There’s no doubt that luxury beach resorts in Mexico have plenty to offer travelers who want to relax and get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, but if you are dreaming of a more remote experience, consider planning a trip to the wild and romantic Caribbean beaches of Mexico’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Here, you will find 1.3 million acres of untouched, protected land. The reserve lies just south of the growing hotspot of Tulum, which is about 45 minutes south of Playa del Carmen and just over an hour and a half south of Cancun. Located at the southern end of our stunning Riviera Maya real estate, on the Mexican Caribbean Sea, the reserve is brimming with tropical plants, foliage and wildlife, framed by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, according to travel experts Conde Nast and TripAdvisor, among others. 

The beaches located in the reserve remain largely undeveloped, but there are a few hotels that already existed, which have been allowed to continue operation despite the protected status of the land. One of the most popular of the hotels in the reserve is Xamach Dos, which serves cold beer and features six cabanas ranging from $80 to $150 a night. There is also a large, open-air restaurant in a palapa that is surrounded by hammocks that beckon weary hikers to relax and enjoy the cool ocean breezes after a long day exploring the trails. 

The beach at Xamach Dos is quiet and very peaceful, and the Meso-American barrier reef – which is the second largest in the world – lies just off the shoreline. The hotel offers visitors access to kayaks, which can be paddled out to explore the reef, and you will often have the beach entirely to yourself. 

Xamach Dos boasts a much more casual atmosphere than the large luxury resorts of Cancun and Playa, which can be a welcome change to the busy city life many travelers leave behind. And at just under an hour’s drive from the growing hotspot of Tulum, you are still close enough to enjoy all the amenities of modern life – including a night out on the town – if you so desire.