If you want to avoid the crowds at mega-resorts of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, look no further than the Viceroy Riviera Maya, a 41-villa luxury resort located in a small village just north of Playa del Carmen. The Viceroy, which was formerly The Tides Riviera Maya, is a stunning resort built out of a dense Maya tropical forest which opens up to a beautiful stretch of beach along the Riviera Maya.
Photos courtesy of Viceroy Riviera Maya
The villas are very private and are located along meandering pathways in a dense jungle of ferns, palms and waterfalls. These palapa-roofed, stucco villas are decorated in Mayan style using natural materials throughout, including mahogany doors and windows, sisal rugs, and canopy beds with hand-stitched Egyptian cotton linens. The bath areas are large with indoor and outdoor showers and his-and-hers sinks. For the ultimate getaway, book one of the resort’s two-level villas. This villa's spacious bedroom is located on the second floor and opens onto a large deck that looks out to the ocean. On the first floor is a large living room that flows into a completely private patio with plunge pool and outdoor rain shower. For the ultimate luxury and privacy, these villas are highly recommended.
The resort has two restaurants – a casual grill located on the edge of the beach and a formal dinner-only restaurant that focuses on fresh seafood and a contemporary interpretation of Mexican cuisine.
The resort’s spa is an oasis of tranquility – Mayan influenced design, candles throughout the changing areas and all you hear is the sound of the waterfall just outside. For the more active, the resort also has a well-equipped gym and offers yoga classes each morning at the end the pier surrounded by ocean. Not a bad location to be practicing your Downward Dog!
The Yucatan peninsula is rich in Mayan ruins and are definitely worth exploring. Some of the well-known sites include Tulum, Coba and the mammoth Chichen Itza. For a truly special experience, consider a diving or snorkeling trip to one of the area’s cenotes, which are fresh water subterranean rivers scattered throughout the Yucatan peninsula. These hauntingly beautiful underwater caverns and caves are filled crystal clear fresh water and massive stalagmites and stalactites illuminated by shafts of sunlight.
While there are many luxury resorts along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the Viceroy offers privacy and quiet that you won’t find at the mega-resorts.
Viceroy Riviera Maya // Playa Xcalacoco // Website