The 20 Best Mexico Caribbean Resorts with Lazy Rivers.
2025 UPDATE: Check out our latest blog: The Definitive Guide to Adults-Only Resorts with Lazy Rivers
We reviewed the best Mexico resorts on the Caribbean Sea that have the lazy rivers. We narrowed our list to 20 resorts with lazy rivers and then determined the Top 8 resorts resorts with best lazy rivers. The remaining 12 resorts made it to our Honorable Mention Resorts with lazy rivers. This article focuses on the Top 8 resorts with lazy rivers along Mexico’s Caribbean Sea stretching from Cancun to the north to Tulum toward the south. For the top resorts on Mexico’s Baja California coast with the best lazy rivers, check out this article.
When we evaluate which resort to stay at for our personal vacations, we look at the number of restaurants, the number of pools and whether the resort has a lazy river. Our best vacations have been at resorts with lazy rivers that snake around the resort. You can water walk these rivers for exercise or just for a change of scenery, or use a float and just hang out. Often, groups of people will walk/float together, making them a great way to meet people from other states and countries. Typically, these rivers will go near or attach to other pools. In those cases you can navigate from one to another staying mostly in the water! And, staying in the water is a main activity of a beach resort, is it not?
The Top 8 Resorts with the Best Lazy Rivers
How we chose the best lazy rivers
We believe the best lazy rivers will complete a circle. They may branch off, but ultimately you could can keep circling without turning around. Our Top 8 resorts also include some resorts that have substantially long “rivers” even though they do not circle.
Moon Palace, Cancun
This family-friendly resort includes 8 pools plus an adult-only pool. There are 12 restaurants including specialty and cafes, and 13 bars.
You won’t be short of activities such as the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, theme parties, nightly entertainment and casino.
Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal, Akumal
There are 7 restaurants, 8 bars, 3 pools and a very long lazy river. The service was excellent, the food very good, and the resort was clean and well-maintained. There are both adult sections and family-friendly sections so you can find your special place to hangout.
Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun
This adults-only resort has 7 pools, a lazy river, and a private pool for Excellence Club members. The Excellence brand resorts are well known for superior food, friendliness, attention to detail and clean, beautiful campus.
Excellence Riviera Cancun, Riviera Maya
This adults-only resort is one of our favorite resorts and is in our top 4 resorts with lazy rivers. This resort has 6 pools, 11 restaurants and 10 bars including swim-up bars. In our stay, the food was amazing, the resorts were beautiful, and the hospitality was exceptional. The entertainment team was engaging, offered all sorts of activities, and kept the main pool lively. But with all the pools it was also easy to find pools to relax and enjoy the warm Mexican sun.
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya-Heaven Section, Puerta Aventuras
There are a total of 5 pools here in both their family-friendly and adult-only sections. The family pool has meanders around the complex where you can easily find your favorite spot. Entertainment and activities are abundant including an on-site bowling alley!
Hotel Grand Riviera Princess, Playa del Carmen
This resort has 16 pools across its family-friendly and adult-only sections. When you aren’t in the water, you can enjoy 6 tennis courts, 10 restaurants and cafes and 9 bars including swim-up bars.
As you can see, this is a large complex of 674 rooms. But, they are laid out nicely and the restaurants and entertainment are conveniently located. Swimout rooms provide quick access to the meandering pool.
Paradisus Playa Resort, Playa del Carmen
This is a family resort with multiple pools, swim-up rooms, and water parks. There is an adult-only section so you can also find some quieter down-time.
This resort has 24 restaurants and bars, including sushi bar, poolside eateries, and coffee shop. Of course you will find swim-up bars and pool service whenever you want it!
Royal Hideaway Playacar Resort, Playa del Carmen
This adults-only resort offers 6 specialty restaurants, 6 swimming pools, and all the entertainment you could want! The lazy river is not the longest, but is still a relaxing experience.
On-site activities include basketball, tennis, bocce ball, kayaking, windsurfing and water aerobics.
We have vacationed at many of these resorts. From the ones we personally stayed at, the Top 4 resorts with lazy rivers are Excellence Riviera Maya, El Dorado Royale, Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal, and Valentin Imperial. We loved each of these resorts, but only two made it on the Top 8 list while the other two made it to our Honorable Mention list.
Summary of The Best Lazy Rivers:
In no particular order, our Top 8 resorts with lazy rivers are the following including links to book the resort at the best price:
- Moon Palace, Cancun
- Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal, Akumal
- Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun
- Excellence Riviera Cancun, Riviera Maya
- Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya-Heaven Section, Puerto Aventuras
- Hotel Grand Riviera Princess, Playa del Carmen
- Paradisus Playa del Carmen, Playa del Carmen
- Royal Hideaway Playacar, Playa del Carmen
Whereas we consider these to be the best, be sure to check out the resorts that made our Honorable Mention list.
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