Table of Contents
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Introduction & Booking
When I travel, I’m usually not an all-inclusive person. I love exploring cities, discovering local restaurants, and immersing myself in culture. All-inclusives can sometimes feel a little repetitive – same pool chair, same buffet, same schedule.
But this trip was different.
Viva Azteca – The Beach
We were heading to Mexico for our wedding, and more than 100 people were joining us from all over North America. This trip wasn’t about sightseeing, it was about time together with family and friends, while minimizing the logistics for everyone. For that kind of trip, an all-inclusive made perfect sense.
We chose Viva Azteca by Wyndham, a 4-star resort in Playacar, and it turned out to be exactly what we needed: not fancy, not extravagant, just genuinely fun.
Drone Shot of Viva Azteca by Wyndham
Booking & Group Rates
We secured a group rate directly with the resort, which made it incredibly affordable, especially considering we were travelling during peak winter season. The minimum stay requirement was four nights, though most of our group stayed seven, which is what we did as well. Our total came to $1,246 USD per person for the week.
| RATES SUMMARY | All-Inclusive rates, per person per night (USD) | ||||
| Room Category | Single | Double | Triple | Quadruple | Children (3-12) |
| Superior Garden View | $267 | $178 | $160 | $151 | $30 |
The rate included accommodations, all meals and beverages, entertainment, non-motorized water sports, and activities. Plus, for every 20 rooms booked, one guest stayed free, a huge perk for large groups.
For a winter getaway in Mexico, these prices were excellent value.
Main Pool at Viva Azteca
Arrival & Check-In
We took a red-eye flight with Air Canada from Vancouver and landed in Cancun around 7am. We pre-booked the resort shuttle for $68 USD per person (round-trip), and it made the one-hour transfer to Playa Del Carmen seamless.
We arrived around 8:30am, fully expecting to wait until the 3pm check-in time, but the staff surprised us by letting us into our room early since it was ready. After a sleepless overnight flight, the early check-in made a big difference and was much appreciated.
Room 1111 – Superior Pool, 1 King
The Room: Superior Pool Room, 1 King
Room 1111 – Superior Pool, 1 King
Our room was spacious and comfortable, with a king bed, flat-screen TV, desk area, lounge chair, large vanity, separate shower and toilet, and a patio with direct access to the pool. It wasn’t ultra-modern or luxury-designed, but it was clean, roomy, and exactly what we needed. Being on the ground floor meant we could walk straight from our patio into the pool, creating an extra level of convenience.
Room 1111 Entrance & Closet
One small downside: because the resort hosts morning activities near the pool, there was occasionally loud music around 9am. For us, it was actually kind of fun to wake up to the energy, but if you’re someone who likes to sleep in late in total silence, you might prefer a quieter room location (of which there are plenty).
Room 1111 Bathroom
Amenities
The resort’s strengths are its energy and vibrance. The property is large enough to offer variety but small enough that you’re never walking too far to get somewhere. There’s one large main pool, two smaller pools, and a beautiful stretch of beach with plenty of seating under palm trees.
Viva Azteca – The Pool
Viva Azteca – The Beach
We played beach volleyball every day. There’s a beach volleyball net set up, and it quickly became a daily ritual for our group. There’s also:
- Aqua fit at 11:30am every morning – another daily staple for our group
- Organized pool games and activities
- Kayaking and snorkelling
- Beach yoga and fitness classes
- A fully equipped gym
- A kids club
- Nightly entertainment shows
- A lounge bar where the party continues with dancing and karaoke
Viva Azteca – Beach Volleyball
Building Sandcastles on the Beach at Viva Azteca
Viva Azteca – Aqua Fit
The resort is lively, social and designed for people who want to participate. For a wedding week with 100+ guests, it was perfect.
Pickleball Court at Viva Azteca
Food & Beverage
The buffet was the main dining hub during our stay and where we ate most of our meals. It offered a wide variety of options, with rotating selections that made it easy to find something different each day. From fresh fruit and made-to-order stations to international dishes and comfort classics, there was plenty of choice for everyone in our group, including picky eaters and adventurous ones alike. It wasn’t gourmet, but it was plentiful and satisfying.
Chicken Dish at the Italian Restaurant
Chicken Dish at the Mayan Restaurant
In addition to the buffet, the resort features three à la carte restaurants: Italian, Mayan, and Asian. The Italian restaurant stood out to me for overall food quality, while the Mayan restaurant delivered the best atmosphere. There’s also a café serving smoothies, coffee drinks, pastries, and light sandwiches, which was perfect for a mid-morning or afternoon snack.
Pool Bar Lunch Set Up
Pool Bar Lunch
The pool bar is open 24/7 and offers pretty much any drink you can think of, making it a central gathering spot throughout the day and night. Also at the pool bar is the snack bar, which serves casual favourites like nachos and pizza.
Mayan Restaurant
It wasn’t 5-star gourmet dining, but it was solid and enjoyable.
Dessert at the Italian Restaurant
Service & Location
The service was consistently friendly and efficient. Rooms were cleaned daily, staff were welcoming, and everything ran smoothly. It’s not the super attentive, luxury-level service of a high-end five-star resort, but it’s reliable and warm.
The location in Playacar is another major highlight. It’s a gated, safe community with beautiful streets perfect for walking or biking. And you’re just 1km from Fifth Avenue (La Quinta Avenida), the lively heart of Playa del Carmen, full of restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
Playa Del Carmen
You get the best of both worlds: a contained resort atmosphere and easy access to town.
Takeaway
Viva Azteca by Wyndham is not the fanciest resort in Mexico, but for us, was perfect.
Buffet Courtyard at Viva Azteca
It’s affordable, energetic, welcoming, and ideal for big groups who want to spend time together without overcomplicating the logistics. It works for families, friend groups, weddings, and multi-generational trips.
View from the Pool Bar
If you’re looking for high-end luxury and fine dining, this may not be your spot. But if you want sunshine, beach volleyball, pool games, dancing, karaoke, and a place where everyone from kids to grandparents can have a great time, this resort delivers.
The Pool at Night
For our wedding week, it was exactly what we needed: easy, fun, and full of memories.
The Beach at Sunset
