Viva Wyndham Maya – An All Inclusive Resort

The Viva Wyndham Maya is a compact resort, with a lot packed into a relatively small area. The centerpiece is a wide, beautiful white-sand beach, with miles for guests to walk in either direction, and endless blue Caribbean sea for swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, or simply contemplating from a lounge chair, cocktail in hand. Guests are offered welcome drinks upon arrival, and there are libations poured around the clock at various resort bars, but a raucous spring break atmosphere is not tolerated here (in fact, spring breakers have been banned after an onslaught of college kids several years back). 

The grounds are lush, tropical, and beautifully landscaped, with wildlife roaming freely, including coatimundi, agouti, many varieties of birds, and a resident cat. The buildings are well kept and painted in subtle, peaceful earth tones. The pool area is pretty, but the pool is not as large as the huge lagoon-style swimming pools found at most neighboring resorts. Music is played by the pool most of the day, and light jazz is piped into the lobby and other common areas. There is a quieter, adults-only relaxation pool, but the general vibe of the property is busy and fun-filled.

There are different levels of amenities, depending on room selection and guests' frequent traveler status; guests are assigned wristbands to designate these levels. The clientele is largely European, including many smokers who light up in common areas, which may be a deterrent for some. The resort offers a variety of dining options, including a large buffet and several themed a la carte restaurants along with snack joints and bars. While not up to gourmet foodie standards, the food is good enough, and there is plenty of it available 24/7.

Each room has a private balcony or terrace, but standard room balconies are small and cramped-feeling. All in all, rooms at the Viva Wyndham Maya are basic, but not inviting such that guests will want to linger there for hours. Nothing at the property feels especially rich, spacious, or luxe, but everything is clean and well run. This is a resort for guests who enjoy activities and excursions. Regular day-trip options range from touring tropical aviaries to zip-lining through eco adventure parks, climbing ancient Mayan ruins, and shopping on Playa del Carmen’s Fifth Avenue strip.

The Viva Wyndham Maya has an ideal location for guests who want to explore the local area in addition to hanging out at the resort. It's situated in the exclusive gated community of Playacar, surrounded by safe hiking, biking, and running trails, and there is an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Von Haage within a 10-minute walk from the main lobby. At nearby Akumal Beach, visitors can swim with sea turtles.The popular tourist city of Playa del Carmen is five minutes by taxi, and can also be reached by walking along the beach for half an hour or so. Guests who enjoy nightlife will find plenty in Playa del Carmen, along with excellent shopping and restaurants on Fifth Avenue. Closer to home, there is a small shopping center with a nice selection of Mexican handicrafts near the hotel's entrance. Wi-Fi is sometimes slow or unresponsive at the resort, but there is a Starbucks a five-minute walk away with good free Wi-Fi. There's also a selection of tour companies just outside for guests who don’t want to book excursions through the hotel.

There are numerous interesting and fun excursions to be had, including trips to Cancun, which is a 45-minute drive north. Xel-Ha Park is 40 minutes south by car and visitors here can swim with dolphins. The Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Mayan ruins, crocodiles, sea turtles, and dolphins, is just over an hour away. Mayan ruins in the area include Tulum, an hour away, Coba, an hour and 45 minutes away, and the world-famous Chichen Itza, two hours and 15 minutes away. The resort is 45 minutes from the Cancun Airport.

Rooms at the Viva Wyndham Maya are basic and clean, with bright, simple decor and private, furnished balconies or terraces. Standard rooms are small, with narrow balconies that fit a table and two chairs but feel cramped. Most rooms have garden views. Suites are slightly larger, but don't have separate living areas. Suites are not much different from standard rooms, except when it comes to some of the balconies, which can be large enough to fit a pair of lounge chairs alongside table and chairs. These larger balconies have beautiful ocean views and outdoor whirlpool hot tubs, making them far more desirable for guests who want to linger in the room and recharge in privacy. 

The decor is the same in all rooms: picture tile floors, stucco walls, and white furniture with blue bed spreads and upholstery that create a bright nautical feel. There are modern art prints on the walls as well. Storage consists of a closet and only two drawers in each, which can be an issue for families or guests booking longer stays. Guests can choose between one king bed or a pair of queens, and adjoining rooms are available upon request. Bathrooms are on the small side, done in limestone, with walk-in showers and no tubs. Rooms are designated smoking or non-smoking; guests should state their preference at time of booking. Also, there are no elevators, so those with mobility issues may want to request ground floor rooms, although these are less private, with people walking by guest terraces. Rooms near the outdoor theater and disco can be noisy until the late hours, as can rooms located on the edge of the property, near the neighboring resort, where loud nighttime entertainment often lasts well into the evening. 

The Viva Wyndham Maya has activities programmed all day long, with unlimited free non-motorized water sports right on the gorgeous white-sand beach, including kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, surfing, and boogie boarding. Lessons are available -- some for a fee and some for free -- and water sports enthusiasts can book off-site expeditions and adventures. Jet skis are available for guests to rent, and scuba divers can take advantage of the PADI dive center, or even enroll in certification programs during their stay. The beach is wide, and the water is crystal clear. Lounge chairs and shady palapas are lined up side-by-side, with a beach bar and grill offering snacks and cocktails. There is also a VIP area with waiter service. Organized beach volleyball games take place twice a day.

Along with the numerous water sports, there are free loaner bikes, a climbing wall, Caribbean dancing, a trampoline, Pilates classes, bingo, Spanish lessons, and an awesome trapeze set-up with separate circus classes (including juggling lessons) for adults and kids. There's also large fitness center with personal trainers and an abundance of cardio and weight equipment. Rooftop tennis courts have hard surfaces and are lit for night-time play.

The main pool isn’t huge, but includes a swim-up bar and an adjacent hot tub. Music is played there throughout the day, and there are plenty of lounge chairs and parasols. There's a second, separate adults-only quiet pool tucked away in a jungle area. The Viva Kids Club will entertain children from ages four through 12, so parents can grab some grown-up time, perhaps in one of the hammocks strung throughout the grounds.

Renova, the resort’s full-service spa, offers a complete menu of spa treatments, including beachside massages under an open-air palapa and beauty services such as hair braiding and temporary Mayan tattoos. There is a sauna and steam room, as well as a sizable hot tub with deck seating.

Guests can dine at La Terraza, the resort’s large buffet, at one of the a la carte themed restaurants, or at the neighboring Viva Wyndham Azteca, a five-minute walk down the road. La Terraza is done in tile, with wooden tables and chairs. Rather than tablecloths, there are placemats on each table with advertising photographs of Wyndham resorts in other locations around the world. Despite a few Mexican serapes and paper flags, there is little atmosphere here, but plenty of selection, although the same menu is offered for lunch and dinner. The a la carte Portofina serves Mediterranean cuisine in a nautical-themed dining room with fun decorations, including a ship’s propeller and an old-fashioned diving bell helmet. The Hacienda Don Diego, offering Mexican food a la carte, is bright and atmospheric, with boldly colored tables, rustic leather-and-wood chairs, airy curtains, and paintings of regional scenes. The outdoor seating, on a narrow terrace with wrought iron railings, is particularly lovely. Viva Cafe is super modern, with sleek, high-backed chairs, a beautiful wood ceiling, and all-white walls and flooring that add to the chic vibe. Reservations are required here, and the cuisine is “modern, international fusion.” The poolside snack bar makes pizzas on the spot in a wood-fired oven and grills burgers to order. After dinner, there are live performances in the open-air theater, and other activities that include martini night, a circus show, theme parties, and local vendors who bring in their handicrafts for an evening market. Drinking and dancing continues well into the night at La Fiesta disco, and night owls can grab a post-midnight snack at the 24-hour snack bar.