If you’re looking for a relaxing, all-inclusive getaway in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico, Viva Maya by Wyndham is a great option. It’s not a luxury resort, but it has everything you need for a fun and stress-free vacation.
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Check in
We arrived late at night, after midnight, which wasn’t ideal, but that’s how our Air Canada Vacations flight was scheduled. The check-in process was quick, and we were happy to finally get to our room after a long travel day.
One thing we immediately loved about this resort is the location. It’s only about an hour from the airport, and unlike Cancun, there are no towering high-rises blocking the view. The atmosphere feels more private and laid-back, which is exactly what we wanted.
Resort Overview
Viva Maya by Wyndham is an all inclusive resort, meaning all food, drinks, and most entertainment are included. There are some extra activities available for an additional fee, but you can have a great time without spending anything beyond your package price.
This is not a huge resort, which we actually preferred. There are about 600 guest rooms. If you need to run back to your room for something, it’s quick and easy. Plus, you’re only steps from the beach, which is a huge plus for families with kids.
Choose your location, whether you want ocean views or garden views.
The rooms were standard size hotel rooms. They have 2 double beds, so if you have bigger kids you may want to consider upgrading to a larger room. There was also a chair, closet and tv cabinet with storage. In the hallways there was water bottle filling stations with filtered water.
All the service staff were friendly and always had a nice greeting. Although we did have to ask more than once for them to fill our soap and shampoo in our bathroom.
Dining Options
Viva Maya by Wyndham has five restaurants on-site, plus a 24-hour snack bar by the pool, a café (which was perfect for morning coffees and smoothies for the kids), and three bars for those all-inclusive drinks. My kids think it is great that all these specialty drinks are free!.
The buffet is quite large, but depending on when you arrive for breakfast, you might need to wait a minute or two for a table to be cleaned. Most of the food was really good. The specialty restaurants were delicious, and we highly recommend booking a couple of nights at them. To book at the specialty restaurants, we were recommended by the hotel staff to download the Viva Wyndham App and reserve dinner times as soon as you arrive. I’m glad we took them up on that advice because the times were already limited for the rest of the week. Our favorites were the Hacienda Don Diego Mexican restaurant and Portofino Mediterranean restaurant. The restaurants are also decorated perfectly to the theme of food they serve.
The buffet was good most of the time, though we weren’t big fans of the desserts. We were expecting them to be sweeter! One thing we did notice was the lack of hand-sanitizing stations before serving yourself at the buffet. We have done a few cruises which really push handwashing so this was a bit of a surprise. There is a bathroom nearby, but with only one sink just outside the buffet.
Activities and Entertainment
There’s no shortage of things to do here! One of the most unique activities is the trapeze—yes, an actual trapeze! Kids ages four and up can try it in the morning, and adults can give it a go in the afternoon. All four of us tried it, and I have to say, it was way more fun than I expected! Climbing up the narrow ladder to the top platform was terrifying, but once you let go and swing through the air, it’s such a thrill.
The resort has three pools: one for adults only and two for everyone. There’s also a tiny pool in the kids’ club, though it’s more of a shallow pond. There’s always something happening around the main pool, from foam parties to dance lessons to bingo. If you’re more into lounging, there are plenty of chairs to relax in the sun.
The beach is quite large, with lots of lounge chairs and space to spread out. I found this great for kids since they had plenty of room to build sandcastles. This area in Mexico is known for their sargassum but when we visited in January, there was none, and the sand was soft and golden. If you’re feeling active, you can join in on beach volleyball, kayaking, or even sailing. There are also organized activities throughout the day.
If you need a break from the sun, the sports bar has foosball and a pool table. You can also find table tennis and darts set up at the theatre during the day. The foosball table wasn’t in the best condition, but it was still fun for a quick game. One afternoon when it rained, we spent some time playing there, and it was a nice indoor option.
My daughter and I also enjoyed painting pottery. This was a paid activity where you choose an item to paint. We both picked a bowl, and now we have a fun souvenir to use at home!
The Resort Grounds
My favorite part about the hotel was the layout and design. All the buildings and amenities are connected by palm-leaf-covered walkways surrounded by lush greenery and a dry cenote. It felt cozy and truly like a tropical vacation. There’s also plenty of wildlife roaming around, which was fun for the kids to see. Coatis, agouti, and different types of birds were everywhere. My husband and son even saw a monkey swinging through the trees!
Evening Entertainment
Every night, there’s a show at the outdoor, covered theater. The themes change each evening, ranging from rock music to circus performances to Mexican cultural history. Most of the shows feature the trapeze performers, and they are incredible to watch. The shows last around 30-45 minutes, which is just the right length for families.
Kids Club and Spa
The resort has a kids’ club, though we didn’t use it since our kids (ages 8 and 10) preferred to stay with us. I did check out the schedule, and it looked like they had a variety of fun activities planned. Inside, there’s a small playground, a play area, and some games.
There’s also a spa, but we didn’t have a chance to visit, so I can’t personally comment on it. If you are feeling super ambitious there is also a gym to workout.
Other Amenities
Bikes are available for guests to use, which is a great way to explore the gated community of Playacar. They also had hammocks scattered around the resort, which added to the relaxing vibe. There is also rooftop tennis available!
When to Visit
We went during the off-peak season, in January and it was perfect. It wasn’t too busy. I can’t imagine what it would be like during school holidays when it’s much more crowded. If you have flexibility in your schedule, I’d recommend picking a date in the quieter months for a more relaxing experience.
Overall, we had a fantastic week at Viva Maya by Wyndham in Playa Del Carmen. It’s not a five-star luxury resort, but for the price and convenience of an all-inclusive, it’s a great choice for families who want a fun and laid-back beach vacation. I’d definitely recommend it to friends and family looking for a relaxing getaway without breaking the bank.
Would we go back? Absolutely!
For a really fun excursion to do while in Playa Del Carmen, I recommend a visit to a cenote! You can click to read all about my Guide to Cenote Azul here!
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