Where is / What is Costa Mujeres?
An introduction to Mexico’s newest destination… Costa Mujeres!
What is / Where is Costa Mujeres in Mexico?
Once a sacred region for the Mayans, Costa Mujeres, also known as Playa Mujeres, was named as such (mujeres means women in Spanish) due to all the imagery depicting the Goddess Ixchel. Costa Mujeres sits across the bay on the mainland, just north of Cancun. The beauty of Costa Mujeres is its location. This area feels calm and secluded but is just 30 minutes away from Cancun’s bustling restaurants and nightlife and a quick boat ride from the magical island of Isla Mujeres.
While the Riviera Maya is the stretch of beach south of the Cancun Hotel Zone, the Costa Mujeres is the stretch of beach north of the Cancun Hotel Zone.
How do I get to the Costa Mujeres?
To get to the Costa Mujeres you will fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and then take a quick van/bus transfer to your resort in the Costa Mujeres. Non-stop flights to Cancun (CUN) are available from many airports throughout the United States.
Distances from Cancun International Airport to resorts:
• RIU Palace Costa Mujeres and RIU Dunamar … 23 miles
• RIU Latino … 21 miles
• Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and TRS Coral Hotel … 20.5 miles
• Secrets Playa Mujeres … 20 miles
• Dreams Playa Mujeres … 20 miles
• Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres … 21.75 miles
• Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres … 21.75
• Planet Hollywood Cancun … 22.25 miles
Where to stay?
Brand-new all-inclusive resorts catering to adults, families, and groups line the region’s practically untouched white sandy shores. Costa Mujeres’ hotels sit on prime real estate with sweeping views of the turquoise-hued water. Here visitors can indulge in the cuisine of quality restaurants and a wide variety of amenities like spas, pools, water parks, and watersports. Travelers don’t have to go too far to find an unobstructed view of the stunning sunrise or sunset—especially for those staying in suites sporting oceanfront terraces with personal jacuzzis and hammocks.
RIU Hotels and Resorts offers three great all-inclusive options in the Costa Mujeres- the RIU Dunamar, the adults-only RIU Latino, and the RIU Palace Costa Mujeres. Palladium Hotel Group has two great all-inclusive options- the family-friendly Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and the adults-only TRS Coral Hotel. The Inclusive Collection by Hyatt Resorts boasts the beautiful adults-only Secrets Playa Mujeres and the family-friendly Dreams Playa Mujeres. Other great options include the Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres, the Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres, and the Planet Hollywood Cancun.
All of the all-inclusive resorts in Costa Mujeres are brand-new. For those who enjoy a newer all-inclusive resort will have plenty of great options:
• RIU Hotels & Resorts opened RIU Dunamar in December 2017. A year later in November 2018, RIU Hotels and Resorts opened the RIU Palace Costa Mujeres. In October 2022, the adults-only RIU Latino opened its doors.
• Palladium Hotel Group opened the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres and the adults-only TRS Coral Hotel in in November 2018.
• The Inclusive Collection by Hyatt’s Secrets Playa Mujeres opened November 2014 and the Dreams Playa Mujeres opened in December 2016.
• Majestic Elegance Costa Mujeres opened November 2019.
• Catalonia Grand Costa Mujeres opened in March 2020.
• Planet Hollywood Cancun opened in January 2021.
What to do?
Spend the day basking on the beach at your resort, or visit one of the local spots like Isla Blanca beach. Explore the beautiful Chacmuchuch Lagoon practicing kitesurfing, or throw on a pair of flippers and snorkel right off Costa Mujeres’ shore. Golfers can spend the morning playing a round at the 18-hole Playa Mujeres Golf Club, designed by legend Greg Norman, who weaved elements of the natural surroundings like sand dunes and mangroves into the waterfront golf course.
Costa Mujeres boasts one of its own archeological treasures, the Mayan site of El Meco, upon which Coba exerted a strong influence. From here, travelers can also make the trek to Tulum and tour the centuries-old temples hovering on cliffs over the Caribbean Sea. It’s easy to take a day trip from Costa Mujeres to go swimming and snorkeling in one of the cenotes (sacred waterholes) that are scattered throughout the jungle of Riviera Maya.
If you truly want to get your adrenaline pumping, go swim with whale sharks in the water surrounding Isla Mujeres (From May to September). But before hopping on the ferry to Isla Mujeres, spend some time enjoying the quiet area of Puerto Juárez, the departing point for boat excursions, where you can dine on freshly caught seafood at one of the charming, thatched-roof beachfront restaurants.
