The Riviera Maya is Mexico’s — and arguably the world’s — most popular all-inclusive destination. Stretching from just south of Cancun to the ancient Mayan city of Tulum, this 130km stretch of Caribbean coastline combines spectacular white-sand beaches, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (the world’s second largest), cenotes (natural freshwater sinkholes), and a rich Mayan cultural heritage.
Ocean Hotels operates two properties along the Riviera Maya: Ocean Riviera Paradise (near Playa del Carmen) and Ocean Coral & Turquesa (in Puerto Morelos). This guide helps you understand the destination and choose between these two five-star all-inclusive options.
| 🏨 Book Ocean Hotels Riviera Maya Ocean Riviera Paradise · Ocean Coral & Turquesa · 5-star all-inclusive Mexico. → Book at Ocean Hotels |
#1 — Riviera Maya: Understanding the Destination
Riviera Maya vs Cancun: What’s the Difference?
Cancun and the Riviera Maya are often grouped together but offer distinctly different experiences. Cancun’s Hotel Zone is a densely built strip of large hotels facing a lagoon — highly commercialised, with a strong party and nightlife culture. The Riviera Maya (south of Cancun) offers larger, more resort-focused properties, more jungle and natural vegetation between hotels, and easier access to cultural sites like Tulum pyramids, Coba, and the cenote network.
RIVIERA MAYA: KEY AREAS
| Puerto Morelos: 20 min south of Cancun · Ocean Coral & Turquesa is here · small fishing town · reef directly offshore Playa del Carmen: 35 min south · Ocean Riviera Paradise nearby · most cosmopolitan town on the coast Tulum: 90 min south · Mayan ruins on clifftop · cenotes · bohemian atmosphere Coba: 120 min south · climbable pyramid (still permitted) · jungle interior Chichen Itza: 2.5 hours west · one of the New Seven Wonders of the World · day trip |
When to Visit the Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya has warm weather year-round — the dry season (December to April) is peak season with highest prices and most reliable weather. The sargassum (brown seaweed) season runs approximately May to October — all Riviera Maya resorts are affected, with June, July, and August typically the worst months. October is an excellent shoulder month: low sargassum, warm sea, fewer crowds, and lower prices. November to April offers the best beach conditions overall.
| 💡 Insider Tips Sargassum is a Riviera Maya-wide phenomenon — no resort on this coast is immune. October and November have historically low levels Cenote swimming is a must-do: the underground freshwater cave systems are unlike anything else on earth — ask the resort concierge to arrange a guided cenote trip Tulum pyramids overlook the Caribbean — the most photographed Mayan site in Mexico and accessible as a half-day trip from either Ocean Hotels property Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue (Quinta Avenida) is the best evening dining and shopping street on the Riviera Maya — a 10-15 minute taxi from Ocean Riviera Paradise |
| 🏨 Book Ocean Hotels Riviera Maya All-inclusive · Beachfront · Near Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos. → Book at Ocean Hotels |
#2 — Ocean Riviera Paradise: Riviera Maya’s Flagship Ocean Hotel
Ocean Riviera Paradise is located in Playa Xcalacoco, 5km north of Playa del Carmen — the Riviera Maya’s most vibrant town. This positioning gives the resort excellent access to Playa del Carmen’s restaurant scene, shops, and nightlife while offering a full five-star all-inclusive experience with 10 restaurants, multiple pools, Dive It! diving centre, Daisy Club, and the El Beso adults-only section.
OCEAN RIVIERA PARADISE KEY STATS
| Location: Playa Xcalacoco · 5km from Playa del Carmen · 55-65 min from Cancun airport Restaurants: 10 restaurants + 12 bars Pool: Multiple pools including unique beach pool Diving: Dive It! centre · snorkelling trips to reef Children: Daisy Club (ages 4-12) · teens programme Adults: El Beso adults-only section within resort Privilege: Full butler upgrade available |
For families wanting a Riviera Maya base with easy access to Playa del Carmen, the Tulum ruins, cenotes, and the best the Mexican Caribbean has to offer — Ocean Riviera Paradise is the strongest choice in the Ocean Hotels Mexico portfolio. The Dive It! reef snorkelling is a particular highlight: the resort arranges guided boat trips to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which begins just offshore from the Riviera Maya coast.
| 🏨 Book Ocean Riviera Paradise 10 restaurants · Dive It! · Daisy Club · El Beso adults section. → Book at Ocean Hotels |
#3 — Ocean Coral & Turquesa: Puerto Morelos All Inclusive
Ocean Coral & Turquesa is located in Puerto Morelos — a charming fishing and diving town 20 minutes south of Cancun airport (significantly closer to the airport than Playa del Carmen). The resort is on the beachfront with direct access to Puerto Morelos’s main attraction: the reef that runs parallel to the shore, just 500 metres from the beach.
OCEAN CORAL & TURQUESA KEY STATS
| Location: Puerto Morelos · 20 min from Cancun airport Award: Condé Nast Traveler Best International Resort 2013 Rooms: 585 suites · largest Ocean Hotels Mexico property Restaurants: 6 themed restaurants + buffet + coffee shop Pools: 4 outdoor pools Diving: Dive It! centre · direct reef snorkelling by boat Golf: Access to nearby courses + special greens fees El Beso: Adults-only section within resort Privilege: Full butler upgrade available · crossover dinner at sister hotels |
Ocean Coral & Turquesa: The Reef
Puerto Morelos sits opposite one of the best sections of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — the second-largest reef system in the world. The Dive It! centre at Ocean Coral & Turquesa arranges snorkelling and diving boat trips directly out to the reef, where guides dive down to point out sea life including tropical fish, sea turtles, and rays. Multiple guests describe this as the trip highlight — an experience that genuinely exceeds the typical resort snorkelling activity.
| Feature | Ocean Riviera Paradise | Ocean Coral & Turquesa |
| Location | Near Playa del Carmen | Puerto Morelos |
| Airport distance | 55-65 min from Cancun | 20 min from Cancun |
| Restaurants | 10 | 6 |
| Pools | Multiple + beach pool | 4 pools |
| Diving/reef | Yes — Dive It! | Yes — Dive It! · exceptional reef |
| Nearest town | Playa del Carmen (vibrant) | Puerto Morelos (quiet, charming) |
| Award | N/A | Condé Nast Traveler 2013 |
| Best for | Families wanting Playa del Carmen access | Divers, snorkellers, quieter experience |
| 🏨 Book Ocean Hotels Riviera Maya Ocean Riviera Paradise · Ocean Coral & Turquesa · 5-star all-inclusive Mexico. → Book at Ocean Hotels |
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