Trying to decide if Wakax Hacienda is the right cenote hotel in Tulum for you? Check out this comprehensive review and discover this haven amidst the jungle, a perfect retreat for your trip.
Throw away all your preconceived notions about Tulum. This is a whole different experience. Wakax Hacienda is a gorgeous sanctuary for those looking to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and immerse themselves in nature.
Opened in 2022, Wakax Hacienda is a spectacular hacienda built in the colonial style that’s typical of the Yucatan region. The owner, in fact, owns multiple luxury haciendas in the Merida region and built this replica with his favorite elements from each one of them.
If you have limited time in Mexico, you don’t even have to travel all the way to Merida or Valladolid to experience Yucatan!
This jungle lodge in Tulum offers the perfect combination between comfort and luxury, with plenty of amenities to enjoy.
Something I really like about Wakax Hacienda is that here you can do as little or as much as you want. We stayed for 3 nights and we wanted to do as much as possible. We were BUSY! We could have easily stayed one week and we wouldn’t have been bored.
At the same time, though, the hacienda offers so many opportunities for relaxation that if you just want to lay by a pool and read a book, you have some beautiful spots to do just that.
I’ve already said too much – let’s get started!
Table of Contents
THE LOCATION
Wakax Hacienda is located 5 miles (8 km) from the Tulum Ruins and 6.2 miles (10 km) from Tulum Downtown. However, it’s built in the middle of the jungle, away from the noise of Tulum. If you’re looking to party and be near the beach, this isn’t the place for you. For everyone else, book a room right now!
You’re close enough to visit all the most famous landmarks and hotspots, but you couldn’t be further away. The location is also ideal if you want to explore some of the most famous cenotes in Tulum, as some of them are literally next door.
THE FACILITIES
This jungle lodge in Tulum is hands down the most unique hotel I’ve stayed at IN THE WORLD!
Usually, when I review hotels, I follow a specific structure, but this time I don’t even know where to start. There are just so many things to talk about, and so many places to explore at the hacienda!
In fact, they gave us a map when we checked in. I mean, you know you won’t get bored when they give you a map of the grounds so that you don’t get lost!
Let me start by saying this: at Hacienda Wakax you’ll find 2 lakes, 3 cenotes, 2 underground rivers, and 3 pools! I will discuss these in detail later on.
The jungle also offers great opportunities to hike or bike around. In any case, the resort is so big that you’ll want to grab one of the free bikes and use it to move around. You can bike around the property and explore on your own or go with Gonzo, the activity coordinator (more about that later).
The spa offers everything from massages, body treatments, to hairstyiling.
If you’re looking for something more traditional and a bit more special, the hotel has its own Temazcal, a sweat lodge where you can enjoy a Temazcal ceremony for a fee. Guests need to book this in advance as the shaman comes all the way from Cozumel!
Complimentary yoga lessons are offered every morning in the Yoga Shala, which boasts an incredible view of the lake.
Guests can also freely use the kayaks and paddleboards in the lake, or just relax at one of the many cool palapas that are scattered around the property. I swear, you never stop finding new spots that are one more instagrammable than the other. Wakax Hacienda is a content creator’s paradise!
Besides enjoying the array of activities you can also enjoy the delicious food at the restaurant or order a cocktail from the bar.
Wakax Hacienda also features a consecrated church that can be used for weddings and ceremonies. They’re also building more bars and restaurants, and planning new activities – it’s a place in constant evolution.
THE ROOMS
Wakax Hacienda features six room categories, all of them with similar aesthetics (elegant simplicity – the dreamy Tulum boho-chic vibes!), and the highest comforts.
They all offer fully equipped bathrooms, slippers, and comfy bed linen… and a Nespresso machine! You can understand how overjoyed an Italian like me was to discover that.
The room also comes with a fully stocked complimentary minibar and organic honey toiletries that were the end of the world.
The Garden View Suites are located in the heart of the hacienda, featuring a king-sized bed, an en-suite bathroom, and some of them have a small balcony.
The Superior Suites boast a patio and a terrace with jungle views, and a king-sized bed, as well as chairs and a small table. They are located mere steps from the Mestizo pool, and their size varies from 66 to 94 square meters.
Similar in size and offering a terrace with views of the jungle and a swing is the Terrace Suite, which can accommodate a child + 2 adults. This is where we stayed! Our suite was spacious, and we loved the design. So minimalistic and traditional at the same time.
The Premium Suite is ideal for families, as it accommodates up to 4 people in two bedrooms, both featuring king-sized beds. The suite also has a vestibule, a sink, and a small kitchen bar to enjoy a morning coffee.
There are also two spectacular villas boasting a private pool.
▶ Book your stay at Wakax Hacienda ON THEIR WEBSITE or on BOOKING.COM.
THE CENOTES
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I’m obsessed with cenotes. I probably have 20 articles or more about cenotes on this website!
If you have no idea what I’m talking about, cenotes are sinkholes that can be open, semi-open, or in a cave. There are thousands of cenotes in the Quintana Roo and Yucatan region, but it’s really not that common that a hotel will own its own cenote, especially in Tulum.
So when I found out that Wakax Hacienda had not one cenote, not two cenotes, but 3 cenotes! on the property, I couldn’t believe it. This was the most perfect hotel for me!
You can swim in the cool waters of Cenote Nohoch. There are a few staircases to get down in the water, and also a swing… if you actually manage to get on it (I refuse to tell you how many tries it took us to be able to get on it 😀 ).
If possible, this cenote gets even more magical at night when it gets illuminated by tens of lightbulbs. It’s breathtaking. You can swim here at night, it’s the ideal spot for a romantic date with your partner.
While… is an open cenote, the second cenote at Wakax Hacienda (I’ve forgotten the name!) is a semi-open cenote. Beautiful, although the first one is better to actually swim.
There is a third cenote as well, but since they were cleaning it when we visited, I don’t have good pictures of it.
THE POOLS
Let’s talk about the pools. Most guests tend to stay by the main lake, so whenever we used the pools, we were always alone. Talk about having 3 private pools!
Two of the pools were classic pools with a minimalist design – very much Tulum style. Beautiful and great spots to relax for a few hours with a book.
The third pool in traditional Yucatecan style though, we fell in love with. The cool thing is that you can swim under the sun or in the shaded area… which if you visit in May like us, you’ll very much appreciate!
THE LAKE(S)
Wakax Hacienda is built around a beautiful lake. This is where you’ll find the restaurant and bar, as well as the Yoga Shala.
Around the lake you’ll find plenty of sunbeds, couches, and hammocks to relax, and it was never too crowded when we were there.
But pssst! There is another secret, beautiful lake that is not on the map. You need to book a bike tour with Gonzo, and he’ll bring you here!
THE ACTIVITIES
Wakax Hacienda is IMO the best type of all-inclusive: it’s an activities all-inclusive! Yes, you’ll have to pay for your food and drinks… but how many resorts in Tulum offer complimentary cenote tours??
All the tours and activities are complimentary for guests at Wakax Hacienda (except for the spa and the temazcal). That includes yoga classes, paddleboard and kayak rentals, and the tours organized by Gonzo, the activity coordinator. Each guest coordinates their schedule directly with Gonzo, and most tours are private just for your group.
A few tours are on offer, but two tours you absolutely can’t miss are the underground river tour and the bike tour.
The underground river tour at Wakax Hacienda is similar to the famous Rio Secreto tour… except that it comes complimentary, and without the crowds! How many people can say they’ve visited an underground river on their own?
You’ll wear a helmet and life jacket, and you’ll explore the underground river guided by Gonzo. There are a couple of narrow passages, but you’re never with your head underwater. I’m a little claustrophobic but felt fine during the tour.
It was so much fun! Gonzo is an exceptional guide and taught us so much about the fauna and stalagmites of the river.
On the second day, we opted for the bike tour. This was a cultural tour, where Gonzo brought us around the property and told us interesting anecdotes about the history of the region and the culture and traditions of the Maya.
We went to check out the Mayan village, where pigs, chickens, and other animals are kept. Then, he showed us the two furthest away cenotes, as well as the secret lake.
BREAKFAST & FOOD
This jungle resort in Tulum offers a hearty breakfast every morning for an extra fee. You can choose between the usual options like omelet or eggs with toast, opt for a traditional Mexican breakfast dish like chilaquiles, or maybe go healthy with green juice.
The on-site restaurant, El Cocal, blends traditional Yucatan cooking techniques with international flavors and twists, resulting in a tasty and original cuisine. Some of our favorite dishes were the fresh ceviche and the house salad with blue cheese.
They also have a separate vegetarian/vegan menu with things like Beyond Meat burgers, but if you’re vegan make sure to let them know because we ordered some vegan dishes and they came with cheese on top.
You’ll also find a bar serving cocktails and drinks. I recommend the cocktails (or flavored water) with maracuja or jamaica, they are both delicious!
RATES
Rates start at $200 per night for two guests. Of course, rates vary depending on the room and dates you choose, as well as how much in advance you book your stay.
▶ Book your stay at Wakax Hacienda ON THEIR WEBSITE or on BOOKING.COM.
Disclaimer: We were invited by Wakax Hacienda, but this is truly one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever been, and we’re so happy to recommend it. We would never lie to you!
Becky
Thursday 4th of January 2024
Were there any children there during your trip? Having once had a visit to Alaska ruined by kids, we're leery of staying places that aren't adults only, but this place looks tremendous.
Stefania Guglielmi
Friday 5th of January 2024
It's also true that the place is sooo huge, with so many pools and cenotes and lakes, that if there were ever any rowdy children it would be extremely easy to move to somewhere quieter.
Stefania Guglielmi
Friday 5th of January 2024
There weren't any children when I was there but it was also not very busy. It's a place that definitely caters to adulst more than families with children but of course I can't assure you ether won't be kids there.
Gary Andrishak
Friday 13th of January 2023
My wife and I are booked to stay at Wakax Hacienda in February 2023. Two quick questions! What is the best way to get to Wakax from the Cancun Airport and, second, how far is Wakax Hacienda from the ocean beaches? Thank you.
Steph
Friday 13th of January 2023
Hi Gary, so jealous! For transportation, I recommend these guys: https://www.cancunshuttles.com/shared-cancun-shuttle?idaff=1303 (for private transfers) or https://www.cancunshuttles.com/shared-cancun-shuttle?idaff=1303 (for shared transfers). I've personally used them and only had great experiences with them. Otherwise, you can think of renting a car if you're planning to go out of the resort a lot. We honestly were more than happy to stay put at Wakax as there is a lot to do, but if you're planning multiple day trips, it's something worth considering. The beaches are 10-15 minutes away by car.