El Dorado Maroma is an adults-only, luxury resort near Cancun that is home to the very first overwater bungalows in Mexico.
Sitting directly on Maroma Beach in Playa del Carmen, consistently rated as one of the world’s finest stretches of sand, the resort set a high standard for luxury all-inclusive overwater bungalows right from the get-go
We think you’ll find the overall accommodation, service, and gourmet food and drink options to be of the absolute highest quality.
Overall, in fact, the Palafitos at El Dorado Maroma are our number one choice for an overwater bungalow experience in Mexico.
The one niggle we have with them is they don’t have direct access to the water below, a pretty standard feature for a luxury overwater bungalow.
In fairness though, you just have to step out the front door and walk three seconds along the walkway to go for a dip, so well, not at all a deal breaker for us.
El Dorado Maroma at a Glance
- Location: Maroma Beach, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico
- Accommodation: Palafitos overwater bungalows with private infinity pools, hot tubs, and glass floor panels
- Best for: Those seeking a full-on luxury, all-inclusive, romantic escape
- Meals: Gourmet all-inclusive dining, overwater grill, tasting corners, and 24-hour room service
- Activities: Overwater spa treatments, yoga, cooking classes, watersports, and nearby golf
- Getting there: Shuttle transfer from Cancun International Airport
Overwater Bungalows & Other Accommodation
The overwater bungalows come with all the features expected from such a pioneering luxury resort, including glass floor panels, hot tubs, private infinity pools, and outdoor showers.
You have access to the water below, but not directly from your bungalow, and we can’t really understand that design decision.
They made everything else about the bungalows so on-point that that seems like a big oversight.
There are two primary categories: Standard Palafitos and Elite Palafitos. While their interior features are nearly identical, location makes all the difference.
Elite bungalows face directly out to the open sea for superior privacy and views, whereas Standard units line the pier and face the beach with partially obstructed views.
If your budget can stretch that bit extra, we’d definitely recommend the Elite Bungalows.
Check dates & prices atExpedia here or at Booking.com here.
Food, Facilities & Things to Do
El Dorado Maroma emphasizes gourmet dining with greenhouse-fresh ingredients, multiple specialty restaurants, and informal tasting corners spanning Mexican, Caribbean, Oriental, and Italian cuisines.
The Overwater Grill & Wine Bar features two glass-floor dining rooms and sweeping views, complemented by legendary breakfasts and 24-hour room service curated by personal butlers.
Guests can enjoy swim-up bars, fitness facilities, the overwater Náay Spa using Mayan herbal treatments, and active options ranging from yoga and scuba diving to access nearby El Camaleón golf course.
Location: Getting There & Away
The Palafitos Overwater Bungalows are situated within El Dorado Maroma in the upscale resort town of Playa del Carmen, less than an hour south of Cancun in the heart of the Mayan Riviera.
The resort sits directly on award-winning Maroma Beach, with convenient shuttle bus transfers available directly from Cancun International Airport.
What Guests Say
“This gourmet resort pays close attention to how food is prepared, and honestly, the BEST creative food pairings I have ever had! I cannot say enough good things about this resort. The views, the layout, the rooms…all TOP quality and very well designed….”
See all the reviews right here
Our Verdict
El Dorado Maroma has Mexico’s premier luxury overwater bungalows, offering world-class gourmet all-inclusive living on one of the world’s finest beaches.
Couples and honeymooners looking for uncompromised pampering, private infinity pools, exceptional culinary experiences and the like will be very much at home in Palafitos.
Quibbles include the high price point and the variation in views between standard pier-facing rooms and premium ocean-facing Elite bungalows.
We’d definitely recommend the latter, Elite bungalows, for that reason alone, if budget allows.
Overall at El Dorado Maroma we have elite service, gourmet dining, and, for us, the nicest overwater architecture in all of Mexico.
Compare it with others in:
Caribbean | Mexico | Riviera Maya | Cancun | Playa del Carmen
