Luxe Girls’ Getaway at Rosewood Mayakoba, Mexico: Culture, Cuisine & Connection

After years of long-distance friendship — keeping up via texts, video calls, and the occasional reunion — we finally decided to turn a special birthday into a girls’ weekend to remember. Nestled in the heart of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Rosewood Mayakoba was the perfect meeting place: serene and overflowing with activities and culinary delights. Mayakoba, located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, is an enclave of nature and elegance connected by lagoons and lush mangroves, offering several high-end hotels, restaurants, and a championship golf course.

From the moment we stepped into Rosewood Mayakoba’s open-air lobby, the tone was set: this was going to be an unforgettable experience. After check-in, we were escorted by a charming Duffy boat through a winding lagoon to our spacious suite, which came complete with a private plunge pool, outdoor shower and expansive terrace. The room blended contemporary design with earthy elements. A welcome bottle of mezcal, fresh snacks, and a handwritten note added a sweet touch to help kick off our celebratory stay. A cheerful “butler” arrived at our doorstep, explaining that he was available to assist us with transportation, dining reservations, booking activities, etc.

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Lush bathroom in the Lagoon Suite (photo courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba)

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Lagoon Suite (photo courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba)

Unforgettable Dining at Rosewood Mayakoba

Dining at Rosewood Mayakoba was a treat. Each restaurant offered its own unique culinary experience, with locally sourced ingredients and flavors of the region. Breakfast at Casa del Lago was exceptional. A buffet of fresh local fruit and pastries,  along with healthy green juice, offered a perfectly healthy way for us to start our mornings.

Evenings at Zapote Bar were a highlight. At the bar, skilled mixologists crafted cocktails that felt more like culinary journeys than simple drinks. The small plates, featuring dishes with Middle Eastern influences, were just as impressive.

On select evenings, Rosewood Mayakoba invites guests to visit La Isla Secreta, something of a tropical island speakeasy. We arrived by boat, gliding through the mangroves in the dark, which set the mood for something truly exciting and out of the ordinary. The speakeasy is situated like a treehouse, with soft lights flickering through the jungle, making us feel like we were in on the best-kept secret in all of Mayakoba.

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Lunch during a cooking class at Rosewood Mayakoba (photo by Heidi Okla)

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La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen (photo courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba)

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Drinks at Zapote Bar (photo by Heidi Okla)

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Beachfront restaurant, Aqui Me Quedo. (photo courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba)

One afternoon, we joined a cooking class led by one of the resort’s expert chefs, set in La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen, a beautiful open-air kitchen in the resort’s garden area. We watched the chef prepare traditional Yucatán dishes while crafting our own salsas and dining on several courses paired with wine.

Dining at La Ceiba Garden & Kitchen was one of the most memorable moments of our vacation. Set beneath the canopy of a grand 100-year-old Ceiba tree—the sacred “tree of life” in Mayan culture—the open-air setting felt magical from the moment we arrived. The experience was more than a meal; it was a communal celebration of food, culture, and music. Chefs prepared dishes over open flames, using ingredients harvested within the same area. The multi-course dinner featured Yucatán flavors paired with wines. Sharing the long wooden table with other guests, we swapped stories under the stars.

Pampering in Paradise: Spa Rituals at Rosewood Mayakoba

No girls’ weekend is complete without some pampering, and the Sense, A Rosewood Spa delivered pure bliss. Hidden away on the site of the resort’s natural cenote, the spa felt like a sanctuary. Naturally, they offer traditional Mayan rituals, and guests can opt to meet with a shaman or take part in transformative moments such as a temazcal ritual. However, we took things a little more lightly on our visit. We started with a hydrotherapy circuit and then indulged in “Seed: The Grounding Ritual,” which included a botanical scrub, foot mask, and massage designed to help find grounding and a sense of calm. We finished our afternoon sipping refreshing fruit-infused waters by the private spa pool, reflecting on friendship and our appreciation for this special time together.

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Sitting by the cenote at Sense, A Rosewood Spa (photo courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba)

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Tranquil setting at the Spa. (photo courtesy of Rosewood Mayakoba)

Beach & Beyond: Activities & Amenities

Rosewood Mayakoba has endless possibilities for an active getaway. Complimentary bikes are offered to get around the resort, going from beach to pools to pickleball courts, etc. Within Mayakoba, you can visit a cenote cave to view a bat colony or stop by a butterfly garden to see some of the gorgeous varieties of butterflies in the Yucatán region. Of course, there’s kayaking, paddleboarding, and other watercraft activities to choose from as well.

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White sand beach at Rosewood Mayakoba (photo by Heidi Okla)

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The Butterfly Garden (photo by Heidi Okla)

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Mayakoba offers many wonderful activities. (photo by Heidi Okla)

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Mayakoba offers a lush escape on the Riviera Maya.

Rosewood Mayakoba was a perfect setting for a celebration. From the thoughtful service to the world-class cuisine, immersive experiences, and restorative spa moments, it offered everything we hoped for and more. Meeting across the country for a weekend like this reminded us both how important it is to celebrate and connect with each other in person more regularly.

Learn more about booking a stay at www.rosewoodhotels.com.

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