Palafitos Overwater Bungalows at el Dorado Maroma Special Promo

The resort and its setting

Palafitos is built around a simple idea: rustic, thatched bungalows raised on stilts above the sea, set inside an adults-only, all-inclusive property with its own pool. It sits directly on the Caribbean coastline along the Cancún–Tulum highway, a few minutes outside central Playa del Carmen. Google reviewers rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 633 reviews, and the overwater layout is the main draw — guests step out to ocean views and direct water access rather than a standard beachfront room. It's a style more commonly associated with Asia-Pacific or the Maldives, which makes it something of an outlier on this stretch of Mexican coast.

Playa del Carmen and the surrounding area

Playa del Carmen is one of the busier bases on the Riviera Maya, with Fifth Avenue (Avenida Quinta) about a kilometre from the resort — a pedestrian strip packed with restaurants, bars and shops that runs most of the length of the town. The beach itself is a short walk away. Further afield, within reasonable driving distance, are the Xcaret and Xel-Há eco-parks, the clifftop Tulum ruins, and Cozumel Island, reached by ferry and popular for diving and snorkelling. It's a good location for owners who want a week that mixes quiet beachfront time with easy access to day trips.

Selling or renting a week here

Palafitos is RCI-affiliated, so a week here comes with exchange privileges through the RCI network, alongside its use as a straightforward beach holiday or a rental. Beyond that, the brand-specific detail that matters most to a resale — the transfer or resale fee, any right of first refusal the resort or developer may hold, how long a transfer typically takes to process, and exactly what does and doesn't carry over to a new owner (RCI affiliation, banked points, current booking) — isn't published information. Anyone selling or buying a week should get this directly from the resort's owners' association or management team before agreeing on a price, along with the current annual maintenance fee, since none of these figures are confirmed here and we won't guess at them.

On BidMyTimeshare.com, the process itself is straightforward: owners list their week privately, set their own asking price, and pay a one-time listing fee — there's no commission taken on the sale. Buyers browse listings and contact sellers directly through the platform to ask questions, negotiate, and arrange the transfer with the resort. Renters, meanwhile, are usually after specific week dates and want clarity on what's included — confirmation that the stay is genuinely all-inclusive, whether it's adults-only (it is here), and how far the bungalow is from the main pool and restaurants.

Practical notes for owners and buyers

Playa del Carmen has a warm climate year-round, with a dry season running roughly from November to April and a hurricane season from June through November, so travel insurance is worth considering if you're renting out a week during those months. May–June and September–October tend to be quieter shoulder periods with fewer crowds, which can suit owners looking to rent at a lower rate. The Mexican peso is the local currency, though US dollars are widely accepted around Playa del Carmen, and a car or local shuttle makes it easier to reach Xcaret, Xel-Há, Tulum, or the Cozumel ferry terminal for a day out.