Curator’s statement
The Riviera Maya is a wonderful beach destination for parents with young children—calm Caribbean beaches, easy transfers from Cancún, and resorts that truly cater to families. At Hotel Xcaret Mexico, kids clubs feel like adventure camps, with hands-on activities and built-in access to eco-parks that keep little ones engaged. Grand Velas Riviera Maya pairs luxury suites with a well-run kids club and thoughtful amenities that make traveling with small children seamless. For a more private, nature-forward stay, Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers spacious villas and access to family-friendly activities within the beautiful Mayakoba community—think complimentary eco tours in the mangroves to look for wildlife. And all of these high-end properties offer incredible meals, unlike what many parents picture when they hear ‘all-inclusive. So parents get activities for kids and still enjoy high-end dining and resort amenities. Everyone wins!
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Where to stay in Riviera Maya, Mexico
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Things to do in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Xcaret Park isn't your typical park - this gorgeous beach is just past the wildlife areas.
Spend a day at Xcaret Park: These eco parks have underground rivers, wildlife encounters, and more.
Day trip to Tulum: This might be an easier tour for the littles—shorter distance and the ruins here are on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
Swim in a cenote: We discovered Vesica Cenote Club—a beach club but it’s a cenote! It was beautiful, felt private in the lush jungle, and luxurious. There are lots of gorgeous cenotes that are more rustic but worth visiting too. We liked the facilities and restaurant offered at Vesica for our little one.
Take the ferry to Cozumel for the day and go snorkeling or diving, or relax at a beach club for families.
Visit Akumal Bay for a snorkel tour and maybe see sea turtles in their natural habitat!
Visit Chichen Itza: This one may or may not be great for littles as a day tour can be long—you know your child best!
Places to eat & drink in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Yummy beach salad at Cantina Los Faroles, Hotel Xcaret
Cantina Los Faroles: Lively Mexican cantina with mezcal, cocktails, shared plates, and music. We had a lovely date night and dinner here.
Mercado de la Merced / Mercado 17: Large, market-style buffet with regional and international stations. We spent a lot of time here!
Las Cuevas - Brunch Dominical: On Sundays, there is a signature brunch experience with a seafood bar, premium drinks, and incredible foods, blending Mexican and international cuisine—celebrated as one of the standout culinary events in the Riviera Maya.
RosaNegra | Latin American Restaurant in Tulum: Lively Latin American cuisine with great cocktails.
Así Restaurant & Beach Club: Beachfront seafood with a laid-back vibe right by the water.
La Buena Vida: Iconic beach bar/restaurant with tacos, fajitas, burgers, and tropical drinks right on Half Moon Bay—great for families and casual dinners.
La Lunita: Beloved beachfront bistro with fresh seafood and international flair; perfect for sunset dinners.
Need to know
The Riviera Maya is such a magical place—from beaches to ruins to cenotes, there’s something for everyone. A few fun tips:
If kids clubs aren’t for you, many of these resorts offer on-site babysitting services, and we requested to have the same person with our daughter the entire trip. The babysitter took her to the pool one day, and to lunch another day, all on property.
If you stay at Hotel Xcaret, the hotel provides complimentary shuttles and boat transportation to its Xcaret parks. For Xcaret Park, you can actually take a scenic river boat directly from the hotel (or a short shuttle). Other parks like Xplor Park, Xenses Park, and Xel-Há Park are accessed via included motorcoach transportation.
The Cenote “el Burrodromo” Mayakoba is a beautiful cenote cave accessed only by guests staying at Mayakoba. Tours are offered and although it’s not swimmable, it’s worth a visit.
Travel Advisor
Alicia Minter
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