Full Review of the All-Inclusive Viva Maya by Wyndham

In September, I took a much-overdue return trip to Mexico with my husband to explore the beautiful Riviera Maya area! This wasn’t originally on my radar, but I found a travel deal that was just too good to pass up: four nights with flights and a stay at the all-inclusive Viva Maya in Playa del Carmen.

Before this, I’d never stayed at an all-inclusive resort. I loved the idea, but I also love finding locally owned boutique hotels that allow us to experience the local culture. However, when I saw that deal, I decided it was finally time to see what all the hype was about. Plus, I loved having all our meals and a good chunk of our activities paid for in advance.

We had the option to choose from a few different hotels in the area, but I really liked the price and wide range of activities that the Viva Maya by Wyndham offered. It has so many cool amenities, including a trapeze! It seemed perfect for Daniel and me, who enjoy being active between bouts of laying on the beach.

quiet beach and blue waters at Viva Maya — *The Viva Maya’s beach is picture-perfect!*

I also loved that the Viva Maya was so ideally situated for us to experience multiple things along this coastal area of Mexica. It was just an hour from both Cancun and Tulum, and its beachfront access was absolutely ideal for enjoying the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Plus, this resort area is close to some great shopping, including the vibrant Plaza Playacar and the popular 5th Avenue.

If you’re considering a stay at the Viva Maya, I’m here to tell you what to expect, from the spacious rooms to the food and activities. I’ll also share a few thoughts on what kind of traveler this resort is a good fit for so you can decide whether this is where you want to be!

Viva Maya’s Rooms & Accommodations

*King-size bed in a Deluxe Room at the Viva Maya*

Viva Maya by Wyndham has three different kinds of rooms: Superior Rooms, Superior Ocean View Rooms, and Deluxe Rooms.

The Superior Rooms have a little more space and are closer to the main pool and the oceanfront. They’re very convenient for those who want to be next to the action, including the evening shows, but keep in mind the area might be a little loud for those who want to go to bed early. They have great amenities like balconies, air conditioning, big TVs, and free wifi.

*The Superior Rooms are located right near the main pool and beach.*

We ended up staying in the Deluxe Rooms, located toward the front of the resort in a beautiful and quiet garden near the adult pool. While I was initially a little bummed to be so far away from the beach, I was glad this was where we were. It was quiet at night, and since we don’t have kids, the access to the adults-only pool was perfect. Plus, it was just a 5-minute walk to the beach through the beautiful resort, which I enjoyed every time.

Our room had everything we needed for a wonderful stay and more! The king-sized bed was comfy and clean, and we had plenty of space to spread out with a couch, table, and two chairs. There was also plenty of storage and a large bathroom with a big vanity. The bathroom had a big soaker tub and a shower, and there was an open window into the main bedroom.

We even had a nice balcony overlooking the swings and hammocks beside the adult pool. The people on the ground floor had terraces with dipping pools as well!

Some other amenities included Wi-Fi, a safe, a mini-fridge, a microwave, a carafe for the filtered water fountains in the hallway, shampoo and shower gel, and a flat-screen TV.

The Many Dining Options at the Viva Maya

One of the things that intrigued me most about staying at an all-inclusive resort was the unlimited food, and the Viva Maya did not disappoint! The resort had buffet-style dining options that were open to guests daily, and 4 a la carte restaurants that you could access by reservation-only for dinner.

We stayed at the resort for four nights, so we were allowed to make dinner reservations at two of the resort’s a la cart restaurants. Be sure to keep that in mind as you plan your stay!

La Terraza

The main restaurant on site is La Terraza, a sprawling buffet open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu changes daily, and it offers a fantastic selection of bread, fresh fruit, salads, cheese, traditional Mexican dishes, unique desserts, and a grill.

The staff here is also on top of things, making rounds to refill drinks and clear away used plates between your trips to the buffet.

Cafe Maya

My favorite spot on the resort just might have been Cafe Maya! This adorable, jungle-themed cafe by the Placita serves a fantastic selection of coffee, fresh juices, pastries, and desserts! We tried so many things from their menu, making at least one stop each day for coffee and another for pastries and juices. It was usually pretty quiet, and there was plenty of seating for us to sit and enjoy our treats. They even have a bookshelf if you want to pick out something to read while sipping your drink.

El Arrecife

The final buffet-style dining option is El Arrecife by the main pool. It’s a small open-air snack bar, but they keep it stocked with a great selection of snack foods and heavier fare to enjoy between swims. It also has a full bar that keeps the area pretty popular and a nice selection of flavored waters and slushies. There’s plenty of seating around the pool and some covered seating right off to the side where you can enjoy your meal.

Hacienda Don Diego

We used one of our reservations for dinner at Hacienda Don Diego, the resort’s Mexican-themed restaurant. We were seated immediately, and the whole experience was incredibly streamlined. They started us with a large bowl of chips with various dips, but we also got to choose an appetizer, main, and dessert each. We chose the Sopa Azteca and Queso Fundido, Burrito Mexicano and Taco Crujiente de Arracherra, and Pastel de Tres Leches and Flan de Carmelo.

The portions were very reasonably sized for one serving, and we both came away full while still enjoying each course.

Miramare

We used our other reservation at Miramare, an Italian restaurant above El Arricefe by the pool. This beautiful restaurant had a unique atmosphere and great nighttime views of the pool and ocean.

Once again, we were seated immediately, and the staff was super attentive to our drinks and food. The menu had a nice selection of antipasto, pizza, mains, and desserts. We opted for the chickpea soup and tuna loin, tortelli verdi and gnocchi, and cannolis and profiteroles.

Portofino & Cosmopolita

The final two a la carte restaurants at the Viva Maya are Portofino, a contemporary Mediterranean spot, and Cosmopolita, which serves up fusion fare. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make reservations here without staying longer, so I can’t review them. But you can look up their menus in the Viva app before making your reservations.

Viva Maya Resort Activities & Events

Staff dressed for Mexican Independence Day celebrations at Viva Maya in Playa del Carmen — *Staff dressed up for Mexican Independence Cay*

One of the primary reasons the Viva Maya caught my eye out of all the other resort options was the many activities they offered.

Watersports

I was particularly drawn to the water sports because they offered non-motorized options like catamarans, kayaks, paddle boards, and wind surfing for free! You can go down to the beach front hut each day and sign up for a time slot to use the equipment. Just keep in mind some activities like catamarans and windsurfing are weather dependent. (We didn’t get to use the catamarans because there wasn’t enough wind.) There is also a dive center that offers a free introductory SCUBA lesson.

Land Activities

On land, they offer activities like beach volleyball, archery, tennis, and a gym. But what absolutely intrigued me was the trapeze! The Viva Maya has an actual trapeze, and they give lessons to guests 2x per day! I signed up for that at our first possible opportunity, and we had an incredible time! The staff was very patient and made sure everyone was thoroughly stretched out before walking us through the process on a stationary bar. Then, we each got two chances to climb up the trapeze and attempt to hook our legs over the bar, flip upside-down, then return to hanging before dropping into the net.

Trapeze at the Viva Maya by Wyndham — *Would you try the trapeze?*

Classes & Shows

*A singer from our first evening at the resort*

Every day, the resort also hosted a plethora of fun classes and activities, like fitness classes, dance lessons, crafting sessions, group games, shows, local musicians, etc. There was something going on just about every second of the day, and the schedule changed up each day we were there, with a few activities repeating once or twice. I absolutely loved the variety, and just wished we’d had a bit more time to experience a few more.

Special Events

We happened to visit during Mexican Independence Day, and the resort went all-out with the celebrations! They had events going on all day, including parades, shows, raffles, games, an evening festival that included special food stalls, local vendors, and live music. They even put on a comedic luchador “competition.” It was such a fun day, and we really enjoyed the fun glimpse into their traditional Independence Day celebrations from around Mexico!

The Pool & Beach Experience at Viva Maya

*The Viva Maya is right on the Caribbean Sea!*

For those who’re craving some time in the Caribbean waters of Playa del Carmen, the Viva Maya has you covered there, too! The resort has a prime piece of beach real estate along the Caribbean sea, and the location is absolutely ideal! The water is the perfect turquoise blue and the sand is soft and white.

They also have plenty of beach chairs set out for guests to relax underneath the palm trees, and they’re set far enough back from the water to allow kids to play in the sand or couples to stroll along the beach without feeling cramped. They have a separate section for VIP members as well, which include umbrellas and little tables.

Additionally, the Viva Maya has 3 main swimming pools! The main pool sits down by the beach, right by the snack bar. It’s the largest pool and where they’ll also host daily events and games. It’s not too deep, but is great for wading around. Right next to it, you’ll find the kid pool and a hot tub. This whole section is surrounded by tables, chairs, and loungers, so you can always find a place to relax, and many of these areas have coverings overhead as well.

The other main pool is the adults-only pool, located near the front of the resort. It’s significantly quieter, with a garden atmosphere, a handful of loungers, and a few cabanas for VIPs. There’s also a small bar here that’s open from mid-morning to early evening.

Amenities & Extras to Check Out

Beyond the all-inclusive amenities, the Viva Maya has a handful of extras that guests can add-on to their experience. The main offering is the Necui Spa. Located near the front of the resort, this large spa offers massages, spa packages, and beauty treatments. It has quite a wide menu, so there’s something for just about everyone!

The lobby also houses a small shop, which offers everything from souvenirs and pool toys to clothing and sunscreen. Everything is pretty reasonably priced, and they have a good selection so you don’t have to leave the resort for most essentials.

A couple extra perks include resort-provided bikes (3-hour limit) and on-site concierge services to help you plan a great excursion. They’ll take care of everything, so all you have to do is pay and enjoy!

The Viva Maya’s Overall Atmosphere & Vibe

Overall, I felt like the resort have a very relaxed but festive tropical vibe. The daily activity schedule kept things lively if we wanted, but we also had plenty of time to chill on the beach or do whatever activities we wanted. The Independence Day festival did definitely add to the excitement. But on the other days, I felt like the daytime was relatively relaxed, while they had some more lively activities to spice up the night. But again, nothing was overly party-like or interfered with our relaxation.

They also seemed very family-friendly. The resort has a kids’ club, and we saw a lot of little guets enjoying their own separate activities. The addition of the adults-only pool also meant that we could easily share the resort with families without feeling crowded.

I also loved that the resort had so many natural elements, including lots of gardens and small tropical forests, where we saw cool wildlife like agoutis and coatis!

See Footage from the Resort in My YouTube Video!

Closing Thoughts on the Viva Maya by Wyndham in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Overall, we had a fantastic time at the Viva Maya, and it was a great introduction to the world of all-inclusive resorts! We loved the food, activities, rooms, and vibe of the resort, and the staff was also so friendly. (On that note, the staff all spoke great English, too, which meant we really didn’t even need to use our Spanish.)

We had a lot of fun, and I think this would be the perfect spot for couples, a friend group, or families who want to enjoy the Caribbean with as little stress as possible.

However, if you’re more of an adventure traveler like us, I don’t know that I would recommend this for your stay. While we did go on two day trips to Tulum and Cancun, I felt like we were rather isolated from the local culture. We typically travel to experience local cultures, meet new people, and really immerse ourselves in the country. But in my opinion, we didn’t get quite that experience because the resort was so modernized and “Americanized.” In the future, I’d like to return to this area but stay at a smaller, boutique-style hotel that gets us more involved with the day-to-day lifestyle of this part of Mexico.

I would still go back to the Viva Maya, but with a very different expectation in mind.

Thanks for coming by to read this review of the Viva Maya! I hope it answered all your questions and helps you decide whether or not this is where you want to stay in Playa del Carmen! If you do have any additional questions or comments, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comment section below.

If you’re looking for more to do in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico, I encourage you to check out my posts about Tulum Xtreme and our whale shark swimming tour! Both were absolutely fantastic and only about an hour from the resort.

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