Excellence Riviera Cancun Map (Most Up-To-Date)
Excellence Riviera Cancun is a compact, U shaped, adults only resort where nine buildings ring a network of pools leading toward an east facing beach. Central blocks cluster lobby, theater, and main pool activity, while quieter northern buildings and Excellence Club wings anchor spa gardens and upgraded oceanfront zones. Layout choices hinge on proximity to pools, beach, and Excellence Club exclusivity.
| Area / Zone | Best For | Key Tip | Watch Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Wing – Buildings 1 to 3 | Quiet stays with garden or spa views | Request Building 3 for the most secluded, low foot traffic atmosphere | Furthest walk from Excellence Club lounge and oceanfront activity |
| Central Pools and Buildings 4 to 6 | Balanced access to lobby, theater, and main pool | Use central paths to cut straight to lobby and nighttime entertainment | More daytime noise from activities and bar service near main pool |
| Excellence Club Oceanfront – Buildings 7 and 8 | Direct ocean views and quickest beach access | Pick higher floors for stronger ocean views over palms and palapas | High visibility and more passerby traffic near EC beach and pier |
| Excellence Club Pool Zone – Building 9 | Club perks with very short walks to EC pool and Magna | Ground floors suit pool socializers, upper floors suit quieter balcony time | Limited ocean views, outlook is primarily over club pool courtyard |
| Lobby, Theater and Dining Core | Evening energy, short walks to most restaurants and Martini Bar | Use Garibaldi Square as the main landmark when orienting from your room | Heavier nighttime noise and foot traffic until after shows and music end |
| Spa and Fitness Garden Zone | Relaxed vibe near Miilé Spa and wellness facilities | Follow paths behind Building 6 for the calmest, greenest walking route | More shade later in the day and longer walk to beach loungers |
| Beachfront and Pier Sector | Sunrise watching, strolling, and water activities or reef trips | Use the pier as a visual anchor when navigating back along the sand | Sargassum season can affect water entry and beach aesthetics significantly |
2025 Excellence Riviera Cancun Map + Printable PDF
The current layout still centers on a U shaped plan that opens toward the Caribbean, with nine main buildings framing six interlinked pools and canals. The lobby, Garibaldi Square, theater, and most restaurants remain grouped near the property’s center, while Excellence Club suites, pools, lounge, and Magna restaurant cluster in the southern wing by the beach. Guests planning upcoming stays can rely on short, walkable distances between rooms, spa, pools, and shoreline.
2025 Excellence Riviera Cancun Map Guide
Use the map by first tracing the main spine from lobby through Garibaldi Square to the central pool and beach, then noting how the two accommodation wings branch north and south from that axis. Standard rooms dominate the quieter north and central blocks, while Excellence Club zones occupy the oceanfront tips and southern pool court. Plan stays by matching building position to your priorities for sun, quiet, pool energy, and quick dining access.
How is Excellence Riviera Cancun laid out in terms of buildings, pools, and beachfront zones?
Excellence Riviera Cancun forms a compact U around six linked pools, with nine buildings stepping toward an east facing beach.
The resort’s master plan is a U shape that opens to the Caribbean. Nine numbered buildings ring the inside of this U, with the lobby and Garibaldi Square at the base, then rooms extending out along the north and south wings. Central buildings sit closest to the lobby and theater, while outer wings are quieter and more residential.
A network of linear pools runs between the buildings. The lively main pool with the swim up bar sits near the central axis by the beach, while quieter canal style pools wind behind Buildings 1 to 6. Excellence Club pools and most EC rooms focus into the southern wing and oceanfront tips, which directly face the beach, pier, and club beach section.
How far is Excellence Riviera Cancun from Cancun International Airport, and what is the typical transfer time?
Excellence Riviera Cancun sits about 23 to 26 km from Cancun International Airport, with typical private transfers taking roughly 20 to 35 minutes.
Excellence Riviera Cancun lies approximately 23.4 to 26 kilometers south of Cancun International Airport, which equals about 14.5 to 16 miles along Highway 307. The resort sits directly off this main coastal highway, so vehicles avoid detouring into the Cancun Hotel Zone or urban streets.
Typical transfer time runs about 20 to 35 minutes in normal conditions. Traffic density on Highway 307, time of day, and number of intermediate hotel stops are the main variables, so shared shuttles tend toward the longer end of that range while direct private cars skew shorter.
Where are the restaurants, bars, and main theater located within Excellence Riviera Cancun?
Most restaurants ring the lobby and plaza core, with beach grills by the main pool and bars linking lobby, spa, and shoreline.
Most dining is clustered around the lobby and Garibaldi Square, with a few key outlets at the pool and beach.
- Barcelona, Toscana, Spice, Basmati, Chez Isabelle, The Flavor Market and Agave sit in or around the main building and central plaza.
- The Lobster House and The Grill share a large palapa beside the main pool close to the beach.
- Magna, the Excellence Club restaurant, sits beside the Excellence Club pool near Building 9.
- Martini Bar anchors the lobby, Café Kafé is on the plaza, Havana Club is nearby, and Revive Bar is beside the spa.
- The main indoor theater is just off the lobby, near the central axis leading toward the pool.
How are the buildings and room categories positioned across Excellence Riviera Cancun relative to the beach and main amenities?
Standard suites line the north and central wings, while Excellence Club rooms cluster in the south and oceanfront tips closest to beach life.
Buildings 1 to 3 sit on the quieter north wing, where Junior Suite Spa or Pool View categories overlook gardens, spa areas, and outer pools. These buildings relate most closely to Miilé Spa and tennis courts, and they sit furthest from the Excellence Club lounge and club beach. Buildings 4 to 6 occupy the central zone, where pool view and some rooftop suites face the lazy river network and have the most direct routes to the lobby, Garibaldi Square, and main theater.
Buildings 7 and 8 hold most Excellence Club oceanfront suites and larger honeymoon or Imperial units directly facing the beach and pier. Building 9 runs behind a dedicated Excellence Club pool, so club pool view suites sit one short walk from Magna, the EC lounge, and a quick path to the beach.
How does the layout of Excellence Riviera Cancun compare to Excellence Playa Mujeres in size and zoned areas?
Riviera Cancun is a compact U shaped village, while Playa Mujeres spreads wider with more separated, cart linked zone clusters.
| Aspect | Excellence Riviera Cancun | Excellence Playa Mujeres |
|---|---|---|
| Overall size | Compact and dense around one U shaped footprint | Larger, more open and sprawling along the coast |
| Room count feel | About 440 suites, socially condensed | Similar keys but feels bigger due to spread out blocks |
| Main zones | Single core for lobby, plaza, theater and main pool | Multiple hubs for pools, bars and restaurants |
| Movement | Almost entirely walkable in 5 to 7 minutes end to end | Often uses golf carts for longer internal movements |
| Beach relationship | Pools and buildings wrap inward toward a narrower beach | Layout stretches parallel to a wider, calmer beach |
| Vibe from zoning | Intimate, easy to learn, zones close together | Airy, resort city feel, more separation between energies |
ERC suits guests who want a simple, quickly learned layout with short walks between room, restaurants and pools, while EPM better fits those who prefer a more expansive, modern campus with clearly separated activity pockets and a stronger beach focus.
What are the main walking routes at Excellence Riviera Cancun and the typical distances between lobby, pools, and beach?
Most routes follow one central spine and side paths, with lobby to beach about 350 m and most room to hub walks under seven minutes.
Most movement follows the central axis from lobby to beach, with shorter feeder paths out to room blocks and spa or club zones.
- Lobby to beach via main spine: about 350 meters, 4 to 6 minutes, passing Martini Bar, Garibaldi Square and main pool.
- Lobby to Miilé Spa: about 150 meters, 2 to 3 minutes on a quiet paved path behind Building 6.
- Building 1 to main pool: about 200 meters, 3 to 4 minutes through gardens on the north side.
- Building 9 to lobby: about 250 meters, 3 to 5 minutes on a direct paved route along the south wing.
- Building 9 to Excellence Club pool: roughly 10 to 20 meters, under one minute, essentially just across the courtyard.
Where are the Excellence Club pools, lounges, and beach sections located within Excellence Riviera Cancun?
Excellence Club areas cluster in the south wing, with pools, lounge, and beach zones grouped around Buildings 7, 8, and 9.
Excellence Club facilities sit mainly in the resort’s southern end, close to the oceanfront tips of the U shape.
- Primary Excellence Club pool: Runs along Building 9, forming a quiet courtyard with upgraded loungers and the most concentrated EC social area.
- Secondary Excellence Club pool: Set nearer Buildings 7 and 8, giving EC guests a quieter, heated pool option close to the beach.
- Excellence Club lounge: Located beside Building 9 and its pool, a short walk from the south wing rooms and Magna restaurant.
- Magna restaurant: Sits next to the EC pool by Building 9, serving as the main breakfast and dinner hub for club guests.
- Excellence Club beach section: Occupies the beachfront in front of Buildings 7, 8, and 9, marked by upgraded loungers and club level service.
On a map, where are nearby attractions and snorkel or dive spots relative to Excellence Riviera Cancun?
Reef snorkel trips run straight out from the resort beach, while Puerto Morelos town and cenotes sit a short distance south and inland.
Nearby spots cluster along the coast and the inland cenote corridor.
- Puerto Morelos town square sits about 3 to 4 km south along the shore or highway, reached by taxi or a 35 to 45 minute beach walk.
- The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef lies roughly 400 to 600 yards offshore; snorkel and dive boats leave from the resort pier or nearby marina.
- Reef excursions typically involve a 5 to 10 minute boat ride from ERC to protected snorkel moorings.
- Cenotes such as Las Mojarras and Siete Bocas line the inland Ruta de los Cenotes, about a 20 minute drive from the resort via Puerto Morelos.
How does Excellence Riviera Cancun’s beachfront location and public access compare with Secrets Maroma Beach?
Riviera Cancun has a narrower, seaweed prone but walkable beach, while Secrets Maroma excels with wider powder sand and clearer water.
| Feature | Excellence Riviera Cancun | Secrets Maroma Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Beach width and sand | Relatively narrow strip, white but sometimes compact underfoot | Very wide, powder soft white sand that feels more expansive |
| Water clarity | Good but can look cloudier from reef turbidity and seaweed | Generally crystal clear with classic turquoise gradients |
| Sargassum impact | High accumulation in season, requires daily cleanup efforts | Moderate accumulation, coastal shape reduces some buildup |
| Walkability | About 2 mile walkable stretch south toward Puerto Morelos | Walkable for miles in both directions along largely resort frontage |
| Overall feel | Beach supports the pool centric vibe, backdrop to pool life | Beach is the primary draw, ideal for dedicated beach focused stays |
Both sit on a continuous Riviera Maya shoreline, so walkers can pass along the waterline, but day to day the experience feels mainly resort oriented.
What are the wheelchair-accessible routes, ramps, and elevators around Excellence Riviera Cancun’s main buildings and amenities?
Wheelchair users rely on the flat lobby spine, perimeter paths, elevators and beach boardwalks while detouring around bridge steps and soft sand.
Wheelchair access follows a few predictable routes while avoiding the stepped bridges over pools.
- Lobby to Garibaldi Square and the theater uses the central paved spine, with gentle slopes and no pool bridges.
- For beach access, follow the same spine, then take wooden boardwalk ramps; beyond the boards, soft sand usually requires a beach wheelchair.
- To reach the north wing and Miilé Spa, use paved perimeter paths behind buildings instead of shortcut bridges over the canals.
- Excellence Club areas, including Building 9, connect via flat courtyard walkways, with elevators serving upper floors when functioning.
- Most restaurants sit at ground level, though Basmati can present step or turn issues, so checking access with the concierge is prudent.
- Swim up pools are not zero entry, and steps or rocky edges can hinder independent water entry.
How do you get from Excellence Riviera Cancun to Puerto Morelos, and where is it on a map?
Puerto Morelos sits a few km south of ERC; reach it by 40 minute beach walk or a short taxi ride via Highway 307.
Guests usually choose between a taxi or a beach walk to reach Puerto Morelos from ERC.
- Taxi: Ask concierge to call one, then drive south on Highway 307 about 5 to 10 minutes to the town square area.
- Beach walk: Head south along the shoreline from the resort, about 2 miles, which takes roughly 35 to 45 minutes on sand.
- On a map: ERC sits just north of town on the same coastal strip, with Puerto Morelos clustered around the small harbor and plaza.
Which pools at Excellence Riviera Cancun receive the most sun during the day based on their orientation?
The main beachfront pool and Excellence Club pools near Buildings 7 and 8 get the longest, strongest sun, while canal pools shade earlier.
Excellence Riviera Cancun faces roughly east to southeast, so sunrise hits the beach and the oceanfront buildings first. Through late morning and midday, the main activity pool by the beach receives strong direct sun, making it the best choice for all day tanning and warmer water. The Excellence Club pools, especially the one closer to Buildings 7 and 8, also enjoy generous mid to late day sun and are additionally heated in winter.
As the sun moves west in the afternoon, buildings cast longer shadows over the narrower canal style pools winding behind Buildings 1 to 6. These lazy river sections, especially near the central and north wings, lose sun earlier, and the water can feel noticeably cooler in the winter months.
How does the overall size and room count of Excellence Riviera Cancun compare to UNICO 20°87°?
Excellence Riviera Cancun and UNICO are similar in room count, but UNICO feels larger due to its layout and more open design.
| Aspect | Excellence Riviera Cancun | UNICO 20°87° |
|---|---|---|
| Approximate room count | About 440 suites | About 448 rooms and suites |
| Footprint feel | Compact, walkable U shaped campus | More linear, resort strip feel along beach |
| Vertical vs horizontal | Low rise, hacienda style blocks | Low to mid rise with broader wings |
| Atmosphere | Intimate, classic, socially condensed | Airy, boho modern, more spread energy |
| Pool and zone vibe | Multiple smaller pools and canals | Fewer but larger pools with louder main scene |
Both are mid sized compared to mega resorts, but ERC feels like a tight village while UNICO reads as a sleeker, more expansive beach strip.
Where are the main wedding ceremony and reception venues located within Excellence Riviera Cancun?
Ceremonies cluster at the stone gazebo, pier, and beach gazebo, with receptions using Garibaldi Square, X Lounge, and the ballroom.
The main ceremony and reception spots sit along the north beachfront, central beach, and lobby plaza areas.
- Stone gazebo: On the northern oceanfront corner of the property, set on solid ground above the sand.
- Pier: Extends from the central beach in front of the main pool area, directly over the water.
- Beach gazebo: On the sand along the main beachfront, between the stone gazebo and pier sectors.
- Garibaldi Square: The central plaza near the lobby, often used for cocktail hours or outdoor receptions.
- Ballroom: Close to the lobby core, providing an indoor, air conditioned reception backup.
- X Lounge: At the beach near the main pool and pier, used for open air evening receptions.
Archive Excellence Riviera Cancun Maps
Below are all official map versions released for Barceló Maya Grand Resort between 2024 and 2019.
2024 Excellence Riviera Cancun Map
2023 Excellence Riviera Cancun Map
2019-2022 Excellence Riviera Cancun Map (Official 2019 Edition)
