By the Adults Only All Inclusive editorial team · Updated November 5, 2026
The Short Answer
For the best adults-only all-inclusive near Tulum, stay at UNICO 20°87° at Kantenah, a strictly 18+ resort known for its restaurants. It is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Cancun airport.
- Butler service: TRS Yucatán, also at Kantenah.
- Food and spa over beach: Secrets Tulum, which has no beach on site but runs a shuttle to its beach club.
- Snorkeling with turtles: Secrets Akumal, a 10-minute walk from Akumal Beach.
- Value: Barceló Maya Riviera or Catalonia Royal Tulum, both on Xpu-Ha beach.
If you would rather be near Playa del Carmen's restaurants, see the Riviera Maya instead.
Tulum's Adults-Only Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | From CUN airport | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xpu-Ha | Beach and value resorts | 65–80 min | Big complexes shared with family hotels |
| Kantenah | Luxury, cenotes nearby | 70–85 min | Nothing to walk to |
| Akumal | Snorkeling with sea turtles | 70–90 min | Long transfer |
| Tulum | Ruins, town restaurants | 1.5–2 hrs | Few adults-only all-inclusives; some inland |
Map of Adults-Only Resorts Near Tulum
Xpu-Ha and Kantenah are at the top of the map, Akumal in the middle and Tulum 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 Tulum & Akumal stays →Splurge Resorts
Butler service, signature restaurants and the most polished service on this stretch.
UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
Kantenah, km 260, Tulum & Akumal
Our top pick: strictly 18+, with five signature restaurants, premium drinks, swim-up rooms and a Local Host for excursions.
Best for: Food-focused couples
- Strictly adults only, 18+
- Five signature restaurants
- Swim-up rooms
More about this hotel
A strictly adults-only (18+) resort at Kantenah with five signature restaurants, premium drinks, 24-hour room service, a Local Host program for excursions and swim-up rooms. It is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Cancun airport, and a DJ can make the pool lively.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Malarkey83, CC BY-SA 3.0
TRS Yucatán Hotel
Kantenah, km 259.5, Tulum & Akumal
24-hour butler service and a private beach club at Kantenah.
Best for: Butler-service seekers
- Adults only
- 24-hour butler service
- Private beach club
More about this hotel
Palladium's adults-only TRS hotel at Kantenah, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, with 24-hour butler service and a private beach club. An environmental fee is charged at check-in, and Playa del Carmen is about 30 minutes away.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Malarkey83, CC BY-SA 3.0
Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club
Tulum, inland, Tulum & Akumal
11 restaurants and a spa, with a shuttle to a beach club.
Best for: Food-focused couples
- Adults only, minimum age 18
- 11 restaurants
- Spa with hammam
More about this hotel
An adults-only resort with 11 restaurants and a spa with a hammam, but no beach of its own: a free shuttle runs to its Zamna beach club, about 4.8 miles away. Choose it for the food and spa, not for stepping out onto the sand.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Erik Cleves Kristensen, CC BY 2.0
Mid-Range and Value
Adults-only resorts and adults-only hotels inside bigger complexes, closer to the beach and for less.
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Akumal, km 254.6, Tulum & Akumal
A 10-minute walk to Akumal Beach and its sea turtles.
Best for: Snorkelers and nature lovers
- Adults only
- 10-minute walk to Akumal Beach
- Spa
More about this hotel
An adults-only Secrets resort near Akumal, about a 10-minute walk from Akumal Beach and its sea turtles, with a spa. It is a better base for Tulum and the cenotes than for Cancun nightlife.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Ken Thomas, Public domain
Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa Resort
Xpu-Ha, Tulum & Akumal
On Xpu-Ha beach, with a swim-up bar and spa.
Best for: Beach-first couples
- Adults only, over 18
- On Xpu-Ha beach
- Swim-up bar and spa
More about this hotel
An adults-only resort (over 18) on Xpu-Ha beach, about 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen and 30 minutes from the Tulum ruins, with a swim-up bar and the Alegría Spa. Despite the name it is not in Tulum, and guests mention mixed food and upkeep.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Wasquewhat, CC BY-SA 4.0
Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an
Akumal, Bahia Principe complex, Tulum & Akumal
The adults-only hotel of Bahia Principe's big Akumal complex.
Best for: Couples who want lots of choice
- Adults only, 18+
- Part of a large resort complex
- Close to Akumal
More about this hotel
The adults-only (18+) Escape hotel inside Bahia Principe's large Akumal complex, which also has family resorts; the brand is now part of Hyatt's Inclusive Collection. You get the complex's facilities, but expect families in the shared areas.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Barceló Maya Riviera
Xpu-Ha, Barceló Maya complex, Tulum & Akumal
The good-value adults-only hotel of Barceló's Xpu-Ha complex.
Best for: Value-minded couples
- Adults only, 18+
- On Xpu-Ha beach
- Good value
More about this hotel
The adults-only (18+) hotel of Barceló's Maya complex on Xpu-Ha beach, which also includes family hotels. Riviera guests have their own areas but share the wider complex, a trade-off that keeps it good value.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: James Henstridge, CC BY-SA 4.0
Adults-Only Resorts Near Tulum at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera MayaKantenah, km 260, Tulum & Akumal · SplurgeFood-focused couplesCheck prices -
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Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach ClubTulum, inland, Tulum & Akumal · SplurgeFood-focused couplesCheck prices -
Secrets Akumal Riviera MayaAkumal, km 254.6, Tulum & Akumal · Mid-rangeSnorkelers and nature loversCheck prices -
Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa ResortXpu-Ha, Tulum & Akumal · Mid-rangeBeach-first couplesCheck prices -
Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'anAkumal, Bahia Principe complex, Tulum & Akumal · Mid-rangeCouples who want lots of choiceCheck prices -
Barceló Maya RivieraXpu-Ha, Barceló Maya complex, Tulum & Akumal · BudgetValue-minded couplesCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya
Design-led resort
|
Kantenah, km 260, Tulum & Akumal | Splurge | Food-focused couples | Check prices |
|
|
TRS Yucatán Hotel
Butler-service resort
|
Kantenah, km 259.5, Tulum & Akumal | Splurge | Butler-service seekers | Check prices |
|
|
Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club
Inland resort with beach club
|
Tulum, inland, Tulum & Akumal | Splurge | Food-focused couples | Check prices |
|
|
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Resort near Akumal Beach
|
Akumal, km 254.6, Tulum & Akumal | Mid-range | Snorkelers and nature lovers | Check prices |
|
|
Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa Resort
Beachfront resort
|
Xpu-Ha, Tulum & Akumal | Mid-range | Beach-first couples | Check prices |
|
|
Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an
Adults-only hotel in a complex
|
Akumal, Bahia Principe complex, Tulum & Akumal | Mid-range | Couples who want lots of choice | Check prices |
|
|
Barceló Maya Riviera
Adults-only hotel in a complex
|
Xpu-Ha, Barceló Maya complex, Tulum & Akumal | Budget | Value-minded couples | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 5, 2026.
Getting to Tulum and Akumal
- Xpu-Ha: 65–80 minutes from Cancun airport (CUN).
- Kantenah: 70–85 minutes; UNICO 20°87° gives about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Akumal: 70–90 minutes.
- Tulum: 1.5–2 hours.
Times are rounded drive times on Highway 307 without heavy traffic. Catalonia says its Xpu-Ha resort is about 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen and 30 minutes from the Tulum ruins.
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. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking from mid-August to mid-October (U.S. National Hurricane Center). TRS Yucatán charges an environmental fee at check-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.