Flying from Washington, D.C. into Cancun felt typical, but arriving at Mayakoba felt as if we were being transported to another part of the world altogether. Beyond the gate, on 620 acres, are four distinct resorts, each offering their own charm and natural beauty, including lagoons, jungles, and white-sand beaches. While our family has visited other Mayakoba properties in the past, in this post I am highlighting our most recent stay at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. This property blends Mexican and Asian culture for a unique, eco-friendly wellness resort experience.

Best Points

For us, Banyan Tree Mayakoba has a host of selling points that made our experience exceptional. 

• The resort provides the best of the jungle and the beach—the two places we love to be! 
• They are the only all-pool villa resort in the Riviera Maya and can accommodate groups/families with ease. It’s not super easy finding suitable accommodations for a party of seven!
• Banyan Tree offers experiences and amenities for both adults and children (hydrobiking through the canals definitely caught my eye!).
• Getting there is not difficult from our local airport; it’s a direct flight from Washington, D.C. 
• We found their 5-star experience to be second-to-none.
• Worth an honorable mention, El Camaleón, the 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, is the first PGA TOUR golf course in Latin America and attracts lovers of the sport.  

Quality Dining and Lodging 

“I can’t wait to cook on vacation,” said no one, ever. One of our favorite things about Banyan Tree is that the food is well taken care of! A few high-quality dining experiences are available onsite, and they’ve never disappointed. We were really anticipating another meal at Saffron, the stunning signature Thai restaurant. That evening, after being seated on a dock mere steps from the lagoon and enjoying our apps and drinks, dinner took an unexpected turn. We felt raindrops…a few, a few more, and then a major downpour. The staff came quickly to our rescue, providing us with large umbrellas and ushering us to cover until they could seat us indoors. Before we knew it, we were inside enjoying the main course and dessert, and the rain was a non-issue.

Another dining experience worth mentioning is Cello, Banyan Tree’s Italian restaurant. The Shrimp Tagliatelle here was a standout dish, blending the flavors of Italian cuisine with a local flare. 

The great thing about the dining experience within the Mayakoba properties is that you aren’t limited to dining at the restaurants where you’re staying. We love that you can easily arrange a Mayakoba vehicle to take you to eat at any of the other resorts behind the gate: Rosewood Mayakoba, Fairmont Mayakoba, and Andaz Mayakoba. For more casual bites and a quick treat, El Pueblito is a must-see. It’s a quaint traditional Mexican town square with outlets hosted by each of the Mayakoba resorts. We particularly enjoy The Burger Shop, the Sweet Spot, the arcade for the kids (and me!), and there’s even a chapel onsite. 

This was our second time choosing the Harmony beachfront villa and it was just as amazing as our previous stay. When traveling with several family members, this villa allows togetherness, while providing adequate separation for privacy. Because the resort is vast and most local travel is via bicycle or golf carts, being steps away from the beach is a plus. This time, we took advantage of the Sands Beach Club, a recent addition. When we weren’t ordering lunch beachside, it was just a short walk from our villa to Sands for breakfast and dinner. We quickly designated our favorite spot with the incredible sunset beach view as “our table” after the first night!

Special Events 

We arranged a private sunset tapas cruise featuring a Mexican menu and wine. The views were breathtaking, and the food was, of course, delicious. In this case, almost everything was lovely.
The downside? Mosquitoes! Insect repellent is a necessity! This private cruise is just one of the many special event options, as Mayakoba is home to a 10,000 square-foot dedicated event space which is a blank canvas for curating an incredible guest experience in the jungle.

The Mayakoba properties have become our “home away from home.” The amazing accommodations, outstanding dining options, and breathtaking beauty create a magical atmosphere that rejuvenates and refreshes us each time we visit. They know how to craft unforgettable experiences and offer endless opportunities to make memories that will last a lifetime. If your goal is a restful and invigorating nature getaway, you can’t go wrong here! 

Need help planning a local event, a luxury destination event, or a social activity? Reach out to us for a consultation—We’ll do everything we can to design an experience of the highest quality so you can tell your own unforgettable story!