Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo
Mexico
Often referred to as a “village over the water,” Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a peaceful sanctuary, far removed from the numerous resorts that populate the Riviera Maya. Nestled among acres of undisturbed mangroves, freshwater lagoons, pristine beaches, and lush tropical greenery, its organic design and serene setting distinguish it from the region’s more conventional resorts.
From airport to Oasis
From the moment we arrived at Cancún International Airport, the warm weather and unhurried pace of the Maya Riviera seeped into our bones. Within minutes, the constant frenzy of the terminal faded as we settled in for the hour-long ride to our destination.
Cruising along Highway 307, the lifeline of the Riviera Maya, construction (there’s always construction!) soon gave way to manicured boulevards lined with palm trees, bougainvillea, and lush tropical vegetation. An hour later, the energy of Cancún was replaced by the tranquility of the luxury resort community of Mayakoba.
At the end of a long, cobblestone road slicing through dense tropical forest, we reached a pagoda-style courtyard fronted by a large pond filled with water lilies and rushes. It was hard to believe we were in Mexico, as the architecture looked as though it had been transported from Thailand, Bali, or some other far-off land. The feeling was welcoming, yet slightly surreal.
Once inside the luxurious embrace of Banyan Tree, relaxation comes quickly, due to the peaceful beauty of the resort and its surroundings. That was certainly the case for us as we stepped into the open-air lobby and gazed out over the boat launch and the winding lagoon beyond. Our first impression was the resort’s signature icon, a magnificent banyan tree festooned with crimson lanterns that glow like giant cocoons after dark.
Check-in was surprisingly relaxed, as our host greeted us in the lobby with a refreshing welcome drink made from locally sourced fruits, served in a comfortable, living room like setting. After a brief overview of the hotel’s amenities, restaurants, and grounds, we were whisked away in an Ecotour boat to our Oceanfront Veranda Suite. It’s not every day that you’re transported to your room by boat, and thanks to our congenial captain, the ride was both relaxing and informative.
Banyan Tree boasts an array of striking architectural features. Most prominent are the soaring, pagoda-style arches, evoking Asian palaces or temples. Visible from throughout the property, they rise against the deep blue sky like enormous birds in flight.
As dramatic and eye-catching as the sweeping arches are, the overall architectural theme at Banyan Tree is one of quiet drama that never overwhelms the senses. Buildings, open-air spaces, restaurants, and pool areas harmonize with and respect the surrounding landscape. Graceful rooflines, warm materials, water features, and abundant greenery create a natural complement to the sparkling Caribbean coast.
Through years of careful planning, Banyan Tree has designed its suites, villas, and family residences to blend seamlessly with the land, over the water, and alongside mangroves while preserving plentiful open space. Each dwelling is thoughtfully nestled into the natural terrain, leaving water systems and wildlife corridors largely undisturbed.
This thoughtful approach allows the buildings to exist in harmony with the dunes, mangrove forests, lagoons, and tropical vegetation, creating a sanctuary where nature and comfort coexist.
The end result is a resort that effortlessly blends architecture with the natural environment, offering a tranquil, relaxed, low-impact experience rather than a visually aggressive development. Lush surroundings complement the architecture, providing guests with framed views of jungle, golf course, mangroves, beach, and lagoon at every turn.
Interior design
Indoor-outdoor continuity is a hallmark of all Banyan Tree resorts worldwide, and Banyan Tree Mayakoba showcases this approach throughout the property. Open-air gathering spaces, water-view restaurants, and floor-to-ceiling glass in suites and villas all create a seamless connection to the outdoors.
Among Banyan Tree’s many unique interior design features are the numerous “runners,” which at first glance resemble carpet-like bands or oriental rugs. In reality, they are colorful, hand-laid tiles arranged in intricate linear and geometric patterns. As light moves across these works of art, they glisten like jewels. The runners also act as an invitation to explore various gathering spaces that radiate outward from the main lobby, reinforcing the seamless indoor-outdoor experience that defines the resort.
This East-meets-Mexico blend of art and artifacts is showcased to striking effect throughout the property. Large vintage doors and Asian wall art are juxtaposed with Mexican and Mayan cultural pieces, creating a dialogue between two worlds. A carefully curated palette of earth tones and indigenous materials, complemented by tropical woods and stone, helps to unify the design. Rooted in these two distinct cultures, the result is a cohesive aesthetic that seamlessly extends through every corridor and gathering space.
Suites and Villas
Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers a rare blend of privacy and luxury, with accommodations ranging from overwater and beachfront suites to expansive villas featuring heated pools, open-air soaking tubs, outdoor showers, and serene garden courtyards. Regardless of the room category, each space is designed as a secluded sanctuary, immersed in lush mangroves, tranquil lagoons, or pristine white-sand beaches.
Our spacious Oceanfront Veranda Suite offered sweeping, uninterrupted views of the ever-changing colors of the Caribbean. The second-floor terrace featured a private plunge pool and generous seating area, while the open-to-the-stars rear patio included an outdoor hot tub and shower. Like all accommodations at Banyan Tree, the thoughtfully designed interior seamlessly blended Asian-inspired elegance with Mexican craftsmanship, creating a refined yet organic ambiance.
Although our suite was in a secluded setting, it was just a short walk along a lush garden path to the beach, the main pool, and the Sands Beach Club, a relaxed indoor-outdoor beachside spot that’s a crowd favorite for lunch or dinner.
Among the many natural wonders of the Yucatán are its seasonal lightning storms, of which we experienced several during our five-day stay. Each evening, as we relaxed on our terrace, we were treated to the rumble of distant thunder as swirling clouds of orange, pink, and purple gathered on the horizon. Standing sentinel over the Caribbean Sea, each flash of lightning sharply illuminated their edges, like frames highlighting a painter’s masterpiece.
A playground in Paradise
At Banyan Tree Mayakoba, there’s an activity for everyone, or none at all if the mood strikes and you simply want to relax and rejuvenate by one of the three crystal-clear pools. Our personal favorite was the “Reflections” pool, adjacent to the main entrance. Surrounded by lush tropical plants and plenty of shaded seating, it made for a great after-lunch swim and siesta.
Guests who prefer a more active stay will delight in the miles of bicycle trails (bikes are complimentary for all guests) or an afternoon hitting the links on the Greg Norman designed golf course to tennis, archery or the state-of-the-art fitness center. Numerous water sports are also available, from jet skiing and sailing to scuba and snorkeling excursions.
For nature lovers, on-the-hour “Eco Boat” tours wind through a vast network of canals, lagoons, and mangroves. During our hourlong excursion, we spotted multiple herons, turtles, and giant iguanas. It was truly one of the most relaxing and rewarding ways to experience the region’s remarkable biodiversity up close.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba offers an extensive selection of spa treatments, highlighted by its signature Rainforest Trail. This unique hydrothermal journey features soothing aquatic therapies at varying temperatures and pressures, including a cascading Rain Walk, aromatic steam chamber, ice fountain, hammam and restorative acupressure, all of which create a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The spa also features steam rooms, saunas, vitality pools and themed showers.
Along with a wide variety of massage therapies, guests can reserve a beachside treatment for a truly relaxing experience or partake in a traditional Mesoamerican sweat lodge featuring rituals and ancestral ceremonies led by a shaman.
The resort also features an indoor, climate-controlled fitness center, and all suites and villas come equipped with bicycles, perfect for exploring the extensive network of Mayakoba trails. One of the main highlights is a mile-long stretch of pristine white sand that invites guests to swim, hop aboard a catamaran, or simply unwind and soak up the sun.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba features three main public pool areas, the Reflections Pool, a stunning infinity pool at the Sands Beach Club, and the Sur Beach Club, which offers two adults-only pools. For added luxury, every suite and villa comes with its own private pool.
Golf enthusiasts will revel in the 18-hole, par-72 El Camaleón course designed by golf legend Greg Norman. Recognized as the first PGA Tour-hosted course in Latin America, it offers a thoughtful balance of challenge and playability.
With its three distinct ecosystems, the course winds gracefully through tropical jungle, freshwater canals, and stretches of white sand beach. This natural integration gives each hole its own character and visual drama. After a morning or afternoon on the links, the clubhouse and nearby Koba Sports Bar provide the perfect spot to unwind with food and drinks while overlooking this magnificent course.
Culinary and Libations
Among its many attributes Banyan Tree Mayakoba is known for a globally inspired, experience-driven culinary program that blends Mexican and Mayan ingredients with Asian influences, private dining, and immersive cultural experiences.
From the daily international breakfast buffet at Oriente to a casual lunch at the open-air beachfront restaurant, Sands Beach Club, Banyan Tree upholds the highest standards of quality across its world-spanning, world-class cuisine.
Fine dining options await at the Italian-inspired Cello or the resort’s signature restaurant, Saffron. Specializing in authentic Thai cuisine, Saffron is perched on a candlelit deck floating above the canals, where the serene, intimate ambience makes the setting as integral to the experience as the cuisine itself.
A nature-inspired evening can be enjoyed by booking a sunset canal cruise complete with food and drinks, or guests can reserve a private dinner aboard a traditional trajinera boat for a one-of-a-kind meal while gliding peacefully along the mangrove-lined waterways.
One of the more culturally rich dining experiences at Banyan Tree is the Haab. Part spectacle and part dinner, the thoughtfully curated multi-course meal draws inspiration from Mayan culinary traditions while showcasing local and regional ingredients. It is an immersive experience, often incorporating storytelling about the origins of the ingredients along with the cultural significance of each dish. It offers a gastronomic and cultural journey that is truly unforgettable.
For guests who prefer the privacy of in-room dining, the resort offers 24/7 In-Villa Dining. This exclusive service delivers, prepares and serves a selection of local and international dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner. While Banyan Tree doesn’t have the lively nightlife of other Riviera Maya resorts, what it does offer is a more serene, intimate cocktail experience. Throughout the day or evening guests can unwind with drinks and light bites at the tropically inspired Reflections Pool bar or the swim-up bar at Sands. As evening falls, La Copa, the resort’s signature bar, opens its expansive terrace, perfect for savoring handcrafted cocktails while watching brilliant sunsets over the Caribbean.
Another attribute of Mayakoba are the three additional luxury hotels within the community, offering guests more opportunities to enjoy a variety of dining and nightlife. All three of the hotels are just a short golf cart ride from one another, making it convenient to enjoy an evening out without the hassle of leaving.
Banyan Tree staff
First-in-class service is a hallmark of Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts worldwide, and our 5-day interactions with the entire staff lived up to this reputation. From the moment we arrived, team members went out of their way to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Valets, the concierge team, villa attendants, and restaurant staff were all thoughtful, congenial, and very professional.
Overall impression
Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a place where quiet luxury and natural beauty exist in perfect harmony and during our five days, we felt completely removed from the outside world. Mornings began with a sunrise swim followed by a leisurely breakfast. Afternoons unfolded at an unhurried pace with walks along the beach, poolside lunches, more swimming, and the occasional time-honored siesta.
Evenings brought relaxed dinners on par with the best cuisine found at any resort. Some resort destinations impress with grand architecture, breathtaking seaside settings, or world-class cuisine. Banyan Tree unites them all, distinguished by a warm, congenial staff whose genuine hospitality contributes greatly to the experience. Whether you arrive at Banyan Tree Mayakoba seeking romance, rejuvenation, or adventure, you are certain to leave with something more, a deep sense of having truly escaped.
