Wakax Hacienda Review 2026: The “Anti-Beach Club” Tulum Estate with 3 Private Cenotes (Natural Pools)
- 22 hours ago
- 8 min read
Tulum has two personalities: The beachfront “party zone” version—loud, late, and designed for people who want their holiday to feel like a scene. And then there’s the inland jungle version, where the point is to slow down, disappear into greenery, and trade DJs for birdsong.
Wakax Hacienda – Cenote & Boutique Hotel sits firmly in the second camp. It’s a deliberately tranquil, slightly inland sanctuary that models itself on a traditional 18th‑century Yucatán hacienda—complete with a central plaza and even a chapel—set around an emerald-colored lagoon and a rare, resort-scale water network.
The hotel’s positioning is crystal clear in MICHELIN’s own framing of the property: Wakax Hacienda creates a “completely distinct experience outside the regular buzz of the city or beaches.” That’s the thesis. And if you’ve ever loved Tulum’s nature but found its beach strip exhausting, Wakax Hacienda is the reset button.
Key Details of Our 2026 Wakax Hacienda Tulum Review
Where: Carr. Cancún–Tulum, Km 239, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Style: Modern homage to an 18th‑century hacienda (colonnades, central plaza, chapel)
Size: 48 rooms across 9 room types
Signature setting: An emerald lagoon plus three cenotes, two lakes, and an underground river on the estate
Do-not-miss: Night swimming in the larger cenote (beautifully illuminated)
Wellness: Traditional Mayan temazcal (sweat lodge) + jungle-view treatments
Dining: El Cocal (Yucatecan-forward cooking, open-air palapa vibe)
Awards: Two MICHELIN Keys (upgraded in 2025)
Typical pricing: From ~US$233/night entry level; suites and villas commonly rise into US$450–600+, with top villas higher depending on dates
The Top Selling Points of Wakax Hacienda
Location: close to Tulum, but intentionally not “in” Tulum
Wakax Hacienda is one of those properties that’s “near Tulum” in the way that matters: you can still do the ruins, the beaches, and the restaurant scene—but you return to something calmer.
Hilton’s listing (Wakax Hacienda is an SLH property) describes it as a “serene escape near Tulum,” surrounded by jungle, and a short drive from Tulum’s beaches and ruins. That short-drive reality is both the main trade-off and the main advantage: you’re not stepping straight onto the Caribbean sand, but you also sidestep the noise, traffic, and late-night energy that can dominate the beach strip.
The “hacienda” concept is not just aesthetic—it shapes the whole experience
This isn’t a jungle hotel that happens to have arches. Wakax Hacienda is set up like a small town: colonnades, a central plaza, and a chapel (which the property positions for religious weddings and ceremonies).
That layout changes the feel of the stay. Instead of “one building, one pool,” it’s a wandering property—paths through the jungle, different pockets of water, and multiple “you could spend the whole afternoon here” zones.
The real headline: a private water playground on-site
The hotel’s biggest differentiator is the on-property water system. You don’t just swim in a pool—you rotate between lakes/lagoon, cenotes, and even an underground river experience.
A few concrete highlights:
MICHELIN describes the hotel on the shore of an emerald-colored lake, with guests free to use kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
Wakax Hacienda's own experiences page explicitly calls out Cenote Nohoch (a private sinkhole of fresh + salty water), an underground river, and kayaking across a “tranquil lagoon.”
Mr & Mrs Smith sums it up bluntly: two lakes, three cenotes, and an underground river—plus multiple pools—so you’re never short of places to get wet.
This is why Wakax Hacienda works as an “unplug” hotel: the day naturally becomes movement between water, shade, and silence.
Accommodations
The design language: “colonial chic” with a modern edge
Inside the rooms, the vibe is minimalist-with-warmth: exposed wood beams, polished concrete, artisan ceramics, and a Spanish-colonial twist that still reads contemporary.
Room placement also matters: standard rooms sit in the main building, while casitas and villas are dotted through the grounds for extra privacy and outdoor space.
Room categories (the ones that matter most)
Wakax Hacienda lists 48 rooms across 9 types, with the entry point starting from $233/night (as shown on its official rooms page).The practical decision is: do you want “hotel convenience,” or “jungle seclusion”?
Standard Rooms (main building)
If you’re prioritizing value and convenience, the Standard King/Double categories put you in the heart of the hacienda structure. They’re described as cozy rooms distributed over two floors, with spacious bathrooms and, in some cases, small balconies.
Junior Suites & Casitas (more space, more “jungle”)
The Junior Suite with Terrace is explicitly positioned across two areas (including Pueblo Mestizo) and is built around what you came here for: a big terrace and jungle views.The Suite with Terrace (Casita) pushes deeper into the “private cabin” feel—one-bedroom casitas with patios and terraces near the Mestizo pool.
The Master Villa with Plunge Pool: the “we’re hiding out” option
If you want the most “honeymoon / couples / total seclusion” version of Wakax Hacienda, this is the one to know.
The Master Villa with Plunge Pool is a three-story, one-bedroom villa (188 m²) with a rooftop level and a private plunge pool:
first floor: bedroom + bathroom + patio with sundeck + plunge pool
second level: living room
third level: rooftop with views over the jungle and Lake El Cocal
It’s the kind of accommodation that turns the whole property into a backdrop—because you can spend half your day in your own vertical hideaway and still feel like you’re “doing” the destination.
Dining and Drinks
El Cocal: Yucatán flavors, open-air palapa energy
Wakax Hacienda's main dining venue is El Cocal, framed as a mix of traditional Yucatecan cooking techniques and international standards.
On-property descriptions lean into the setting as much as the menu: El Cocal is a calm, hammock-friendly, palapa-covered space facing the emerald water—made for slow breakfasts and long, warm evenings.
If you’re trying to “eat like you’re in the Yucatán,” not “eat like you’re at a beach club,” this is exactly the right kind of restaurant.
Wellness and Activities
The Jungle Bike Experience: the signature way to understand the place
If Wakax Hacienda has one must-do activity that captures the property’s whole identity, it’s the guided bike circuit.
MICHELIN describes guided bicycle excursions as the best way to appreciate what Wakax Hacienda offers, following a five-mile jungle circuit that includes a stop at a Mayan cultural center and finishes with a swim in a cenote. Wakax Hacienda's own experiences page echoes this, positioning it as a jungle immersion with Mayan culture context plus cenote time.
Cenotes + lagoon + underground river: swim days and cave days
This is where Wakax Hacienda separates itself from most Tulum stays.
You can:
swim in cenotes (including Cenote Nohoch)
kayak or paddleboard across the lagoon/lake system
book an underground river experience on the estate
and, if you time it right, do night swimming in the larger cenote, described by MICHELIN as gorgeously illuminated and open to the night sky.
Temazcal: a Mayan ritual that feels right in this setting
Wakax Hacienda offers a traditional temazcal sweat lodge ceremony, framed as an indigenous sauna-like ritual guided by a shaman, with a structured process and post-ceremony options like a cenote swim and fresh fruit/water.
A practical note straight from the hotel: it’s not recommended for people with claustrophobia, and there are age and dress guidelines. That said, if you want your Tulum-area trip to include something that feels spiritually local—not just aesthetically local—temazcal is the clearest “this is the Yucatán” moment.
Booking Tips and Practical Advice
The honest trade-offs (and why they’re worth it for the right traveler)
Wakax Hacienda is not for everyone—and that’s exactly why it works.
Pros
You get true jungle immersion and private cenote access without the crowds and noise of the beach strip.
The architecture is built for atmosphere: a convincing “hacienda world,” not a generic modern resort.
Cons
You are not on the ocean; beaches require a drive.
It’s the jungle—mosquito management is part of the deal. (Pack repellent, and treat sunset as your “be smart” hour.)
Pricing: why it’s “accessible luxury” by Tulum standards
Wakax Hacienda's own room listing shows entry-level pricing from $233/night. From there, you climb quickly as you add outdoor space and privacy:
Junior Suite with Terrace listings can show $400+ depending on dates.
Casita-style suites can list $470+ depending on dates.
Larger suites (like the Family Two Bedroom Suite) can list $600+ depending on dates.
The Master Villa can list $700+ depending on dates.
In other words: it really can be a ~$250/night stay, but it also scales into true luxury territory when you want villa privacy.
Awards check: why the MICHELIN upgrade matters
Wakax Hacienda isn’t just “popular on Instagram.” It’s been validated by the industry’s most important new hotel lens.
In 2025, MICHELIN’s Key Hotels selection for Mexico lists Wakax Hacienda as a newly upgraded Two‑Key hotel, placing it in the “exceptional stay” tier.
The “US$250 a night” question: is Wakax Hacienda worth it?
The key takeaway of our 2026 Wakax Hacienda Tulum review is that if your dream Tulum trip is built around walking barefoot from your room straight onto Caribbean sand, then no—Wakax Hacienda is not trying to be that.
But if you want the version of the Riviera Maya that feels private, nature-forward, and genuinely restorative, Wakax Hacienda is one of the smartest plays in the region: it trades beachfront chaos for a rare combination of hacienda atmosphere + cenote access + on-site adventure—and it’s now backed by a top-tier MICHELIN Key distinction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wakax Hacienda Tulum
Is Wakax Hacienda located on the beach?
No, Wakax Hacienda is an inland jungle sanctuary located at Km 239 on the Cancún–Tulum highway. While it is not beachfront, it offers a unique "water playground" experience with on-site cenotes and lagoons. It is a short drive (approx. 10–15 minutes) to Tulum’s ruins and public beaches, offering seclusion away from the noise of the main hotel zone.
Does Wakax Hacienda have private cenotes?
Yes, this is the property's main attraction. The estate features a network of three cenotes, two lakes (including an emerald lagoon), and an underground river. Guests have exclusive access to swim, kayak, and paddleboard in these waters without the crowds found at public Tulum cenotes.
Is Wakax Hacienda an all-inclusive resort?
No, Wakax Hacienda is a boutique hotel that typically operates on a European Plan (room only) or Bed & Breakfast basis. Dining is available a la carte at the on-site restaurant, El Cocal, which specializes in traditional Yucatecan cuisine and regional ingredients.
Is Wakax Hacienda kid-friendly?
Wakax Hacienda is family-friendly but leans towards a tranquil, adult-oriented atmosphere due to its "wellness and relaxation" focus. However, active families with older children often enjoy the biking trails, cenote swimming, and jungle exploration.
What is the price range for Wakax Hacienda?
Rates vary by season, but entry-level rooms often start around US$230–$250 per night. Private casitas and the multi-story Master Villa with a private plunge pool typically range from US$450 to US$700+ per night.