Overwater bungalows have an extra dimension of exclusivity typically seen only in the South Pacific that gives discerning guests a sense of place even if they spend most of their stay in their well-appointed vacation domicile. Mexico’s Lomas Hospitality, however, did the miraculous by bringing this natural opulence to North America with its Palafitos Overwater Bungalows.

The L.V.X./Preferred Hotels & Resorts-affiliated property opened in 2016 and is still the only one of its kind facing into the Caribbean Sea, leading out to the Atlantic Ocean.

© Elyse Glickman

The 31 free-standing bungalows, including a handful of Elite Bungalows and one presidential suite, were refreshed and updated in 2024. Each private dwelling delivers everything the South Pacific counterparts offer, including glass-bottom floors and a ladder on each bungalow’s furnished outdoor deck providing access to the sea, but with a well-defined Mexican sensibility.

Beyond air conditioning, a coffee and tea station, and luxury toiletries, the bungalows also feature outdoor showers and plunge pools; an indoor hot tub for two; an aromatherapy shower; 100 percent cotton, 1,000-thread-count sheets; and a premium liquor selection.

© Elyse Glickman

There is also a dedicated butler to ensure guests are furnished with cocktails, sunscreen, books and magazines, fresh towels, or a made-to-order picnic lunch or candlelight dinner on request. Naturally, Palafitos’ managers emphatically point out guests rarely leave their bungalows. But what more do you need when you have divine 360-degree views of the Caribbean Sea, beach and jungle?

On top of this foundation, guests receive More Inclusive benefits, such as private transportation from and to Cancún International Airport and off-property activities including catamaran and snorkel tours, a visit to Rancho Bonanza, and an underground expedition at Aktun Chen to tour the caves and swim in a cenote. On-property activities include traditional yoga and meditation classes, as well as paddleboard yoga and meditation classes, and educational sessions at the “Meliponary” at El Dorado Maroma that houses melipona bees native to the Yucatán.

© Elyse Glickman

On the powder-soft sands of the beach connecting Palafitos to El Dorado Maraoma Beach (nearing 5-star status with current renovations in progress), overwater bungalow guests have reserved daybeds and lounge chairs. There is also unlimited access to the Nicte-Ha hydrotherapy circuit and fitness area at Náay Spa Maroma, shared by the two properties. The 80-minute Wine Wellness experience combines wine country glamour and wellness practices inspired by Mexico’s pre-Hispanic cultures. The multisensory immersion integrates refreshing glasses of alcohol-free, wine-infused elixirs; a mud body mask applied during hydrotherapy leaving skin silken to the touch; and fully customized massage and facial integrating products with locally and regionally sourced elements, with several derived from wine production at Baja’s El Cielo Valle de Guadalupe Winery, whose wines are served at both properties.

© Elyse Glickman

While El Dorado Maroma guests can make reservations at The Grill & Wine Bar and dine for an extra charge, Palafitos guests have priority seating and complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner.

While the signature restaurant’s recipes are rooted in familial and cultural traditions, the culinary team elevates and innovates them with the Mexican “locavore” principles that also govern the permanent casual restaurants and a rotation of pop-ups at El Dorado Maroma. Ingredients indigenous to Yucatan, Puebla, Oaxaca and Baja are spun into original creations balancing style and substance, especially at dinner when the restaurant and its overwater glass floors are illuminated.

© Elyse Glickman

Even with all the tranquility and gorgeous settings Palafitos offers, El Dorado Maroma has several things worth returning to land for, especially for those coveting crave-worthy street food without the effort of getting to tourist hubs. La Taquería does an excellent job satisfying those cravings during lunch while Papitos and Lima Limón serve breakfasts as good (and sometimes better) than street food purveyors catering to locals and tourists.

There is also a weekly cochinita pibil cookout where pork shoulder (or chicken, on request) is marinated in fresh orange and achiote (annatto) paste, wrapped in banana leaves and slow roasted. An instructional session showing guests how to make the marinade, meat, hand-crafted tortillas and a selection of several salsas is part of the fun.

Palafitos Overwater Bungalows

El Dorado Maroma Resort
Carr. Cancún – Tulum km 553-77710
Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
tel 888 774 0040