Lorry Perkins
Writer, Travel Blogger
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Grand Bahia Principe Riviera Maya: One of My Favorite Resorts…Here’s Why
The Grand Bahia Principe is a megaresort made up of four resorts in Riviera Maya. The all-inclusive resorts are Coba, Tulum, Luxury Akumal, and Luxury Sian Ka’an. The Grand Bahia Principe is approximately an hour and twenty minutes from the airport depending on whether or not you schedule direct transport or if you take a tour bus that makes a few stops along the way. The resorts are interconnected, and each resort has beach access, multiple pools, restaurants, bars, activities, and entertainment.
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Which Resorts are Adults Only?
If you stay in the Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal or Sian Ka’an sections of the resort, you can use everything at the resort including Bahia Principe Grand Coba and Bahia Principe Grand Tulum. The Sian Ka’an, located across the road from the main resort, is located on a golf course and is for adults only.
The Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal has a section that is adults-only, but there is a section for families if you have little ones with you. Bahia Principe Coba and Tulum are both a lower price point for budget-conscious travelers, but it is still a wonderful all-inclusive Riviera Maya vacation. If you want to treat yourself, then spend a little more for Akumal or the Sian Ka’an.
We’ve stayed at this resort multiple times. Shortly after Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an opened, we booked our room there and enjoyed ourselves. But we didn’t use the beach as much as we normally would have. The Bahia Principe Akumal, located on the beachside of the resort, has a fantastic infinity pool with a beach bar and beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. After staying in Akumal a few times, we’ve decided it is the section we prefer. Comparing Akumal to Sian Ka’an, I’d say choose Akumal if you like a beachfront resort and choose Sian Ka’an if you are an avid golfer. We especially like building 83 which is close to the beach and has a butler stationed inside the building. In the room, you will find robes, slippers, and the usual amenities like a safe, and a refrigerator stocked with water, soft drinks, and beer. If you are not lucky enough to book the newer rooms in building 82 or 83, you may want to consider your options of staying in Bahia Principe Tulum vs. Akumal if you’d like newer accommodations.
Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an | Riviera Maya Golf Club
There are always activities taking place at the Sian Ka’an as well as the rest of the resort. We spent a day there taking a cooking class, enjoying a tequila tasting, and learning Spanish. These are just a small sample of the many free activities included at the resort.
The Grand Bahia Sian Ka’an, across the road from the main resort, has modern-style spacious rooms. There is a bridge that connects Sian Ka’an to the main resort. The trams run frequently between the sections of the resort, so it is easy to go back and forth, and it’s walkable if you would like the exercise. The Sian Ka’an resort is in a jungle setting but is built at the edge of the resort’s golf course. There is a community of townhouses for purchase on that side of the road too. The a la carte restaurants located at the Sian Ka’an are excellent and highly recommended. We always make sure to book them first if we can. They include the Japanese, Maiko, and an international gourmet restaurant, Alux.
We enjoy spending a day or part of a day at the Sian Ka’an when we stay at Akumal. Many times we go there for breakfast because they have an amazing buffet with made-to-order omelets and eggs, plus a full selection of breakfast items for every appetite. A few times a week there is someone singing and playing an acoustic guitar while you dine. The spacious seating area is glass-enclosed surrounded by a lush jungle setting. After breakfast, we usually like to take the 15-minute walk back to our resort to burn a few calories. If you don’t want to walk, a tram will take you back. Sometimes we go to one of the Sian Ka’an pools and have lunch for a change of scenery. If we have dinner there, we usually stay to see their evening show or have drinks in the lobby.
Grand Bahia Principe Tulum VS Coba
Coba has a variety of pools, bars, and restaurants. The first time we stayed at the Grand Bahia, we stayed in this section of the resort. We met a couple there who have become our good friends and travel buddies. The pool has a swim-up bar and lunch buffet nearby. The lunch buffet usually includes salads, fresh fruit, chicken, burgers, vegetables, dessert, and more. The entertainment team will keep you busy if you like, or you can go to a quieter section if you want to read, sleep or just relax. Tulum is similar to Coba, but it is located closer to the beach. Tulum has recently been newly renovated, so this is a great time to book this part of the resort. If I were choosing between the two and prices were the same, I’d book Tulum. For families, check out the kids club.
Infinity Pool Located in the Akumal Adult Section
The infinity pool is located in the adults-only section of Akumal. It’s a great place to hang out during the day because it has its own pool bar with excellent bartenders and wait staff who will take your drink orders while you sit in your lounger. It is adjacent to the Los Corales outdoor restaurant, so you can have breakfast then relax at the pool or have lunch. We enjoyed afternoons in the restaurant sitting on the side that looked out into the sea. We sip on cocktails while drinking in the inspirational and relaxing views of the beach and sea. Words of caution: There is very little shade around this pool, so wear your sunscreen, apply it often, or better yet, wear a rash guard.
What Does the Butler Do For You?
The Sian Ka’an and Akumal sections offer Butler service for your convenience at no cost to you. The butler will make your dinner reservations if you haven’t already taken care of that in the lobby at check-in. The resort encourages you to “download our app” so you can make your own reservations if you choose. Also, your butler can freshen your room with a variety of essential oils, offer you a selection of pillows for your comfort, and will deliver to you an abbreviated daily newspaper of your choice from select cities. If you have a question about your resort, the butler is there to help. He or she will not be in your way, so use your landline phone in your room to make contact with him or her when you arrive. Tips are always appreciated.
Los Corales Becomes the Brazillian Restaurant at Night
One of our favorite spots for breakfast or lunch in Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal is Los Corales which is a restaurant located on the beach next to the infinity pool in Akumal. The views are fantastic and the service is excellent. In the evening it is transformed into a Brazilian restaurant,one of the a la carte restaurants in the resort, which serves a variety of grilled meats tableside, which is a “must” while you are there.
New Sports Bar at the Grand Bahia Riviera Maya
The new sports bar is a lively place to hang out for drinks, snacks, and to watch sports. The large area is surrounded by glass but also nestled in close to the theater that has nightly entertainment. There is a game room with video games, a pool table, and a foosball table to get your competitive juices flowing.
Theater: Let Us Entertain You
Each resort within the complex has its own theater and every night there is a different show. If you miss a show one night, you can look on the lobby marquees to see if you can catch the show in another theater because they usually rotate. Michael Jackson impersonators have been a fantastic show for many years, but lately, it has been replaced by Queen which is equally entertaining. Show themes have included discos nights, 80’s reviews, magicians, and Cirque du Soleil-like acrobatics.
Mayan Coffee Fire Show
The first time we traveled to Riviera Maya, our waiter asked us after our dinner if we would like a Mayan coffee. I didn’t know it at the time, but the preparation of the Mayan coffee is entertainment in itself as the waiter coats the rim of the glasses with sugar and then pours the alcohol into what looks like metal gravy boats, then lights the alcohol on fire. Once lit, there is a careful pouring of the flaming alcohol from one vessel to another with one held high and the other low to catch the glowing “elixir”. After a few repetitions, It is added to the coffee and topped with foaming cream…some have used ice cream. Delicioso! Ask your waiter if he offers the Mayan coffee experience. Please don’t forget to tip generously for this service.
Live Music at a Beachfront Resort at the Bahia Principe Hotels Resorts
One of the reasons we love this resort so much is live music. In addition to the nightly shows in the theaters, there is live music in the lobbies, and sometimes during the day by the pool or on the beach.
Because we traveled with Apple Vacations, we were invited to a private dinner party on the beach, where the chefs cooked our meal while we were serenaded by the Amber Acoustic Band. It was amazing to have dinner, drinks, and listen to music with the sounds of the waves gently lapping in the background.
If you like a large resort with lots of activity, a variety of restaurants, and plenty of live music, then The Grand Bahia Principe is the all-inclusive Riviera Maya, Mexico resort for you. I also suggest staying in a resort in the southern part of riviera Maya if you intend to visit the Tulum Ruins. Downtown Tulum is a great place to visit, with lots of small restaurants and beach bars to choose from. When you are booking your next vacation, I recommend our travel agent Jim Lucente at Lucente Travel. Call 412-299-7699 or email Jim at jim@lucentetravel.com to connect with an expert travel advisor. Tell him you heard about him from Lorry at No Shoes Just Travel.
*Travel safely by following CDC guidelines.
Book Your Travel
When traveling to Riviera Maya, we always book with our travel agent Jim Lucente. Rest assured that you will know the latest Covid protocols and will have the added layer of a professional that you can contact directly with any questions or concerns. I highly recommend that you contact Jim Lucente, owner of Lucente Travel at 412-299-7699 or email him at jim@lucentetravel.com to book your all-inclusive vacation.
If you prefer to book online, you can book here or compare reviews at Tripadvisor.
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Wow, this is obviously very posh! When I visited the Riviera Maya, we rented an apartment and mostly cooked our own meals. And no, we didn’t have a butler 😀 – nevertheless, we had a wonderful time and got to meet many lovely locals.
Wow, never stayed at an all inclusive before but you sure make it sound fun! I get serious wanderlust from looking at these tropical photos especially that glorious pool with the amazing ocean view!
We have never done an all inclusive resort but this looks great! Thanks for sharing!
This place looks like a dream, and I’d definitely go for this being adults only. I don’t mind family resorts but would love to stay in one that is adults only and see the different in atmosphere.
All inclusive holidays are one of our favourites – a place not to worry about three meals and unlimited entertainment! Riviera Maya has been on our list and we just hope we could visit and explore the regions sometime in the future!
These photos make me want to head out for a vacation on the beach. This all-inclusive resort has so much to offer and sounds like quite an experience! Grand Bahia Sian Ka’an, with that setting near the jungle, easy access to the main resort, and the golf course seems perfect to me.
I need to book a stay here! I never stayed at the Bahia Principe before but I go to the Riviera Maya area a lot. Thanks for sharing your experience staying here and letting us know the amazing services this property provides.
I stayed at a resort once when my family went to Mexico a few years ago, but I don’t remember it being this fancy, haha but loved your photos!
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I must admit I am looking for adults only resorts these days. So I was happy to read that the Grand Bahia Principe had sections in the Akumal for adults. I could certainly spend my days at the infinity pool. But it is great to have access to such a great variety of activities and restaurants.
I must admit, I do enjoy a 5*, all-inclusive, adults-only resort if I was to travel down south to escape our cold Canadian winters. I know the Grand Bahia Principe and I stayed at another resort nearby. I would definitely spend my time in the infinity pool and take advantage of the butler services. After all you’re on holiday and meant to be pampered and relaxed.
I love Grand Bahia principe! The infinity pool with a bar attached is the best thing there. I love both Michael Jackson and Queen and would be happy to see a show there. It is so unique to have theater in a resort. I am totally inspired by this place. 🙂