Bahia Principe Riviera Maya is a large all-inclusive resort complex near Akumal, Mexico, with five resorts offering everything from family-friendly water parks and activities to adults-only pools, golf, and nightlife. With so many options in one complex, choosing which Bahia Principe resort to book can be a little confusing.
I first visited Bahia Principe while living in nearby Playa del Carmen, when Janice and I decided to trade exploring restaurants and bars for a week of swim-up bars, beaches, and relaxation. We spent time throughout the complex, which gave me a chance to see how the resorts differ and which ones make the most sense for different types of travelers.
A lot has changed at Bahia Principe since that original visit. The brand is now part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, the resorts have been renamed under the new Explore and Escape categories, and a fifth resort, Bahia Principe Escape Tequila, has opened. I’ve updated this guide to reflect those changes while keeping my firsthand experiences and recommendations from my stay.
In this guide, I’ll compare all five Bahia Principe resorts in Riviera Maya, including their beaches, pools, restaurants, activities, and overall atmosphere, to help you decide which one is the best fit for your trip.
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Bahia Principe Riviera Maya Resorts at a Glance
The five Bahia Principe resorts offer different experiences, from family-friendly resorts with water parks and activities to quieter adults-only options. Here is a quick look at each resort and who I think it is best for.
Here Are the Five Resorts at Bahia Principe
What Changed in 2026
If youâve been to Bahia Principe before, or youâre reading older reviews, the resort names may not match what you see when you go to book. In March 2026, Bahia Principe rebranded all of its resorts and joined the World of Hyatt program at the same time.
The old Grand and Luxury labels are gone. Each resort now falls into one of two groups:
- Bahia Principe Explore: Family resorts, open to all ages
- Bahia Principe Escape: Adults only, 18 and over
Hereâs how the old names line up with the new ones:
- Grand Tulum is now Explore Tulum
- Grand Coba is now Explore Coba
- Luxury Akumal is now Explore Akumal
- Luxury Sian Kaâan is now Escape Sian Kaâan
- Grand Tequila is now Escape Tequila
That last one is the newest addition. Escape Tequila opened in December 2025 in a section that used to be part of Grand Coba. After a fire at Coba in May 2025, Bahia Principe used the rebuild to create a second adults-only resort. Sian Kaâan is the quieter, golf-focused option surrounded by jungle. Tequila leans younger and livelier, with pool parties, DJs, and themed nights. Thatâs why this post now covers five resorts instead of four.
One thing to keep in mind: Akumal now carries the âExploreâ family name, but itâs still one of the more upscale properties in the complex. The new names tell you who the resort is designed for, not how nice it is.
The other big change is points. Since Bahia Principe is now part of World of Hyatt, you can earn and redeem Hyatt points on your stay. Thatâs a real perk if you already collect them.
Where is Bahia Principe?
The Bahia Principe resorts in Riviera Maya are located just south of Akumal, about halfway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The resort complex is about a 90-minute drive from Cancun International Airport.
And if you’re planning to explore beyond the Bahia Principe resorts, there are several towns and islands worth visiting nearby. I’ve ranked my favorite places to visit in Riviera Maya and beyond, including Akumal, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel.
The Five Bahia Principe Resorts Explained
The Bahia Principe Riviera Maya complex now includes five resorts: three family-friendly Explore properties and two adults-only Escape resorts. Most of the accommodations are spread across low-rise, three-story buildings rather than one large hotel tower. The complex is large, so depending on where your room is located, you may have a decent walk or need to take one of the resort shuttles to reach certain pools, restaurants, or the beach.
Bahia Principe Explore Coba
Formerly known as Bahia Principe Grand Coba, Explore Coba is the largest resort in the complex, with 1,080 rooms spread across 30 three-story villas. It is set back from the beach and is probably the most family-focused of the five resorts. There are two large pool areas, swim-up bars, a children’s water park, kids’ activities, and plenty going on throughout the day.
Of the Bahia Principe resorts, Coba is one of the better choices for families with younger children and is often one of the less expensive options. The tradeoff is that you are not directly on the beach, so you will need to walk or take the resort transportation to get there.
Bahia Principe Explore Tulum
Formerly Bahia Principe Grand Tulum, Explore Tulum is a beachfront family resort with 774 rooms. It has a large main pool with a swim-up bar and plenty of daytime activities, along with quieter pool areas if you don’t want to be in the middle of everything.
One of the biggest reasons to choose Tulum is the ZamĂĄ Fun Area, a large family area with a kids club, water park, splash area, playground, zip line, and other activities inspired by Mayan culture. There is also nightly entertainment and plenty going on around the main pool and beach.
I think Tulum is a good middle-ground choice for families, particularly if your kids are beyond the toddler stage and you want both a good beach location and a lot of activities without staying at the more expensive Akumal resort.
Bahia Principe Explore Akumal
Formerly Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal, Explore Akumal is the more upscale of the three family-friendly resorts and has 758 rooms. It sits directly on the beach and includes two large lake-style pools, an infinity pool for adults, a children’s water park, and an adults-only beachfront area.
Of the beaches within the complex, Akumal is my favorite. It feels a little more compact than the long beachfront at Tulum, but I preferred the layout and overall beach area.
Akumal also has one of the largest selections of restaurants in the complex. Pakal, the resort’s sports bar, is here as well, which is useful if you happen to visit during March Madness, the NFL playoffs, or another sporting event you don’t want to miss.
Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka'an
Formerly Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an, Escape Sian Ka’an is a 420-suite, adults-only resort located away from the beach in the quieter inland portion of the Bahia Principe complex. It is surrounded by tropical vegetation and the PGA Riviera Maya golf courses, giving it a noticeably more secluded feel than the beachfront resorts.
The resort has four pool areas and a mix of junior suites and penthouse-style rooms, including options with private outdoor hot tubs. Because Sian Ka’an is not directly on the Caribbean, transportation is available to reach the beach and other areas of the Bahia Principe complex.
This is also the best choice for golfers. The adjacent PGA Riviera Maya includes an 18-hole championship course designed by Robert Trent Jones II along with a 9-hole executive course.
If you are looking for an adults-only resort and prefer quiet pools and relaxation over a party atmosphere, Sian Ka’an is the better fit of the two Escape properties.
Bahia Principe Escape Tequila
Escape Tequila is the newest resort in the complex. It originally opened as Bahia Principe Grand Tequila in December 2025 before becoming Bahia Principe Escape Tequila under the new Explore and Escape branding.
The 360-room, adults-only resort is very different from Sian Ka’an. While Sian Ka’an is the quieter option, Tequila is built around entertainment, nightlife, and Mexican culture. It has two pools, including a dedicated party pool, along with themed parties, live entertainment, a disco, and events throughout the week.
One of its main gathering areas is Hacienda Doña Isabel, which combines restaurants, bars, shops, entertainment, and Mexican-themed events. The resort also features La Casita de los Despechados, an entertainment concept centered around music, karaoke, tequila, and the somewhat dramatic Mexican tradition of singing about heartbreak.
If you want an adults-only stay but still want a lively atmosphere and nightlife without leaving the Bahia Principe complex, Tequila is likely the better choice than Sian Ka’an.
Can You Visit the Other Bahia Principe Resorts?
Depending on which resort you book, you may be able to use amenities and dine at the restaurants of the other resorts. For the most part, this means you are allowed to use resorts which are classified as the same or lesser status (Luxury being higher status than Grand).
If you stay at Grand Coba or Grand Tulum, you can only use amenities at those two Grand resorts. But if you stay at Luxury Akumal or Luxury Sian Ka’an then you can use amenities and dine at restaurants at all four resorts.
Restaurants and Dining at Bahia Principe
Each of the five Bahia Principe resorts has several dining options, ranging from large buffets to casual poolside restaurants and more formal Ă la carte dining. Depending on which resort you book, you may also have access to restaurants at some of the neighboring properties.
The dining options generally fall into three categories:
- Buffet Restaurants: These are the main restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most guests eat breakfast at their resort’s buffet, although there may be other options. Buffet access is generally limited to the resort where you’re staying.
- Pool Bars and Restaurants: These are the casual spots scattered around the resorts, usually near the pools or beach. They’re convenient for lunch, snacks, and drinks without having to change out of your swimsuit.
- Ă La Carte Restaurants: These are the specialty restaurants, usually open for dinner, offering everything from Mexican and Italian to Japanese and French cuisine. Reservations are generally required and can be made through the resort’s app. Some restaurants also have dress codes.
The number of included Ă la carte dinners and which restaurants you can visit depend on your resort. Some properties offer unlimited reservations, while others have restrictions, so it’s worth checking the dining benefits before booking.
My Favorite Restaurants at Bahia Principe
There are plenty of restaurants throughout the complex, but these are three that stood out during my stay.
Tequila: This Mexican restaurant at Explore Tulum was one of my favorites. Unlike most of the specialty restaurants, it was set up as a buffet when I visited, making it a great place to try a variety of Mexican dishes. There was a section for antojitos, including tacos, tostadas, tamales, and empanadas, along with stations serving enchiladas, mole, and Mexican desserts. After all, you didn’t come to Mexico just to eat chicken fingers, right? I would recommend eating here at least once during your stay.
Alux: Located at Escape Sian Ka’an, Alux offers a more upscale dining experience overlooking one of the resort’s pools. The food doesn’t always live up to how impressive it sounds on the menu, but overall, I thought it was excellent for an all-inclusive resort.
Dolce Vita: This restaurant combines Italian and Mexican cuisine, with a menu that includes pasta, pizza, and other dishes. It’s a good option if you’re traveling with people who have different tastes, since there’s usually something for everyone.
Activities and Entertainment
Daytime Activities
Grand Coba and Grand Tulum in particular have a lineup of activities throughout the day and night. They have hosts that run games and activities at the pool. Because these are the two most family friendly, include things like a football toss and basketball shooting competitions, or even water polo. But there are also water aerobics classes for adults.
During the daytime you can play tennis or a round of golf. Or there are also a several watersports available like kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle surfing.
Nightly Entertainment
At night, there are concerts by the pool, silent clubbing (you wear headphones with music playing), and various other events.
Grand Coba and Grand Tulum each have a theater that puts on shows at night. These are an additional cost but are well worth it. They include singing, acrobatics, comedy, and more.
Bahia Principe and World of Hyatt
In December 2024, Hyatt and Grupo Piñero formed a joint venture that brought Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts into Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. As part of the partnership, Bahia Principe introduced new resort names and divided its properties into two categories: Explore, for families, and Escape, for adults-only resorts.
In March 2026, Bahia Principe also joined the World of Hyatt loyalty program, allowing members to earn and redeem points at participating resorts, including properties in Riviera Maya.
World of Hyatt members can earn five base points for every eligible dollar spent, along with qualifying nights toward elite status. Members can also use their points to book all-inclusive stays, although the number of points required varies by resort and travel dates.
If you already collect Hyatt points, this gives you another option for booking an all-inclusive vacation in Mexico. Just keep in mind that reservations made through third-party booking sites, such as Expedia, generally do not qualify for Hyatt points or elite-night credits.
Bahia Principe FAQs
Is Bahia Principe Riviera Maya part of Hyatt?
Yes. Bahia Principe became part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection through a joint venture with Grupo Piñero. The resorts continue operating under the Bahia Principe name, with family-friendly Explore resorts and adults-only Escape resorts.
How many Bahia Principe resorts are in Riviera Maya?
There are five Bahia Principe resorts in Riviera Maya: Explore Coba, Explore Tulum, Explore Akumal, Escape Sian Ka’an, and Escape Tequila.
Which Bahia Principe resort is best for families?
Explore Coba is a good choice for families with younger children, particularly because of its pools and water park. Explore Tulum is another excellent option for families who want direct beach access and plenty of activities. Explore Akumal offers a more upscale experience.
Which Bahia Principe resorts are adults only?
Bahia Principe Escape Sian Ka’an and Escape Tequila are both adults-only resorts. Sian Ka’an is better suited to couples looking for relaxation, while Tequila focuses more on nightlife and entertainment.
Can you visit the other Bahia Principe resorts?
Yes, but access depends on which resort you book. Some properties allow guests to use facilities and Ă la carte restaurants at neighboring resorts, although buffets and certain pools or adults-only areas may be restricted. Check your resort’s access rules before booking.
Which Bahia Principe resort has the best beach?
I prefer the beach at Explore Akumal because of its layout and atmosphere. Explore Tulum is another good option, particularly if you prefer a longer stretch of beachfront.
Can you use World of Hyatt points at Bahia Principe?
Yes. Since March 2026, World of Hyatt members have been able to earn and redeem points at participating Bahia Principe resorts, including those in Riviera Maya.
How far is Bahia Principe from Cancun Airport?
The Bahia Principe Riviera Maya complex is approximately 60 miles (97 km) south of Cancun International Airport. The drive typically takes around 90 minutes, depending on traffic.
Bahia Principe Final Thoughts: Is it Worth it?
I think Bahia Principe is a good choice if you want an all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya with enough variety that different types of travelers can find a good fit. Families have three Explore resorts to choose from, while adults can decide between the quieter atmosphere at Escape Sian Ka’an and the more nightlife-focused Escape Tequila.
One of the biggest advantages is the size of the overall complex. You are not limited to a single pool, restaurant, or small stretch of beach, and depending on the resort you book, you may also have access to additional areas around the property. The downside is that the complex is large, so you should expect some walking or shuttle rides.
For me, the biggest decision would come down to the type of trip I wanted. I would lean toward Explore Akumal for the beach and more upscale feel, while families with younger kids may prefer Explore Coba and those wanting more activities and direct beach access may prefer Explore Tulum.
The location is also a plus. Bahia Principe sits close to Akumal and within easy reach of Playa del Carmen, so it works well if you want to spend part of your trip outside the resort. You can use my Akumal travel guide for nearby beaches, restaurants, and things to do, or my Playa del Carmen travel guide if you are planning a day trip farther north.
If you are looking for a large all-inclusive resort with multiple pools, beaches, restaurants, and a choice between family-friendly and adults-only properties, Bahia Principe remains one of the more versatile options in this part of Riviera Maya.
