Bahia Principe Grand Coba
Family-friendly resort in Chacalal. Family, Business.
Atmosphere
Amenities
Traveler Insights(830 discussions)
Bahia Principe Grand Coba is a large family resort that delivers on its core promise — keeping families with children entertained for a full week without breaking the budget — while honest guests acknowledge it's operating at the lower tier of the Bahia Principe complex. The kids' facilities and programming are legitimately strong, the staff get consistent warm reviews despite being clearly short-handed, and the room size advantage is real for families who've been cramped in standard hotel configurations. The price point makes it one of the most accessible quality all-inclusive family options in the Riviera Maya.
The physical plant is showing its age conspicuously. The Coba buildings are the oldest in the complex and recent reviews reflect that with comments about worn-down facilities and dated decor. The bracelet-upgrade system for accessing other sections' restaurants (at $20/adult/day) feels like a bait-and-switch to guests who expected the full complex as part of their booking. Bed bug reports, while not universal, have appeared with enough frequency to warrant mattress inspection on arrival as standard practice.
Bahia Principe Grand Coba makes strong sense for families with multiple children who need spacious rooms and full-day kids' entertainment at an accessible price point, travelers willing to pay the bracelet upgrade for access to Tulum and Akumal sections' better dining, and first-time Mexico all-inclusive families who want a clear starting point without premium-tier pricing. For an upgraded experience in the same complex, Bahia Principe Grand Tulum offers better facilities at a modest premium.
Pros
- +Incredibly child-friendly with extensive family programming — kids clubs, themed entertainment, and activities specifically designed for younger guests
- +Friendly, amazing staff who are consistently praised for going above and beyond despite being understaffed
- +Large, spacious rooms that easily accommodate families without the cramped feeling of smaller resort rooms
- +Part of the Gran Bahia Principe complex giving access to a much larger resort campus with more dining variety (with bracelet upgrade)
- +Buffet has extensive variety with rotating daily themes covering international cuisines
- +On-property water park entertains kids for full days without additional cost
- +90 minutes from Cancun in a more secluded, jungle-adjacent setting away from tourist-heavy zones
- +Lower price point relative to other Riviera Maya all-inclusives makes it accessible for budget-conscious families
Cons
- −Classified as the 'lower scale' of Bahia Principe properties — rooms are bigger but facilities and food lag behind Tulum and Akumal sections
- −90-minute drive from Cancun airport is a meaningful time and cost commitment
- −Access to other complex sections (Tulum, Akumal) requires a $20/day per adult bracelet upgrade — guests feel nickeled-and-dimed
- −Buffet quality has declined per some reviews: dry meat, repetitive themes, limited fresh cooking stations
- −Bed bug reports have appeared in recent reviews — inspect the room thoroughly on arrival
- −Buildings are old, dated, and in need of renovation — the Coba section shows its age more than sister properties
- −Staff are stretched thin — short-staffed across dining rooms affects refill speed and table clearing
- −Being 90 minutes from any significant city limits day-trip options for guests who want to explore
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“Amazing resort and staff. Entertainment crew were top notch and nightly shows were great! Silent disco greatly exceeded our expectations, so glad we didn’t skip it. Beach was a bit of a walk or shuttle ride, but was pristine and Snorkeling was a huge...”
“Air Canada Vacations trip to Bahia Principe near Tulum Mexico. Rating for Air Canada Vacations 3/5 and Bahia Principe 4/5 Our Air Canada flight went smoothly. We landed in Cancun around 12.45. We only had carry on and going through customs sent qui...”
“Nice budget friendly hotel. Rooms are clean, food options are good. Beach is very clean, sagrassum was removed every morning. While the resort is a little dated, what makes it great are people who work there. Great service in alacarte restaurants, bu...”