The Riu Tequila is a budget-friendly all-inclusive hotel located in the beautiful and exclusive Playacar.
I was lucky enough to spend a few days here with my family (living the dream).
After some sunshine bliss, I want to share with you what I made of this hotel so you can decide whether it’s right for you and your group on your next trip.
My Riu Tequila Review includes:
- Affordability
- Beach
- Activities
- Internet
- Rooms
- Nightclub
- Gardens
- Food
- Timeshare
- Access to other Riu Hotels
- Golf at the Riu
- Conference Rooms
- Weddings
1. Affordability
NOT LUXURY BUT COVERS ALL THE BASICS
If you are looking for bells, whistles, and luxury then this may not be the hotel for you.
That being said, the hotel covers all the basics and more.
I personally love the Riu Tequila.
It has great food and drinks, many options for activities and sports, a fabulous entertainment team with nightly shows, 24-hour service, and a nightclub on-site. All of this combined makes for a great vacation.
Also, the beach is fabulous, you are walking distance to Playa del Carmen town (5th Avenue) and have a golf course nearby.
You can also get married at the Riu Tequila AND it has space for conferences or meetings, so an ideal spot for a company retreat (more on this later).
2. Beach
THE HOTEL IS NOT ON THE BEACH
The Riu Tequila is NOT on the beach.
The hotel is located across the main street in Playacar and offers access to a beach club.
If you walk at a leisurely pace from the lobby to the main entrance of the beach area, it is about 7 minutes. However, if you prefer not to walk, they do have a golf cart available that runs regularly throughout the day.
The schedules are posted at the main lobby entrance.
My family and I opted to walk most of the time as the walk is quite pleasant and for the most part, you are walking in the shade.
The beach club is located between the Riu Palace Mexico and the Riu Yucatan.
Once there, you have access to lounges and the buffet restaurant and drinks. The beach has many palm trees, so lots of options for both shady and sunny areas. My freckly skin appreciated the shady areas!
When you stay at the Riu Tequila, you also have access the Riu Yucatan during the day, so you can drop by their pool bar, take a dip in one of their swimming pools, and also access the water activities available on the beach.
3. Activities
You can keep busy all day if you want to.
The ‘animation’ team at the Riu have activities planned throughout the day ranging from water polo to beach volleyball and all of the activities are included in your package.
Although the hotel is not on the beach, there is a sandy area next to the main pool where you can play volleyball and there are other activities available such as horseshoes, ping pong and more.
4. Internet
Wi-Fi is available in the lobby area only. You can pay to have access to the Internet in other areas of the hotel. Prices range from 100 pesos for an hour to 640 pesos for 7 days.
They also have a few computers available for use for a small fee in the sports bar.
5. Rooms
The standard rooms are spacious enough and can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children aged 3-12, or 3 adults.
However, it is good to know that the rooms that have two double beds, the beds are pushed together (although they have separate bedding).
6. Nightlife
The Riu Tequila has a nightclub on-site.
This is the nightclub available to all Riu guests in Playacar, so clients staying at the Riu Palace resorts, Riu Yucatan or Riu Playacar can meet up here to enjoy a few drinks or dance the night away.
You can also get a midnight snack at the sports bar, which is open 24 hours. I have to say that I did turn in too early to make it to the nightclub.
But for those of you who like to party, knock yourself out!
7. Gardens
One of my absolute favorite things about the hotel are the grounds.
You are surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation.
There is a lot of wildlife, including sereques and coatis. The coatis can be quite cheeky, so don’t leave any food lying around. Really adds to the whole Mexican feel.
I mean just look at how beautiful it is ^^!
8. Food
There is one main buffet at the Riu that is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as the buffet by the pool at lunchtime and the beach buffet (Yucatan) which you can also access for lunch.
They do have a few a la carte restaurants that require reservations and include the Steakhouse, Mexican and Asian option (which is also buffet).
Snacks are available 24 hours in the sports bar.
I thought the food was great.
Evening meals had a theme, so there was quite a variety and they always had a lot of fresh vegetable options, a Mexican area, a great choice for desserts and for the most part, I ate way more than I should have.
10. Timeshare
In this day and age where almost every single hotel has some sort of timeshare/vacation club / elite membership or whatever they are calling it to trick you, it is important to know that Riu Hotels DO NOT have any sort of timeshare. Hallelujah!
11. Access to other Riu Hotels
As mentioned, the beach club is located at the Riu Yucatan.
If you are up for exploring a little or just want a change of scenery, you are also allowed to visit the Riu Playacar (when you leave the hotel to turn left and walk down to the Plaza area, the hotel will be on the beachside).
You must take your beach towels from the Riu hotel and have dinner at your hotel, but otherwise, feel free to grab lunch, head to the pool or beach.
12. Golf at the Riu
If you are looking for an affordable golf vacation, the Riu Tequila is a great option. Located walking distance to the Hard Rock Golf Course located in Playacar, Riu guests get an extra discount on green fees.
Planning a golf vacation?
Talk to us today our golfing experts will be happy to help.
13. Conference Rooms
There are 6 Riu hotels in Playa del Carmen.
All 6 are located in the gated community of Playacar, adjacent to the town and vary in terms of price and service available.
The Riu Tequila has 5 conference rooms and a capacity for up to 785 people.
If you are looking for hotels that can offer conference rooms and more, we PlayaDelCarmen.com, help organize corporate retreats in Playa del Carmen.
14. Weddings
Destination weddings in Playa del Carmen are becoming more and more popular.
The Riu Tequila offers a few options with packages ranging from 10 to 40+ guests. You can choose a symbolic ceremony, a legal wedding or a vow renewal ceremony in their lush garden location.
Great perks are available for those wanting to get married at the Riu Tequila, just let me know what you have in mind and I am happy to help you get it planned.
Bliss!
Conclusion
I will be back here with my family for certain. Not only is this one of my dad’s favorite hotels in the area, but the beach is also amazing, the location is fantastic and the value for the price is just unbeatable.
Book Your Stay Today
Have questions about the Riu Tequila hotel? Comment below
Have you been to the Riu Tequila? Let us know what you thought.
Want the best price for the Riu Tequila? Just get in touch at customercare@playadelcarmen.com
Comments (15)
Elisabeth Cardarellisays:
April 17, 2017 at 8:57 amHi there
I have a few questions about the riu Tequila, which room would you recommend me please, because I can’t walk long ways, I thought maybe close to the reception and not too far from the pool. I wrote the hotel and I am waiting for an answer. Another question is if I pay Internet will it work by the pool and in the room? ( I saw you are born in Montreal just asking if you speak french, bcz my french is better than my english)
Thank you and good day
Elisabeth
Warren Allansays:
April 18, 2017 at 8:38 amGood Afternoon, Elisabeth!
Thank you for getting in touch with PlayaDelCarmen.com.
I am answering you instead of Lisa, who is out this week on site inspections.
In regards To WiFi at the RIU Tequila, the paid WiFi works in the rooms, restaurants, pool and reception.The cost for WiFi for one day is 190 pesos/12 USD for 24 hours.
The free WiFi only works in the reception.
We have contacted the hotel in regards to finding out which category is near the reception and pool. Once I find out I will send you an email with the details on location.
If you’d like to book or have any questions, I can be reached at 888-537-9797 ext. 107.
Sunny Regards,
Suzy Moustafa
Leesays:
December 26, 2019 at 11:46 pmCan you have access to Riu Playacar and Yucatan for food and drinks if you stay at Tequila?
Sarah Barlowsays:
December 27, 2019 at 12:23 pmHey Lee, a stay at Riu Tequila means you can use the entire facilities of the Yucatan, pools, restaurants, activities all included. However, at Playacar, you will be only able to use Playacar’s beach and pool buffet at lunchtime. I hope that helps.
Rita Clotmansays:
October 30, 2017 at 7:44 pmmy name is Rita Clotman, i stayed at the Riu Tequila resort from Oct. 14th until Oct.21st. 2017, This was my first time in Mexico, I enjoyed my stay at your resort. The staff was very friendly and polite. my room was 2613, the room was very clean and beautiful. I would like give big Shout out to Veronica, the photographer she was a amazing and very nice. Also, i would like thank Rey the bar server for getting my drinks right for me. Thanks again for making my vacation in Mexico, fabulous!!!! I would luv to return soon.
Rita Clotmansays:
October 30, 2017 at 7:50 pmAlso, i met a lot of different couples from different countries. And, the food was good as well.
Danasays:
January 15, 2020 at 7:52 amHi,
Please let me know if you stay at RIU TEQUILA, you can go during the day to RIU YUCATAN? and also to Palace?
Do you think is worth spent 200 euro more for 2 pers to stay at Yucatan?
Thank you.
Sarah Barlowsays:
January 16, 2020 at 9:55 amHey Dana, you can go across the street to the beach, but you can’t go to the Palace resort. Even if you stay at Yucatan, you can’t visit the Palace resorts. I don’t think it’s worth the extra money, as the beach is right across the street, and easily accessible.
Gillian Entwistlesays:
March 2, 2020 at 11:36 amDoes anybody know if the wine in the Riu hotels has improved since 2010?! We stayed in the Tequila where wine was terrible,but managed a sneaky glass of red in the palace which was much nicer! If the Tequila can get in a better bottle of red I would return,but I am reluctant to pay extra money for the palace just for the better booze!!
Sarah Barlowsays:
March 2, 2020 at 3:47 pmHey Gillian, the Riu recently changed all of their dining and drinking options. For example, they don’t require reservation any more so there is a good chance a lot of other things got changed in the process including the wine. It might be worth heading over to TripAdvisor and asking someone who recently stayed or joining the Facebook groups for Riu. I hope that helps. If I do visit soon I will let you know myself. 🙂
Kristian Kundersays:
September 15, 2020 at 10:59 pmHi Sarah
I’m planning to spend about 3 weeks in PDC in November. In these Covid days, is Tequila still a resort you recommend for singles? Is the resort operating normally? I’m thinking about splitting my time up between an AI and a hotel. Thoughts? Any tips you have for what to expect with the nightlife along 5th would be appreciated.
You articles are great and very helpful. THANKS!
Sarah Barlowsays:
September 16, 2020 at 10:14 amHi Kristian, thank you for reaching and reading the blog. Yes I would, and in regards to operations, it’s up there in my top 10 hotels that have responded to the pandemic the most impressively. Read more here: https://playadelcarmen.com/blog/best-resorts-covid19/. I think that’s a good idea, however, 5th avenue is currently being revamped entirely so nightlife there has been affected. Don’t get me wrong bars are still open there just isn’t that same BUZZ at the moment but regardless still worth a trip and night out. So glad you’re finding the info useful. Thank you for your kind words it means the world and inspires me to write more. 🙂
Richardsays:
September 8, 2022 at 10:16 amStayed in the tequila a few year back we were the last ones to leave before the revamp food was fantastic night life was fantastic rooms were great coming back April next year any changes would love to no
Stephanesays:
December 14, 2022 at 3:18 pmI see from an aerial view (Google Map) that two tennis courts are located next to the Riu Palace Mexico. If we book a stay at Riu Tequila, will we have access to them?
Thanks!
Ian Robertsonsays:
August 6, 2023 at 5:35 pmWe have visited the Tequila on several occasions and thought the resort and staff were fabulous. Just a question, do you know if Leo is still in charge of the main restaurant? He certainly gave us the “Royal Treatment” on our vacations and it was much appreciated.