Enjoy a Family and wildlife-friendly resort in the Riviera Maya.
Traveling to Mexico always feels like opening a door into two worlds at once: it has such a vibrant culture and stunning natural landscapes. For this trip, my son Louis and I chose the Riviera Maya.
Its reputation certainly drew us to turquoise waters, Mayan ruins, and eco-friendly resorts. Escaping the cold Northern winter, we traded heavy coats for sandals and excitement as we checked into the Iberostar Paraiso Maya.
Known for its wildlife, thoughtful service, and family-friendly atmosphere, the resort promised more than just a place to sleep it promised an experience wrapped in nature and adventure.
In the weeks leading up to our trip to Mexico, my son Noah and I practiced our Spanish nightly with Duolingo. Louis was a whiz at remembering new words as I stumbled along and had to keep repeating lessons, probably because Louis speaks Spanish and I don’t.
As it was the middle of a harsh North American winter, we couldn’t wait to swap our boots for flip-flops and escape the snow and cold. The Riviera Maya, located in the picture-perfect state of Quintana Roo, occupies 75 miles or 120 km from Tulum to the Punta Allen Peninsula.
We heard about ancient Mayan civilizations and the strong history in Mexico, and the fact that it’s also home to stunning coral reefs, cenotes, white sandy beaches, and perfect weather didn’t hurt either. So with dreams of a tropical paradise, we packed our bags and headed to Mexico’s Caribbean Coast.
Keep the Journey Going
This Riviera Maya resort is made for families who love sunshine and variety. When you’re ready to explore beyond the resort, consider island hopping in Fort Myers and Sanibel or discovering North Myrtle Beach’s quieter charms.
For a cultural twist, the festive energy of Bethlehem at Christmas is unforgettable too.
Iberostar Paraiso Maya Riviera Maya: Location
The Iberostar Paraiso Maya resort is just 30 minutes from the Cancun airport and is located along a gorgeous beach on the Riviera Maya.
If you crave soft white sand beneath your feet and natural jungles at your doorstep, this hotel is for you. Upon arrival at this five-star family-friendly all-inclusive resort you will be greeted by traditional Mayan décor and large statues paying tribute to the ancient ruins. Save time to further explore the magnificent Mayan-inspired artwork throughout the entire resort.
Travelers Tip
There is so much to do at this hotel, it’s a vacation in itself. But to really experience the culture of this region, book a local tour.
Cancun Tours
Iberostar Paraiso Maya Riviera Maya: Rooms
Within minutes of entering our stunning hotel room, Louis swung open our balcony door and shouted, “There is a peacock outside our window!” And sure enoug,h there was. In addition to roaming peacock,s we spotted numerous bird species right from our window and woke up to adorable chirping in the morning.
Our balcony also had a relaxing rope hammock, the perfect spot to read in the shade. There are 434 rooms at the hotel, and the décor is warm and welcoming with cozy beds, fluffy pillows, and matching robes and slippers.
The attention to detail by the kind staff is exceptional and on par with a five-star luxurious resort. Not only were rose petals left on our bed at night, but to Louis’s excitement (Okay, mine too) our towels were always turned into adorable animal critters and waiting for us after a day at the beach.
Iberostar Paraiso Maya Riviera Maya: Dining
I could happily eat tortilla chips and fresh guacamole at every meal if given the opportunity. Lucky for me in Mexico this is possible. There are five restaurants and nine snack bars and bars on site, including buffets and a la carte options. You can also dine in many restaurants within the Iberostar complex of five hotels, and we checked out several.
As vegans we often wonder if there will be something for us to eat while traveling. (We don’t consume animals or animal products such as dairy or eggs). Of course, in the Riviera Maya local fresh fruit is abundant, but it’s nice to have other options too. Let’s say we didn’t go hungry here.
We happily feasted on vegan pancakes whipped to perfection for breakfast along with fruit smoothies with soy milk at La Pagoda (in Iberostar Paraiso Lindo); endless fresh salads, breads, rice, and pasta dishes for lunch; vegan burritos packed with veggies in La Marina for dinner; and one night at the Italian restaurant (Fogon Italiano located in Paraiso Lindo) the Chef prepared tofu on our thin crust pizza and it was delicious.
The healthy tropical juices were also a big hit.
Upon check-in, inform the concierge at reception of food allergies or intolerances, and proper arrangements will be made at each meal. We were also given a letter to take with us to restaurants that explained in Spanish that we followed a plant-based diet and what we couldn’t eat.
But since we had learned some Spanish before our trip (remember the app?) Louis and I could navigate and eat our way through the various restaurants and happily tell everyone we were Vegano. These conversations led to a friendship with smiling and friendly Chef Gonzalo, who told us about his life in Mexico.
Another great thing about dining at Iberostar had nothing to do with food; it was all about the straws, or lack of them, actually. Iberostar is committed to the environment and does not supply plastic straws to guests. Scattered throughout the resorts are signs stating, “Straws kill more than 1,000,000 seabirds and mammals annually”.
Considering the number of plastic straws a huge resort chain can go through in just one day, this is an environmental step in the right direction. We enjoyed our drinks straw-free and Louis tested out a cardboard recyclable straw for a chilled beverage at the onsite coffee shop, Starcafé.
Tours Playa del Carmen
Iberostar Paraiso Maya Riviera Maya: Amenities
Iberostar Paraiso Maya has nine swimming pools, including a wave pool, splash park, an awesome lazy river that winds past lush gardens and palm trees, tennis courts, and bike tours. Test your skill at ping-pong, play a game of volleyball in the sports pool, and laugh along with organized bingo or one of many daily events and activities taking place poolside.
The swimming and aquatic opportunities at Iberostar Paraiso Maya are totally amazing. Nine different pools mean you’re never fighting for space; each has its vibe. The lazy river became our daily obsession, floating past all those palm trees with a drink in hand.
Louis practically lived at the splash park with the water slides I think he went down the biggest slide about fifty times. The wave pool was cool, but it got pretty crowded around lunch. The sports pool was perfect for actual swimming laps when I felt guilty about all the poolside margaritas. Definitely beats our community pool back home.
Or shop until you drop at the onsite mall, hop on one of the many golf carts, and a friendly staff member will shuttle you to where you need to go. There is a kids club with plenty of activities for your offspring (Star Friends has fun programs tailored to kids’ ages four to six, seven to 1,2 and 13 to 17) while you sneak away to the nearby spa or read a book under a beach hut.
Furthermore, your kids can be the stars of the nightly entertainment on the grand stage if they are brave enough to dance in front of the crowd. Then at 9:30 stay for the live theatre and disco with Boogie Nights or On The Rock, each at a different Iberostar hotel within the complex.
Must-See Wildlife
Louis and I always look for animals we can see in the wild on our travels. Besides the singing exotic birds, chilled-out flamingos, and friendly creeping iguanas, you must go visit the wild coatis. They resemble small raccoons with monkey tails and live in the Mayan jungle at the hotel.
As you walk along the boardwalk towards the beach, on either side of you is natural fores,t and the coatis are happily climbing trees and playing with each other. Watching these adorable critters in the wild was one of the highlights of our trip to Mexico, a country we want to explore more after visiting the Riviera Maya.
The last day sucked. Louis didn’t want to pack and kept “forgetting” stuff so he could run back to see those coatis again. I can’t blame him, though, as I did the same thing with the hammock on our balcony. Flying back home was brutal, especially knowing we had a snowstorm waiting.
But you know what? Scrolling through vacation pics while shoveling the driveway isn’t half bad when remembering 28-degree weather and Chef Gonzalo’s laugh. We’ve been bugging my husband about going back already. Pretty sure Louis’s going to ace his next Spanish test too.
My special memories of this vacation are when Louis shouted when he spotted a coati in the trees. It still makes me smile. The sound of soft thuds of waves while I read in the hammock, and the way the air smelled sweet after a rain.
Even the towel animals made us laugh more than they should have. Those small, unscripted moments made it stick. We left with sunburns and sand in our bags, but also the feeling that for a week we’d lived inside a story we didn’t want to end.
FAQs Iberostar Paraiso Maya Riviera Maya resort
1. Where is the Iberostar Paraiso Maya located?
On the Riviera Maya in Mexico, about 30 minutes from Cancun Airport.
2. Is the resort family-friendly?
Yes, there are kids’ clubs, pools, and activities for all ages.
3. Does the hotel have vegan or vegetarian dining options?
Yes, chefs prepare a variety of plant-based dishes on request.
4. What kind of wildlife can you see at the resort?
Peacocks, flamingos, coatis, iguanas, and numerous tropical birds.
5. How many pools does Iberostar Paraiso Maya have?
Nine, including a lazy river, wave pool, and splash park.
6. What is the resort’s environmental policy?
Iberostar has eliminated plastic straws and promotes eco-friendly practices.
7. What types of rooms are available?
Spacious suites with balconies, hammocks, and family-friendly amenities.
8. Are activities included?
Yes, guests enjoy sports, entertainment, shows, and daily events.
9. What is the must-see nearby?
The Mayan jungle wildlife, including playful wild coatis.
10. Can you book excursions from the hotel?
Yes, staff arrange tours, spa visits, and day trips throughout the Riviera Maya.
