By the Adults Only All Inclusive editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
Stay near Playa del Carmen if you want restaurants, bars and Fifth Avenue a short taxi ride away. Our top pick there is Royal Hideaway Playacar, on the beach in the gated Playacar area at the south end of town.
- Puerto Morelos: the shortest transfer, 20–30 minutes from Cancun airport, at JOIA Paraiso or Secrets Riviera Cancun, or the livelier Breathless Riviera Cancun. Little nightlife off the resorts.
- Playa del Secreto and Maroma: long, quiet beaches between the airport and Playa del Carmen, at Valentin Imperial or Secrets Maroma Beach.
- Xcaret: Hotel Xcaret Arte, for couples who want park visits and tours included in the rate.
Farther south, Akumal and Tulum are covered in our Tulum and Akumal guide; for nightlife-focused resorts, see party resorts.
The Riviera Maya's Adults-Only Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | From CUN airport | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Morelos | Short transfer, quiet beaches | 20–30 min | Far from Playa del Carmen nightlife |
| Playa del Secreto & Maroma | Long, uncrowded beaches | 30–45 min | Taxi needed for town |
| Playa del Carmen | Restaurants, Fifth Avenue, ferry to Cozumel | 40–50 min | Busier beaches |
| Xcaret | Eco-parks and tours | 50–60 min | Mostly one resort group |
Map of Riviera Maya Adults-Only Resorts
Puerto Morelos is at the top of the map, just south of Cancun airport; Playa del Carmen and Xcaret are at the bottom.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Riviera Maya stays →Playa del Carmen and Xcaret
The most to do outside the resort, from Fifth Avenue to the Xcaret parks.
Royal Hideaway Playacar
Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya
Our top pick: quiet beachfront luxury in Playacar, a short taxi ride from Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen.
Best for: Quiet luxury near town
- Adults only
- Beachfront in Playacar
- Infinity pool, six restaurants
More about this hotel
Barceló's adults-only luxury resort on the beach in Playacar, the gated area at the south end of Playa del Carmen, with an infinity pool and six restaurants. It draws a quieter, often older crowd, and Fifth Avenue's shops and bars are a short taxi ride away.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Hotel Xcaret Arte
Xcaret, south of Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya
Unlimited Xcaret park access and airport transfers included; teens 16+ also accepted.
Best for: Couples who want excursions included
- Adults only, teens 16+ welcome
- Unlimited Xcaret park access
- Airport transfers included
More about this hotel
An adults-only hotel next to the Xcaret parks whose All-Fun Inclusive rate covers unlimited entry to the group's parks and tours, park and airport transfers and Xailing ferry tickets. It also accepts teens aged 16 and over, so it is not strictly 18-plus.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Kar Almaguer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Impression Moxché by Secrets
North of Playa del Carmen, km 294, Riviera Maya
Rooftop pool and extra service just north of Playa del Carmen.
Best for: Upgrade-minded couples
- Adults only, minimum age 18
- Rooftop pool
- Shares facilities with Secrets Moxché
More about this hotel
The upscale half of the Moxché complex north of Playa del Carmen, with a rooftop pool and spa for guests 18 and over, plus access to the common areas of Secrets Moxché next door. It suits couples who want extra service close to Playa del Carmen.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Alfonzo Buscemi, CC BY 3.0
Paradisus La Perla
Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya
Meliá's adults-only resort in Playa del Carmen.
Best for: Couples who want town and beach
- Adults only
- In Playa del Carmen
- À la carte restaurants
More about this hotel
Meliá's adults-only Paradisus resort in Playa del Carmen, close enough to town for evenings on Fifth Avenue. Its à la carte restaurants need reservations, so book dinners early in your stay.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya
North of Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya
The former Secrets Capri, near Playa del Carmen.
Best for: Couples near Playa del Carmen
- Adults only
- Formerly Secrets Capri
- Near Playa del Carmen
More about this hotel
The former Secrets Capri, renamed Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya, is an adults-only all-inclusive just north of Playa del Carmen, next to Ocean Maya Royale. Some booking sites still use the old name, so check you are looking at the right resort.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Alfonzo Buscemi, CC BY 3.0
Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen
North of Playa del Carmen, km 294, Riviera Maya
The Secrets formula a short taxi ride from Fifth Avenue.
Best for: Couples who want town nearby
- Adults only
- Short taxi ride to Playa del Carmen
- Next to Impression Moxché
More about this hotel
The main adults-only Secrets resort of the Moxché complex, on the coast just north of Playa del Carmen and next to the more exclusive Impression Moxché. It suits couples who want the Secrets formula a short taxi ride from Fifth Avenue.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Alfonzo Buscemi, CC BY 3.0
Ocean Maya Royale
North of Playa del Carmen, km 299, Riviera Maya
Good value, with 24-hour all-inclusive service and a Blue Flag beach.
Best for: Value-minded couples
- Adults only, 18+
- Blue Flag beach
- Privilege suites with jacuzzi or private pool
More about this hotel
H10's adults-only (18+) resort on a Blue Flag beach north of Playa del Carmen, with two pools, a buffet and four à la carte restaurants, and 24-hour all-inclusive service. Privilege suites add a jacuzzi or private pool; guests mention loud music at the main pool.
Playa del Secreto and Maroma
Long beaches between the airport and Playa del Carmen, for couples who want space.
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
Playa Maroma, Riviera Maya
Six à la carte restaurants on Playa Maroma, 15 minutes from Playa del Carmen.
Best for: Couples who want a long beach
- Adults only, minimum age 18
- Six à la carte restaurants
- About 15 minutes to Playa del Carmen
More about this hotel
An adults-only resort on Playa Maroma, about 15 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, with six à la carte restaurants and a Preferred Club upgrade for guests 18 and over. Dinner has a formal dress code, and seaweed can reach the beach in some months.
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
Playa del Secreto, Riviera Maya
A half-mile beach at Playa del Secreto, for quiet couples.
Best for: Quiet couples
- Adults only
- Half-mile beach at Playa del Secreto
- Spa
More about this hotel
An adults-only resort on a half-mile beach at Playa del Secreto, between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, with a spa. Dinners have a dress code and the pools close early, which suits quiet couples more than night owls.
Puerto Morelos: Closest to the Airport
A short transfer and a quiet coast; plan on taxis for anything off-resort.
JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar
Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya
Iberostar's top adults-only resort, renamed JOIA Paraiso, near Puerto Morelos.
Best for: Couples who like Iberostar
- Adults only, minimum age 18
- Formerly Iberostar Grand Paraíso
- Short transfer from Cancun airport
More about this hotel
Iberostar's top adults-only resort in the Riviera Maya, renamed from Iberostar Grand Paraíso to JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar, for guests 18 and over. It sits near Puerto Morelos, a short transfer from Cancun airport.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Samsagas, CC BY-SA 4.0
Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya
A quick transfer and a quiet beach near Puerto Morelos.
Best for: Quick-transfer couples
- Adults only
- Short transfer from Cancun airport
- Spa
More about this hotel
An adults-only Secrets resort and spa near Puerto Morelos, a short drive south of Cancun airport. It suits couples who want a quick transfer and a quieter beach than the Hotel Zone.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Elelicht, CC BY-SA 3.0
Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Puerto Morelos, Playa Punta Caracol, Riviera Maya
The party pick near Puerto Morelos, steps from Playa Punta Caracol, with nine restaurants.
Best for: Social couples and friends
- Adults only, minimum age 18
- Nine restaurants
- Infinity pool and spa
More about this hotel
A party-leaning Breathless resort near Puerto Morelos, steps from Playa Punta Caracol, with an infinity pool, nine restaurants, a spa and tennis for guests 18 and over. Guests mention loud pool parties, and it is a drive from any town.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Edna Winti, CC BY 2.0
Riviera Maya Adults-Only Resorts at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
-
Royal Hideaway PlayacarPlayacar, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya · SplurgeQuiet luxury near townCheck prices -
Hotel Xcaret ArteXcaret, south of Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya · SplurgeCouples who want excursions includedCheck prices -
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera CancunPlaya Maroma, Riviera Maya · SplurgeCouples who want a long beachCheck prices -
-
JOIA Paraiso by IberostarPuerto Morelos, Riviera Maya · SplurgeCouples who like IberostarCheck prices -
Impression Moxché by SecretsNorth of Playa del Carmen, km 294, Riviera Maya · SplurgeUpgrade-minded couplesCheck prices -
Paradisus La PerlaPlaya del Carmen, Riviera Maya · SplurgeCouples who want town and beachCheck prices -
Hyatt Zilara Riviera MayaNorth of Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya · SplurgeCouples near Playa del CarmenCheck prices -
Secrets Moxché Playa del CarmenNorth of Playa del Carmen, km 294, Riviera Maya · Mid-rangeCouples who want town nearbyCheck prices
-
Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & SpaPuerto Morelos, Riviera Maya · Mid-rangeQuick-transfer couplesCheck prices -
Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & SpaPuerto Morelos, Playa Punta Caracol, Riviera Maya · Mid-rangeSocial couples and friendsCheck prices -
Ocean Maya RoyaleNorth of Playa del Carmen, km 299, Riviera Maya · BudgetValue-minded couplesCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Royal Hideaway Playacar
Quiet luxury resort
|
Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Quiet luxury near town | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Xcaret Arte
Park-access resort
|
Xcaret, south of Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Couples who want excursions included | Check prices |
|
|
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
Beachfront resort
|
Playa Maroma, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Couples who want a long beach | Check prices |
|
|
Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya
Quiet beach resort
|
Playa del Secreto, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Quiet couples | Check prices |
|
|
JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar
Adults-only resort
|
Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Couples who like Iberostar | Check prices |
|
|
Impression Moxché by Secrets
Suites-only resort
|
North of Playa del Carmen, km 294, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Upgrade-minded couples | Check prices |
|
|
Paradisus La Perla
Adults-only resort
|
Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Couples who want town and beach | Check prices |
|
|
Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya
Adults-only resort
|
North of Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya | Splurge | Couples near Playa del Carmen | Check prices |
|
|
Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen
Adults-only resort
|
North of Playa del Carmen, km 294, Riviera Maya | Mid-range | Couples who want town nearby | Check prices |
|
|
Secrets Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Beachfront resort
|
Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya | Mid-range | Quick-transfer couples | Check prices |
|
|
Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
Social adults-only resort
|
Puerto Morelos, Playa Punta Caracol, Riviera Maya | Mid-range | Social couples and friends | Check prices |
|
|
Ocean Maya Royale
Value beach resort
|
North of Playa del Carmen, km 299, Riviera Maya | Budget | Value-minded couples | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting to the Riviera Maya
- Puerto Morelos: 20–30 minutes south of Cancun airport (CUN).
- Playa del Secreto: 30–40 minutes.
- Playa Maroma: 35–45 minutes.
- Playa del Carmen and Playacar: 40–50 minutes.
- Xcaret: 50–60 minutes.
Times are rounded drive times on Highway 307 without heavy traffic. Hotel Xcaret Arte includes airport transfers in its rate.
Seaweed and Hurricane Season
Sargassum seaweed typically peaks in June or July and is at its lowest in winter, according to the University of South Florida's monitoring team, and it can reach every beach on this coast. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking from mid-August to mid-October (U.S. National Hurricane Center).
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.