Grand Velas Riviera Maya Just Debuted a Jungle-Themed Kids’ Club, a Two-Story Arcade, and a VIP Cinema for Teens
The jungle doesn’t end at the edge of the mangroves anymore. It winds through a dance floor and across a ceramic painting table. It wraps around a miniature theater for picnics and puppet shows. It even winds its way up into a brand-new two-story arcade packed with racing games and basketball simulators.
At Grand Velas Riviera Maya, the family vacation has just changed — for good.
The highly-rated Riviera Maya resort has unveiled a full reimagining of its Kids’ and Teens’ Clubs, creating immersive spaces that bridge Mexican tradition and modern play. Designed as more than just drop-off zones, the new clubs aim to become central to the family travel experience—where culture, nature, and creativity meet screen-free afternoons and glow-in-the-dark disco nights.
A Mayan Jungle for Kids, Guided by Pancho the Coati
The new Kids’ Club—open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily—feels like stepping into a living storybook. Its design is rooted in the Yucatán jungle, imagined as the home of Pancho, the resort’s beloved coati mascot. But what makes it special is its blend of hands-on activity and cultural immersion.
Children can paint alebrijes, decorate cookies and crepes, and take part in traditional “Ojos de Dios” craft-making. On the outdoor terrace, they’ll find daily nature-themed programming: picnic performances, art workshops, and eco-conscious lessons that teach local customs through play. There’s even mini yoga to help young travelers unwind—and discover the meaning of wellness beyond the spa.
A Two-Level Playground for Teens — With Sushi and Sports Simulators
Next door, the Teens’ Club takes a more high-tech approach—but still with a thoughtful cultural core. The first floor is already open, complete with PlayStation 5 consoles, foosball, billiards, and a DJ-lit disco room that runs late into the night.
In late August, it expands upward. The new second floor will introduce an expansive arcade zone, golf and sports simulators, and a VIP cinema showing family-friendly films all day. There’s also an unexpected twist: creative workshops that teach Huichol beading, Mexican bracelet crafting, and guacamole and sushi-making.
Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., the Teens’ Club reserves its final hours (9 to 11 p.m.) exclusively for guests 12 and up.
More Than a Club—A New Family Travel Blueprint
With these new spaces, Grand Velas Riviera Maya continues to redefine the multigenerational vacation. It’s not just about amenities—it’s about storytelling, discovery, and designing meaningful experiences that reflect Mexico’s rich heritage.
The clubs join the resort’s existing baby concierge program and all-ages activities calendar. And they’re only the beginning.
Coming in October: a new Jungle Kids’ Spa in the Zen Grand section of the resort, focused on age-appropriate wellness.
Nightly rates begin at $636 per person, based on double occupancy.
Karen Udler is the Deputy Travel Editor of Caribbean Journal. A graduate of Duke University, has been traveling across the Americas for three decades. First an expert on Latin American travel, Karen has been traveling with CJ for more than a decade. She likes to focus on wellness, luxury travel and food.
