2 Best Hotels in Xpu-Há, The Riviera Maya

On the powdery shores of Xpu-Há, this boutique inn has four chic rooms named after the four elements, all with hardwood floors, thatched roofs, and beds draped in white curtains. Rooms on the top floor have unobstructed ocean views, while those on the ground floor have private plunge pools; the two-story villas have their own infinity pool and are the only category that allows children. Patios with two-person hammocks face the sea, but if you want to get closer, head to the tiny palapas in the sand where silk curtains hang over thatched umbrellas for added privacy. Since a car is needed to reach restaurants in Playa del Carmen, most guests opt for the half-board package, which includes breakfast, dinner, a bottle of wine, and a couples' massage.

This lavish, adults-only resort was designed around the surrounding jungle and has a great beach, nonstop activities, and terrific food for a resort in its price range. Activities like snorkeling, diving, kayaking, aqua aerobics, water polo, and pool volleyball can keep you occupied for the duration of your stay. The marble-floor lobby has bamboo furniture and a central waterfall underneath a giant palapa roof. Rooms have pleasant wood furniture and private terraces with views of the lush foliage. Three large pools, separated from the outdoor hot tubs by an island of palm trees, look out onto the spectacular beach. The food is exceptional and varied, with everything from Spanish tapas to fruit smoothies.