El Dorado Maroma, an adults-only, luxury resort near Cancun is home to the very first overwater bungalows in Mexico. We think it really is a tremendous resort, and sets the standard for other luxury resorts to follow. Its location sure helps though – Maroma Beach, Playa del Carmen – rated one of the Caribbean’s, and in fact, the world’s, best beaches. We think you’ll find accommodation wonderful across the board, not just the overwaters, and their gourmet food and drink are of the highest quality. The Overwater Bungalows: Elite vs. Standard, Which to Choose? The overwater bungalows come with all the features we would expect from such a pioneering resort – glass floor panels, hot tubs, private infinity pools, outdoor showers, and direct access to the water below your feet. We have two basic types here – the standard Palafitos, with nightly rates starting at about 1300 USD, and the Elite Palafitos which starrt at around 1500 USD. They’re practically identical, except for one well…location, location, location. The Elite Bungalows face directly out to the open sea, offering better privacy and far superior views. The Standard Bungalows, by contrast, are located along the sides of the pier, closer to the shore or farther out, but facing the beach. As a result, they tend to offer less privacy and have partially obstructed views of the ocean. So, the overall experience can be quite different. If your budget can stretch that bit extra, we’d definitely recommend the Elite Bungalows. Check Availability With All-Inclusive Rates Check dates & prices at Expedia here or at Booking.com here. Overwater Fine Dining & Gourmet Tasting Corners El Dorado Maroma is an all-inclusive resort with a great emphasis on gourmet food and drink, and with much of the ingredients coming fresh from their own greenhouses. We have a very good choice of restaurants here, as well as small, informal ‘Gourmet Tasting Corners’ serving everything from Mexican and Caribbean to Oriental and Italian. The main restaurant is the Overwater Grill & Wine Bar which features two glass-floor dining rooms, spectacular views, and a wide selection of local and international dishes. The breakfast at El Dorado Maroma is a legendary spread and you can order some to be delivered to your room. The same goes for any meal actually, 24 hours, and picnic hampers, etc. can also be arranged for romantic days out which your private butler will be happy to arrange. Indulgent Spa Treatments & Endless Activities There are swim-up bars at the two communal swimming pools, a shisha bar, and other bars with live entertainment. The resort also has a gym/fitness center and a lovely overwater Spa, the Náay Spa, which uses treatments Deep Dive: Read the Review…
Best All Inclusive Overwater Bungalows in Cancun for 2026
> Our Methodology
Resorts with Overwater Bungalows in Cancun? There are only three!
Only three resorts around Cancun, and four in Mexico in general, have overwater bungalows, and they are: Palafitos El Dorado, Rosewood Mayakoba and Banyan Tree Mayakoba.
Where can I find them?
Strangely enough all three overwater bungalow resorts are just a couple of miles away from each other in the upmarket resort town of Playa del Carmen, just south of Cancun on the way to Tulum.
Are they luxury resorts?
Yes, all of these overwater bungalow resorts are 5-star luxury – some of the very best in the Mexico in fact.Are the overwater bungalows in Cancun all-inclusive?
Only one of them, Palafitos El Dorado, is all inclusive.Are the overwater bungalows for adults only?
Palafitos El Dorado is an adults only resort. Rosewood Mayakoba is a family friendly resort but the overwater bungalow section is adults only. Banyan Tree Mayakoba is entirely family friendly, both the resort and the overwater bungalows.What are prices like?
Sadly prices are not cheap! Budget at least $1,200 USD per night for a stay in an overwater bungalow in Cancun.Our favorites – which overwater bungalows in Cancun do we rate as the best?
Of the three that do have them it is very difficult to judge which is better overall but we preferred the Palafitos bungalows at El Dorado as they have more of that traditional Polynesian vibe we have grown to like.Others though will doubtless prefer the sleek, modernity of both Rosewood Mayakoba’s and Banyan Tree Mayakoba’s. And Rosewood Mayakoba’s resort in general was our favorite of the three.
Check out our full reviews below!
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Guide Price (Minimum): Between $1000 & $3000 per NightAddress: Carretera Cancun Tulum, Km 55.3
Playa del Carmen
Cancun
Mexico
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Ronan McLoughlin has been the founder, main author, and editor of Dream Overwater Bungalows since 2019.
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