We spent 10 glorious nights in Mexico in 2022 staying at the Barceló Maya Riviera — pure luxury from start to finish. Days by the pool and on the beach, a brilliant day trip to the ancient wonders of Chichén Itzá, a catamaran sailing to the stunning Isla Mujeres, one absolutely unforgettable night at Coco Bongo, and more facilities in the hotel than we knew what to do with — including, of all things, a bowling alley. The Riviera Maya is one of the great holiday destinations in the world and this trip did not disappoint for a single minute.
What this trip gave us:
Ten nights on the Riviera Maya
We arrived in Cancún in 2022 ready for a proper holiday — and the Barceló Maya Riviera delivered everything we were hoping for and more. This is a vast, beautiful all-inclusive resort complex on the Riviera Maya with multiple pools, a long stretch of private Caribbean beach, a huge choice of restaurants and bars, evening entertainment every night and a set of facilities that genuinely impressed us at every turn. The bowling alley in particular became something of a running joke — but we used it more than once.
The day trip to Chichén Itzá was one of the highlights of the entire trip. Seeing El Castillo — the great Mayan pyramid — in person is one of those genuinely humbling travel experiences. The scale of it, the history behind it, the precision of its construction — it is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World for very good reason. Book a guided tour to get the full story of what you're looking at.
The catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres was brilliant from start to finish — a beautiful small island just off the coast of Cancún with incredible turquoise water, great snorkelling, white sand beaches and a completely different pace of life to the hotel zone. One of those days where everything just works perfectly.
And then there was Coco Bongo. If you've been, you know. If you haven't — it is part nightclub, part Las Vegas spectacular, part fever dream, and entirely unlike anything else. Acrobats swinging from the rafters, tribute acts, confetti raining down, the whole crowd going absolutely mad. We had one night there and it was an experience we will never forget. Loud, spectacular and absolutely brilliant fun.
One of the best all-inclusive resort experiences we've had anywhere — stunning pools, a gorgeous private beach, great food and entertainment, and the most remarkable array of facilities including a bowling alley.
One of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World — and it absolutely lives up to that billing. The pyramid of El Castillo is one of the most impressive structures you will ever stand in front of. Book a guided tour for the full experience.
A beautiful Caribbean island just off the coast — turquoise water, white sand, great snorkelling and a relaxed atmosphere that is the perfect contrast to the hotel zone. The catamaran journey is great fun too.
Part nightclub, part Las Vegas show, entirely unforgettable. Acrobats, tribute acts, confetti, an incredible sound system and a crowd that goes absolutely wild. One night here is enough — and more than enough to leave a mark.
The Riviera Maya coastline is simply gorgeous — crystal clear turquoise water, fine white sand and warm sunshine. Some days the best thing you can do is absolutely nothing, and the beach here makes nothing feel extraordinary.
Because sometimes you want world-class Caribbean beaches, a stunning infinity pool, a choice of ten restaurants — and also a bowling alley. The Barceló Maya Riviera has one. We still can't quite get over it.
The beach, the vibes and the Riviera Maya — our Cancún trip captured in three shorts.
Want to explore Mexico with expert guides, skip-the-line access to Chichén Itzá and the best of the Riviera Maya all sorted for you? TourRadar has brilliant options for every kind of Mexico trip.
Mexico has so much to offer beyond the resort — ancient ruins, colonial cities, stunning cenotes, jungle adventures and a food culture that is among the very best in the world. A guided tour is a brilliant way to see more of it without spending your holiday figuring out logistics in the heat. Browse and find the trip that suits you.
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From Chichén Itzá guided tours and Isla Mujeres catamaran trips to cenote swims, jungle adventures and Coco Bongo tickets — browse Cancún activities here:
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Common questions
What to pack for Cancún
Cancún is hot and humid — lightweight breathable clothing, strong sun protection and insect repellent for evenings are the essentials. The day trip to Chichén Itzá involves a lot of walking in full sun so sun protection is particularly important for that day.
Handy for maps and navigation around Cancún and on the way to Chichén Itzá — keeps you connected without expensive roaming charges on a Mexican SIM.
View on Amazon →Mexico uses Type A and B plugs — the same as the USA. A universal travel adaptor covers all bases for your devices and keeps everything charged at the resort.
View on Amazon →Essential for long days at Chichén Itzá and the catamaran trip — your phone will be out constantly for photos and you won't want to run out of battery at the pyramid.
View on Amazon →Great for the Chichén Itzá day trip and the Isla Mujeres catamaran — carry sun cream, water, a camera and anything else you need without weighing yourself down in the heat.
View on Amazon →Staying hydrated in the Mexican heat is essential — particularly on the Chichén Itzá day trip where you'll be walking in full sun for several hours. Drink more than you think you need to.
View on Amazon →Always worth having — for any minor scrapes, blisters from the ruins walking or anything else that comes up over 10 days away from home.
View on Amazon →Mosquitoes are active in the evenings around the Riviera Maya — especially if you're near any jungle or wooded areas. A good repellent makes evening meals and strolls much more comfortable.
View on Amazon →The Mexican sun is fierce — a high SPF is non-negotiable, especially for the Chichén Itzá ruins where there is very little shade. Reapply constantly. Don't learn this the hard way.
View on Amazon →Absolutely essential for Chichén Itzá — you'll be walking open archaeological sites in full Caribbean sun for hours. A wide-brimmed hat is one of the most important things you can pack.
View on Amazon →Lightweight and breathable for hot days — great for evenings at the resort, dinner out in Cancún and the Chichén Itzá visit where you want to stay cool without overheating.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are all things we'd genuinely pack for a trip to Cancún and the Riviera Maya.
Book the resort, book the Chichén Itzá tour, book the catamaran and — if you're feeling brave — book Coco Bongo. The Riviera Maya delivers on every level. Go and find out for yourself why we're still talking about this trip.
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