If you’re thinking about visiting Palmaïa, and you like to know the nitty-gritty details about where you’re going - this one's for you. Here is a comprehensive deep-dive into our experience at Palmaïa: The House of Aïa.
Arrival & Logistics
We touched down at Cancun airport just shy of 5:30 PM on Monday, March 18th, 2024, we seamlessly made our way through customs, retrieved our luggage from the carousel, and headed to the arrivals exit in search of our driver. Ahead of our journey, I had coordinated with Palmaïa’s "Pre-Arrival Ritual Host" to arrange for private transportation to/from the airport. Though it ran us $320.00 USD roundtrip, the convenience and peace of mind were well worth it. A gentleman was already waiting for us at the arrivals exit with a Palmaïa-branded sign. He helped us with our luggage and introduced us to our designated driver. As we embarked on the hour-long journey to the hotel, we caught glimpses of the surrounding scenery – towering resorts juxtaposed with modest, jungle-draped dwellings.
Palmaïa is nestled in Playacar, a beautiful area with elegant residential villas, a scenic golf course, lively resorts, and even veiled Xaman-Ha Mayan ruins hidden amongst the trees. Navigating through Playacar, we passed by a security checkpoint where drivers had to show their licenses and state their business for entry. Shortly after, and just before approaching the Palmaïa grounds, another security checkpoint verified that we were guests. (Tip: If you are anticipating visitors for excursions or tours, it's important to inform the front desk or your nomadic guide to ensure they’re on the list for entry – more on this later.)
Pulling up to the Palmaïa lobby, the ambiance is beautiful, exuding tranquility and a sense of ease. We were greeted by a courteous attendant, who assisted with our luggage and ushered us inside for check-in. Amidst the process, we were given refreshing cold towels and delicious welcome beverages. (My husband, Cameron, and I are not typically “fancy” or high-end travelers - so the welcome beverages alone really set the tone for us - we knew we weren’t in Kansas anymore.)
One of my favorite aspects of the Palmaïa logistics were the room keys. They were cute waterproof bracelets, so you didn’t have to worry about carrying around an actual room key (as an added bonus, you get to keep them as souvenirs when you leave!). In addition to receiving the room key, we scanned a QR code to access the digital hotel guide, and the clerk made a note of our dietary restrictions and allergies.
Emerging from the cool confines of the lobby, we were enveloped by the embrace of the jungle's humidity, and immediately began to notice some unfamiliar wildlife. An agouti was having their evening snack in the shrubbery adjacent to the lobby. Then, during our golf cart transfer to our room, our driver paused to point out a pair of howler monkeys clamoring in the treetops above us.
Rolling through the resort feels a little like you’ve entered Jurassic Park - there’s a lot of authenticity preserved with the untamed allure of the jungle, but the grounds are also impeccably manicured. I remember thinking, “Don’t birds poop anywhere?” They do a great job of keeping the grounds clean and comfortable while you’re simultaneously immersed in the jungle.
Guided to our room by our driver, we were informed our "nomadic guide" would be joining us shortly for further orientation. While we waited, we savored the opportunity to slowly unpack and take in the breathtaking view from our room.
Accommodations
Opting for the Ocean Front King Suite in the Adults Only section, situated at the far end of the property, we found ourselves in a spacious haven. The room had ample closet and dresser space, not to mention the luxury of having not one, but two showers! The king-sized bed was very comfy, complemented by a very modern looking couch, a large desk, and even built-in surrounding Bluetooth speakers to enjoy our own music. To top it off, we were gifted reusable tumblers for convenient drink refills at the bar, part of Palmaïa’s waste reduction initiative. (Note: we did feel very awkward bringing these to the restaurant for dinner the first night - save these for the bars and casual dining, no need to bring them for dinner). In-room amenities included a coffee maker, microwave, and a mini-fridge stocked with refreshing water, juice, and kombucha (alcohol was not provided, but readily available at the various bars and restaurants). Additionally, complimentary bags of dried fruits and other snacks were refilled by housekeeping.
As we settled in, there was a gentle knock on the door, offering us some delightful chocolate-covered marshmallows as the "evening amenity." I was so excited I devoured them immediately and forgot to take a photo (oops). Unfortunately, we only got to partake in this unexpected treat on the first night. We usually leave our "do not disturb" light on during our stay to avoid unnecessary housekeeping visits, so it's likely we missed any other offerings. If you stay here and get the evening amenity, please share what it is, I need to know what other delicious treats they give out!
Nomadic Guide
After about an hour of waiting for our nomadic guide, we got a little restless and contacted the front desk to make sure we hadn't missed any instructions and that they were indeed en route to our room. I'll admit, the process with the nomadic guide had a few hiccups along the way.
She did arrive shortly thereafter and provided us with a thorough room tour. She was incredibly sweet and informed us that we could reach out to her via WhatsApp for dinner reservations or any inquiries. (If you don’t have WhatsApp, I recommend setting it up before you go. This is a very common way to communicate in Mexico.) She had mentioned sending us additional information right away via WhatsApp and promised to send a bottle of wine to commemorate our honeymoon – neither of these happened, but it wasn’t a big deal.
Each day, we received messages on WhatsApp from a nomadic guide, with someone available during the morning/daytime and another in the evening. Typically, we were also sent a schedule for the next day's classes, which was convenient, along with dinner reservation options. You’ll notice on the website that the class times are not readily available in advance, I believe this is because they are subject to change based on weather or other unforeseen events. This does make it a little tricky to plan ahead, but the class offerings listed here were pretty accurate, so if you really want to attend the gong bath, just make sure you’re around on Wednesday.
Additionally, our nomadic guice was the contact to ensure our tour driver was on the list for gate access. She even helped arrange for a golf cart to transport us to the lobby for both our tour and final departure. Quick note: When we were scheduled for a pickup at 6:10 am, we waited until 6:15 am before deciding to start walking towards the lobby. After about 5-10 minutes on foot, someone approached us to offer a ride. Though the timing all worked out, things like that can fall through the cracks, and it’s best to allow ample time to get where you need to go. On the bright side, we did encounter a coati on the road while we were walking!
Dining (Menus)
Since my husband and I are vegan, the plant-based nature of the resort was the primary draw for our stay, and the culinary experience certainly lived up to our expectations. I was genuinely excited about every meal, and since we’re on vacation the calories don’t count, right? That’s good, because we indulged in as many appetizers, meals, snacks, and desserts as we could handle. This was also our first time experiencing an all-inclusive resort and I have to say, it was pretty freaking nice. (Note: though I would consider this a vegan all-inclusive resort, there are some non-vegan options for the omnivores in your life.)
Palmaïa has several restaurants, with rotating dinner options, each requiring a reservation through your nomadic guide. I believe this is to help ensure minimal wait times and smooth service, which we always had.
For dinner, the available options included Su Casa, LEK, Ume, and Mar de Olivo, with typically 2-3 restaurants open for booking each night. We opted to switch off between Mar de Olivo and Ume all week since the LEK menu wasn’t super appealing to us, and we had Su Casa for breakfast and lunch a few times. Su Casa essentially served as the main restaurant for the hotel since they were open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It was also conveniently located right next to the pool and the beach, offering some stunning views.
Throughout the day, guests are offered three dining options: Plantissa, a cafe with epic views, Charlie’s Taco Truck, a perfect choice for pool-side dining, and 24hr room service. We ordered room service twice - once at 5am before our tour guide picked us up, and once for a normal breakfast. The service was quick, and the food was good. My only complaint was that the breakfast menu wasn’t served until 6am, so to get breakfast food at 5am I had to order the one breakfast option off the kinds menu (which was fine for me, tbh), but Cameron ordered a burger.
Here are some of our favorite dishes we had during our stay:
Mar de Olivo
Focaccia (they serve this as an hors d'oeuvre with a hummus-y dip, capers, olives, and these incredibly delicious little onions)
Grilled broccoli
Agli Spinaci
Risotto
Gnocchi Arrabbiata
Dessert: Piemontaise. Super delicious, and pairs will with a (decaf) oatmilk cappuccino.
Ume
Yin Yang Bao
Yakimeshi Herushi
Omakase
Dessert: **Garden dessert. This was my overall favorite dessert, and I suggest ordering a (decaf) oat milk cappuccino with this one as well.
Charlie's Taco Truck
Elote!! (grilled corn) (seriously, this was so damn delicious)
Su Casa
Hot Cakes
Asian Bowl
Plantissa
Croissant
Cheese & Noegg Panini
Chai Latte
To be fair, there were a few things we weren’t crazy about even though we finished them:
Onion Soup (Mar de Olivo)
Tar Tar (Mar de Olivo)
Benny (Su Casa)
Sichuan Lumien (Ume) (Do not order this unless you’re a spicy food lover.)
Drinks
Palmaïa isn't exactly a liquor-centric resort. As I mentioned earlier, you won't find alcohol stocked in your mini fridge, but you can easily order alcoholic beverages at the bars and restaurants. While you can certainly opt for classic cocktails like rum & coke, margaritas, and piña coladas, there are also two specialty drink menus available – one for all-day sipping and another specifically crafted for dinner. All the drinks are essentially mocktails, but you have the option to add alcohol if you want it.
In addition to cocktails, there's also a wine selection available, and at Ume, there's a sake menu you can explore for an extra charge. However, we found the prices for sake bottles to be quite steep compared to what you'd typically pay at a sushi bar in the US, so we opted to stick with what was included in our all-inclusive package. Our favorite speciality drinks were:
Metztli | Cold pressed pineapple, blue spirulina, lime, ginger, nixtamal syrup, cardamom ash, and rum (optional).
Kuxtal | Cold pressed jicama, ginger honey, passion fruit soda, tangerine bitters, black salt, coconut foam, and mezcal (optional)
Cocoreyes | Lime juice, coconut cream, oat milk, and tequila (optional)
To me, the Cocoreyes was the epitome of what you should be drinking while lounging by the Caribbean sea.
In the evening, Eolo bar offers a fantastic atmosphere with a live DJ, incredibly chill vibes, and the super friendly bartenders. We found ourselves here almost every evening for a nightcap and soaking in the scenery.
Allergies
I wanted to dedicate a section to allergies because the attention to detail was truly remarkable. My husband has allergies to pineapple, banana, and avocado – at a Mexican resort you can bet these ingredients were lurking everywhere. However, the staff went above and beyond to ensure that his food and drinks were free from these allergens. If I happened to order something containing one of these allergens, they would kindly remind me not to share.
A special shout out to the sweet server at Charlie’s Taco Truck, who informed us that both desserts they serve contained banana. He even offered to request the chef to prepare a special dessert without banana for us the next day. Unfortunately, we were leaving the following morning, but the gesture was incredibly thoughtful.
Classes
A diverse range of classes are offered each day, including yoga, meditation, art sessions, gong baths, and various rituals and ceremonies. We participated in several classes during our stay and appreciated that they didn't require prior reservations.
Art Class | Location: Psychedelic Mushroom
This beginner-friendly class provided a laid-back environment to explore different artistic mediums. Our instructor guided us through using charcoal, offering tips on playing with light, shadow, perspective, and shapes. While Cameron and I didn't exactly produce masterpieces – our drawings ended up in the trash – it was a pleasant way to spend our morning.
Mind Control | Location: Aisuru
Despite the intimidating title, Mind Control was essentially a meditation class focused on presence, body awareness, and sound perception. During the class we did a call-and-response activity that certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone, and forced our concentration on the present moment – a personal challenge for me.
Therapeutic Yoga | Location: Aisuru | Resembling Yin or Restorative Yoga, this session was deeply relaxing and enjoyable. Spending a few minutes in each pose, the gentle movements and option to use props ensures maximum comfort. I affectionately refer to these classes as "adult nap time," as there's a good chance you'll drift off during some poses.
Soft Yoga | Location: Rituals Deck
Slightly more active than therapeutic yoga, this session incorporated a gentle flow. Set on the Rituals Deck amidst the jungle's backdrop, you'll experience the natural warmth of the day and a serene atmosphere, making it a truly tranquil experience.
Atlantis Spa
Palmaïa's spa, Atlantis, offers a true luxury experience. Guests are encouraged to arrive an hour before their scheduled service to enjoy the "ancestral circuit," which includes exclusive access to the spa cenote (we had it all to ourselves), a 10-minute Biocharge session (we had no idea what this was, but you can read about it here), and a natural steam bath. Unfortunately, during our visit, another ceremony occupied the steam room, but the staff kindly offered us the opportunity to return later in the day if we wished.
For our couples' experience, we booked the Uitsmetl massage, allowing us to be together in the same room. After filling out a brief medical form and stowing away our belongings in provided lockers, we slipped into our swimsuits and headed to the cenote. (Note: Avoid applying lotions, sprays, or sunscreens before your spa visit, as you'll need to shower before swimming.)
Despite the cenote being a bit chilly, we enjoyed a brief swim alongside some curious fish and audience of iguanas.
Following the cenote experience, we underwent a 10-minute Biocharge session, a peculiar yet intriguing experience which consisted mostly of us staring at each other while a machine "worked its magic."
Our chaperon then escorted us back inside to change into robes. Not going to lie, we had a good laugh when we put these on and definitely wondered what we had gotten ourselves into. But meeting our massage therapists assuaged our fears as both were warm and welcoming, and no one asked us to sell our assets or drink any cool-aid.
The Uitsmetl was a standard swedish massage, but both therapists were incredibly skilled. It was, without a doubt, the best massage I've ever experienced. The pressure was just right, and the therapist ensured I felt comfortable and relaxed throughout. It was an incredibly soothing and rejuvenating experience, making the 2-3 hours of our afternoon truly worthwhile.
For full transparency, this luxurious service came with a price tag of about $780.00 USD – far more than I'd typically spend on a massage back home. However, considering it was our honeymoon and a once-in-a-lifetime indulgence, I'd say it was well worth the spluge.
Swimming (Pools, Beach, and Cenotes)
Pools | Palmaïa has three main pools, each catering to different preferences. There's an adults-only pool with a convenient swim-up bar, a lively kids' pool featuring slides and water features, and a family-friendly pool equipped with another swim-up bar. (Just to be clear, “adults only” does not imply nudity - the 3 pools are all right next to each other and swimsuits are mandatory). Additionally, tucked away from the main pool area, you'll find a couple of smaller plunge pools for those seeking a more secluded experience.
We dedicated an entire day to basking in the sun, starting our morning at the adults-only pool, sipping cocktails at a "pool table." While there were some families at the kids pool next to us, we were the only ones in the adults only section the whole morning. After a refreshing swim, we enjoyed lunch at Su Casa, conveniently located adjacent to the pool area, before heading straight to the beach.
The Beach | The beaches in Playa Del Carmen are truly breathtaking, with pristine white sands and unreal, crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean. The cool water provided a welcome respite from the hot humidity, and we even ventured out to a nearby sandbar for a swim.
Along the beach in front of Palmaïa, numerous cabanas offer shaded seating areas each with comfy mats and cushions. Equipped with call buttons to summon a waiter for drinks and food, we couldn't resist ordering some chips & guacamole (for me) and a few cocktails.
Cenotes | Finally, Palmaïa features a couple of cenotes (natural wells) on the property, one accessible only with a booked spa service and the other is open to all guests. Nestled in the trees right off the main path, it provides an enticing alternative to the traditional pool experience.
P.S. Sun safety in Mexico is no joke. Remember to wear sunscreen, reapply frequently, sit in the shade when possible, and use cover-ups to protect your skin. We witnessed quite a few sunburns during our stay, and it's best not to take any chances.
Wildlife
Palmaïa's grounds are crawling with fascinating wildlife, adding an extra layer of enchantment to the atmosphere. Here are some of the memorable sightings we experienced:
Agouti ("Sereques") |
These adorable little cuties were everywhere, and were most easily spotted in the shrubbery around dawn and dusk. Described as "Mexican Hampsters" by the staff, they captured our hearts with their sleek fur and creepy little stick-like legs. We got to observe a momma with her babies who all had the zoomies. /sobbing
Monkeys |
Keep your eyes peeled for Spider and Howler monkeys frolicking among the treetops. Witnessing a Howler monkey with its precious baby clinging to its back was an unforgettable moment of cuteness. On another occasion, a Spider monkey surprised us by darting across the railing right outside Ume - but the staff assured us the monkeys won't try to approach you.
Iguanas |
These gentle creatures are a common sight, often found basking on a rock in the warm glow of the sun. While dining at Charlie's Taco Truck, we enjoyed the company of five iguanas (that we could see at least!) congregating nearby, adding to the natural charm of the surroundings.
Great-Tailed Grackles ("Mexican Grackle") | Cameron and I recently spent a weekend in Austin, Texas, where Grackles are a central part of the local culture, so when spotting them at Palmaïa I immediately recognized them. They did make an appearance at Su Casa, in search of some tasty treats, but their presence wasn’t disruptive and only added to the ambience.
Coati | Although we only caught a fleeting glimpse of a coati silhouette during our early morning stroll, it definitely sparked excitement. Initially we thought we had seen another monkey because of its long tail standing up, but our tour guide informed us that the monkeys will rarely come down from the trees and that we most likely encountered the raccoon-like Coati. Once we looked at some photos of them we were sure he was right.
Insects | While it was very humid and I expected to see more creepy crawlers, I was pleasantly surprised by how few bugs we encountered. It’s possible that visiting in March and the resort itself likely spraying some kind of insecticide kept the bugs to a minimum. I did get a few mosquito bites in the evening, but Palmaïa generously provides a pleasant smelling insect repellent lotion in the guest rooms and all the bathrooms on site. However, during our day tour in Valladolid, I encountered more mosquitos and received several bites while enjoying lunch. Fortunately, one of the restaurant staff kindly provided bug spray and positioned a fan to help keep them at bay. Other than that, there were very large ants in the sand that made themselves known while we were sitting under the Psychedelic Mushroom and laying by the beach. They were a little disruptive, but not harmful.
Other Features
Jungle Gym | Despite its name, the Jungle Gym is for adults and offers a unique workout experience amidst the lush greenery of the jungle. The large windows provide a picturesque backdrop for your exercise routine, and is equipped with standard gym equipment such as free weights and treadmills.
Bikes | Palmaïa offers complimentary bikes scattered throughout the property for guests' convenience. While the property isn't huge, and we didn't utilize them ourselves, we noticed some happy kids riding around the resort.
Bonzai House | There’s a little greenhouse along the main path of the resort that’s open for guests to peruse. You’ll find some fun little bonzai trees, orchids, and other tropical flowers.
Tipping at Palmaïa
Navigating the tipping culture at Palmaïa was a bit uncertain for us. Despite our best efforts to scope out what other people were doing, it was tough to tell if there was a “norm” and we decided to stick with what we know - and that’s to tip. In America it’s incredibly rude not to leave a tip, so I could feel it in my bones that I needed to leave something wherever we went. Our tips ranged from $20 - 100 MXN for everything from daily housekeeping, bartenders, servers, and complimentary golf cart rides.
I estimate we spent about $400 MXN (or ~$25 USD) per day on tips at the hotel.
What’s your experience with tipping in at all-inclusives in Mexico? Did we over do it, or should we have been more generous?
A Few Final Notes
Demographics | During our stay, we noticed a diverse mix of guests at Palmaïa, including families, an unusual amount of pregnant women, and solo travelers. Surprisingly, as a couple on our honeymoon, we seemed to represent the minority demographic. Seeing a lot of children was not what I expected at a wellness resort, but given that the vibe was very mellow, and it’s not a party-focused resort it’s probably a better environment for kids than other resorts in the Cancun/Playa Del Carmen area.
Sandos Resort | We did get a taste for one of those rowdier resorts as Sandos shares some spaces with Palmaïa. “Sharing” isn’t really the right word, but one of the pools at Sandos, is adjacent to where we would be frequently walking to dinner/classes and it was noticeably louder on their side of the fence. Interestingly, one of the staff members told us that the developer of Palmaïa is the son of the Sandos owner, so I guess they are “related” resorts in a way. But for the most part, once you’re within the confines of Palmaïa the distinction between the two resorts is very apparent.
Signage | While Palmaïa itself isn't very big, we found the signage somewhat lacking, leading to occasional confusion. For instance, there is a building entrance where you access the boutique, Aisuru (where some classes are held), and Plantissa - but there was no signage outside or in the lobby to indicate what was housed in the building so there were a few of us newbies wandering around for a few minutes wondering where to go. However, with a bit of exploration, navigating the resort became more intuitive within a day or two.
What To Wear | Obviously a little unpredictable, but the weather in March was absolutely perfect. Mid-high 80’s with humidity also in the mid-high 80’s, we didn’t have any rain but it did get pretty windy on our last full day. I loved being able to walk outside any time of day or night in a dress and feel completely comfortable. The resort is so intwined with trees that it shelters you from most of the wind and provides a lot of shade. I literally wore dress/skirts or a swimsuit the entire time - no jackets necessary, and pants would have been horrendous with the humidity. Pack an ultra light rain jacket if you’re worried.
The vibe for day time is definitely casual, but people were relatively dressed up for dinner. The first night we rolled into Mar de Olivo in casual wear and flipflops and felt incredibly underdressed, so if that kind of thing is important to you, pack a couple nice outfits for your evening.
Overall, our stay at Palmaïa was a wonderful experience, and the exact remedy to the stress and overwhelm of planning and executing a big wedding. I think this is the perfect honeymoon spot for any low-key couple, a babymoon, a girls’ trip, or even a big group since there’s plenty to do on-site and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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