Head to the playground of the rich, famous and romantic on Mexico's Riviera Maya says YASMINE GIBSON

Looking for an idyllic honeymoon destination now that the wedding season is kicking off? With beautiful beaches, fantastic food and stunning scenery, Mexico’s Riviera Maya is the ultimate romantic destination.

WHY SHOULD I VISIT?
It’s proximity to the United States has meant that the Yucatan Peninsula has become the sun-kissed Mexican playground for Hollywood’s A-list. While Cancun, on its north-eastern tip, is all wild clubs, high-rise hotels and all-night partying, you’ll find that celebrities looking for privacy and peace tend to head south to the Riviera Maya, a lovely 80-mile stretch of sandy Caribbean coastline. Here you’ll find exquisite beach boltholes and lush eco-retreats – perfect for loved-up couples and honeymooners. If you can bear to leave your private villa or sunlounger, there are incredible nature reserves, stunning scenery featuring cenotes (underground rivers) and magnificent Mayan ruins to explore as well as boho chic boutiques and lounge bars to visit in the bustling resort town of Playa del Carmen.

Click here now for amazing offers to Riviera Maya!

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
Boutique beach-front hotel The Tides Riviera Maya was the perfect place to stay for an idyllic honeymoon. The resort was serene and intimate – aided by the fact that no children are allowed under the age of 16! Nestled between the dense tropical jungle and the azure-blue ocean, the 30 all-villa resort is just three miles from Playa del Carmen’s nightlife and shopping.

OK! checked into one of the Luxury Villas, hidden discreetly within the jungle. The villa had a private sun deck with a hammock, inside and outside shower and a private plunge pool – perfect for those cheeky late-night dips! We loved all the romantic touches – the fresh croissants and coffee left outside our door every morning and the rose petals scattered on our bed at turndown. 

We feasted on fresh watermelon, blueberry pancakes and chocolate pastries for breakfast served on our terrace before a leisurely swim and an alfresco lunch – the crispy quesadillas and frozen mango daiquiris at the hotel’s La Marea restaurant were made to be enjoyed on a table by the sea.

We also put to the test the hotel’s dine any time, anywhere policy. The result was a super-romantic moonlit dinner on the beach. After a few Margaritas, grilled calamari and braised shortrib with pepper coulis, our waiter even made us our own bed on the beach so we could snuggle up beneath the stars while sipping our coffees! 

WHAT CAN I DO AT THE HOTEL?
You can get married! The Tides offers a dreamy beach-side Royal Maya Ceremony wedding package and even fertility rituals if you want to move on to the next stage!

The Tides has a lagoon pool as well as a stunning seven-mile sandy beach with thatched-roofed cabanas. The hotel also offers a private boat for diving or snorkelling expeditions.

Want incredible deals to Riviera Maya? Click here now...

Another perfect pastime is to have indoor or alfresco pampering sessions at the Maya Spa, hidden amid the lush jungle foliage. Using local herbal and marine herbs, OK! enjoyed a wonderful couples massage.

OK! also thoroughly enjoyed a traditional cooking lesson at the Casita Maya, a replica of an ancient outdoor Mayan kitchen. Our friendly Mexican chef taught us how to make traditional lime soup, fish baked in banana leaves in underground pit ovens, and pineapple carpaccio with Margarita sorbet. We washed down our delicious creations with a glass of Xtabentún, a local honey liqueur.

WHAT CAN I DO AT PLAYA DEL CARMEN?
Playa del Carmen is just a short drive from Tides. Make a beeline for the car-free Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) and the surrounding streets. Here you’ll find everything from designer jewellery at Daniel Espinosa to furniture. OK! splurged on vibrantly coloured Mexican blankets, tin-edged mirrors and Don Julio tequila. We also browsed the artisan stalls admiring ornaments and lights made from shells.

A sensational place for a romantic dinner, overlooking Fifth Avenue, is Casa del Agua (www.lacasadelagua.com.mx). OK! adored the zingy tuna tartare and decadent Mayan chocolate cake. Yaxche (www.mayacuisine.com) is another popular eatery – famous for serving traditional Mayan food with a modern twist.
Drop into the Reina Roja for a cocktail (www.Reinaroja.com) – OK! thought the red lighting, sunken pools and scantily clad mannequins had real wow factor.

Love listening to live music? The local hipsters head to funky beach bar Fusion (www.fusionhotelmexico.com) for its fun surfer vibe and live bands.

WHAT STARS WILL I SEE?
Ashley Olsen and boyfriend Justin Bartha enjoyed a romantic sojourn at The Tides Riviera Maya and Hollywood actress Holly Hunter has also visited. Pink, Tom Cruise and Sharon Stone have been spotted on nearby Maroma beach, while Leonardo DiCaprio and Sir Paul McCartney are rumoured to have dined at the Mandarin Oriental. Sienna Miller and Drew Barrymore are also Riviera Maya fans, as are Eva Longoria and Tony Parker.

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
The Yucatan Peninsula is dotted with spectacular Mayan ruins. Check out the ancient village of Tulum and the nearby nature park Xel-Ha (www.xelha.com). We cycled round the jungle and swam and snorkelled down lagoons, but the highlight had to be swimming with the park’s dolphins.

There’s plenty to see at the Xcaret (www.xcaret.com) eco park too. OK! only spent an afternoon there, but we could have whiled away days exploring the grounds. Make sure you watch the dramatic Mexican history and folklore show – the actors play games with a burning ball, which looks dangerous but fun!

HOW CAN I GET THERE?
Exsus (020 7337 9010; www.exsus.com) offers a seven-night Timeless Honeymoon package, including return British Airways (www.ba.com) flights to Cancun via Mexico City and Aeromexico internal flights, resort transfers, breakfast, one couples massage, one private dinner in your villa, a bottle of champagne and horseriding for two, staying in a Luxury Villa with private plunge pool at The Tides Riviera Maya from £2,795pp.

Villas at The Tides, just 40 miles from Cancun, cost from £385 per night. Check www.tidesrivieramaya.com for special promotions.