Whether you’re looking for respite from winter chill or simply need a change of scenery, a sunbasked Mexico weekend getaway could be just the ticket.

As one of SmartFlyer’s top booked destinations, Mexico remains a beloved favorite for its sunny beaches and delicious culinary offerings. When it comes to new product, Etéreo – one of Auberge Resorts Collection’s newest openings – proves itself to be one of the best resorts in Riviera Maya for families and couples alike. This resort floats over a protected mangrove forest on nine pristine oceanfront acres within the Yucatán Peninsula. Delivering on its namesake (“ethereal”), guests are provided an exciting blend of both high-touch cultural experiences and world-class wellness opportunities.

Now, let’s take a plunge into what makes Etéreo one of our top picks for a Mexico weekend getaway.

Spacious Suites Meet Stunning Sights + Sounds

Etéreo designed its experiences and accommodations to celebrate the vibrancy of Mexico and its storied culture. This resort offers seventy-five dramatic ocean-front studios and suites that spotlight the best sights of the Riviera Maya. The accommodations range from 875-square-foot Studios to 3,925-square-foot, three-bedroom Penthouse Suites, leaving plenty of legroom for young ones to run through and parents to also lounge back in.

…dive into the crystal waters of the country’s famous cenotes.

A Mexico weekend getaway here could also include enjoying authentic cultural experiences on-and-off property. Or perhaps indulge in a spa treatment (more on the wellness later). Guests can also choose from endless activities throughout their stay, from exploring the historic Mayan ruins to iconic horseback rides. One favorite recommendation amongst SmartFlyer travel advisors is a dive into the crystal waters of the country’s famous cenotes.

Authentic Mexico with Every Bite

With the culinary delights remaining as a top pull to the region, we’d be remiss to not mention where to dine for your weekend getaway in Mexico. Etéreo’s restaurants fuse traditional and modern Mexican gastronomy with local ingredients. For casual fare, Alberca features tacos, raw bowls, and ceviches while Che Che serves up Peruvian-Brazilian dishes with Japanese flair. The experience at El Changarro is particularly wonderful, where you can feast on catch-of-the-day dining right on the beach. Our personal highlight though is the resort’s open-air signature restaurant, Itzam. Here, guests can also dig into traditional Mayan-inspired cuisine through a contemporary lens. Don’t miss immersing yourself in the scent of a wood-fire-cooked meal and the stunning presentation.

Bring Pieces of Paradise Back Home

We also love Etéreo’s ever-changing menu of personalized experiences with visiting practitioners from across the globe.

While the kids are off at the resort’s kids club, Chavitos, parents can treat themselves to SANA, An Auberge Spa. Treatments include detoxifying Mayan clay wraps, crystal healing, sound baths, full moon ceremonies, and full-day healing excursions. If you’re looking for a more active experience, then take their daily movement and mindfulness classes including aerial yoga, chromatic breathing, or, try out a reiki circle. We also love Etéreo’s ever-changing menu of personalized experiences with visiting practitioners from across the globe.

Looking to bring a piece of your Mexico weekend getaway back home? Then visit the resort’s vibrant Carolina K boutique. This onsite storefront epitomizes the Etéreo connection with community and culture by serving as a creative hub for local makers. Curated by Kleinman herself, the boutique features leisure-and-swimwear, all-natural apothecary products, homeware, and lifestyle accessories by Latin American designers.

We connected with Roger Ponce, General Manager & Regional Vice President Latin America for a deeper dive into what makes this resort tick.

SmartFlyer: What does your ideal weekend getaway to Mexico’s Riviera Maya look like?

Roger Ponce: My ideal weekend getaway always involves indulging in a spa treatment, venturing off property for a cultural activity, or spending quality time with the family while lounging on the beach with a great book. Personally, I enjoy a mix of relaxation and adventure completely curated by our team. Starting with a visit to Mayan ruins or stunning cenotes and ending with a delicious dinner of vibrant local ingredients.

SF: Walk us through your favorite experiences for a Mexico weekend getaway at Etéreo.

RP: Some of our most interesting and unique experiences speak to the Maya culture. To name a few: painting wooden Alebrije spirit animal; taking part in a Mayan fireside blessing or Equinox Ceremony; tuning in to the sounds of the Yucatán with a local musician; uncovering lesser-known Mexican flavors with home-cooked Nicho de Abuela pop-up dinners; or even planting saplings in the protected mangrove forest that surrounds the resort. Of course, there are many opportunities to explore the Yucatan’s natural wonders and historic Mayan ruins with our National Geographic guide, swimming in the crystal waters of cenotes, snorkeling vivid reefs, and diving into Mexico’s epicurean scene with chocolate, mezcal, and wine tastings.

SF: What makes Riviera Maya a particularly special destination for families looking for a weekend getaway to Mexico?

RP: Spacious accommodations, all of which have views of the ocean, and endless activities for guests of all ages make Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection an ideal retreat for families. The kid’s club, Chavitos, offers activities that are both exciting and educational while parents enjoy themselves at the spa or adults-only pool. Additional experiences, such as Mayan storytelling or painting classes, offer an opportunity for the whole family to make memories together.

SF: Of all the suites and studios at Etéreo, which accommodation is your favorite place to stay at the resort? Which one do you recommend for families or couples?

RP: For large families, I would recommend the three-bedroom ocean Penthouse Suite. At nearly 4,000 square feet, you’ll have all the space you need for a family – large or small. The suite boasts two king beds, two queen beds, four bathrooms, two plunge pools, separate dining and entertaining areas, and undisturbed ocean views. The suite also comes with your own private butler to ensure every need is met throughout your stay. For couples, I prefer the Studio accommodations. Each is accented by its own private terraces, plunge pools, ocean views, and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to let in the salty breeze of the Caribbean Sea. But my favorite is the Ocean Suite with Sky Deck: you get your own private rooftop terrace and plunge pool.

SF: Tell us more about the local art at Etéreo, we hear it’s also a highlight!

The resort is truly a special place that embodies the Mayan belief that states that renewal stems from exploration.

RP: The art pieces found across Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection tell an incredible story of the region’s beauty and cultural heritage. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed into the gallery-esque reception area. Custom-designed furnishings and textiles by local artisans are set against a backdrop of work by the late and highly celebrated Mexican artist, Manuel Felguérez, whose sculptural lattice screens in wood and architectural plaster feature throughout the resort. There are also custom rugs by Daniel Valero, focal pieces in the spa by Guatemala’s Agnes Studio, and outdoor dining tables handcrafted by Puebla’s Bandido Studio. Art installations include a hanging woven rope sculpture by Marcela Diaz and a monumental steel-and-glass sculpture by Hector Esrawe. Works by Charabati Bizarri, Tapiz, Peter Glassford, and Tere Metta adorn the walls.

SF: What’s one thing you’d want travelers to know about what they can expect with an Etéreo stay?

Etéreo’s breathtaking beaches and stunning natural surroundings facilitate rejuvenation in every sense of the word.

RP: The resort is truly a special place that embodies the Mayan belief that states that renewal stems from exploration. Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection literally draws its name from the Spanish word for ‘ethereal’. It offers a heavenly experience with its breathtaking beaches, stunning natural surroundings, incredible cuisine, and encounters that facilitate rejuvenation in every sense of the word. The resort sits on a sacred, oceanfront stretch along the Riviera Maya’s Caribbean coast and even has its own in-house shaman, Yaotekatl. A modern amenity of sorts, every room is energetically prepared before each guest’s arrival by way of an offering to each of the cardinal points. You can also partake in Yaotekatl’s cosmic ceremonies that honor the earth while learning about the Maya, their traditions, gods, and culture.

Ready to begin planning your Riviera Maya retreat? Contact your SmartFlyer Travel Advisor to get started.