Bahia Principe Grand Tequila
Bahia Principe Escape Tequila, formerly Bahia Principe Grand Tequila, is the adults-only (18+) resort in the Bahia Principe Riviera Maya complex at Akumal, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Despite the name it is firmly on the Caribbean coast, not in Jalisco: 'Tequila' is the theme, and the resort leans into it with murals, Mexican art and design in every space and a calendar built around celebration. The chain has moved its whole portfolio to Explore (family) and Escape (adults-only) names, so the neighbours you will hear about are Explore Akumal, Explore Coba, Explore Tulum and the other adults-only property, Escape Sian Ka'an. Bahia Principe now sells through World of Hyatt as well.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Adults only (18+) inside a complex where the neighbouring Explore resorts take families, so you get the big-complex facilities without kids at your own pool
- +Two pools with different moods: one lively, built for the social crowd and the themed pool parties, and one quieter for guests who want to read and nap
- +Entertainment is the point here, not an add-on: the 'Origen' show on Mexican culture, concept pool parties, live music at Chido Terraza & Village Bar and late nights at La Casita de los Despechados
- +Your own a la carte pair is Mashua (Nikkei sushi, ceviche and tiraditos) and The Smoked (slow-smoked ribs and cuts), and you can also book Portofino, Mikado teppanyaki and Le Gourmet at neighbouring Explore Coba
- +The Hibiscus Wet Bar in the pool is a consistent guest favourite, with well-made cocktails and an energetic but manageable crowd
- +Junior suites throughout, all with a private terrace, a living area and Mexican-inspired murals and art, a clear step up from the older rooms elsewhere in the complex
- +Staff warmth gets singled out again and again on traveler forums, with guests saying the service is the best part of the stay
Cons
- −The resort is not on the sand: guests reach the complex beach by the resort trolley, and it is not the best stretch of beach in the area
- −This is a party resort by design, so the lively pool runs DJ sets and themed parties most afternoons and the music can carry into the night
- −The Cozumel buffet draws mixed marks as repetitive, and a la carte tables across the whole complex go fast; book dinners in the Bahia Principe app as soon as online check-in opens
- −Only two a la carte restaurants are on site, so variety depends on booking venues at the neighbouring resorts, all with a semi-formal dress code
- −Premium Wi-Fi, laundry and phone calls are charged extras
- −Rooms are close together, and guests mention hearing neighbours or hallway noise late at night
- −Cancun airport is over an hour away; the brand sells Amstar shared or private transfers, which are usually easier than a taxi
Day to day, life revolves around two pools, one lively and one calmer, with the Hibiscus Wet Bar in the water, plus a spa and wellness area. Dining on site is the Cozumel international buffet, La Casita for poolside grill and snacks (both walk-in), and two reservation restaurants, Mashua for Nikkei and The Smoked for slow-smoked meats. Guests can also book Portofino, Mikado teppanyaki and Le Gourmet at Explore Coba, and the resort's dining page lists Explore Tulum venues such as Don Pablo too; check in the app which ones your stay can reserve, because a la carte capacity across the complex is tight. Rooms are three junior suite categories, each with a private terrace and space for up to three adults. Nights are the main event: the 'Origen' show, concept pool parties, live music at Chido Terraza & Village Bar and La Casita de los Despechados, a nighttime sing-along built around Mexican heartbreak songs.
Escape Tequila fits couples, friend groups and solo travelers who want built-in energy without a luxury price tag. It sits below the adults-only luxury tier (Secrets, Zoetry, Breathless) and offers more structure and nightlife than a quiet boutique stay, which travelers on a moderate budget consistently call good value, especially when they treat the shows and the neighbouring restaurants as part of the plan. Anyone after silent sunrise yoga on a private beach should look elsewhere. Nearby, PGA Riviera Maya golf sits in the jungle a short drive away, Akumal's turtle bay and the Tulum ruins are easy day trips, and the brand books Amstar transfers from Cancun.
Common Questions
Is there really no beach at Bahia Principe Escape Tequila?
Is the resort actually in Tequila, Jalisco?
What is the vibe like, party or relaxation?
Which restaurants can I use, and do I need reservations?
Can I use the other Bahia Principe resorts in the complex?
Restaurants (10)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Cozumel Main Restaurant |
| Mexican | Tequila Restaurant (at Bahia Principe Explore Tulum) |
| Italian | Portofino Restaurant (at Bahia Principe Explore Coba) |
| Japanese & sushi | Mashua Nikkei Restaurant |
| Teppanyaki / hibachi | Mikado Restaurant (at Bahia Principe Explore Coba) |
| Steakhouse | The Smoked Restaurant |
| Brazilian churrascaria | La Gran Tortuga (at Bahia Principe Explore Tulum) |
| Indian | Thali Restaurant (at Bahia Principe Explore Tulum) |
| International & fusion | Le Gourmet Restaurant (at Bahia Principe Explore Coba), Don Pablo Restaurant (at Bahia Principe Explore Tulum) |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
11 min drive · 4.7 mi
25 min drive · 13 mi
Akumal Beach8 min drive · 3.0 mi
Yal-Kú Lagoon13 min drive · 4.8 mi
20 min drive · 11 mi
30 min drive · 18 mi
More things to do (24)
- Cenote Escondido · cenote35 min drive · 19 mi
- Cenote Azul · cenote20 min drive · 11 mi
- Xpu-Ha Beach · beach20 min drive · 10 mi
- Dos Ojos Cenote · cenote9 min drive · 4.7 mi
- Gran Cenote · cenote25 min drive · 16 mi
- Cenote Aldea Zamá · cenote25 min drive · 15 mi
- Cenote Cristalino · cenote20 min drive · 11 mi
- Cenote Calavera · cenote25 min drive · 15 mi
- Jaguar Park (Tulum National Park) · nature25 min drive · 13 mi
- Riviera Maya Golf Club · golf7 min drive · 1.4 mi
- Cenote Nicte-Ha · cenote20 min drive · 6.0 mi
- Caleta Tankah · beach20 min drive · 13 mi
- Jardín del Edén Cenote · cenote20 min drive · 12 mi
- Puerto Aventuras Marina · marina25 min drive · 13 mi
- Cenote Chikin-Ha · cenote25 min drive · 12 mi
- Tulum Pueblo · town25 min drive · 15 mi
- Xel-Há Ruins · ruins9 min drive · 4.4 mi
- Xcacel Beach · beach9 min drive · 3.4 mi
- Cenote Xunaan-Ha · cenote11 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Half Moon Bay · beach11 min drive · 4.3 mi
- Cenote Dos Palmas · cenote20 min drive · 6.0 mi
- Aktun Chen Nature Park · adventure park20 min drive · 2.8 mi
- Casa Cenote · cenote20 min drive · 12 mi
- Cenote Taak Bi Ha · cenote25 min drive · 6.6 mi
Amenities
Seaweed & sargassum
Riviera Maya gets sargassum, typically worst May through August, peaking in July and August.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.6 · 139 reviews
“I was worried about arriving due to the first flux of reviews, however, this resort was amazing. The room was beautiful. The staff are so kind and attentive and were consistently checking to see if anything was needed. The entertainment team was also...”
“Nicte Ha was an absolute highlight of our stay at the resort. As a cocktail waitress, she provided outstanding service every single time - always attentive, efficient, and professional. On top of that, she is incredibly funny, fun, and such an amazin...”
“5/5 – Amazing Stay at Bahia Principe Grand Tequila ! I had an awesome time at the Grand Tequila, and the highlight of my entire trip was the entertainment team. They truly made the stay unforgettable. A huge shout-out to Roberto Hallatt and Nina —...”
