Secrets Akumal Named World’s Best Hotel by Tripadvisor

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Despite Tulum experiencing a tourism crisis due to excessive charges by merchants and transport operators, a new development could help attract visitors back: the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 – Best of the Best awards have named a local hotel the best in the world.

The hotel is Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya. This award positions Mexico as a global leader in hospitality and luxury, surpassing destinations such as Indonesia, the United States, and Brazil.

The resort, situated in the tranquil bay of Akumal, south of Playa del Carmen, is an adults-only luxury retreat that combines elegance, privacy, and sustainability. Its natural environment is considered a sanctuary for sea turtles, offering visitors the unique experience of swimming with the turtles in their natural habitat, one of the most emblematic activities of the area.

The international recognition is due primarily to its world-class service, gourmet cuisine, excellent facilities, and its commitment to the environment, elements that have made it a reference for responsible and high-end tourism.

Among the sustainable practices that distinguish the hotel are the active conservation of marine fauna, the efficient use of water and waste, and architecture designed to integrate with the local ecosystem. These actions align with what tourists seek today: exclusive experiences that also respect nature.

The second place in the world ranking went to the Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang in Vietnam, followed by the Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach in India and the Romance Istanbul Hotel in Turkey. Within the Top 10 are also renowned Latin American hotels such as the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic and the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba.

This achievement not only places Mexico on the global tourism map but also serves as an impetus for the economic development of Tulum, a destination that has been hard hit in recent weeks by a lack of national and international visitors. According to data from the Quintana Roo Secretariat of Tourism, hotel occupancy in the Mexican Caribbean fell by 17.5 percent as a result of high rates and abuses committed by taxi drivers.

In Cancún, German tourists were victims of these transport operators. According to their reports, they were victims of an "opportunistic" taxi driver who charged them 1,430 pesos to transport them from one terminal to another at the International Airport.