king beds are oh so comfortable and the bathrooms make getting ready feel like a true spa experience.
Where to Eat
There’s no need to leave Maroma, A Belmond Hotel to get a delicious, local meal—and if upscale fusion is sought, it’s also available at the property. Casa Mayor Executive Chef Daniel Camacho reinvents traditional Mexican flavors from breakfast through dinner with 90% of ingredients sourced within the country and more than half from the Yucatán Peninsula.
For a rehearsal dinner, date-night, or other special occasion, head to Woodend by Curtis Stone. Recognized by the Michelin Guide, the Australian chef’s beachside restaurant focuses on seafood cooked over an open fire.
Things to Do
Arrange a tortilla-making class for one of the best experiences in Mexico. Executive Chef Daniel Camacho or someone from his team can lead private groups through a fun, educational, and delicious day. It’s an excellent activity for honeymooners, bachelorettes, wedding parties, and families with kids old enough to help in the kitchen. And the best part is eating the finished product with delicious taco fillings—beware, serious damage can be done and a food coma is inevitable, but it’s so worth it.
Hit the spa. Please. Don’t make us beg. The Maroma Spa by Guerlain—yes, the famous French perfumer—is out of this world relaxing. The Royal Honey Repair & Renew 90-minute facial and massage treatment will forever stay with this editor. And for bachelorettes with a more spiritual, wellness lens, there are meditation and even apothecary experiences available.
Looking for something truly unique? Visit the Melipona Bee Sanctuary and learn about the stingless species, considered sacred to the Maya. That’s right, these babies do not have stingers, so they can fly around and even be held with no fear. Try their honey and be surprised by how different species can produce such various flavors.
