no alt text

Best places to stay:

Last updated: 13 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

The Banyan Tree offers high-end Asian-style luxury on a Mayan Riviera white sand beach: with a superb Thai restaurant and a multi-award-winning spa offering some of the best pampering in Mexico.

The huge range of bright, contemporary villas (with warm woods, polished concretes and neutral tones) are walled entirely with glass allowing light to flood in.

Some sit secluded for honeymoon intimacy in their own little gardens; those by the beach have gorgeous ocean views from the foot of the bed. Bathrooms have al fresco baths (walled for privacy) and his and hers basins. All have their own plunge pools and decks.

Surrounding area

The Banyan shares Mayakoba village – a purpose-built resort complex with three other luxury chains, including the Hyatt Andaz.

This purpose-built, gated resort village has its own woodlands (cut by cycle paths), mangroves, lagoons and an 18-hole, Greg Norman-designed PGA Golf Course.

The Banyan Tree sits in the quietest, lushest spot, surrounded by forest and lagoons and right next to the PGA golf course. While it has seven restaurants (and in-villa dining), there are more a stroll away. The beach right in front of the villas is long, white, broad and powder-white and the resort runs a beach club.

The party town of Playa del Carmen is a 15-minute cycle ride along the sand.

Please note - we hope to one day have live prices for you, but for now, here are some useful links for you to compare prices...

Check pricing & availability on:

Key facilities

Airport transfers*
Beach: Onsite
Creche
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Parking: On-site (free)
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi: Free
Yoga

Food & drink

All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional charge

Room types

Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts

Room facilities

Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Jacuzzi (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi

Bedding options

2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed

Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Gran Cenote

Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Lily-covered, glassy-clear and filled with terrapins and tropical fish, this cenote near Tulum is easy to reach and fabulous to swim in. Big caverns make for spectacular cave diving.

Best for ages: 6+ | £7

Website >
Overview >

Mayan ruins of Coba

Quintana Roo, Mexico

An authentic, atmospheric and less-visited Mayan site, set in lush, wildlife-rich forest. Climb to the summit of the 126ft-high Nohoc Mul pyramid – the tallest on the Mayan Riviera.

Best for ages: 13+ | £5

Website >
Overview >

Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first

El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico[0.8 miles]

Designed by Greg Norman, the course weaves its way through dense jungle, beautiful stretches of white sand and mangrove forests, with cenotes – natural sink holes – providing natural hazards.

Best for ages: 13+ | £125

Website >
Overview >

Xcaret Park

Playa del Carmen, Mexico[14.8 miles]

With glassy pools and shallow lagoons offering dolphin, nurse-shark and manatee swimming, tame jungles, and spectacular Mayan dance shows, this huge eco-theme park is a Maya World, and a snorkel-friendly Disneyland.

Best for ages: 4+ | £80

Aktun-Chen

Akumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico

A simple nature-based theme park with a safari-park zoo, a cenote for swimming, a spectacular cave and a rainforest canopy zip-line adventure.

Best for ages: 4+ | £30

Website >
Overview >

Cancun Museum of Underwater Art

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico

British artist Jason Decaires Taylor’s underwater art gallery feels like a latter-day Atlantis – with statues covered with wispy sea weeds and baby coral, fish swimming all around sitting on the sand in vodka-clear water off Isla Mujeres.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free

Website >
Overview >

Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay

Mayan Riviera

Mexico

Talc-white beaches, reefs teeming with life, ruined temples in misty rainforests – the Riviera Maya offers a family or romantic beach holiday with a dash of Indian Jones adventure.

Website >
Overview >