Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun vs Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Couples set on the Secrets brand in the Riviera Maya usually narrow it to these two: the best-beach flagship at Maroma vs the newer, lusher property beside Akumal village. Same Unlimited-Luxury inclusions, very different settings.
At a Glance
| Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun | Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya | |
|---|---|---|
| Google Rating | 4.7 ★ | 4.7 ★ |
| Google Reviews | 4,547 | 4,757 |
| Price Range | $$$$ | $$$$ |
| Resort Type | Adults Only | Adults Only |
| Location | Playa Maroma, Mexico | Akumal, Mexico |
| Nearest Airport |
|
|
| Rooms | 412 | 434 |
| Brand | Hyatt | Hyatt |
| Vibe | Green, Romantic | Modern, Romantic |
| Room Upgrades | Swim-Up Rooms, Preferred Club | Swim-Up Rooms |
What Real Travelers Say
Distilled from real traveler discussions and reviews for each resort.
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
What travelers love
- +Maroma Beach has long been ranked among the world's best beaches, with powdery white sand and turquoise water stretching as far as you can see
- +One of the most romantic Secrets resorts in travelers' eyes, with lush jungle grounds meeting the Caribbean in a way the flatter, manicured competitors can't match
- +Thirteen pools, so even at 412 rooms you can usually find a quiet corner, and a new signature Jungle Pool with a redesigned Sugar Reef Bar is due when construction wraps on November 30, 2026
- +Ten restaurants with no reservations needed, from Oceana (seafood) and Himitsu (Asian) to Bordeaux (French), Portofino (Italian) and El Patio (Mexican), plus the 24-hour Coco Café
- +Swim-out junior suites put the pool steps from your door, with a Preferred Club version that adds the Preferred Lounge, a private beach club and a club-only breakfast at Oceana
Common complaints
- −Construction runs through November 30, 2026: the new Jungle Pool is being built and the Sugar Reef Bar redesigned from July 18, though the existing pools stay open
- −Bordeaux and Portofino are closed for renovation from August 22 to November 30, 2026, with their French and Italian menus moved to other venues, so the dining rotation is thinner in the meantime
- −Preferred Club is practically required for the best areas (the beach club, lounge and swim-out club rooms), adding significantly to an already premium price
- −Among the most expensive Secrets resorts, and the premium is paid mostly for the beach rather than for anything you can't get at a sister property
- −Sargassum reaches this open stretch of coast in heavy years, so the beach can look very different between roughly May and September
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
What travelers love
- +Sea turtle snorkeling straight off the beach. Green sea turtles live in Akumal Bay year round, the resort hands out standard snorkel sets at no charge, and you wade out 50 to 75 yards to find them grazing on the sea grass. No boat, no tour, no extra fee, and it is the reason the repeat-guest rate here is so high.
- +Named the #1 hotel in the world in Tripadvisor's 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards, and it also holds AAA Five Diamond and Travelife Gold. Unusual company for a resort that is not priced like Le Blanc.
- +Nine restaurants and seven bars, all included, with no reservations, no wristbands and no cap on how many specialty dinners you book. Bordeaux (French) is the most formal and the one guests rate highest, Oceana has the best ocean views, El Patio does Mexican and Yucatan, and Portofino, Himitsu and the poolside Seaside Grill fill out the week.
- +Every room is a junior suite or larger, starting at 544 sq ft, and every one has a whirlpool tub for two, a rain shower, a daily restocked minibar at no charge, and 24-hour room service ordered on an in-room iPad that arrives through a privacy hatch in the door, so you never have to get dressed for it.
- +Three pools that each do a different job: the main infinity pool with the Manatee swim-up bar and afternoon DJ sets, an activity pool for water games and volleyball, and a genuinely quiet pool with enough loungers that you can read in peace. Two hot tubs as well.
Common complaints
- −One of the longest airport runs in the Riviera Maya, roughly 65 minutes and 57 miles from Cancun, and transfers are not in the rate. If your airline serves Tulum (TQO) it is only about 30 minutes away, which is worth checking before you book flights.
- −The beach is legally public, so non-guests and the occasional vendor walk through. It is not constant, but it does chip away at the private-resort feeling you are paying for.
- −Sargassum is the real risk and 2026 was the worst recorded season for the Mexican Caribbean. Quintana Roo hauled about 125,000 tonnes off its beaches between April and August, with out-of-season surges in January and March, easing through late September. Crews rake daily and the resort keeps the sand presentable, but a heavy landing beats them, and no month here is reliably clear.
- −The disco is the weakest part of the resort. Desires Music Lounge runs 10:30pm to 1am with a DJ and a dance floor, and the room is simply too small for 434 suites of people who want to dance after dinner. If nightlife matters, this is the wrong Secrets.
- −The fitness center is small and the equipment is dated, which is a jarring thing to find at a Five Diamond property. The included yoga and CrossFit classes are the better workout.
Amenity Differences
Only at Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun
Nothing Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya doesn't also have.
Only at Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
- Archery
- Bicycle Rentals
- Fishing
- Heated Swimming Pool
The Verdict
Maroma is the serenity pick — a wide, consistently top-ranked beach and a quieter, more secluded feel. Akumal is the experience pick: snorkeling with wild sea turtles right off the beach, dense jungle landscaping, a walkable village next door, and typically a slightly lower rate. Beach purists and honeymooners chasing quiet go Maroma; snorkelers and couples who like leaving the resort for tacos go Akumal.
Choose Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun if…
You want the most beautiful, serene beach the brand offers and total seclusion from towns and crowds.
Choose Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya if…
Swimming with sea turtles, lush jungle grounds, and strolling into Akumal village beat a few extra points of beach ranking — especially at a lower price.
More Resort Comparisons
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun vs Excellence Riviera Cancun
The famous Maroma beach vs bigger pools and rooms — neighboring adults-only heavyweights, minutes apart.
Atelier Playa Mujeres vs Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya
Better food and less sargassum at Atelier; turtles, calm water and walk-in dinners at Akumal.
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya vs Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen
Same brand, opposite priorities: Akumal's turtle cove and calm vs Moxche's eight pools and late nights.
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun vs Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres
Beach or food: Maroma's world-ranked sand against Playa Blanca's newer build and walk-in dinners.