About this property
Accommodation category
Complexe hôtelier
Riviera Maya beachfront, lush tropical forest, and all-inclusive luxury at an eco-conscious 5-star hotel.
The Iberostar Waves Quetzal sits on the Playacar coastline, tucked away in the hotel zone of Playacar. It is far enough from the noise of 5th Avenue to feel private, yet still within a reasonable distance of the downtown area. This 5-star all-inclusive resort is built for families and couples looking for a private beach, multiple pools, and meals included so you do not have to reach for your wallet every time you want a drink.
Good to know: the hotel is closed for renovation from 15 May to 30 November 2026. Check your dates before booking.
Location and beach
The resort sits directly on Playacar beach, a stretch of white sand that is less crowded than the downtown waterfront. The water is generally calm with the turquoise tones typical of the Riviera Maya. However, like everywhere along the Yucatecan coast, the arrival of sargassum (brown seaweed) can affect the beach depending on the time of year, especially between April and September. It is worth keeping this in mind when picking your travel dates.
Rooms and comfort
Rooms are spacious and feature a clean, warm-toned design. Ocean-view rooms are worth the upgrade: the sound of the waves when you wake up makes a real difference. The air conditioning is effective and the bedding is comfortable. Some guests report that garden-view rooms lack natural light, a detail to keep in mind when choosing your room category.
Services and dining
The all-inclusive package covers several themed restaurants, open bars, and beach service. The main buffet is substantial, and the a la carte restaurants allow you to vary your meals at no extra charge, provided you book in advance. Evening entertainment is available but remains at reasonable volume levels. The staff is frequently praised for their availability and warm welcome.
Who is this for
The pros
- Private beach accessible directly from the resort
- Multiple pools including one dedicated to children
- Staff praised for their professionalism and friendliness
- Setting is quieter than hotels located in the center of town
Good to know
- Risk of sargassum on the beach in season (April to September)
- 5th Avenue and the lively center require a taxi or shuttle ride
- Garden-view rooms are significantly darker
Friendly tip: Book your a la carte restaurants as soon as you arrive for the nights that matter to you. Slots fill up fast during high season, and relying only on the buffet for a full week can get old quickly.
Front desk hours
Property services and amenities
Room services and amenities
*Prices and information are indicative and subject to change.
Let us start with what I liked the most: the layout of the property, where mini jungles, waterfalls, ponds, and more are recreated. You will run into rodents, squirrels, monkeys, tortoises, iguanas, flamingos, herons, swans, ducks, peacocks, kingfishers, toucans, fish... Some animals like tortoises or toucans are in enclosures, while others wander around semi free in the hotel jungle.
Next, the rooms are clean, the bedding is large and comfortable, and the shower is spacious.
Pool: top notch, large with shallow areas in some spots.
Beach: white sand, warm turquoise water, but very crowded. By walking about ten minutes to the south, the beach gets a bit wilder, bordered by the jungle.
Dining: it is all inclusive, so you can definitely indulge in terms of quantity. As for the quality, you will have to be a bit selective. By the way, the orange juice in the room fridge is better than what is served at the tables.