Why Travelers Are Choosing Longer Stays in the Riviera Maya
Written by Mony Figueroa
Think about the last few months and the pace of everything, it has been relentless. The world is louder, faster, and more overstimulating than it's ever been. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, the idea of a real escape has gone from being a nice idea to feeling like a genuine necessity.
More and more travelers are deciding that the ultimate luxury isn't a bigger suite or a fancier restaurant. It's being able to say: “I'm off.” No emails, no notifications, no agenda. Just days that unfold at their own pace, surrounded by the people you actually want to spend time with. A digital detox. A total reset. An escape that actually earns the name.
And for that kind of trip, a lot of people keep landing in the same place: the Riviera Maya.
Part of what makes it work so well is that the Riviera Maya has a version for almost everyone. If what you crave is days where you genuinely have no agenda, the private bays north and south of Tulum (Tankah and Soliman), deliver that in a way that's hard to find anywhere. If you're drawn to jungle energy, bohemian restaurants, and the feeling that you've stepped out of regular life entirely, Tulum is your answer. And if you want a base that's walkable, beautiful, and puts a world-class dining and beach scene right outside your door without the chaos of a resort strip, Playa del Carmen's gated Playacar neighborhood is exactly that.
Whatever your version of slow looks like, there's a private villa that makes the whole thing actually work, and if you're one of those travelers ready to genuinely disconnect, here are five villas we love for just that:
Our Favorite Villas
SUEÑO DEL MAR
Soliman Bay, Tulum
12 Guests · 6 Bedrooms · 6.5 Bathrooms · Chef Included
For groups who want to be fully off the grid without giving up the comfort, Sueño del Mar is it. Located within the exclusive gated community of Soliman Bay, the villa sits on over 80 feet of private beachfront that belongs entirely to your group. Nothing says disconnection quite like that.
And you won't have to lift a finger to make it happen. The villa comes fully staffed, so the only decision you'll need to make each morning is what you want for breakfast and how long you plan to stay in the pool. With 6 bedrooms for up to 12 guests, it's perfect for escaping with the whole family or your closest friends. It's the kind of place where the group chat goes quiet, and nobody misses it.
VILLA TULKAL
Tulum · Conrad Resort Access
24 Guests · 8 Bedrooms · 10.5 Bathrooms · Chef Included
What if you want total privacy AND a resort on standby? Tulkal has both figured out. This 14,000+ sq ft villa sits within the Conrad Hotel's beachside complex in Tulum, meaning you get your own private chef, your own pool, your own bar and grill, and 8 ocean-view suites with their own access cards... plus the Conrad's beach club, spa, and restaurants right next door for when you feel like stepping out. What more could you ask for?
It's built for big groups who want the full villa experience without giving anything up. Every suite has Dyson hairdryers, JBL speakers, and a balcony facing the sea. And when you walk in and see that spiral staircase in the lobby, you'll know you made the right call.
HACIENDA CARACOL
Soliman Bay, Tulum · 24 Guests · 10 Bedrooms · 10.5 Bathrooms · Chef Included
If your plan is to bring the whole family together or finally pull off the group trip you've been talking about for years, Hacienda Caracol was made for exactly that. Ten bedrooms plus a private guesthouse, right on the sand of Soliman Bay, with kayaks, snorkeling, a rooftop terrace, and a chef whose cooking is so good that past guests say everything they ate outside simply didn't compare. That kind of review tells you everything.
With room for up to 24 guests, everyone gets their own space, and still plenty of room to come together. It's the kind of place you book once and spend the rest of the year convincing everyone to come back.
VILLA ENTRADA DEL MAR
Soliman Bay, Tulum
Up to 22 Guests · Up to 8 Bedrooms · Chef Included
From the moment you walk through the wooden entrance pathway between palapa roofs and local stone, Entrada del Mar pulls you in. The pool dissolves into the sand of Soliman Bay, and every suite was designed with one purpose: to make you actually rest. Clean lines, stone finishes, ocean views from every room, and a quiet that feels almost intentional.
Split between a main house and a casita, it works for a group of 10 or a group of 22, it’s flexible enough to fit whatever your escape looks like. Also, a chef and a butler are included for 12 hours a day, so all you really have to do is show up.
CASA SIRENUS
Playacar Phase I, Playa del Carmen
16 Guests · 7 Bedrooms · 9 Bathrooms · Chef Included
If your version of disconnecting still leaves room for great restaurants, beach walks, and the energy of a town that really knows how to have a good time, Casa Sirenus is your villa. Set in the exclusive gated community of Playacar Phase I in Playa del Carmen, it has 7 bedrooms for up to 16 guests, a private beachside palapa with a full bar and outdoor kitchen, a heated pool, and direct access to the beach.
Fifth Avenue is a ten-minute walk, though odds are, you won't feel the need to go. Why? The staff. Casa Sirenus has a near-legendary reputation for its team: the chef, the bartender who knows what you're going to order before you do, the crew that has everything ready before you think to ask. The reviews say it all: people come back for them. And when the people taking care of you are that good, you need nothing more.
These are five of our favorites, but the truth is, we have hundreds more. The right villa depends on your group, your vibe, how many mornings you want to wake up to the jungle versus the ocean, whether you want total silence or easy access to everything. There's no single answer. There's just the one that fits you.
That's what our curators are here for. Reach out, tell us what kind of extended escape you're planning, and we'll come back with recommendations that are personal, not generic. Because in our villas, however long you need to stay, you'll always find your home away from home.
See you soon.
