Hotel Esencia's gardens, main house and Xpu-Ha beach make a session feel like a private estate shoot. Sessions start at 245 USD.
A boutique estate on one of the best beaches of the coast is a gift for photos. Here is our plan for Hotel Esencia.
The Session at a Glance
- HotelBoutique estate on Xpu-Ha beach, once an Italian duchess's retreat
- SizeAbout 50 acres; the Main House, 44 suites and 3 villas
- WeddingsXpu-Ha beach (about 200, buyout) and the Esencia mansion (about 20)
- Beach facesEast, onto Xpu-Ha's open Caribbean
Where We Shoot
Xpu-Ha beach. Wide, soft sand and clear water.
The gardens and main house. Architecture and tropical green.
Sunrise or Sunset
Times for this beach on the 15th of each month in 2027.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:28 am | 5:58 pm | 6:29 pm |
| March | 6:58 am | 6:29 pm | 6:59 pm |
| May | 6:12 am | 6:48 pm | 7:19 pm |
| June | 6:09 am | 6:59 pm | 7:31 pm |
| July | 6:17 am | 7:01 pm | 7:33 pm |
| September | 6:36 am | 6:23 pm | 6:52 pm |
| November | 6:58 am | 5:37 pm | 6:09 pm |
| December | 7:17 am | 5:39 pm | 6:11 pm |
The beach faces east: the hour before sunset is soft and even; sunrise lifts out of the sea. From roughly September through April the sun rises from behind Cozumel, which makes a sunrise session here unusually striking.
How the Photographer Gets In
For staying guests, there is no complicated paperwork: you register the photographer as your guest with the front desk a day or two before, and we check in on arrival. The vendor fee you may read about applies to weddings; for a private session, Hotel Esencia guests are very seldom asked for it, and we confirm the policy in writing before your date. If you are staying at another hotel, a day pass usually applies. More in our guide to outside photographers at resorts.
Sessions in Akumal, Through Our Lens
Real IVAE Studios sessions in Akumal and along the Riviera Maya. They show our work in the area, not necessarily at Hotel Esencia.
Collections and Prices
All collections include full editing and a private 4K gallery, delivered within one to three business days.
| Collection | Time | Photos | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | 35 min | 15 | 245 USD |
| Glow Hour | 45 min | 25 | 325 USD |
| Essential Flow | 60 min | 35 | 395 USD |
| Creative Runway | 75 min | 50 | 475 USD |
| Visual Story | 90 min | 70 | 575 USD |
| Full Experience | 90 min | Full gallery | 725 USD |