Hotels
All inclusive Mexico: the best resorts in Cancún and the Riviera Maya
Mexico is the home of modern all inclusive. Here are six resorts in Cancún, Playa Mujeres and the Riviera Maya, and which area suits you best.
Picolo Editorial
On Mexico's Caribbean coast all inclusive is not an add-on, it is the norm. Almost every big resort between Cancún and Tulum includes everything in the price, and competition is fierce. That makes Mexico one of the best places in the world for all inclusive, especially in winter.
In short: all inclusive in Mexico
The best all inclusive resorts in Mexico are in Cancún, Playa Mujeres and on the Riviera Maya south towards Tulum. Cancún has beaches and nightlife, Playa Mujeres is quieter and newer, and the Riviera Maya has cenotes and Mayan ruins close by. The best time is December to April, before the hurricane season from June to November.
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Our first choice: Hotel Xcaret Mexico on the Riviera Maya, where entry to the Xcaret parks and airport transfers are included. See rooms at Hotel Xcaret Mexico
To compare with the Mediterranean and the Maldives, see the best all inclusive resorts in Europe and further afield. For help choosing an area, see where to stay in Cancún.
The Riviera Maya: parks, cenotes and ruins
The Riviera Maya is the coast south of Cancún, from Playa del Carmen down towards Tulum. The resorts here are more spread out, with jungle behind them and cenotes, freshwater caves in the limestone, nearby.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico: Riviera Maya
Hotel Xcaret Mexico was built by the company behind the Xcaret, Xel-Há and Xplor theme parks, and entry to the parks is included. The hotel has around 20 restaurants, 15 outdoor pools, and every room has its own hot tub. Airport transfers are included. It suits families who want something new every day, not just the pool.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Xcaret Mexico
Grand Velas Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen
Grand Velas Riviera Maya is south of Playa del Carmen, about 45 minutes from Cancún airport. The resort is split into three sections, one of them for adults and children over twelve only. Every room has its own hot tub, and the hotel has eight restaurants and a free kids' club. Some dinners and drinks cost extra.
Book your stay: See rooms at Grand Velas Riviera Maya
The cenotes
Cenotes are sinkholes in the limestone filled with fresh water. Most resorts on the Riviera Maya arrange trips.
Cancún: beaches and nightlife
The Hotel Zone in Cancún is a long strip between the sea and the lagoon, with hotels, beaches and nightlife. It suits anyone who wants some buzz and restaurants beyond the hotel within easy reach.
Hyatt Ziva Cancún: Punta Cancún
Hyatt Ziva Cancún sits at the tip of Punta Cancún, where the Hotel Zone bends, with sea on three sides. The hotel has eight restaurants, a rooftop terrace and a kids' club, and every room has a balcony. Its Turquoize section is adults only. It suits families who want to stay in the middle of Cancún without being in the thick of it.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hyatt Ziva Cancún
Grand Oasis Cancún: the Hotel Zone
Grand Oasis Cancún is a large beachfront complex in the middle of the Hotel Zone, with many restaurants and bars and its own kids' club. The Pyramid is a quieter, pricier section inside the complex. It is busy and lively, so choose somewhere else if you want peace.
Book your stay: See rooms at Grand Oasis Cancún
Under water
Sea turtles are common along the Riviera Maya. Most resorts can book a snorkelling trip to Akumal or Cozumel.
Playa Mujeres: calm and new north of Cancún
Playa Mujeres is north of Cancún, about 40 minutes from the airport, looking out towards Isla Mujeres. Many of the newest resorts are here, with plenty of space and fewer people.
Dreams Playa Mujeres: Playa Mujeres
Dreams Playa Mujeres has nine restaurants, two beach bars, a water park and a kids' club included, and the Playa Mujeres golf course is close by. It suits families who want a water park, a beach and some peace in the same resort.
Book your stay: See rooms at Dreams Playa Mujeres
Excellence Playa Mujeres: adults only
Excellence Playa Mujeres is adults only, with eleven restaurants, seven outdoor pools and a hot tub in every room. It suits couples who want all inclusive without children around. See also adults only all inclusive resorts.
Book your stay: See rooms at Excellence Playa Mujeres
When to go to Mexico
December to April is the dry season and the best time to go. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and in spring and summer sargassum seaweed can wash up on the beaches. Many resorts clear the sand every morning.
How to choose all inclusive in Mexico
Choose your area first. Cancún for nightlife, Playa Mujeres for peace and new resorts, and the Riviera Maya for cenotes and ruins.
Check the extras. Some restaurants, spa treatments and excursions cost extra, even at the most expensive resorts.
Think about the seaweed. If you travel between April and September, ask the hotel about sargassum before you book.
Frequently asked questions about all inclusive in Mexico
Where is the best all inclusive in Mexico?
Cancún, Playa Mujeres and the Riviera Maya have the best all inclusive resorts in Mexico. Cancún suits nightlife, Playa Mujeres peace and new resorts, and the Riviera Maya cenotes, Mayan ruins and theme parks.
Which resorts in Mexico are best for families?
Hotel Xcaret Mexico includes entry to the Xcaret parks, and Dreams Playa Mujeres has a water park and kids' club. Hyatt Ziva Cancún and Grand Velas Riviera Maya also include a kids' club.
When is the best time to visit Cancún and the Riviera Maya?
December to April is the best time, with dry weather and the least seaweed. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and sargassum can arrive in spring and summer.
Are there adults only all inclusive resorts in Mexico?
Yes. Excellence Playa Mujeres is adults only, and several resorts have their own adults-only sections, such as Turquoize at Hyatt Ziva Cancún. Picolo has a separate guide to adults only all inclusive.
Enjoy your holiday
Picolo Editorial