Royal Sands Resort Map (Most Up-To-Date)

The Royal Sands Cancun is a twin horseshoe resort on the Hotel Zone’s eastern strip, with Phase I centered on a lively activity pool and Phase II built around a quieter lap pool. A central spine holds lobby, market, spa, and main dining, while wide beachfront terraces and managed palapa rows face the open Caribbean. Inter resort shuttles and defined evacuation plans connect the property to calmer waters and inland shelters.

Area / Zone	Best For	Key Tip	Watch Out
Phase I activity courtyard and pool	Families, groups, social pool time and swim up bar	Choose mid level rooms nearby for quick daytime access	Loud music and games from activity team most of the day
Phase II quiet courtyard and lap pool	Couples or readers seeking calm poolside atmosphere	Request upper floor Phase II for quieter nights and views	Further walk from lobby and entertainment, feels more secluded
Central spine lobby, market and spa block	Quick access to check in, dining, spa and market	Villas near central core reduce walking to most daily services	Foot traffic and noise from elevators and common corridors
Beachfront terrace, Sand Dollar and palapas zone	Ocean views, breezy dining and full day on the sand	Reserve palapas early using resort system to secure shade	Strong waves and currents on open Caribbean facing beach
Streetfront Hacienda Sisal and Blvd Kukulcan access	Evenings off the pool deck and easy shopping walks	Use main gate sidewalk to reach Kukulcan Plaza within minutes	Boulevard traffic when crossing toward external malls and attractions
Tennis courts and perimeter activity strip	Active guests wanting tennis and evening play under lights	Schedule court time at low sun hours to avoid intense heat	Wind exposure and distance from beachfront, can feel somewhat isolated

2025 Royal Sands Resort Map + Printable PDF (Official 2023 Edition)

The core layout at The Royal Sands Cancun remains defined by the double horseshoe buildings around two distinct pool zones, tied together by a central lobby and services block. Hacienda Sisal still fronts Boulevard Kukulcan, while La Veranda, Royal Market, spa and sports bar cluster near the interior spine. Beachfront shade management with palapas, open ocean conditions, and the shuttle link to Royal Cancun and Royal Islander continue to shape how guests move and plan days.

2025 Royal Sands Resort Map Guide

Use the map by first anchoring on the two main U shaped building groups, then deciding whether you want to stay and play near the active Phase I pool or the quieter Phase II courtyard. Trace routes from the central lobby spine out to beach, tennis, and curbside Hacienda Sisal to understand walking vs shuttle movements. Match zones to your trip style, from family friendly activity loops to quieter oceanfront or lap pool based stays.

How is The Royal Sands Cancun property laid out, including its buildings, pools, and beachfront zones?

The Royal Sands uses two U shaped towers around active and quiet pools, linked by a central lobby spine between Boulevard Kukulcan and the beach.

The property sits between Boulevard Kukulcan and the Caribbean, with a covered motor lobby and Hacienda Sisal on the street side and wide terraces leading to sand and palapas on the sea side. Two large horseshoe buildings frame the site. The southern Phase I horseshoe surrounds the main infinity activity pool, swim up bar, kids areas and entertainment stage. The northern Phase II horseshoe wraps the quieter pool with lap lanes and a more subdued acoustic environment.

A central spine connects both phases and houses the main lobby, La Veranda restaurant, Sidelines sports bar, Spa Royale and The Royal Market. From this core, ramps and paths lead down through pool decks to the beachfront rows of loungers and palapas.

Where are the restaurants and bars located within The Royal Sands Cancun?

Main dining lines the central spine, with Hacienda Sisal at the street, pool grills and swim up bars mid resort, and Sand Dollar on the beach.

Most food and beverage spots cluster along the central lobby block and the pool to beach axis.

• La Veranda sits in the main central Phase I building, just off the lobby, facing the activity pool with indoor, air conditioned seating.
• Hacienda Sisal stands streetfront on Boulevard Kukulcan, in a separate hacienda style building beside the main entrance gate.
• Sidelines Sports Bar is located near the main lobby, functioning as the evening bar hub with TVs, games and late night drinks.
• Char Hut occupies the Phase I pool deck, serving fast grill items to guests in and around the main activity pool.
• The Phase I swim up bar is built into the main infinity pool, acting as the highest energy daytime bar node.
• Sand Dollar sits on the elevated beachfront terrace between pool and sand, sending waiter service down to loungers and palapas.

What is the best route from Cancun International Airport to The Royal Sands Cancun?

From CUN, follow Highway 307 to the Punta Nizuc turnoff, then drive north along Boulevard Kukulcan to km 13.5 and enter the motor lobby.

The most direct route starts as you exit Cancun International Airport and merge onto Carretera Tulum Cancun, Highway 307, heading toward Cancun. At the Punta Nizuc cloverleaf you turn onto Boulevard Kukulcan, entering the Hotel Zone at its southern end. From there you continue north along the single main boulevard to kilometer marker 13.5, where The Royal Sands’ entrance and security gate sit on the ocean side.

Airport shuttles and taxis follow this same corridor, with the drive typically taking around 20 minutes in light traffic. Because Boulevard Kukulcan is the only road through the Hotel Zone, congestion at check in and dinner hours can stretch the trip toward 45 minutes. On arrival, vehicles pull into the covered motor lobby, set back from the boulevard, for check in and luggage handling.

Which building at The Royal Sands Cancun is generally considered the best place to stay?

Oceanfront tips A in Phase I and H in quieter Phase II are most coveted, with high floor units giving the strongest panoramic sea views.

The resort’s most prized locations sit at the oceanfront ends of the horseshoes. Buildings A and H anchor the tips of Phase I and Phase II, and their oceanfront villas hold the widest, most unobstructed views along with strong wave sound. Guests who prioritize scenery and balcony time usually target these stacks on higher floors.

Preferences shift by trip style. Families and social groups often favor Phase I oceanfront or mid wings, which sit close to the lively main pool and activity program. Couples, light sleepers, and readers usually request high floor oceanfront units in Phase II, which combine similar views with quieter courtyard sound and more distance from the activity pool and lobby noise.

How does The Royal Sands Cancun compare to Royal Islander, Royal Cancun, and Westin Lagunamar in layout, amenities, and size?

Royal Sands is the large, central hub resort, with more pools and services than Royal Islander, Royal Cancun and Westin Lagunamar.

Royal Sands sits mid Hotel Zone with two high rise horseshoes and the main market, spa, and activity hub. Royal Islander lies further south with a smaller, quieter footprint that often feeds guests up to Sands for services. Royal Cancun is a low rise, bay side village with calm water and fewer, more intimate amenities. Westin Lagunamar, near La Isla, mirrors the villa concept but runs a more corporate, room only model.

Resort	Layout and location	Water and vibe	Relative size and amenities
The Royal Sands	Double horseshoe high rises mid zone facing open Caribbean	Rougher surf, energetic pools, active daily programming	Largest feel and main hub, full market, spa, kids and activity focus
The Royal Islander	Single smaller complex farther south along Boulevard Kukulcan	Similar surf, but much quieter pool and grounds	Lower density, fewer on site services, guests often shuttle to Sands
The Royal Cancun	Low rise garden layout on sheltered north shore bay	Very calm, shallow water, sleepy village atmosphere	Compact, intimate, family friendly, fewer facilities but excellent safe swimming
Westin Lagunamar	Modern towers near La Isla on Caribbean side	Open ocean like Sands, stylish but less animated	Comparable scale in buildings, strong villas, no all inclusive meal plan

For layout focused decisions, think of Royal Sands as the dense, central operations hub, Royal Islander and Royal Cancun as quieter satellites, and Westin Lagunamar as a nearby peer that trades the Sands all inclusive and internal shuttle ecosystem for a more independent, branded hotel experience.

Where are the main family-friendly amenities at The Royal Sands Cancun, like kids’ club and children’s pools?

Most family amenities cluster in Phase I around the main pool, with kids club, splash areas and shallow pools in both courtyards.

Most family focused spots sit on the pool level between the two horseshoes, with a heavier concentration in Phase I.

• Kids Club is located in the central Phase I zone, close to the main activity pool and entertainment area.
• Dedicated shallow children’s pools sit beside the main infinity pool in Phase I, separated from the deeper sections.
• A second shallow children’s pool is located in the quieter Phase II courtyard near its main pool.
• The newer Aqua Park style splash area with slides and buckets is integrated into the family side of the pool decks.
• The Royal Market, in the central building by the lobby, helps families stock snacks, drinks and quick breakfast supplies.
• Tennis courts along the resort perimeter provide extra family activity space, especially in cooler early morning or evening hours.

Where is The Royal Sands Cancun located in relation to major Cancun attractions and neighborhoods?

The Royal Sands sits at km 13.5 in the Hotel Zone, between Punta Cancun nightlife and Punta Nizuc, beside major malls and bus routes.

The resort occupies a mid zone position on Boulevard Kukulcan, with several key areas in easy reach.

• Hotel Zone overall – The Royal Sands sits on the long vertical stretch of the “7” shaped island, facing the open Caribbean.
• Kukulcan Plaza and Luxury Avenue – These malls sit almost next door, a short walk to the right from the main gate.
• La Isla Shopping Village – Located about 1.0 to 1.4 kilometers north, reachable in roughly a 12 to 15 minute sidewalk walk.
• Punta Cancun nightlife district – Bars and clubs cluster several kilometers further north, a short bus or taxi ride from the resort.
• Southern Hotel Zone beaches – Resorts near Punta Nizuc lie to the south along the same boulevard, reached by bus or taxi.
• Downtown Cancun – The city center and inland neighborhoods sit across the lagoon, accessed by continuing north then inland by taxi or bus.

What wheelchair-accessible routes, ramps, and elevators are available across The Royal Sands Cancun?

Step free routes use wide ramps from motor lobby through lobby, pools and terraces, linked by multiple elevators that reach every residential floor.

Most movement for wheelchair users follows a continuous hard surface path, then relies on elevators for vertical access.

• A wide, sloped ramp connects the motor lobby and main entrance to the central lobby, avoiding exterior steps.
• From the lobby, additional broad ramps lead down to the pool decks and beachfront terrace, keeping a step free route to the edge of the sand.
• High capacity elevators sit at corners and midpoints of the towers, providing access to all residential floors for every unit corridor.
• Designated accessible units include widened doors and roll in style bathrooms and must be requested in advance.
• Beach access beyond the terrace is limited by soft sand, and beach wheelchairs are not always available, so many users stay on pool level.

How is The Royal Sands Cancun beach area laid out, including palapas and other shaded spots?

The beach forms a wide strip below the pools, with rows of reserved palapas in front of a raised terrace that links bar service and ramps.

The beach layout runs in clear bands from hardscape to waterline.

• A raised beachfront terrace sits just below the pools, with tables, shade and the Sand Dollar acting as the transition from deck to sand.
• Below the terrace, organized rows of loungers and fixed palapas form the main shaded zone directly facing the Caribbean.
• Palapa use is managed through a reservation style system tied to room numbers, reducing informal chair saving.
• Open sun loungers and walking space lie between palapas and the waterline, where lifeguard stands and the flag safety system are located.
  

Which areas of The Royal Sands Cancun are typically the quietest for rooms and pools?

Upper floor units in Phase II near the quiet pool are calmest, away from the activity pool, lobby hub and Boulevard Kukulcan.

The northern Phase II horseshoe is engineered for tranquility, with a quiet infinity pool and lap lanes and no amplified entertainment. Rooms on higher floors here sit furthest from the main activity pool, music and animation stage in Phase I, and they also avoid most motor lobby and street noise. Within Phase I, the noisiest locations are ground floor and low levels around the main pool. Light sleepers should request high floor Phase II oceanfront or ocean view villas.

Where are different room and villa types located within The Royal Sands Cancun buildings and floors?

All towers are built from two bedroom villas that lock off, so every floor holds similar units, with oceanfront tips A and H most desirable.

Most vertical stacks use the same base two bedroom Master Suite, which can stay whole or be split into a one bedroom suite plus a Junior Suite.

• Two bedroom Master Suites run through the buildings, including the oceanfront stacks at the open ends of each horseshoe and the angled ocean view wings.
• One bedroom suites occupy the same modules when the villa is locked off, so they can appear on any floor in those same stacks.
• Junior Suites form the other side of the lock off and share the same corridors, usually on all levels of each tower.
• Designated accessible units are standard villa modules in select stacks and floors, requested in advance rather than tied to a single building.

Where are all Royal Resorts properties in Cancun located, including The Royal Sands Cancun?

Royal Resorts in Cancun cluster along the Hotel Zone, with Royal Sands mid strip, Islander farther south, and Royal Cancun on the north bay.

Available information highlights three Cancun properties and their relative locations.

• The Royal Sands Cancun – Sits at about km 13.5 on Boulevard Kukulcan, on the long vertical stretch of the “7,” facing the open Caribbean.
• The Royal Islander – Located farther south in the Hotel Zone around km 17, also on the Caribbean side, in a quieter, less central stretch.
• The Royal Cancun – Positioned on the sheltered north shore bay, opposite the main oceanfront strip, in a low rise, garden style setting.
• A shuttle system links The Royal Sands with The Royal Islander and The Royal Cancun, effectively tying these three locations into one network.

What is the walking route and approximate time from The Royal Sands Cancun to La Isla Shopping Village?

From the main gate, walk north along Boulevard Kukulcan’s sidewalk about 1.0 to 1.4 km to La Isla, a roughly 12 to 15 minute walk.

Guests exit through The Royal Sands’ motor lobby, turn left toward the north, and follow the wide paved sidewalk along Boulevard Kukulcan. The route passes landmarks such as the nearby fire station and several neighboring hotels. After about 1.0 to 1.4 kilometers, you reach the La Isla Shopping Village area.

To enter the mall, you cross the boulevard at marked pedestrian lights or crosswalks, then follow signs into La Isla’s lagoon side complex. The walk is generally flat and well lit, making it practical in daytime and early evening, though traffic moves quickly so extra care is important when crossing.

Which buildings or room locations at The Royal Sands Cancun offer the best ocean views?

Best ocean views come from high floor oceanfront villas at A and H, with upper Phase II stacks combining wide vistas and quieter soundscapes.

High value view locations cluster at the ocean facing edges and higher levels of both horseshoes.

• Oceanfront stacks in Building A (Phase I) sit on the southern tip of the resort with direct, 180 degree Caribbean views and strong wave sound.
• Oceanfront stacks in Building H (Phase II) mirror A on the northern tip, giving similarly wide views with a quieter courtyard below.
• High floors in A and H reduce pool and terrace obstructions and maximize horizon line, especially important for sunrise watching.
• Mid and upper floors on the angled wings of both phases still provide strong diagonal ocean views across the pools and gardens.
• Ground and low floors closer to the pools trade some view quality for quick deck access, better for families than for view seekers.

How do guests describe the overall layout and walkability of The Royal Sands Cancun in reviews?

Guests describe Royal Sands as compact, highly walkable and zoned, with easy access to pools, beach, shuttles and nearby malls on foot.

Guests tend to see the layout as orderly and intuitive. The double horseshoe buildings wrap around two main courtyards, so most villas sit a short walk from pools, terraces and the beach. The central spine concentrates lobby, market, spa and main restaurant, which keeps daily errands efficient and minimizes long internal corridors.

Walkability comments often highlight the short stroll to Kukulcan Plaza and Luxury Avenue and the straightforward sidewalk route to La Isla. Many guests also value the shuttle link to Royal Cancun and Royal Islander, which extends the usable footprint without requiring complex navigation.

Where is the fitness center located within The Royal Sands Cancun resort?

The fitness center sits in the central services block near the lobby, between the two horseshoes, with easy access from both pool courtyards.

The gym occupies a central position in the main complex, close to the lobby and La Veranda, so guests from both Phase I and Phase II reach it via short interior walks. The room faces toward the pool and courtyard areas, giving cardio machines outward views rather than an enclosed basement feel.

Tennis courts sit nearby on the resort’s perimeter, so the fitness zone effectively forms an activity hub that links indoor workouts with outdoor sports, all within a compact walk from most villa stacks.

What is the interior floor plan of a two-bedroom villa at The Royal Sands Cancun?

Each two bedroom villa is a lock off module with a master side, full kitchen and terrace, plus a junior suite side with its own entrance.

The core plan uses a rectangular two bedroom Master Suite of about 1,373 to 1,516 square feet that can split into two units. One side holds the master bedroom with king bed, en suite bathroom and direct access to a large ocean facing terrace. The central zone contains a living and dining area with seating for six and two pull down Murphy beds, plus a full kitchen with oven, stove, full size fridge, microwave and dishwasher. The terrace spans the living area and master bedroom, functioning as an outdoor room.

The lock off side functions as a Junior Suite with two double beds, private bathroom and a kitchenette with mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker, plus a separate corridor entrance for full privacy when used independently.

Which locations at The Royal Sands Cancun are considered the most romantic for couples?

Most romantic spots center on Phase II oceanfront villas, the quiet pool courtyard, Spa Royale, beachfront terrace and Hacienda Sisal evenings.

Several zones naturally suit couples who want quieter, more private settings.

• High floor Phase II oceanfront villas provide panoramic sea views and a more secluded, sanctuary style feel for time on the terrace.
• The Phase II quiet pool and lap lane courtyard keeps music low and activity minimal, ideal for relaxed pool days or reading together.
• The broad ocean facing terraces outside the pools work well for early morning or evening balcony style time with sea breezes.
• Spa Royale, near the central spine, offers enclosed, calm treatment spaces that support spa focused couple time.
• Hacienda Sisal at the streetfront delivers an upscale Mexican dinner experience in a standalone hacienda style building.

How do guests travel between The Royal Sands Cancun and its nearby sister resorts?

Most guests ride the free Royal Resorts shuttle between Sands, Royal Cancun and Islander, with taxis and public buses as simple backups.

Movement between Royal Sands and its sister resorts mainly follows a predictable shuttle and road pattern.

• Inter resort shuttle runs a loop linking The Royal Sands with The Royal Cancun on the bay and The Royal Islander to the south.
• Seats on the shuttle are usually reserved at a desk in or near the motor lobby to guarantee space at preferred times.
• The shuttle is the main way Sands guests reach the calm bay beach at The Royal Cancun for safer swimming.
• Taxis along Boulevard Kukulcan provide a direct, paid alternative when shuttle times do not match personal schedules.
• Public buses on the boulevard can also connect between the general zones, though they require short walks from bus stops.

What are the hurricane evacuation routes and safety zones for guests at The Royal Sands Cancun?

Hurricane plans use in villa shelter for weaker storms and staff led bus evacuation inland for major systems, with routes set from lobby staging areas.

For lower category storms, guests are usually kept on property under a shelter in place protocol. Safety zones are inside the reinforced concrete towers, staying in your villa with furniture pulled in from balconies, curtains closed, and everyone gathered in interior bathrooms or hallways away from glass. Staff communicate instructions in advance, including how to secure terraces and when to remain indoors.

For stronger systems, especially Category 3 or higher, the resort activates a full evacuation plan. Guests are instructed to assemble at designated staging points near the lobby and motor lobby, then move in groups to buses that transfer everyone to hardened inland shelters such as partner schools or universities in downtown Cancun. Exact routes and shelter locations are set in real time by management and must be followed as directed.

Archive Royal Sands Resort Maps

Below are all official map versions released for Royal Sands Resort between 2023 and 2017.

2023-2025 Royal Sands Resort Map (Official 2023 Edition)

2017-2023 Royal Sands Resort Map (Official 2017 Edition)