Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / Mexico / Playa del Carmen / Viceroy Riviera Maya
Viceroy Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico · Viceroy · High Luxury
Viceroy Riviera Maya operates entirely as 41 adults-only private villas — each with its own plunge pool — tucked into the rainforest canopy at Xcalacoco, a quieter stretch of Caribbean coast seven miles north of Playa del Carmen, protected by a living coral reef and surrounded by largely undeveloped jungle.
- 41 rooms
- Opened 2002
- Neighborhood: Riviera Maya
- Rooms from 1,000 sq ft (93 m²)
About Viceroy Riviera Maya
- The resort has gone through three identities: it opened in 2002 as Ikal del Mar, became Tides Riviera Maya in 2006, then was rebranded Viceroy Riviera Maya in 2012.
- An on-staff Mayan shaman performs a 'Mayan Blessing' ritual as guests are escorted to their villas upon arrival.
- A dedicated 'Soap Concierge' slices personalized bars of artisanal Mayan soap from large blocks for guests.
- As Ikal del Mar, the property was named '#1 Resort in All of Mexico' by Conde Nast Traveler and one of the World's Top 500 Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure in 2008.
- A resident family of wild spider monkeys lives in the surrounding jungle around the resort's 41 private-pool villas.
History
Viceroy Riviera Maya is an adults-only beachfront luxury villa resort near Playa del Carmen that currently operates with 41 private villas, each with its own plunge pool, as described on the official brand page. The property presents itself as a secluded rainforest-and-beach retreat with villa-style accommodations, spa programming, and a small poolside food-and-beverage operation centered on Coral Bar. The resort is notable for its all-villa format and its strong emphasis on privacy, outdoor living, and wellness.
The setting
Viceroy Riviera Maya occupies Playa Xcalacoco Fracción 7, a rainforest-and-beach setting approximately seven miles north of downtown Playa del Carmen and 40 miles south of Cancún. Xcalacoco is a quieter, more ecologically intact stretch of the Caribbean coast than the resort-dense beaches to the south—protected by a living coral reef that calms the surf—and the surrounding jungle remains largely undeveloped. The resort's 41 private villas are tucked into the rainforest canopy, each with a plunge pool and outdoor shower, creating an adults-only retreat of genuine seclusion on an emerging luxury corridor where branded residences are beginning to anchor a new high-end enclave north of central Playa del Carmen.
Restaurants and bars
- Coral Restaurant + Bar — Poolside · Mexican street food
- La Marea — Restaurant
Experiences
- Romantic Dinner on the Beach — Romantic beach dining experience at Viceroy Riviera Maya, offered daily.
- Melipona Bee Experience & Honey Tasting — Learn about the Melipona bee species and taste three types of honey, discovering each one's unique benefits. Offered daily.
- Lifestyle Photography Experience — 45-minute Lifestyle Photography session provided by DreamArt Photography. Offered daily.
- Romance à la Carte: Dinner and Yucatecan Serenade in Your Villa — Private dinner in the villa with a 3-course menu from La Marea, with a Yucatecan serenade. Offered daily.
- Private Cenote Experience — Private cenote experience offering tranquility and serenity. Offered daily.
- Garnachería Nights — Weekly dinner at Coral Restaurant + Bar honoring authentic Mexican street food flavors. Wednesdays.
Amenities
- 41 private villas
- Private plunge pool in every villa
- Adults-only beachfront setting
- Spa with massages, facials, and energy therapies
- Resort pool with sundeck
- Outdoor shower and sunbathing deck
- Beach access on the Caribbean
- Yoga/wellness-oriented escape
- Hot tub
- Fitness center
- Water sports
- Pet-friendly
Awards
- Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2026)
- AAA Four Diamond (2025)
Open Viceroy Riviera Maya in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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Viceroy in The Maison: the brand's idea, history and every house on the atlas.