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, and—if you’re traveling with kids—approximately 30 pounds of chicken nuggets.
The Suite Life: Room for Everyone (and Then Some)
With nine of us traveling together, we knew we’d need two rooms, 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.
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 lazing about the Riviera Maya.
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. 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. Sometimes you shared the room with coati that roamed the property.
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.
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.
One day, we went to Xel-Há, where we swam with dolphins—a bucket list experience that was just as magical as you’d imagine. The whole park was a tropical playground of snorkeling, lazy rivers, and adventure.
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 before, put it on your must-do list. It’s otherworldly, refreshing, and just an all-around surreal experience. We recommend taking water shoes!
The Perks of the Sister Property
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.
Final Verdict: Worth It?
Absolutely. Bahia Principe Grand Tulum gave us a week of sunshine, swim time, and way more fries than I care to admit. The two-bedroom suite made a huge difference in comfort, and the mix of pools, beaches, specialty dining, and excursions kept things fun for everyone. Would we go back? Yes—but next time, I might try to convince the kids that other food groups exist. (No guarantees.)
As a fun side note brothers will always be brothers, watch the video to see what I mean.
