The Mayan Riviera is far and away the most popular area of Mexico to visit. People flock here for the stunning beaches on the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.
Travellers are spoiled when it comes to choices for accommodation here. There are so many resorts that it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
If you're looking for a relaxing and luxurious getaway, look no further than El Dorado Suites. Here's a detailed guide to this little slice of paradise with all you need to know to plan your trip.
El Dorado Suites is an all-inclusive, all-suite luxury resort. This 5-star hotel is also adults-only, so it's the perfect escape for a honeymoon or anniversary.
The resort has two different sections. The Palms is the original side where most rooms have a garden view, while the new Infinity side is all oceanfront. It features incredible swim-up suites that connect to the main pool.
Mexico is home to a vast multitude of ecosystems. It has arid deserts, tropical rainforests, grasslands, and so much more. As a matter of fact, Mexico is one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet!
In this part of the country, there are forests, savanna, mangroves, and coral reefs. There's an incredible amount of wildlife in the region, including jaguars, manatees, sea turtles, and whale sharks.
As you might expect, this is a great place to go snorkelling or scuba diving. You can even enjoy these watersports in the area's many cenotes, large sinkholes that number in the thousands.
Getting to El Dorado Seaside Suites
Cancun International Airport (CUN) is your port of entry to get to El Dorado Seaside Suites. It's located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo on the east coast.
Tourism bounced back in a big way here, with 12.5 million people visiting in 2021, approaching pre-pandemic levels. As such a busy place, there are plenty of direct flights to Cancun from cities all over Canada.
When booking your flight, you'll want to make sure you have trip interruption insurance. With the current state of travel, it's a good idea to have in case anything goes wrong.
Location
The resort is 85 km south of the airport, which is about an hour and fifteen minutes by car. It's just a few minutes away from Puerto Aventuras where you'll find a marina and an excellent golf course.
Transportation
As the busiest airport for tourists in Mexico, there are plenty of options for getting to the resort. It depends on your budget and the level of comfort you desire.
The cheapest option is the shared shuttle, which will stop at the resort. You can just grab your ticket for this upon arrival.
Most people choose to book a taxi service or private transfer to get to El Dorado Seaside Suites. You can talk to the resort staff when making your booking to arrange this.
There are also several rental car companies at the Cancun airport. This is a great choice if you want to explore more of the Mayan Riviera at your leisure.
If you go this route, make sure you have the proper car insurance and understand the policy. You don't want to get stuck with a huge bill in case anything goes wrong.
Local Language and Culture
Did you know that Mexico is the biggest Spanish-speaking country in the world? Spanish is the de facto language in this nation of 130 million.
Spanish isn't the only official language here, though. The Mexican government recognizes a whopping 68 official languages, 63 of which are indigenous.
The culture of Mexico is a mix of these indigenous traditions with the colonial Spanish influence. It's a vibrant culture with many unique holidays throughout the year, such as Day of the Dead.
When one thinks of Mexican culture, the food always comes to mind. Mexican cuisine is famous the world over and for good reason. The country is also known for its tequila, mariachi music, and lucha libre wrestling.
Is it Beneficial to Know a Little Spanish?
When travelling to El Dorado Seaside Suites and the Mayan Riviera in general, you can get by just fine with English. They are very used to having visitors from up north here!
That being said, it always helps to know a bit of the local language. Mexicans appreciate it when you use a little bit of español, even if it's just a simple "Buenos días" or "Gracias."
If you want to practice your Spanish, the staff at El Dorado Seaside Suites will be happy to help. We enjoyed chatting with them and trying to use our mediocre Spanish every chance we got.
The Atmosphere at El Dorado Seaside Suites
From the moment you arrive, you'll feel the very welcoming vibe of this luxury resort. It's also very relaxing as it's an adults-only property.
For that reason, El Dorado Seaside Suites is a very romantic destination. They offer special packages for weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries as well as candlelight dinners on the beach.
This is a gourmet inclusive resort that's classier than your average AI resort in the area. There's a relaxed dress code in all restaurants, so no wet swimsuits or flip-flops.
You also won't find any bland or disappointing meals here or watered-down drinks. Rather, you can expect authentic Mexican cuisine along with international options. They even have their own infused tequila and it's fantastic!
We were very impressed by the staff here, from check-in to the restaurants and everything in between. They go above and beyond here and it makes for a wonderful experience overall.
How Do People Rate the Service?
El Dorado Seaside Suites is a very highly-rated resort. With 4,700 reviews on TripAdvisor, the average score is 4.6.
This luxury resort was among the "Best of the Best" in the 2020 Travelers' Choice for TripAdvisor. It was also voted one of the Top 5 resorts in eastern Mexico by Conde Nast.
Hotel Amenities
The amenities at El Dorado Seaside Suites are rather impressive. Whether you're looking for an active or relaxing vacation, there's something for you.
With so many options, you'll never be bored on a vacation here. There's no need to even leave the resort, although they have plenty of great excursions if you'd like to explore further.
Restaurants
Your tastebuds are in for a real treat, as there are ten different restaurants to choose from. Each one offers a unique experience, with options ranging from Latin fusion at Culinarium to contemporary Italian at Mia Casa.
One of the best parts about eating here is that they actually have their own greenhouse. Many of the vegetables and herbs used at the resort are grown right there.
They are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be an all-inclusive resort. You'll find no cold omelette or soggy nachos here and will always find the food impressive.
Bars
There are so many places to grab a drink at El Dorado Seaside Suites that you could have a full-blown bar crawl and still not hit them all! Choose between the swim-up bars and several other options.
The drinks of choice here are definitely tequila and mezcal. There's even a bar for each one of the famous Mexican spirits. They offer tastings for both, which were a big highlight of our visit.
Fun fact - all tequila is mezcal, but not all mezcal is tequila. Mezcal can be made from any agave plant, while tequila comes from blue agave specifically.
Beach and Pools
The resort is located on a beautiful soft white-sand beach. There are plenty of sun loungers and Bali beds available.
Looking at an aerial photo of El Dorado Seaside Suites, it seems like one giant pool. That's because of all the private pools on the balconies on the Infinity side. Get one of these rooms if you can!
There are also a few bigger shared pools where you'll find the swim-up bars. Ordering a margarita in the pool never gets old, especially when the bartenders make them this good.
Sports and Recreation
Should you feel the urge to get out of your sun lounger, there's a lot going on here. Grab a mask and snorkel and swim out from the beach, or hop in a kayak and paddle around.
The resort has a small fitness centre with a decent amount of equipment. Guests can also use the bigger gym at the sister resort next door.
They also offer yoga classes, beach volleyball, tennis courts, and dance lessons. Taking home some salsa or merengue skills is a pretty great souvenir!
Spa
A visit to Náay Spa is a must at El Dorado Seaside Suites. The spa is aligned with the four elements of Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth according to the Mayans. You can definitely feel the cosmic energy here.
It's astounding how many different options they have for treatments. You'll want to start perusing their 60-page menu and be sure to book your preferred treatment at least a day in advance.
They also have a sauna and steam bath that you can use, but restrictions apply. Be sure to inquire if you'd like to use them.
Daily Activities
There are lots of fun activities throughout the day such as the popular coconut painting. Grab a brush and unleash your inner artist, then leave your finished masterpiece anywhere you like around the resort.
Don't miss out on a tequila or mezcal tasting while you're here. You'll learn all about these famous Mexican spirits and how to enjoy them.
Nightly Entertainment
This isn't a party resort, but there's always something going on in the evenings. They have shows and live music, so be sure to ask for the schedule when checking in.
Other Services
The resort provides many other services for guests. This includes free wifi and calls, both national and international. There's also 24-hour room service if you ever need a midnight snack.
Currency exchange is available here should you need it. They have a laundry service as well at an extra cost.
Excursions
There's plenty to keep you busy at the resort, but there are some great excursions at your fingertips.
Tulum
Just half an hour down the road is Tulum, one of the trendiest beach towns in Mexico. It's famous for the Mayan ruins by the same name and a perfect choice for a day trip.
Cobá
The ruins of Cobá are also well worth a visit. They're a bit farther inland from Tulum and it's possible to see them both in a day if you're feeling motivated.
Akumal
Between the resort and Tulum is Akumal. It's a nice beach where the main attraction is snorkelling with turtles. The name actually means "Place of Turtles" in the local language.
Delphinus
If swimming with dolphins is on your bucket list, you're in luck. Delphinus has locations in nearby Playa del Carmen as well as on Isla Mujeres where you can get up close with these amazing animals.
Is El Dorado Seaside Suites Kid-Friendly or Adults Only?
Leave the kids at home, because El Dorado Seaside Suites is an adults-only property. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed at this property.
Is It Safe to Travel off the Resort Alone?
Generally speaking, it's safe to travel around the Mayan Riviera alone. This is the crown jewel in Mexico's tourism industry and they strive to keep it safe.
The nearby towns of Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum are all well worth a visit. We visited them all on our own and had no issues. Just be aware of your surroundings and don't go flashing valuables.
Whether you leave the resort or not, be sure to have travel insurance for your trip.
Are There Extra Costs to be Aware Of?
You won't need to grab your wallet much at this all-inclusive resort. Only a few things cost extra, such as adding a candlelight dinner on the beach or having your laundry done.
While you can use some of the facilities at the spa for free, the treatments come at an extra cost and need to be reserved in advance.
Best Time to Visit El Dorado Seaside Suites
Not surprisingly, the winter months of December to March are the busiest here. That's when tourists and snowbirds alike flock to Mexico to escape the cold.
It can get very crowded and expensive around Christmas, New Year's, and Easter. Consider visiting in November before the high season or in April after it dies down.
Overall Reviews
This resort has been getting rave reviews for well over a decade now. They continue to impress guests who take to TripAdvisor and Google, where the resort has near-perfect reviews.
Overall, people are impressed by the service, the cuisine, and the attention to detail. This isn't your run-of-the-mill resort, of which there are far too many in the area.
Like many guests before, we had an amazing stay at El Dorado Seaside Suites and can't wait to return.
NAME
DETAILS
Star rating
4.6
Is it kid-friendly?
No
Is it safe to travel off the resort alone?
Yes
Best time to visit
November and April
What Are You Waiting For? Book Your Trip Today!
By now you're probably ready to dip your toes in the sand, order up a margarita and shrimp tacos, and enjoy yourself. You've come to the right place if you choose El Dorado Seaside Suites!
However you plan to spend your days in Mexico, it's important to have proper travel insurance. Get your free travel insurance quote from Insurdinary to make sure you're ready for a fun and safe trip.
