Catalonia Royal Tulum, everything you need to know (2026)

The 5-star Catalonia Royal Tulum all inclusive adults only resort is located on the Riviera Maya in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

This resort is great for couples, but I did this as a solo trip and enjoyed myself immensely! It would also be a good fit if you are looking for a spot to do a girl’s trip, guys trip, or even a group trip to Mexico!

Catalonia Royal Tulum riviera Maya Review

If you’re looking for Catalonia Royal Tulum reviews, then look no further! I’m here to give you a 100% honest review of my stay at Catalonia Royal Tulum – adults only resort so that you can decide if this all-inclusive is right for you. Let’s go over the good, the bad, and the ugly…(but mostly good so stay with me here.)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links at no additional cost to you,

the good (mostly great!)

Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach and Spa Resort has the best of both worlds. The resort is nestled in the middle of the jungle. Just as you emerge from the lush natural environment of the jungle you step onto gorgeous beach property.

the beach

Let’s face it, the beach is why most of us flock to this region of the world. The resort has a nice little slice of ocean-side property with soft white sand and gorgeous blue green water.

Catalonia Royal Tulum all inclusive adults only resort has an exclusive stretch of sand, meaning your lounge chair neighbors are all resort guests.

the jungle, I hope you like rain!

I chose this resort because of its location. The entire hotel is located right in the middle of the jungle, and I was thrilled about that!

Quintana Roo is a tropical rainforest zone. As you might expect of a jungle location, it rained a lot, but just for a bit. One of the most enjoyable aspects of my trip was sitting on my balcony listening to gentle rain tapping out one of my favorite tunes on the bright green jungle flora!

If you’re worried about the rain ruining your fun, don’t. Brief rain showers don’t last long and it’s a great chance to relax!

pretty walking paths at Catalonia Tulum

Walking the lovely paths that wind through the resort was enjoyable both day or night.

They are romantically lit at night and one section of the walkway has mesmerizing color changing lights!

flowers, flora, and fauna

It wouldn’t be a proper tropical rain forest without colorful flowers, local plants…and palm trees bearing coconuts!

special romantic touches

Although I had a wonderful solo trip here, this resort is definitely geared to couples.

The walkway paths are studded with cute inspirational signs.

Hearts create a romantic atmosphere for old and young couples alike at Catalonia Royal Tulum adults only all inclusive Mexico.

“caption those romantic travel photos with this list of 100 travel captions for couples!”

Fun whimsical signs adorn the walking pathways that wind through the native jungle trees at Catalonia Royal Tulum resort Mexico

the outdoor pool and hot tub at Catalonia Tulum

With the beautiful blue green Caribbean Sea just feet away, I didn’t even try out the pool. I did stick a couple of toes in to test it out and it was a pleasant temperature for early January.

However, if the crashing waves are a little too intense on any given day, the pool lounge area is the perfect spot to relax! Pool usage hours are limited so be sure to check times with the resort. The small hot tub is located near the pool and the snack bar.

my favorite spot…the hammock!

This hammock and I made great friends during my time at the resort. What a great way to enjoy the sounds of the ocean waves relaxing in a hammock. Eyes closed, I let the sound of the waves wash over me and it was bliss!

the Coati!

The walkways of the Catalonia resort are teaming with coati. These fuzzy little mammals are quite friendly and as you can see oh so cute! If you’re an animal lover, they make a fantastic addition to your beach/jungle vacation!

Alegría Spa

Although you’ll pay extra for services, the small spa is definitely one of the resort’s nicer amenities. The hotel’s spa runs a special on most days. I went twice for the massage/facial special. Spa services include hair, braids, waxing, nails, a steam room and fitness center, and offer specials like a couple massage.

Now that we’ve covered all of the good (great!) things about Catalonia are you ready to book yet?

Book Catalonia Adults All-inclusive on Booking.com Now!

the bad

“no” before you go

Get used to hearing the word “no” at Catalonia Royal Tulum. Even the simplest of special requests seemed to elicit a response to the negative. Can you make change for my 500-peso bills? “no, madame.” Can you reduce my room rate since my travel companion was not able to be here due to an accident? “no, madame.” It seemed to me that “no, Madame or Monsieur” was the knee jerk reaction of the staff.

NOT a 5-star resort

Does Catalonia compare with other 5 star hotels? They advertise this property as a 5-star resort but if you’re expecting a 5-star experience I think you will be disappointed. Nice, yes, 5 stars, probably not.

communication

Communication with the resort prior to arrival was almost non-existent. I attempted to contact them directly several times with questions and got no response.

the ugly

QR Codes

Really the only “Ugly” was the QR code method for accessing the menus. It was at times downright frustrating, inconvenient at best, and just flat irritating at worst. During my stay, I found their site to be littered with glitches and technical issues. Do yourself a favor, when it’s working take a screenshot of the menu for later reference, or if you are struggling with the QR code process just try asking for a menu.

somewhere in between

the food

For me, if I am being perfectly honest, the food was really hit and miss. There were 8 restaurants to choose from. To get into B’loved beach restaurant you will need to book a room with privileged access and the rowdy Rauxa requires a reservation. The Italian Restaurant is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. Breakfast is in the big Tiki hut by the pool, is served buffet style, and has a massive amount of foods to choose from. The food was quite good.

Room service is also available with a very limited menu, and the food was just ok but if you’re in a pinch it’s better than going hungry!

In the interest of keeping this article short and sweet, I’ve covered the food in this supplemental article: Food and Restaurant Review for Catalonia Royal Tulum.

the service

The customer service at the resort was good, the employees friendly but I did have some communication issues. Google translate for your mobile phone can be very useful tool. I cover the basics of how to use it in this article: Google Translate Basics.

activities

The resort has several activities scheduled throughout the week such as

• cornhole
• ladder ball
• beach volleyball
• bocce ball
• bingo
• ping pong
• pool volleyball
• dance lessons

rooms and prices

The rooms at Catalonia Tulum

As stated, this is an adult-only resort, the minimum age to check in is 18.

Room categories include:

• Premium Room (Superior rooms have 1 large double bed or 2 double beds)
• Privileged Deluxe room (2 double beds or 1 large double bed)
• Privileged Romance (1 large double bed)
• privileged rooms Romance Deluxe (1 large double bed)
• Junior Suite (regular rooms, 1 extra-large double bed)

All rooms include amenities like:

• free wi-fi
• flat-screen tvs with cable channels 
• a beautiful walk-in shower
• free items (snacks in fridge)

I booked a junior suite and paid for the “privileged” upgrade for an additional charge. Privileged guests receive the following upgrades:

• one access to spa water circuit
• 10% off spa treatments and in the hotel’s boutique and shops
• the possibility (but no guarantee) of early check in/late check out
• access to the BLOVED beach restaurant and bar
• privileged clients receive access to a less crowded VIP beach area
• 24-hour room service

Check out their website for the pillow menu! I didn’t find that neat feature until my last night. The room was very clean and had cool a/c. The closer the proximity to the rowdy Rauxa bar the louder the music was. If you prefer to retire early in the evening, you might try and request a room further from Rauxa and the public areas.

Room access
Upon check in you’ll be issued key card wristbands, perfect for a beach resort. I never had to worry about remembering my room key or leaving it unattended while I was swimming. One of the resort’s exceptional amenities to be sure!

prices

This is where this resort really shines. If you’re on a budget this resort is a great value! Prices start at around $334 per night based on double occupancy! That’s $167 per person per night, for all-inclusive! (the earlier you book the lower the price)

with Booking.com: Free Cancellation options (may require a “pay now” card or cash deposit.)

Check room prices and Book Catalonia Adults all inclusive on Booking.com now!

Catalonia Hotels have more than 20 shore line hotels with spacious swimming pools and pristine beaches in Caribbean locations like the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana, and Santo Domingo. Use the Booking links in this article to book your hotels. I’ll make a small commission and you’ll help me fund my website. Gracias!

how to get there, and how to get around

Here are your options for transportation to the resort, and how to get around once you get there:

location

Where is Catalonia Royal Tulum all inclusive adults only resort located?

The resort is actually located about 38 km north of Tulum in Xpu Ha, in the municipality of Solidaridad, about a 1 to 1.5 hours’ drive south of Cancun.

Address for Catalonia Royal Tulum Beach & Spa Resort Adults Only – All Inclusive, Xpu Ha: Km. 264,5 Chetumal, Carr. Cancún – Tulum, 77790 Xpu Há, Q.R., Mexico

GPS coordinates: 20.478332025252705, -87.25840871728386

getting there

How far is Catalonia Royal Tulum Hotel from the airport?

Nearest airports:

• Cozumel (CZM) about 45 km but requires a ferry ride
• Cancun International Airport (CUN) 82 km
• Tulum International Airport (TQO) 18 km!

Car

Highway 307 is a busy highway that runs along the coast from Cancun to Tulum. Drivers will have no trouble finding the resort, located right on Highway 307.

Bus

The resort can also be reached by bus. To seamlessly plan your bus transportation, see the Rome2Rio website or app.

Shuttle

On the recommendation of a friend, I booked private transport. They will take you directly to your resort as opposed to shared transport which has to stop and let others out along the way making your trip potentially much longer. There are many companies that perform this service. I used Mayaland (booked through booking.com airport taxi booking, which gave me the best rate) and USA Transfers (booked direct), both of which have stellar Google reviews. I got excellent service from both companies. I highly recommend!

For around $80 each way I had the entire van to myself. NOTE OF CAUTION WHEN USING BOOKING .COM. They booked me with Mayaland airport to the resort but when I tried to book my return transport, they offered me some company that has very bad google reviews. Do a little research on the company before you finalize with them.

Another great place to book a shuttle is Get Your Guide. They offer plenty of customer reviews so you can pick a reliable company!

book your airport shuttle on Get Your Guide now!

getting around

You can rent a car, join group tours, take the bus, or do like I did and take Taxis. The fares seemed a little high, but I felt it was the safest option for me. Make sure you already have the correct amount of change in your mind before you hand over your fare, otherwise they may take it upon themselves to take a large tip. (it happend)

other “need to know” information

getting money and tipping

There is an ATM at the resort that gives Pesos. It may not be the best place to get cash because I had trouble getting smaller bills (was not able to get any from the resort) but brought plenty of smaller USD bills to leave tips when appropriate. You’ll want to have enough to tip your driver (to and from) the Cancun airport if you choose this option. Consider stopping at the airport ATM before you catch your shuttle.

Do I need to tip wait staff, bartenders etc. at an all- inclusive resorts Tulum?? I have heard it both ways. Some all-inclusive resorts actually discourage it but this was not one of those resorts. Feel free to tip! Only have dollar bills? While not preferred, they take them!

packing

Catalonia has a casual vibe. I packed lots of fun tropical prints, but it seemed that most hotel guests had a more subdued wardrobe.

Headed to Tulum and need packing ideas? Tulum Packing List: 32 Essentials For A Perfect Tulum, Mexico Getaway

when is the best time to visit?

You’ll probably have to decide between fair weather and crowds.

Crowds
Peak tourist crowd season in this area is from December to April.

The weather
Hurricane season in Mexico is from May through November, with most storms developing between July and October.

The weather was almost perfect during my stay in the month of January. I never really got hot and despite the daily rain showers humidity didn’t seem to be an issue. In general daytimes temps averaged 81 degrees f, nights 65 degrees f. Honestly, I think this time of year was perfect and the resort really wasn’t all that crowded.

Should I book Catalonia?

Wondering if this beachfront resort is the right choice for you? I can only tell you what my impressions were. As discussed, this is not a 5-star resort so do temper your expectations. Does it have a spot on my “dream vacations list”?

Well, it’s not St. Lucia or Tahiti BUT it doesn’t come with the price tag either! It’s a nice beach vacation at a REALLY reasonable price! I will say I had a great time and that whenever I look back at my photos I kind of get the urge to go back, and I’d do so in a heartbeat! I give it an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars!

Here’s what I really liked about the resort:

• it did have the best beach in the immediate area
• all inclusive features: I don’t drink alcohol so I figure that all-inclusive probably isn’t the best deal for me. However, I did enjoy being able to leave the credit card and debit cards in the safe and eat as much and as often as I wanted!
• I’m not going to lie, I really liked that Catalonia is an adults-only resort. I found it calming and relaxing.
• The cute little Coati and jungle canopy were a REALLY special touch! It’s why I booked the resort in the first place!

Book Catalonia Adults All-inclusive

on Booking.com Now!

other fun things to do in the area

Looking for something else to do in the area? There are several area attractions and easy day trips from Hotel Catalonia Royal Tulum. There’s a resort on-site concierge service to help book excursions, or set out on your own like I did!

I did two different day trips while I was at the resort. Both are very close to the resort so you can spend your time having fun instead of sitting in a car or on a bus.

swim with sea turtles at Akumal Bay

I swam with the sea turtles and did some snorkeling at Akumal Bay. (18 km from the resort)

Kantun Chi Cenote Park

Another day I made the trip to Kantun Chi Cenote Park for mangrove forests, sapphire blue water, and unspoiled habitat! (3 km from the resort)

Cenote Cristalino

This natural pool with clear water, lots of fish, and a cave, is a popular swimming & snorkeling spot. (2.5 km from the resort)

tours

There are tons of tour companies that offer hotel pick up service. On offer:

• snorkeling
• Mayan Ruins
• horseback riding
• adrenalin parks
• whale shark and sea turtle encounters
• more!

Explore your options on Get Your Guide here!

Playa Xpu-Ha Beach

If you leave the resort area and head south on the beach, you’ll pass by some cheap eats and beach clubs just a short walk away. Locals like this area so if you’re looking for a little authentic Mexico, head on down!

Nightlife

Looking for a night out? the Playa del Carmen entertainment district is about 30 minutes by car. Most of the nightlife in Playa Del Carmen is concentrated along Quinta Avenida (referred to as 5th Ave, or La Quinta).

Golf

Pop on over to Puerto Aventuras Golf Club, a 9-hole par 36 course with soft Bermuda grass. The course is surrounded by tropical trees and Caribbean fauna. This facility also has tennis courts. (6 km from the resort)

Glamping anyone???

After I left Catalonia I headed over to the blissful Serenity Luxury Glamping resort! It’s literally the next resort over. I called a taxi to pick me and my luggage up and drive me over. I spent the next for days enjoying their beach club, massages on the beach, huge air conditioned tent with a covered patio and hammock!

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pools does Catalonia Royal Tulum have? There is one large pool at the resort.

I don’t drink. Is an all-inclusive worth it? While you won’t get as much “money’s worth” out of your stay as people consuming mass amounts of alcohol, the cost of a stay at Catalonia is pretty reasonable. You can eat as much as you want, and it’s nice to not to have to pay as you go.

Does Catalonia Royal Tulum have a swim up bar?
Yes, The Catalonia Royal Tulum has a swim up bar in the swimming pool.

Is this a safe location? Mexico has a bit of a reputation for not being the safest destination. Safety is a #1 priority, especially for a solo female traveler. I felt perfectly safe here. I walked around the resort alone at night but didn’t stay out late.

The exterior doors to the rooms are in exterior corridors, so open air. If you are nervous about safety, request a room that opens to the inside of the property rather than the outside that borders the property. There is access control at the entrance to the resort. A guard monitors cards coming and leaving.

When I left and came back the guard took my name and room number from the taxi driver and took down the taxi number. Take the usual travel precautions and do your research before you travel because knowledge is always your best defense.

You can check current travel advisories at the United States Department of State official website.

Speak Spanish?

Want to learn a little Spanish before your trip? These are my favorite options for learning a language for travel:

• Google Translate (I have an entire article on how to use it)
• Duolingo (free and fun!)
• Pimsleur Language Courses (not cheap but highly effective)
• Lingopie (let’s you watch your television programs with Spanish subtitles!)

Protect your investment with “cancel for any reason” trip insurance. Did you know that pandemics, as well as a LONG list of other situations aren’t covered by most trip insurance policies (including those airlines offer when purchasing tickets)? MOST of these scenarios are covered when you purchase a “cancel for any reason” policy! Shop for one at Travel Insurance.com!  It’s where I shop for travel insurance.

Want to hear more about my travels around Mexico and the rest of our amazing planet? You might be interested in my Tropical Trips page, and be sure to submit your email address to my subscriber sign up at the end of the page to be the first to know when a new blog publishes!