Banyan Tree Mayakoba- Playa del Carmen, MX

Years ago, I watched a golf tournament played on an unbelievably beautiful course. The fairways were surrounded by dense jungle, flanked by a network of mangrove canals. I immediately vowed to visit one day, to wind through the wild waterways in an impossibly quaint little boat emblazoned with Mayakoba on the back. That day arrived in 2024.

Developed over the last few decades, the 500 acre gated Mayakoba community contains four hotels nestled unobtrusively into the jungle, all interconnected and open to all resort guests. Some rooms float above still lagoon waters, while others sit deep in the jungle. Each property also has a handful of beach front rooms, perfect for stunning sunrises.

Built with the environment in mind, 50% of each ecosystem on the property was preserved in its natural state, including mangroves, jungle and coastal vegitation. This means a stunning variety of birds, mammals and reptiles can be found around the resort. Other unique features were also preserved, including a cenote that is open to guests.

Choosing a room at Banyan Tree is next to impossible- there are oceanfront, jungle and lagoon options, some with personal pools. Booking at the last minute makes the decison easier. Our Oceanfront with plunge pool, just steps from the beach, was outstanding- the perfect place to spend a long weekend.

The grounds at Mayakoba however are what make the experience truly exceptional. Each room comes with bikes, which make it easy to explore the property. Boat tours take guests deep into the mangroves. Within the delightfully dense forest, you never know what you’ll see.

With four hotels onsite, there are also many excellent options for dinner and drinks, including Rosewood’s Zapote, rated one of North America’s 50 Best Bars. An all around exceptional escape, Mayakoba did not dissappoint.