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Best places to stay:

Last updated: 07 December, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

A tranquil, boutiquey beachside hotel in Cancun? Book the Beloved: a couples-only retreat on Playa Mujeres – just north of Cancun’s hectic hotel zone. The resort’s white buildings are scattered through a romantic palm tree-shaded garden like sugar cubes.

There are myriad villa and room options but the Ocean View Junior Suites are the best-value – costing only a fraction more than standards. They come with modish, minimalist interiors – flooded with light from wall-high glass, walk-in showers and Bulgari cosmetics, and expansive private sea-view balconies with Jacuzzis for two.

Surrounding area

Tranquil Playa Mujeres beach sits in Punta Sam, twenty minutes by cab north of Cancun’s hotel zone. The beach is long, broad and powder-white, and while less busy than in the hotel zone, there are plenty of sun loungers, beach bars and parasols.

There’s a good choice of restaurants within a five-minute walk and the boat dock for Isla Mujeres is close by. There are a few bars on the doorstep, but for rousing nightlife you’ll need to go to the main hotel zone.

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...

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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

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Overview >

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

Cancun Museum of Underwater Art

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico[16.2 miles]

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

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Overview >

El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Club

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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

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Overview >

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

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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.

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Overview >