Resort Details

OnSite Dining
  • Various Lounges/Bars
    - Grill de Playa Snack Bar
    - El Puente Ice Cream Shop
    - El Puerto Snacks
    - El Faro Bar
  • Various Restaurants

    - La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
    - El Puerto Steakhouse
    - La Dorada Mediterranean Restaurant
    - Hashiru Japanese Restaurant
    - El Colonial Gourmet Restaurant

    Reservations and dress code required. Please contact guest services upon arrival for complete details.

On-Site Amenities
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Accessible facilities
  • Accessible rooms
  • Babysitting†
  • Baggage hold
  • Children programs
  • Children welcome
  • Children's play area
  • Complimentary wireless internet
  • Exercise gym
  • 24-hour front desk
  • Complies with Local/State/Federal laws for disabled
  • Accessible rooms
  • Babysitting†
  • Baggage hold
  • Children programs
  • Children welcome
  • Children's play area
  • Complimentary wireless internet
  • Exercise gym
  • Gift/News stand†
  • Golf†
  • Housekeeping - daily
  • Laundry/Valet service†
  • Liquor store†
  • Meal Plan Type: All Inclusive
  • Non-smoking rooms available
  • Pool
  • Safe deposit box
  • Spa†
  • Tennis court
  • Tour/sightseeing desk
  • Valet parking†
  • Wakeup service
  • Water sports†
Off-Site Amenities
  • Business Services†
  • Internet Access†
On-Site Wedding Services
  • This resort provides the following wedding packages:

    - Star Wedding Package
    - Silver Star Wedding Package
    - Gold Star Wedding Package

    Please contact wedding coordinator for complete information, locations and to reserve a date.

† Fees may apply

On-Site Recreation
  • Children's pool
    There is 1 children's pool on-site.
  • Children's program, onsite †
    STAR CAMP:

    Star Camp is free and part of the all-inclusive experience at Iberostar and features more than 140 age-based activities based on the  approach and theory of multiple intelligences, which advocates personal growth through cooperation.
    · Discover a new, artistic dimension by reproducing giant versions of works of art as a team. 
    · Use all the senses in a trendy restaurant atmosphere to guess the dishes on our sensory menu. 
    · Record short films, become a journalist, publicist or the stars of an improvised video. 
    · Discover the inner artist by working with clay. 
    · Accept (im)possible challenges and blindy cross a terrain full of obstacles with the help of team members. 
    · Perform exciting scientific experiments, such as creating snow or ice, in true frozen style despite the heat of the pool. 
    · Learn how to get a hard-boiled egg into a bottle or experiment with colors. 
    · Summer classics like darts, capture the flag or Olympic-style events.

    Monkey Star camp - 4-7 years old, Dolphin Star camp - 8-12 years old, Eagle Star camp - 13-17 years old

    STAR CAMP FEATURED ACTIVITIES: Minichef, Tie Dye, Not another drop, Olympic games, Get wet, Super hero day, Water carpet, Waterbomb, The search, Teen Disco, Games on stage, The treasure hunt & Sand castles

    Star Camp Shows:
    On the Rock, Circo, Queen, Fiesta playa, Canta bahia, Rock, Funny nights, MJ Show, Reggae beach party, Iberostar Awards, El regreso del rey Las Vegas, The circle of life Magic, Latin Funny nights, Boogie nights 
    What's New!
    Wanda’s wacky kitchen, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Save the Reefs, Star Camp Live Show
  • Direct access to a beach
  • Fitness center on-site
    The resort has a Fit & Fun Fitness Program.
  • General
    Activities include:

    Aerobics
    Yoga
    Shooting tournaments
    Archery
    Basketball
    Cycling
    Billiards
    Bocce
    Football
    Gymnastics
    Table tennis
  • Golf †
  • Motorized Water Sports †
    For an additional fee, take diving lessons at a CDC PADI GOLD PALM RESORT diving center, run by DRESSEL DIVERS INTERNATIONAL. This center organizes numerous boat trips and scuba diving and snorkeling excursions, as well as diving lessons.
  • Non-Motorized Water Sports
    Activities include:

    Kayaking
    Windsurfing
    Beach volleyball
    Catamarans
    Aqua gym
    The scuba clinic
    Snorkeling
  • Pool
    There are 3 pools on-site.
  • Sailing †
  • Spa †
    Hotel guests can indulge at the luxurious spa with hydrotherapy facilities including Finnish sauna, Turkish baths, steam room, saltwater pool, Jacuzzis, Roman baths and various types of showers. The spa is truly an irresistible delight for both mind and body.
  • Teen programs †
    - Teens disco
    - Eagle Star camp - 13-17 years old

  • Tennis court †
    There are 2 lit tennis courts on-site.
On-Site Attraction
  • Live Entertainment
    Live nightly shows in theater/disco/casino

† Fees may apply

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_4.5 9616 reviews
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Decent hotel with some things to work on.

    Stayed at Iberostar Waves for a week in March. The location was good. The hotel itself was pretty decent. Atmosphere was good, everyone had a good time it seemed. The food at the buffet was hit and miss. The first night we ate at the buffet it was not very good. I think the best food we had was at the Star Rock Cafe on our last night there. Best steak ever!! Most of the staff were friendly but there were a couple that were not so nice. The waitresses in the lobby I found overlooked my daughter and I everytime so we would have to go up to the bar for our drinks. I do want to note that they do not do pool service for drinks. You have to actually go to the bar/swim up bar to get them. The rooms could be updated a little more especially the showers and the water pressure in them. The hotel and the rooms were kept pretty clean which I liked. I also discovered that the resort does not take US currency at their shops so be sure to bring pesos instead. I also found that the shops were insanely expensive, a bag of chips and a can of pringles was over $30 and the souvenirs were pricy as well. They had a wide variety of activities throughout the day whether it was at the beach, the pool or the lobby which I found was nice.

    Mar 17, 2026
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Good Value

    Rooms are dated but fairly clean. They don’t do a thorough job cleaning but adequate. Buffets are okay but was disappointed with with the burger restaurant. We stayed here 2 years ago and we were looking forward to the smash burgers which we loved but they are just frozen burgers now. Also the Rock Star cafe which you have to book supposedly has smash burgers but they are not. Only other issue we had is with the Europeans that smoke on the beach even though there are signs everywhere no smoking. Love the new wristbands that are the key to your room and the app to book the restaurants and they also tell you when your room is cleaned. Good value for this resort.

    Mar 15, 2026
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Everything was OK….

    I visited the Iberostar Waves Paraiso resort from March 7-14 on a golf holiday. At check-in, we were offered an upgrade to a junior suite for an extra fee. We agreed to this, and the room was no different from what we had originally booked. Of course, no refund or other allowance was offered. Lesson learned… The resort is large! Bring comfy walking shoes. Shuttle runs regularly, with marked stops. There are gardens, lawns, and forests complete with many animals and birds. The peacocks are pretty but loud and seem to live in the area closer to the main buffet area. They are loud at night, too. The rooms are clean, nothing fancy, and a bit outdated. More hooks and storage would be appreciated. The rain shower was okay, as were the provided shampoo/conditioner/body wash. Our room lacked outlets for charging. I wished that I had packed a power bar. Our air conditioning never seemed to actually work and did break down. Once we called the front desk, they confirmed that they control the actual temperature, so ask them for adjustments. The food at all restaurants that we ate at was okay. Nothing really was great, nothing was awful. Probably the best meal was at the French restaurant. Some restaurants required reservations, but you cannot make them on the app. Drinks at any bar were generous with the pours, but no top-shelf liquors were available even at added cost. The pool was huge! Lots of space, and the water temperature was perfect. One side of the pool was more energetic with music and games, the other more chill. Chairs were challenging to come by; people put their stuff out early, and many are empty for hours. The beach was very pretty, despite the sargassum which the tractors try to keep up with. Some days were a bit more clear than others. There are some rocks which are hidden; maybe shuffle in to avoid getting hurt. The staff, with the exception of the front desk girl who upsold our room, was friendly, helpful, and engaging. Bring small bills for tipping. We golfed at the attached course, and it was in excellent condition. It was challenging with narrow fairways and difficult approach shots. Bring extra balls—if they go off the fairway, it’s hard to spot in the forest, plus you may not want to go in too far. The coatis are also going to steal any food that you may have! The gym was awesome, a top-tier facility with a nice layout and new equipment. Classes are available. We have stayed with Iberostar before, and I would definitely come back to this area but I would probably prefer to stay at a higher level resort.

    Mar 14, 2026
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    4th visit and still love the Waves Beach resort

    This is our 7th visit to the Paraíso property (stayed at the Joia adults only 3 times) but 4th visit to Waves Beach. We actually prefer the more relaxed and less expensive part of the resort! It’s become our home away from home and plan on returning again next year. For context, we’re Iberostar Club members and have had stayed at various Iberostar resorts over the past several years. This is our 21st stay in total and have visited all the resorts in Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and even one in Cuba. This is the one we keep returning to year after year because of the spa facilities, food, pool, beach, and mostly the staff. SPA: The spa here is a gem. The massage therapists and supporting staff are incredible. My favourite massages this trip were done by Norma, Martha, Teres and Camas. The juice bar is such a treat! All the support staff at the spa are super friendly and helpful. RESTAURANTS - Favourites: Our favorite restaurants for the food and staff are the French, Mediterranean, and Italian. Brazilian Restaurant – DISAPPOINTING Experience We have never been particularly fond of the food at the Brazilian restaurant and only decided to go during this trip because we were travelling with my friend’s husband, who had never been there and wanted to try it. Unfortunately, he was not impressed either, and it ended up being everyone’s least favourite meal of the trip. Because of this, we will avoid this restaurant in the future. What made the experience more disappointing was the service. The staff were surprisingly unfriendly on this visit and came across as unprofessional. Our server did not explain an issue related to our wine order and simply chose not to bring it. When we asked about it, he sent the manager over instead of addressing it himself. When we explained that we were disappointed, particularly because the wine could have been opened and enjoyed at the restaurant, the manager dismissed our concern rather than acknowledge it. This left us feeling confused, blindsided, and extremely embarrassed in front of other guests. We were not impressed at all with the way we were treated. Fortunately, the Star Prestige staff later took the time to clearly explain the situation to us in a professional and courteous manner. It’s important to note that this experience was not typical of the service we’ve received at this otherwise amazing resort. In fact, it was the only time during our stay that we felt uncomfortable or disappointed. *STAR PRESTIGE EXCELLENCE* Finally, the most impressive part of staying at this resort, is the amazing Star Prestige staff. They are all very friendly and extremely helpful. Allan, the manager, must be commended for being a great manager as the staff seem to be very happy and well supported. I missed seeing some of my old Star Prestige friends as they had moved on to different roles or resorts, but the newer staff to replace them were all great. Special thanks to Ausel (the original long time man on this job!), Yisell (lovely, professional, and smart young lady) Scarlett (congratulations! I hope to still be able to see you during my next visit!), Josue (nice young man learning the job well!!), and sweet Jonathan (our amazing pool concierge). It was also nice to meet Omar and Angel the very friendly ambassadors!! Thank you Omar for patiently answering all of my questions and for the very nice goodbye letter. We really appreciated that!! We definitely recommend this resort. Don’t hesitate to DM if you have a question about this resort.

    Mar 11, 2026
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    get a kick out of the crew that wear is so many types of jackets. They’re all very skillful.

    Always an awesome time we’ve been back multiple times they seem to be fixing things regularly and making things better each time, including the seating arrangements around the pool. But there’s always those people that think they’re privileged and should be allowed to reserve their seats and not be there all day. They put notes up next to the chairs saying don’t reserve them, but definitely still needs to be enforced. Other than that the staff is always friendly. The food is always good and I’m going again in September and again in January.

    Mar 11, 2026
Hotel Advisories
  • AdvisorySPRING BREAK POLICY: Bookings traveling in the months of March and April will be subject to the following conditions: · The minimum age requirement for check-in is 18. One parent or chaperone at least 25 years of age will be required per room for check-in. · In the event that any guests engage in inappropriate behavior or cause physical damages to the facilities, the Hotel Management reserves the right to expel the said guest without reimbursement or refund of the remaining nights.
  • AdvisoryThe Municipal Government will be charging all guests in the area of Cozumel an Environmental Sanitation Tax of a minimum $79.20 pesos, ($4.00 usd approximately) per room per night. This amount is not included in your vacation price and will be collected at your hotel. These funds are being used to protect, maintain and conserve the extraordinary beauty of the area.
  • AdvisorySPRING BREAK GROUPS POLICY: Students/youth are considered between 16 and 23 years of age. In addition to the Spring Break Policy for all bookings traveling March-April, Groups shall adhere to the following conditions: · Any student/youth group must be pre-approved and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. · Upon check-in, each group will be required to leave a refundable cash deposit per room for any charges or damages that might be incurred during the stay.
  • AdvisoryThe following mandatory hotel-imposed fees are charged and collected by the hotel either at check-in or check-out. Government fee: 82.12 MXN (approx. $4.79 USD) (Plus tax) per room, per night. Mandatory hotel-imposed fees may not include tax and are subject to change, this is an estimate of what you will be charged. The hotel can provide current fees and inclusions when you check-in.
General Policy
  • Check In: 3:00 PM
  • Check Out: 12:00 PM
  • Minimum Check-In Age: 18
  • Pet Policy : Pets Not Allowed

{{title}}

Prices per person based on double occupancy including round-trip airfare via U.S. certified air carriers and round-trip airport/hotel transfers when arriving at airport closest to destination (for exceptions see Frequently Asked Questions), hotel taxes and baggage handling, fuel surcharges, and all pre-collected U.S. and foreign taxes. In some instances, pricing may specifically apply to one of multiple flights on select departure days. All packages are based on the lowest hotel/air classes available at time of publication, capacity controlled, subject to availability and change without notice. Promotional pricing may only be available for a limited time. Fees may apply for carry-on and checked baggage-view Baggage Policies. Some resort fees, environmental levies and departure taxes are not included and may be payable in resort. View Frequently Asked Questions for more information. Apple Vacations is not responsible for errors or omissions. Cancellation policies apply. Bookings are subject to the Fair Trade Contract. All public charter flights are operated by ALG Vacations Corp: Allegiant Air: PC 18-231, A319-156 seats or A320-186 seats /PC 18-234, A319-156 seats or A320-186 seats; Miami Air operated by TUI Airlines Belgium N.V. : PC 19-085 & PC 19-117, B737-800, 180 seats/PC 19-091, B737-800-183 seats; Swift Air: PC 19-092, B737-400-150 seats; Viva Aerobus: PC 18-228, A320-180 seats/ PC 19-079, A320-180-185 seats/PC 19-094, A320-185 seats. CST2139014-20 120319