Our 3-Night Stay at Barceló Maya Riviera

Arrival, Check-In & The Wristbands

Barceló Maya Riviera sits inside the larger Barceló complex, about an hour from Cancun International Airport. The drive itself was smooth and easy, but once we arrived, the welcome experience was not my favorite.

I’m used to that all-inclusive arrival moment — cold towel, welcome drink, someone directing you where to go. Here, we were kind of standing around like, “Okay… where are we supposed to check in?”

Premium Level guests check in at the Premium Lounge, which is also where you make your dinner reservations. And yes, that matters, because specialty restaurant reservations are required here.

The Room Was Beautiful… But Let’s Talk About the View

We stayed in a Premium Level Oceanfront room. The room itself was clean, spacious, modern, and very comfortable. The bathroom was large, the bed was comfortable, and overall the room felt fresh.

But here’s the thing: the buildings are not directly on the beach, so “oceanfront” was more like palm trees with the ocean making a guest appearance in the background.

Also, the shower setup may be awkward depending on who you’re traveling with. There’s no full door, and the frosted glass gives silhouette energy. Cute for couples. Maybe not ideal for friends.

The Pools Were the Star of the Show

We spent most of our days at the pool, and honestly, this is where Barceló Maya Riviera shines. The pools are huge, clean, beautiful, and there were plenty of chairs.

If you are a pool person, this resort makes sense. If your dream vacation is floating around all day with a book, hanging with friends, and not caring too much about the beach, you’ll probably enjoy this part.

The Beach Was Not My Favorite

I’ll be honest: I was not a huge fan of the beach here. They do a good job keeping the area clean, especially when seaweed is around, but this is not the turquoise-water, “I need a million beach photos” type of resort.

If the beach is the main reason you’re booking Mexico, I’d probably steer you somewhere else depending on your budget and travel style.

The Drinks Were a Miss for Me

You know I love a fruity vacation drink. But unfortunately, every drink I had tasted off to me. The best way I can describe it is cough syrup-ish. Thick, syrupy, and not refreshing.

This is one of those things that may not bother everyone, but for me, drinks are part of the all-inclusive experience. And these just weren’t it.

Lunch Was the Biggest Food Struggle

Lunch was the least appetizing part of the trip for me. They only had the buffet available, and there was no poolside or beachside food service at all.

So if you’re someone who loves having tacos, burgers, snacks, or casual poolside bites brought over while you relax, this is a big heads up. That is not the vibe here.

And listen, I am not usually picky. But even for me, it was hard to find something at the buffet that felt enjoyable.

First Night: The Mexican Restaurant

Our first night, we ate at the Mexican restaurant, and this was actually one of the better meals. I tried grilled octopus for the first time, and surprisingly, I really liked it.

We also had tacos and shrimp, and overall, this dinner was a win compared to the buffet situation.

The French Restaurant Was the Best Meal

The French restaurant was easily my favorite meal of the trip. I had beef Wellington, soup, and I even tried the escargot.

Everything felt more elevated here — better presentation, better flavor, and a much nicer overall dinner experience. If you stay here, this is one reservation I’d try to grab.

Spa Day, The Bus & Getting Around the Complex

One thing to know about this resort is that the Barceló complex is huge. There are multiple resort areas, shared spaces, a mall area, and a complimentary shuttle that helps you get around.

We took the shuttle over to the Colonial Spa for massages, and the bus was definitely helpful. Just know it stops around the complex, so give yourself extra time and pack your patience.

Last Night: Hibachi Dinner

Our last night was hibachi, and this was a fun way to end the trip. We enjoyed the entertainment, and for dinner we had salad and steak.

The vibe was lively, the restaurant was clean, and the experience felt more fun than some of the other meals.

A Few Extra Photo Moments

The property itself really is pretty. There are plenty of places to walk around, take photos, and explore. This is where the resort does feel impressive — big, polished, and clean.

Best For

I would not put this resort in my “perfect for everyone” category, but it can make sense for the right traveler.