Best for
For travelers who value swimming in private, every villa and suite has its own pool, not just the largest categories.
Best for
For travelers who value swimming in private, every villa and suite has its own pool, not just the largest categories.
What makes it special
Arrange breakfast aboard Ixchel, a traditional Mexican boat, to explore Mayakoba's lagoons while enjoying a meal for two on the water.
Room to consider
Choose the Beachfront Terrace Pool Suite for direct beach access; the Oceanfront Balcony Pool Suite sits on an upper level.
Insider tip
Use the resort bicycles to travel between your villa, restaurants and beach, following the paths beside canals and through the jungle.
Free membership gives you access to preferred rates, exclusive benefits and current promotions for your stay.
At Banyan Tree Mayakoba, all 159 villas and suites have private pools within the gated Mayakoba community near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Outdoor living is central to the stay. Guests can swim before breakfast, rest between activities, have lunch on the terrace, or spend a full afternoon without leaving their own space. Beyond the villas, lagoons, mangroves, and the Caribbean shore give the resort several different settings.
The location puts a quieter resort schedule within reach of town. Downtown Playa del Carmen is about 20 minutes away by car, while the hotel gives driving estimates of roughly 45 to 50 minutes from Cancún International Airport. Traffic can lengthen either journey. Airport transport is arranged through a third-party provider, so reserve ahead rather than assuming a hotel shuttle will be waiting.
A private pool is part of every villa or suite, but the pools are not identical. Some are plunge pools; others allow more swimming space. Ask about the pool's size, position, and heating when comparing villas, especially if swimming is a main reason for the trip.
Glass doors open from the bedroom onto a terrace framed by mangroves. A hammock hangs just outside, while a Bali bed and an outdoor tub offer other places to spend time in the open air. The garden also has a bubbling jet pool.
Indoors, a tall wooden panel forms the backdrop to a wide padded headboard. Pale curtains fall from the high windows to the dark tiled floor, and a bench sits at the foot of the bed. Mexican textures and clean Asian lines shape the renewed interiors. Wooden bedside tables and shaded lamps flank the bed, with turquoise cushions adding a touch of color.
Glass doors open from the bedroom onto a terrace framed by mangroves. A hammock hangs just outside, while a Bali bed and an outdoor tub...
A hammock hangs beside the bedroom’s glass doors, facing a timber sundeck with two loungers. Trees and low garden walls frame the outdoor spaces, and the lagoon forms part of the outlook. A small table on the deck provides a place for coffee or a meal.
Inside, the living room combines a sofa bed with a dining area and a minibar. High ceilings give the rooms height, while natural tones are mixed with brighter accents. Glazed Talavera sinks bring a distinct Mexican detail to the bathroom. An outdoor bathtub adds another bathing space, and bicycles are provided for getting around the resort.
A hammock hangs beside the bedroom’s glass doors, facing a timber sundeck with two loungers. Trees and low garden walls frame the outdoor spaces, and...
Outdoor stairs lead to the private spa area. It sits above the ground-floor garden.
An upstairs solarium provides a private setting for spa treatments, with views over the waterways. Below, the garden opens to a timber sundeck with loungers, a hammock and a Bali bed. A bubbling jet pool sits beside the main swimming area.
The living room includes a sofa bed and a dining area. Yoga mats, blocks and resistance bands are supplied, along with a white noise machine and an acupressure footrest. Daily access to the Wellbeing Program is included, as are morning and afternoon snacks. A nightly rest ritual forms part of the stay. The villa also has an outdoor bathtub and shower.
An upstairs solarium provides a private setting for spa treatments, with views over the waterways. Below, the garden opens to a timber sundeck with loungers,...
The home spans three floors. The pool and sun terrace sit above the main living area.
Two pale sofas face a broad wooden coffee table in the living room, with books and ceramics arranged on open shelves behind them. A dining table sits beneath a woven pendant light. The nearby kitchenette has a long counter for preparing meals and drinks.
Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, and another bathroom opens off the living room. Glass doors lead to a sundeck with outdoor seating. Above, the solarium overlooks the golf course and has an outdoor shower beside the water. Natural wood, patterned cushions and woven textures continue through the shared spaces, with warm lighting set into the ceiling.
Two pale sofas face a broad wooden coffee table in the living room, with books and ceramics arranged on open shelves behind them. A dining...
The residence spans three floors, and the pool sits on the upper solarium level.
The living area opens onto a furnished sundeck, with a dining table and kitchenette just inside. Two sofas gather around a solid wooden coffee table, and open shelves hold books and ceramic pieces. Woven lighting and pale cushions bring texture to the shared room.
Each bedroom has its own bathroom, with one more bathroom beside the living area. On the upper level, the solarium looks across the golf course, with an outdoor shower beside the water. The residence has been renovated throughout, including its cooking and bathing spaces. Bicycles are provided, and coffee and tea can be prepared in the kitchenette.
The living area opens onto a furnished sundeck, with a dining table and kitchenette just inside. Two sofas gather around a solid wooden coffee table,...
These suites are on an upper floor; the beach is reached after leaving the suite.
The front deck has space to sit or dine beside the water, with palm trees between the suite and the sea. Sliding glass doors connect this outdoor area to the bedroom. Inside, wood flooring and ceiling panels frame a pale lounge seat, a small table and chairs.
A separate rear veranda provides a more sheltered setting for the jet pool and outdoor shower. There is an outdoor bathtub as well. The interiors combine contemporary lines with Mexican details, including patterned cushions and wall decorations. Coffee and tea facilities are provided in the suite, and bicycles are included for use around the resort.
The front deck has space to sit or dine beside the water, with palm trees between the suite and the sea. Sliding glass doors connect...
Living and sleeping spaces are spread across three levels, with the pool on an upper floor.
A generous wooden dining table sits beside the kitchen, beneath a broad woven light. Cushioned chairs surround the table, and a pair of sofas gathers near glass doors to the terrace. Pale cabinets, a dark green backsplash and open shelves give the shared room its warm character.
The two bedrooms each have an en-suite bathroom, with another bathroom off the living area. Outdoors, the sundeck has seating among the greenery. The upper solarium overlooks the golf course and includes a new outdoor shower. There is also an outdoor bathtub, while bicycles and coffee and tea facilities are provided with the residence.
A generous wooden dining table sits beside the kitchen, beneath a broad woven light. Cushioned chairs surround the table, and a pair of sofas gathers...
The bedroom has a high ceiling and a broad padded headboard, with a wooden bench at the foot of the bed. Daylight enters through tall windows above the sliding doors. Pale rugs and curtains sit against dark floor tiles and warm timber furniture.
Beyond the glass, a hammock hangs beside the garden, and the deck looks towards the lagoon and mangroves. A Bali daybed joins the outdoor seating, with a separate tub for bathing in the open air. There is also a bubbling jet pool. A minibar and coffee facilities are provided indoors, while complimentary bicycles are available for use around the resort.
The bedroom has a high ceiling and a broad padded headboard, with a wooden bench at the foot of the bed. Daylight enters through tall...
An outdoor staircase leads from the bedroom level to the rooftop pool and sun terrace.
Full-height glass opens the bedroom to the lagoon, with a sofa and a small dining table beside the water. Wood lines the ceiling and floor, and pale curtains soften the wide opening. The villa stands above the lagoon, facing its wooded banks.
Upstairs, the rooftop has a broad sun terrace and a shaded lounge pavilion. The infinity edge looks out across the water, while a separate terrace holds a bubbling jet pool. An outdoor bathtub and rain shower complete the bathing spaces. Coffee and tea facilities are provided indoors, and bicycles are included for journeys along the resort’s paths.
Full-height glass opens the bedroom to the lagoon, with a sofa and a small dining table beside the water. Wood lines the ceiling and floor,...
The suite is on an upper floor, with beach views from the balcony rather than direct beach entry.
A pitched timber ceiling rises above the bed and sitting area, with soft light along its edges. A round table and upholstered chairs stand by the glass, and a cushioned chaise faces the sea. Full-length curtains frame the balcony doors.
The outdoor space looks over the beach, while an interior patio gives the suite another open-air corner. Indoors, the bathroom includes a shower and a whirlpool bathtub, with a further shower outside. A minibar and coffee and tea facilities are provided. Daily afternoon snacks are served in the suite, and two bicycles are included for exploring the paths through the surrounding resort.
A pitched timber ceiling rises above the bed and sitting area, with soft light along its edges. A round table and upholstered chairs stand by...
Colorful Talavera sinks add a Mexican touch to the bathroom, while the rooms use natural tones beneath high ceilings. The living area has a sofa bed, a dining space and a minibar. Large glass doors connect the indoor rooms with the garden.
Outside, a hammock hangs beside the bedroom and two loungers sit on the timber deck. A table provides space for a drink near the water. Trees and planted borders surround the villa, with the lagoon forming part of its setting. An outdoor bathtub offers open-air bathing. Coffee and tea facilities are provided, and bicycles are included for use on the resort’s paths.
Colorful Talavera sinks add a Mexican touch to the bathroom, while the rooms use natural tones beneath high ceilings. The living area has a sofa...
The second bedroom is upstairs, reached by an outdoor staircase from the ground level.
The main bedroom opens beside the water, with a hammock beyond another set of glass doors. A tall timber panel rises behind the padded headboard, while dark floor tiles contrast with the pale rug and curtains. Warm lamps light the bedside tables.
A living room brings together a sofa bed and a dining area. Upstairs, the second bedroom has its own broad terrace, with views across the surrounding greenery and waterways. The bathing spaces include an outdoor tub and shower, as well as an indoor bathtub. A bench stands at the foot of the bed, with a wooden armchair near the window.
The main bedroom opens beside the water, with a hammock beyond another set of glass doors. A tall timber panel rises behind the padded headboard,...
From the bedroom, wide glass doors look across tropical planting to the sand and sea. A low sofa sits at the foot of the bed, with a small round table and padded chairs near the terrace. Wood paneling covers the ceiling and parts of the walls, beside a patterned cabinet and woven rug.
The front terrace opens towards the beach, while a more secluded space at the rear holds a jet pool and outdoor shower. There is also a shower indoors. Coffee and tea facilities and a minibar are supplied, and afternoon snacks are served daily. Black lamps hang beside the bed, with decorative objects displayed above the patterned cabinet.
From the bedroom, wide glass doors look across tropical planting to the sand and sea. A low sofa sits at the foot of the bed,...
Wide sliding doors connect the bedroom to a furnished deck, with the beach beyond the palms. A table and chairs sit beneath the covered section, while a sofa provides another place to sit outside. Timber runs across the floor and ceiling indoors, around a pale upholstered bed and lounge seat.
At the rear, a secluded patio contains a jet pool and an outdoor shower. The bathroom also has an indoor shower, and coffee and tea can be made in the suite. Warm bedside lamps and ceramic wall pieces add detail to the sleeping area. Glass doors open across most of its seaward side.
Wide sliding doors connect the bedroom to a furnished deck, with the beach beyond the palms. A table and chairs sit beneath the covered section,...
The bedrooms have separate entrances. The upper bedroom is reached from outdoors.
A timber deck wraps around the outdoor bathing area, with cushioned loungers and a table shaded by a parasol. Palms rise beside the villa, and a lawn runs between the deck and the covered walkway. The lagoon lies beyond this garden setting, with the beach a short walk away.
The living room sits apart from the bedrooms, which occupy two levels. Outside, smaller patios provide a setting for the bubbling jet pool. There is a soaking tub indoors, plus an outdoor bathtub and shower. The villa has coffee and tea facilities, and bicycles are included for exploring the resort’s paths.
A timber deck wraps around the outdoor bathing area, with cushioned loungers and a table shaded by a parasol. Palms rise beside the villa, and...
Each bedroom has its own entrance. One is upstairs; another is across the garden.
The bedrooms sit around a garden and a long stretch of water, with a timber deck between them. Loungers and a hammock furnish the outdoor spaces, beneath palms and pitched roofs. A private pavilion provides shade, and the shoreline is just steps away.
One wing has a bedroom on each of its two floors, with an ocean-facing balcony upstairs. Across the garden, the third bedroom adjoins a living area and kitchen, with its own bathroom. Outdoor bathing includes a tub and shower. An indoor bathtub provides another bathing space. The garden has covered walkways, with broad steps leading from the timber deck.
The bedrooms sit around a garden and a long stretch of water, with a timber deck between them. Loungers and a hammock furnish the outdoor...
Mexican materials and the Banyan Tree brand's Asian influences meet in the accommodation. The Bliss Pool Villa uses wood, wicker, and ceramics, with a lagoon outlook and a sundeck beside its pool. Natural materials give the rooms texture without competing with the vegetation outside. Layouts differ across the villa collection, so compare sleeping areas, outdoor space and views before choosing.
Serenity Pool Villa with Living Room adds a living and dining area to the bedroom, plus a terrace hammock and private pool. Talavera-glazed sinks bring a specific Mexican detail into the interiors. The current category is listed for two guests with a king bed. Despite the living room's sofa bed, extra occupancy should be confirmed rather than inferred from the furniture.
The Lagoon & Sunset Rooftop Pool Villa takes a different approach. Its bedroom is on the lower of two levels above the water, with a private rear terrace and bubbling jet pool. An outdoor staircase leads to a rooftop plunge pool, shaded lounge pavilion, and sun deck. It is a choice for guests who want the lagoon in view and outdoor space on more than one level.
Think about the day's movement as well as the room itself. A villa beside the waterways places that landscape at the center of the stay. A ground-floor beachfront suite puts the shore directly outside. Guests who expect to visit the beach several times a day may value that access more than a larger terrace elsewhere.
Beachfront Lanai Pool Suite - King has direct beach access from a ground-floor layout. It combines a private plunge pool with a separate bubbling jet pool on the rear terrace. A connecting suite can be requested, making this category worth discussing for guests who want neighboring accommodation close to the sand. The connection remains subject to confirmation.
Oceanfront Veranda Pool Suites sit on an upper level, with a front terrace and a jet pool on the rear veranda. That distinction is important: an ocean view does not always mean stepping straight onto the beach. Tell reservations whether the priority is a view from above, direct shore access, or a particular bed arrangement.
Sands Beach Club provides a shared beach-day base, with a family-friendly setting and an infinity pool. Its restaurant serves meals across the day, so guests can move from breakfast to the shore or stay for a seafood dinner. This part of the resort gives a villa stay a social side, with dining and pool time beyond your own terrace.
For families, two bedrooms are only part of the decision. Harmony Two-Bedroom Lagoon Pool Villa spans two floors and has independently accessed bedrooms, including an outdoor entrance to the upper floor. It is listed for four guests with king and twin bedding. Discuss the route between bedrooms when children need close supervision at night.
The residence collection includes two- and three-bedroom options with golf-course outlooks and rooftop pools. These occupy three stories, with living areas and kitchen facilities that vary by category. They may suit a group planning meals and evenings together, but guests should confirm the precise kitchen setup and stairs before settling on one. A larger floor plan does not necessarily mean a simpler layout.
Rangers Club is based at Sands Beach Club and is intended for children aged five to twelve. The hotel also lists activities for children between three and five with an adult present. For a five-year-old, check whether an adult must stay. Discuss pool access and supervision needs when choosing a villa with young children.
Saffron remains a central dining address, bringing Thai cooking into the Riviera Maya setting. Plan a dinner here when choosing the week's meals, alongside Cello's Italian cuisine and breakfast at Oriente, which looks toward the canals. Restaurant schedules can vary, so check which evenings suit your plans before committing to an activity that finishes late.
Cocina Corazón, in El Pueblito, focuses on Mexican dishes such as tacos, guacamole, and quesabirrias. Suna adds a different perspective through Nikkei cooking, combining Peruvian flavors with Japanese techniques. These venues give the dining choices more range than a simple split between Thai dinner and beachside lunch.
In-villa dining is also important because the villas are large enough to be used as private living spaces. Breakfast or dinner on your own terrace can fit around a child's bedtime or a day spent mostly by the pool. Guests can also arrange meals elsewhere within Mayakoba. Confirm restaurant access and reservations through the resort team; staying in the community does not mean every venue is available at short notice.
Banyan Tree Spa draws on Asian traditions with Mexican influences, using treatment pavilions and suites that reflect the resort's setting. Its menu includes full-body massages and combinations of body treatments tailored to a chosen duration. Reserve the treatment you want, and ask about the facilities available on your dates. Enhancement work can affect individual spa and dining experiences.
Between spa visits, bicycles and Mayakoba's three-mile nature trail provide ways to explore the mangroves and lagoons. Canal ecotours depart from the main lobby, offering a different view of the landscape. Book the tour as an outing; it is not an on-demand boat shuttle. Kayaking and paddleboarding are also listed. Ask where they take place and which conditions are needed for them to run.
El Camaleón brings golf into the same trip. Greg Norman designed this 18-hole, par-72 course through Mayakoba's jungle, mangroves, canals, and oceanfront landscape. Book tee times separately and ask about maintenance or event restrictions. The wider setting allows a round of golf, a canal outing, and a beach afternoon to occupy different days, with the villa pool available whenever the plan is simply to stay in.
Saffron dedicates its evening menu to Thai cuisine, offering another dining style when you want a break from Mexican dishes.
The Rainforest offers a water-based spa experience built around warmth and changing sensations, an alternative for guests who prefer relaxation without massage.
The supervised Kids Club sits at Sands Beach Club, so children's activities and the family's time by the sea share one location.
Carretera Federal Chetumal-Puerto Juárez KM 298, Riviera Maya, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico
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Choose Banyan Tree Mayakoba if you want a Riviera Maya resort with private-pool villas, lagoon scenery, Asian-inspired hospitality, strong dining, a serious spa, and access to Mayakoba's beach, waterways, nature paths, and golf. It is strongest for privacy-focused couples and families.
Three nights can work for a short beach-and-spa escape, but four or five nights are better for most guests. A longer stay gives time for Saffron, spa rituals, pool time, beach dining, Mayakoba nature experiences, golf, and a slower villa rhythm.
The villas at Banyan Tree Mayakoba are designed for strong privacy, with walled or landscaped outdoor areas, private pools, terraces, and nature views. Lagoon villas feel especially secluded, while beach categories trade a little more openness for easier access to the shoreline.
Yes. Banyan Tree Mayakoba is within the Mayakoba resort community, home to El Camaleon Golf Course. It is a strong choice for golfers who also want private-pool villas, beach access, restaurants, spa time, and a quieter Riviera Maya base.
Yes. Banyan Tree Mayakoba is designed around waterways, nature paths, bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and ecological experiences. This makes the resort more interesting than a beach-only stay, because guests can move through mangroves, canals, and landscaped trails during the day.
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