Pros

  • All-inclusive resort on the beach in Riviera Maya
  • Simple and clean guest rooms with private balconies; some have ocean views
  • Ocean-facing swimming pool has sectioned-off area for little ones
  • Gorgeous white sand beach features turquoise water and sun loungers
  • Nine distinct bars and restaurants located on-site, or at the nearby sister resort, offer variety
  • On-site fitness center includes a small spa
  • Scheduled activities and entertainment every day
  • Recreational facilities include bikes, tennis courts, ping pong, a kids' club, and water sports
  • Free (spotty) Wi-Fi in the lobby
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Cons

  • Extra charges for (spotty) Wi-Fi in the rooms, decent booze, the in-room safe, and a king bed
  • Limits on how many times guests can visit restaurants that aren't the buffet option
  • Some restaurants and facilities are located at the nearby sister resort, Viva Wyndham Maya
  • Rooms are generic and past guests report maintenance issues
  • Pesky wristband requirement
  • Pool is shallow and gets crowded
  • Complaints that non-smoking rooms and areas aren't enforced (a pro for some)
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Bottom Line

Viva Wyndham Azteca is an upper-middle-range, all-inclusive option for families and couples who want an easy beach vacation in Playa del Carmen. Daily rates are generally low, but guests are nickel-and-dimed for Wi-Fi and premium alcohol. Plus, there are restrictions on how many times guests can visit the non-buffet restaurants here and at the sister property. The outdoor pool is shallow and often overrun with kids. A metal gate in the water sectioning off the kids' area doesn't do much for the ambiance. One saving grace is the gorgeous white beach with sun loungers and umbrellas. VIP guests can get drink service on the sand. You may want to spend a little more money at BlueBay Grand Esmerelda for bigger pools and no restaurant limits.

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Amenities

  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Jacuzzi
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Viva Wyndham Azteca – An All-Inclusive Resort

Scene

Families on the beach

Though couples do visit the Viva Wyndham Azteca, the property mostly attracts families with younger children. The swimming pool is often crowded with kids, while the beach loungers are more peaceful spots where adults can relax.

Grounds at the resort are manicured, green, and tropical, planted with palm trees and set with paved pathways. Waterfalls and Aztec art are a nod to the Maya Riviera theme. One cool feature is the interior courtyard with a Spanish-style water fountain and open-air market where vendors sell handicrafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, minus the aggressive sales pitches usually found in Playa del Carmen. Indoors, the long and narrow lobby has a mustard-yellow ceiling and abstract art on the walls. Racks of brochures and tour desks dominate the space, but two clusters of wooden chairs and sofas topped with red cushions provide a spot to sit near the reception desk.

See More Scene

Location

On the beach -- but you'll need a car to do any exploring

Viva Wyndham Azteca has a central location right on the beach in Riviera Maya, so it's a good base for those looking to stay on the sand and in the water; restaurant-lined 5th Avenue, however, is not within walking distance. Guests can walk to the sister resort, Viva Wyndham Maya, in about 10 minutes. It's about a 30-minute drive to the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. Expect about an hour's drive to Cancun International Airport. Parking at the hotel is free.

See More Location

Rooms

Standard Rooms or Honeymoon Suites

There are 270 Standard Rooms and Honeymoon Suites at this property. The only differences among the Standard Rooms are the views: some look out onto the beach while others have garden or pool views, though past guests have complained that the pricier ocean views often come obstructed and the pool rooms can be noisy. Each air-conditioned room has a private balcony or terrace furnished with plastic chairs, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, and a minibar that may or may not get restocked during the visit. The hotel's website advertises in-room coffeemakers, but we didn't see any on our visit. Decor is a touch generic. Think: white walls, tile floors, and an orange or blue bed runner. In the bathrooms, long vanity counters hold single sinks and there are hairdryers mounted to the walls. Glass encased showers are directly next to the toilets.

Honeymoon Suites are larger than Standard Rooms and include in-room whirlpools and sitting areas. A glass wall between the bed and the hot tub (which is placed in the center of the room) in each opens up the space. This option also includes individual bottles of toiletries as opposed to the plastic dispensers mounted to the walls in the Standard Rooms. Past guests have complained about maintenance issues and cigarette smoke odors in both types of rooms. Expect to pay extra for unreliable Wi-Fi access and use of the safes.

See More Rooms

Features

Swimming pool, recreational activities, and entertainment

The features at Viva Wyndham Azteca mostly cater to families and children, though couples might like the small spa and beauty salon for nail treatments and massages. There's also a nice fitness center with natural light, plenty of space, and LifeFitness cardio machines.

The geometric-shaped outdoor pool is shallow and often crowded with kids. One section has a metal gate (it looks like a bike rack in the water) designed to keep little ones in one area of the pool. Two volleyball nets are strung up over the water. Blue sun loungers and straw umbrellas line the patio, but there isn't any waiter service for drinks.

Staff organizes entertainment and activities for all ages both by the pool and at a small theater. A fun kids' club includes a colorful classroom and a cute outdoor pool next to playground equipment and a sand pit. Guests can play ping pong, tennis, and pool, or borrow bikes for a ride. There's an on-site gift shop with toiletries and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, but it's slow and unreliable.

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

All-inclusive, but with confusing restrictions

The all-inclusive package at Viva Wyndham Azteca is downright confusing and a little unfair. Technically, guests have access to nine different restaurants, but some are located at Azteca and others are at the sister resort, Viva Wyndham Maya, which is about a 10-minute walk away. Guests need the assistance of staff to figure out which restaurants are located where and open for which meals. Some restaurants require advance reservations and don't allow children. On top of that, guests are limited to how many times they can eat at the restaurants (with the exception of the buffet option and outdoor snack bar); the limit depends on the length of their stay. Cuisine ranges from traditional Mexican with Mayan ingredients, to Italian, to Mediterranean. Past guests report that the booze is low-quality and an upgrade costs extra.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Beach

Powdery white sand and clear blue water

The beach is the highlight of this property. Guests have private access to the public sand just a few hundred feet from the outdoor swimming pool. The sand is powdery white and the calm blue water is crystal clear. A lifeguard keeps an eye on swimmers. There's a nearby dive shop and a plethora of opportunities to rent motorized water equipment or sign up for parasailing. Blue cushioned loungers are lined up under a thicket of palm trees, and though the sun beds are close together, this area doesn't get as crowded as the pool. Access to a second section of VIP lounge chairs can be purchased. Guests relaxing there get drink service, but have to wear a wristband.

See More Beach

Our Favorite Vacation Wear for Playa del Carmen

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Oyster Hotel Review

Viva Wyndham Azteca – An All-Inclusive Resort

Scene

Families on the beach

Though couples do visit the Viva Wyndham Azteca, the property mostly attracts families with younger children. The swimming pool is often crowded with kids, while the beach loungers are more peaceful spots where adults can relax.

Grounds at the resort are manicured, green, and tropical, planted with palm trees and set with paved pathways. Waterfalls and Aztec art are a nod to the Maya Riviera theme. One cool feature is the interior courtyard with a Spanish-style water fountain and open-air market where vendors sell handicrafts, jewelry, and souvenirs, minus the aggressive sales pitches usually found in Playa del Carmen. Indoors, the long and narrow lobby has a mustard-yellow ceiling and abstract art on the walls. Racks of brochures and tour desks dominate the space, but two clusters of wooden chairs and sofas topped with red cushions provide a spot to sit near the reception desk.

See More Scene

Location

On the beach -- but you'll need a car to do any exploring

Viva Wyndham Azteca has a central location right on the beach in Riviera Maya, so it's a good base for those looking to stay on the sand and in the water; restaurant-lined 5th Avenue, however, is not within walking distance. Guests can walk to the sister resort, Viva Wyndham Maya, in about 10 minutes. It's about a 30-minute drive to the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza. Expect about an hour's drive to Cancun International Airport. Parking at the hotel is free.

See More Location

Rooms

Standard Rooms or Honeymoon Suites

There are 270 Standard Rooms and Honeymoon Suites at this property. The only differences among the Standard Rooms are the views: some look out onto the beach while others have garden or pool views, though past guests have complained that the pricier ocean views often come obstructed and the pool rooms can be noisy. Each air-conditioned room has a private balcony or terrace furnished with plastic chairs, a 32-inch flat-screen TV, and a minibar that may or may not get restocked during the visit. The hotel's website advertises in-room coffeemakers, but we didn't see any on our visit. Decor is a touch generic. Think: white walls, tile floors, and an orange or blue bed runner. In the bathrooms, long vanity counters hold single sinks and there are hairdryers mounted to the walls. Glass encased showers are directly next to the toilets.

Honeymoon Suites are larger than Standard Rooms and include in-room whirlpools and sitting areas. A glass wall between the bed and the hot tub (which is placed in the center of the room) in each opens up the space. This option also includes individual bottles of toiletries as opposed to the plastic dispensers mounted to the walls in the Standard Rooms. Past guests have complained about maintenance issues and cigarette smoke odors in both types of rooms. Expect to pay extra for unreliable Wi-Fi access and use of the safes.

See More Rooms

Features

Swimming pool, recreational activities, and entertainment

The features at Viva Wyndham Azteca mostly cater to families and children, though couples might like the small spa and beauty salon for nail treatments and massages. There's also a nice fitness center with natural light, plenty of space, and LifeFitness cardio machines.

The geometric-shaped outdoor pool is shallow and often crowded with kids. One section has a metal gate (it looks like a bike rack in the water) designed to keep little ones in one area of the pool. Two volleyball nets are strung up over the water. Blue sun loungers and straw umbrellas line the patio, but there isn't any waiter service for drinks.

Staff organizes entertainment and activities for all ages both by the pool and at a small theater. A fun kids' club includes a colorful classroom and a cute outdoor pool next to playground equipment and a sand pit. Guests can play ping pong, tennis, and pool, or borrow bikes for a ride. There's an on-site gift shop with toiletries and souvenirs. Free Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, but it's slow and unreliable.

See More Features

All-Inclusive / Food

All-inclusive, but with confusing restrictions

The all-inclusive package at Viva Wyndham Azteca is downright confusing and a little unfair. Technically, guests have access to nine different restaurants, but some are located at Azteca and others are at the sister resort, Viva Wyndham Maya, which is about a 10-minute walk away. Guests need the assistance of staff to figure out which restaurants are located where and open for which meals. Some restaurants require advance reservations and don't allow children. On top of that, guests are limited to how many times they can eat at the restaurants (with the exception of the buffet option and outdoor snack bar); the limit depends on the length of their stay. Cuisine ranges from traditional Mexican with Mayan ingredients, to Italian, to Mediterranean. Past guests report that the booze is low-quality and an upgrade costs extra.

See More All-Inclusive / Food

Beach

Powdery white sand and clear blue water

The beach is the highlight of this property. Guests have private access to the public sand just a few hundred feet from the outdoor swimming pool. The sand is powdery white and the calm blue water is crystal clear. A lifeguard keeps an eye on swimmers. There's a nearby dive shop and a plethora of opportunities to rent motorized water equipment or sign up for parasailing. Blue cushioned loungers are lined up under a thicket of palm trees, and though the sun beds are close together, this area doesn't get as crowded as the pool. Access to a second section of VIP lounge chairs can be purchased. Guests relaxing there get drink service, but have to wear a wristband.

See More Beach

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Business Center

  • Children's Pool

  • Dry Cleaning

  • Fitness Center

  • Gameroom / Arcade

  • Internet

  • Jacuzzi

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Rental Car Service Desk Onsite

  • Room Service

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.