For decades the Riviera Maya has been one of the premier destinations for luxurious honeymoons. Newlyweds can’t resist basking in the sun on picture-perfect powdery white sand beaches and relaxing in turquoise waters. What could be better than starting your union with a romantic getaway to Mexico? The warm weather, enchanting serenades, world-renowned food and the very best mezcal are the ideal recipe for a memorable honeymoon. Whether you’re dreaming of a private oasis for you and your love or want to fill your days with adventures and evenings with all-night parties, the Riviera Maya has something to offer every honeymooning couple. Here’s how to choose where to honeymoon in the Riviera Maya.
Isla Holbox
Located on the northern cusp of the Riviera Maya is the idyllic Isla Holbox. Holbox is the ideal honeymoon destination for nature lovers and for couples who want to spend time together relaxing. The 26-mile island is located within the protected YUM Balam nature reserve and is home to many wild creatures and incredible nature adventures.
Unlike other Riviera Maya destinations, Isla Holbox is unspoiled by mass tourism. Athletic couples will love taking kiteboarding lessons, going on kayak tours through mangroves and joining responsible tourism operators for snorkeling trips with whale sharks, nurse sharks, sea turtles and more. Love birds will enjoy spotting the pink flamingos that inhabit the island. Skip Holbox if you’re looking for authentic cultural experiences or wild all-night parties.
Stay at Mystique Blue, which offers a honeymoon package with a VIP welcome, including sparkling wine and a fruit tray, a complimentary room upgrade to the best available room and a discount on beachside couples massages. The boutique resort only has 35 rooms, allowing for a more intimate experience for honeymooners. It’s located on the most pristine white sand beach on the island with many beach hammocks swaying in the ocean nearby—the perfect spot for sunset.
Cancun
If you’re pressed for time on your honeymoon, Cancun is the ideal destination along the Riviera Maya due to its proximity to the international airport. Cancun is also known for its epic nightlife and day-trips to Isla Mujeres or the UNESCO Heritage site of Chichen Itza.
With many all-inclusive ultra-luxurious resorts in the hotel zone, it’s also a great honeymoon spot where you don’t have to stress out about planning where to eat and what to do. You can do almost everything on-site without skimping on luxury. Do make it off-site for an authentic wixarika shaman cleansing and blessing at the sacred Scorpion Temple, located on the beach, for a meaningful way to start this new phase of your life. Visit the Secret River, where you’ll be closer to the Xibalbá, the Mayan underworld, and Xcaret, the most important eco-archaeological park in the country. The MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art) is in the waters surrounding Cancun and Isla Mujeres and has more than 500 life-size sculptures used to promote coral life. Couples who like to plan their own adventures and spend time alone in wild nature will want to skip Cancun.
The all-inclusive adults-only Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun offers a Deluxe Honeymoon Package, which includes a bottle of sparkling wine, two keepsake bathrobes and slippers, breakfast in bed, a 50-minute couples serenity massage, floral arrangement, king-sized bed, chocolate covered strawberries, in-room aromatherapy with fragrance menu, intimate candlelit rose petal bath in double whirlpool tub, a romantic dinner cruise and more. Your personal butler will be on hand to help you organize anything your heart desires while in Cancun, including golfing, shopping or a private dinner on the beach.
Fit-centric couples will love staying at Le Blanc, which offers several fitness classes throughout the day — from aqua spin class to board yoga in the pool. Several infinity pools overlook the pristine beach with the silkiest white sand and clearest jade water you’ve ever seen. During the turtle nesting and hatching season you can assist on-site experts in releasing baby sea turtles into the sea. At the award-winning BLANCSPA enjoy a luxurious hydrotherapy area with hot and cold plunge pools, sauna, herbal steam room, chromotherapy and a sauna. Enjoy a four-hand massage or a facial.
Playa Del Carmen
With the moniker of the Las Vegas of Mexico, Playa del Carmen is the place to go for couples who are looking to let loose and get wild after all the wedding-planning stress. Bottle service and epic DJs await at some of the most epic parties on Earth.
Playa del Carmen isn’t all party, all the time. Couples can also enjoy an authentic food tour experience at Eating With Carmen and learn about the life and love of Frida Khalo on a guided tour of the namesake’s museum. Take a day trip to Cozumel and visit El Cedral, a Mayan temple dedicated to the goddess of fertility, Ixchel, if family planning is in your near future. Cozumel also offers snorkeling with gigantic sea stars at the aptly named Cielo Playa — there are so many sea stars that it looks like the sky. If you’re looking for a private hideaway for your honeymoon, skip Playa del Carmen.
Stay in the heart of it all at Reef 28 one block away from the beach and the legendary 5th Avenue. The cosmopolitan adults-only resort offers sophisticated apartment-like suites complete with bathtubs large enough for two. Treat your spouse to a healing treatment at the luxurious The Reef Spa — every visitor is welcome to enjoy the complimentary hydrotherapy circuit. In the morning, enjoy yoga practices on the terrace, which transforms into a lively rooftop bar in the afternoon with evening DJs. Guests are welcome to use free shuttle services to visit either of Reef’s beach-front properties, Reef Playacar or Reef Coco Beach.
The Honeymoon Package includes a chilled bottle of prosecco, breakfast in bed, a private romantic gourmet dinner on the beach, strawberries and chocolates in the room, a 30-minute couples massage and more.
Tulum
Tulum is likely the first destination that comes to mind when dreaming of a locale on the Riviera Maya for a honeymoon. With countless design-focused beach hotels equipped with romantic private bungalows, long stretches of sandy beaches and endless activities, Tulum is a great honeymoon destination. Couples who want to combine a bit of privacy, but also mingle, will enjoy the ability to roll with the crowd or escape into the private oasis of their guest room in Tulum.
Adventurous couples will love renting bikes and riding down to explore the Tulum archaeological site, where the ancient walls of the city meet the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. After the exhilarating bike ride, head back to town to enjoy some of the best shopping in the Riviera Maya. There are many luxurious boutiques offering beachy designs in eco-friendly materials. Tulum isn’t the best place for couples who are keen to stay connected to the outside world, as internet service can be very spotty here.
Hotel Mi Amor (the hotel name translates to “my love”) is the romantic choice for your honeymoon in Tulum. Enjoy the small luxury adults-only property and embrace barefoot-luxury in a gorgeous sea front room with a jet tub or take a dip in the infinity pool. Stays are customizable based on newlywed couples’ needs and can include activities such as visits to secret cenotes. Indulge in special couples’ treatments such as chocolate mud wrap, followed by a destressing massage at the spa to let you relax and unwind together with your boo.