Riviera Maya: A Week of Sun, Sand, and (Way Too Many) Chicken Nuggets
Review of Bahia Principe Grand Tulum
Where to stay in the Riviera Maya? How do you get there? First what and where is the Riviera Maya? Basically it is anything on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula that is south of Cancun, it includes Tulum, Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen. We prefer the Riviera Maya to Cancun (we’ve stayed there a few times) because there are far less people, the hotel zone of Cancun is just packed with people and hotels, in the Riviera Maya everything is spread out along the coast. After much searching and browsing we decided to stay at the Bahia Principe Grand Tulum, which was a great decision if I do say so myself! I always rent a car when in Mexico, it’s just like driving in the USA with a little Latin flare, most of the cars are manual so keep that in mind.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from our week at Bahia Principe Grand Tulum, it’s that paradise comes with endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, loads of sunscreen, and—if you’re traveling with kids—approximately 30 pounds of chicken nuggets (let’s not talk about french fries or daiquiris) . Exploring the Riviera Maya with family is an amazing experience.
The Suite Life: Room for Everyone (and Then Some)
With nine of us traveling together, we knew we’d need two rooms, so we opted for the two-bedroom suite for one of them, which was nothing short of amazing. Spacious? Check. Comfortable? Double check. Two bathrooms? A lifesaver. There was plenty of space for everyone to spread out, relax, and—most importantly—not fight over who got the best bed. It was the best decision we made on this trip! If you are debating it, don’t look back, don’t think twice! Just do it! You’ll thank me later. As much time as we spent at the pool and the beach, when the kids came in to shower, it saved the typical battles over who showered first! Twice the bathrooms, half the battles. Sigh! Why didn’t I think of this before? Thank you, Bahia!
The Resort: Sun, Fun, and Unlimited Pool Time
From the moment we arrived, it was clear this was going to be a week of pure relaxation (or as much relaxation as one can have while making sure small humans don’t cannonball into strangers at the pool). The beach? Stunning. White sand, turquoise water, and plenty of space to lounge. The pools? Plentiful and perfect for both splash-happy kids and lounging parents making the most of their Riviera Maya vacation. I will say that the ocean wasn’t as calm as the Cancun ocean but my kids didn’t seem to mind! And the pools were never overcrowded, another score! Thank you again, Bahia!
The Food: A Tale of Two Experiences
The Truck quickly became the MVP of our trip. Whether we were poolside or beachside, it delivered crispy fries and nuggets like an all-you-can-eat golden treasure chest. (Not to mention the strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas.) My kids were in heaven, and I’m pretty sure the resort is now recalculating its monthly chicken order because of us.
The buffet, on the other hand, was… fine. Let’s call it the trusty backup plan. Not bad, not amazing—just there when you need it. The art with the food in the buffet was pretty remarkable. The bread was always good. The kids were always happy with the hotdogs and fries (they really did master the french fry!). The fruit was usually good. We usually had a pile of pineapple and watermelon on our table. And we usually left with an ice cream cone (and when it was coconut my wife was very happy!). We definitely never went hungry! Sometimes the coati that roamed the property would visit us during dinner. (Our kids thought that was pretty cool!)
The specialty restaurants, however, were where the resort redeemed itself in the dining department. Each one gave us something a little extra—better flavors, a bit of ambiance, and a welcome change from our usual routine of going to the Truck. The French one was especially good, the filet mignon was divine.
The resort also had shows (kind of like a cruise on land), one of them was a talent show for the kids (they loved it). The teens also loved the teen room, it had video games, billiards, and other things for them to do. Those were a definite plus.
Exploring Beyond the Resort
As much as we loved the resort, we couldn’t resist the urge to explore. Tulum was first on our list—a beautiful and historic spot, but packed with tourists. (Yes, I know, I was one of them, but still.) While the ruins themselves were impressive, the sheer number of people made it feel a bit less magical.
Ek Balam, on the other hand, was an absolute highlight. Unlike Chichén Itzá, where you’re limited to admiring from a distance, here you can climb the pyramids and explore the structures up close. Standing on top of the main pyramid, looking out over the jungle, was nothing short of incredible. If you’re debating which ruins to visit, Ek Balam wins hands down, it is technically outside of the Riviera Maya but worth the trip. Book an excursion from Cancun here.
One day, we went to Xel-Há, Xel-Há is a breathtaking natural water park in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, known for its stunning lagoons, cenotes, and crystal-clear rivers. This eco-adventure paradise offers a unique blend of relaxation and excitement, with activities like snorkeling among colorful tropical fish, floating down the lazy river on an inner tube, and an intense water slide and cliff jumping for the more adventurous. The park is also home to lush jungle trails, hanging bridges, and a variety of wildlife, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers. One of the highlights of visiting Xel-Há is the opportunity to swim with dolphins, an unforgettable experience that allows guests to interact closely with these intelligent creatures. The all-inclusive concept, and the unlimited food and drinks throughout the day took the stress of decision-making away. Thankfully the food was good enough that even my picky eaters were happy! Score! The family lockers to store all our belongings was another bonus. They thought of all the things… It really made it a perfect place to unwind and explore the natural beauty of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
Another unforgettable stop was Casa Tortuga Cenotes, where we swam in crystal-clear underground pools surrounded by limestone formations. If you’ve never swum in a cenote, put it on your must-do list. It’s otherworldly, refreshing, and just an all-around surreal experience. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to visit and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip! The kids talk about it often! The Yucatan is known for its cenotes, they are incredible works of nature. The water was crystal clear at Casa Tortuga. The day was warm and the water was cool and refreshing. The kids loved swimming along the open-air cenotes watching fish or jumping off the cliffs. The little ones were hesitant at first to swim in the caves but they were brave and were amazed as we swam with flashlights in the otherwise darkness! The guide was friendly. My little ones were so relieved to be able to wear their puddle jumpers. (by the way parents, absolutely bring them if you’re debating packing them!!!) So, if you’re on the Riviera Maya and you want an adventure for the day, Casa Tortuga was a win! Take your goggles and We recommend taking water shoes, here are the ones we recommend.
The Perks of the Sister Property at Bahia Principe Grand Tulum
One of the highlights? Being able to hop over to the sister property for even more pools, restaurants, and entertainment. It kept things fresh and gave us a chance to explore beyond our home base here in the Riviera Maya. They also had a center market for shopping which was nice for souvenirs, a pharmacy, and such.
Final Verdict: Worth It?
Absolutely. Bahia Principe Grand Tulum gave us a week of sunshine, swim time, and way more fries than I want to admit. The two-bedroom suite made a huge difference in comfort! The 2 bathrooms in each suite were huge. And the mix of pools, beaches, specialty dining, and excursions kept things fun for everyone. The location was close enough to everything that it was easy to get to but far enough away that we felt secluded. It was a little piece of heaven. Would we go back? Yes—but next time, I might try to convince the kids that other food groups exist. (No guarantees.)
Book a stay at Bahia Principe Grand Tulum !
Things To Do In Cancun and the Riviera Maya
As a fun side note brothers will always be brothers, watch the video to see what I mean.
