Hotel Faranda Maya Caribe

Maya Caribe Hotel is a three-story budget hotel with old-fashioned decor and major wear and tear issues. Public spaces include a three-level outdoor swimming pool area with a kiddy pool, a thatched-roof restaurant, a little convenience store, and lush, well-maintained gardens. The property shares the check-in area with its sister hotel and the entrance is through the other property. The hotel’s public spaces may seem to be in reasonable condition at first, but the room building is clearly in urgent need of renovations. After checking in, guests are taken to their rooms via wandering pathways along the beach, with great ocean views. The atmosphere is usually quiet, but can become hectic during peak seasons (spring break, summer break, and late December). Most guests are budget travelers, groups of seniors, and solo travelers; the hotel may feel quieter during the day, when visitors are normally visiting attractions or sunbathing on the beach.

The nearby, similarly priced Aquamarina Beach Hotel is probably a better choice, with better facilities and a better beach area -- though it is about five minutes farther from the party center.

The Maya Caribe features a clean stretch of beach but it isn't one of the area's best, as it is narrow and a little rocky. The hotel is in not in the heart of the Hotel Zone; it's a five-minute drive to nightclubs and the convention center. It's one block from conveniences such as pharmacies, car rentals, and tour desks. One block farther (a three-minute walk total) is a ferry terminal to Isla Mujeres, with additional convenience stores, tour operators, a bus stop, and a marina for water sports. It's a 35-minute drive to Cancun International Airport. Downtown Cancun can be reached in about 15 minutes.

Maya Caribe Hotel has 36 rooms housed in a three-story building that overlooks the ocean and is partially surrounded by lush gardens. Some rooms face the ocean and those on higher floors provide better views, but all of them are outdated and need renovations. Ceilings are a little too low and someone higher than six feet tall will feel uncomfortable when standing up. Room equipment is limited to a functional yet old-fashioned air conditioner, an old tube cable TV with limited channels, and a shower that seemed to work OK during our visit (though past guests have complained of serious maintenance issues, such as rusty water, leaks, and missing showerheads). Some rooms are housed in bungalows in the gardens. 

Most of the hotel’s grounds consist of lush tropical gardens that provide a jungle-like feeling. Going from the main building to the street may be a tiring walk on a hot summer day. Near the hotel exit there’s a parking lot similar to the one available at the Dos Playas sister hotel, but often with more spaces available as it is lesser known. Next to this parking lot there is an air-conditioned office with travel agency services and tours to all major local attractions. This office also hosts a tiny convenience store with basic personal care items, junk food, cigarettes, and sunblock.

Across the gardens is the swimming pool area, which is built on a higher level in order to provide better ocean views. The pool is square, non-heated, and generally clean, but during summer and spring breaks may be completely filled with children, youngsters, and seniors. Next to the pool area, a spacious thatched-roof restaurant overlooks the ocean, yet it has a limited menu and the buffets are basic to poor. An all-inclusive plan is available. In one corner of the beach there’s a tour stand for parasailing and motorized water sports. The Wi-Fi signal is weak and requires an extra fee, while no Wi-Fi is available in the bungalows or public areas.

Guests can also access all the facilities at sister hotel Dos Playas. The beach area seems to be suffering natural erosion and some areas may be rocky. Sun loungers and beach huts are available but limited and show major wear and tear. The beach area in the Dos Playas section is cleaner and livelier, but also more crowded as it is next to Playa Tortugas, one of the city’s most popular public beaches.