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Barcelo Maya Riviera Location
Most people think of Cancun when they imagine an all inclusive resort in Mexico, but do not skip over the Riviera Maya! Located only 45 minutes from the Cancun international airport, you won’t regret choosing to stray from Cancun.
The resort itself is right on the beach, not even a five minute walk from the main buffet to the water.
Barcelo Maya Riviera-Adults Only is the newest of the Barcelo resorts built, and the only adults only one. It has five sister resorts located right next door and you have access to all their pools, entertainment, and restaurants if you’d like to check them out during your stay.
The Rooms
The rooms far exceeded our expectations! A few things you can expect from these rooms:
- Spacious: The rooms were massive, with a California king bed, couch/sitting area, walk-in shower, and huge vanity area.
- Ocean View: I would definitely recommend spending the extra money for an ocean view suite. Being able to wake up in the morning and see the sun rise from your balcony is something you don’t want to miss!
- Jacuzzi: We LOVED the jacuzzi on the balcony. Especially with the ocean view, relaxing in the jacuzzi at night looking out at the ocean was so peaceful.
- Snack/Drinks: A nice touch is that the mini fridge is stocked with water, beer, and soda, and the cabinet next to it has a few small snacks that are restocked daily.
Four Pools with Swim-Up Bars
Being crammed into a small pool is something you don’t have to worry about here. With four infinity pools, two with swim up bars, you’ll never have to worry about not finding a spot to swim. My favorite part about the pools is how you still have an amazing view of the ocean.
There is a variety of seating surrounding the pools- lounge chairs, tables, hammocks, and sunbeds. While there is a lot of seating, I’d be sure to claim a spot early in the day as they do fill up fast.
Activities and Entertainment
While for some people the pool, beach and bars are the perfect combo for a relaxing vacation, others may want to take advantage of the other activities offered at the Barcelo.
- Enjoy a free hour of snorkeling daily
- Book a relaxing massage at the full spa on the property
- Get a workout in at the fully equipped gym
- Enjoy some night life at the Jaguar’s Discotheque lounge
- Play a round of mini golf, tennis, or basketball
- Do some shopping at the Maya Mall
I also recommend checking the schedule to see what events are going on throughout the day. During our stay there was a volleyball tournament, water aerobics, ping pong tournaments, and dancing lessons.
The Food
Barcelo Riviera Maya has four sit down restaurants, one (very large) buffet, a snack bar, and five bars.
- Miramar- the buffet, serves breakfast and lunch daily. It features a variety of food, from a burger bar to a taco bar. They always have fresh fruit and a variety of desserts as well.
- Agave -Mexican restaurant, you can either choose to order from the typical ala carte menu or sit at the taco bar, where the chef prepares a variety of tacos.
- Dolce Vita- Italian restaurant serving a range of pastas. While this restaurant was good, it was definitely my least favorite out of the four.
- La Comedie- French restaurant, it’s the only one we didn’t visit, but I have heard good things about it.
- Sapporo – Japanese restaurant, you have the option of sitting at the hibachi tables, where your food is prepared in front of you, or ordering a la carte. We chose the a la carte option and loved the sushi!
- Bahia Bar- Located in the hotel lobby, this is where you’ll find the snack bar. They have a few sandwich options, as well as a small assortment of desserts and snacks. It’s open 24/7 so you’ll never go hungry.
The sit down restaurants require reservations, which you can make upon arrival. They are all very well decorated with a modern feel to them. A simple dress code is in place, mostly to ensure no one comes in wearing a bathing suit.
Tips for Visiting Barcelo Maya Riviera
- Be sure to pack enough sunscreen! Buying sunscreen at the resort is going to be double or triple the price it normally is.
- Apply sunscreen more often than you think! Getting a sunburn on your first day is not a good start to the vacation.
- Bring cash. While it says tips are included, I recommend tipping your bartenders and servers, they are making your vacation the best possible!
- Don’t just pack swimsuits. Remember there’s a dress code at the dinner restaurants, so come prepared.
- Pack a beach bag. Towels are provided, but you’ll need a bag to carry your books, phones, cash, etc.
Barcelo Maya Riviera- Adults Only was one of the most relaxing vacations I’ve had. From the endless drinks, amazing views, tasty food, and great service, this is definitely on my list of places to visit again. If you’ve visited before, leave me a comment letting me know what you thought! If you’re planning to visit soon, leave any questions you have below!
