A Trusted Friend in a Complicated World
Updated on Aug. 12, 2024
Whether you're searching for warm-weather beaches, sprawling spas or kid-friendly amenities, the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico offer something for every traveler.
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When it comes to vacationing, we know one thing for certain: The best all-inclusive resorts offer incredible value, which makes them an excellent and convenient pick for travelers of all ages. Because they fold accommodations, meals, beverages, activities and even gratuities into one fixed price, you’ll find everything you need (and want!) right on-site. And here’s some good news for sun worshippers: There are exceptional all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.
With its incredible beaches and year-round warm sunny weather, Mexico is one of the most popular vacation destinations whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic weekend getaway, an adventure-seeking family or a wellness guru. As a frequent traveler to this beautiful country—and a self-proclaimed all-inclusive resort enthusiast—I knew that narrowing down the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico was no easy feat. I’ve amassed my fair share of all-inclusive resort tips, which is why you’ll notice that our selections offer a range of resort must-haves, including a prime beachfront location, an abundance of outdoor activities (yoga with a view, anyone?) and mouthwatering drinking and dining options.
Another bonus for travelers to Mexico: Its large size makes it relatively easy to get to from anywhere in the United States. People on the East Coast often flock to Riviera Maya resorts or all-inclusive resorts in Cancun. While those on the West Coast tend to visit Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta. Whether you’re looking for the best all-inclusive resorts for families, the most noteworthy adults-only all-inclusive resorts or cheap all-inclusive options, you’ll find a number of hotel picks to please everyone in your party. Ready for your trip to paradise? Bookmark these options and thank us later.
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The Hideaway at Royalton Riviera Cancun is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Cancun, and it’s easily among the best all-inclusive resorts in the entire country. I had the chance to visit in December 2022 and was especially wowed by the contemporary suites, each of which has a private balcony or terrace and, best of all, en-suite Jacuzzi tubs. For a true treat, you can even splurge on a room with an outdoor hot tub or semi-private swim-out pool.
Think of this property as a hotel-within-a-hotel. It’s actually connected to the family-friendly Royalton Riviera Cancun, which means there are shared amenities (their spa and fitness center, a dazzling casino and 10 restaurants and 17 bars). The Hideaway does have its own beach and pool area though, offering a calming reprieve for those—like yours truly—who want to relax and sip piña coladas in peace. So whether you’re looking for a romantic resort or something for adventure-seekers, this one’s for you. For those who wish to stay active, complimentary activities, including nonmotorized water sports, beach volleyball and dance classes abound. Cooking classes are also available, as are poolside trivia competitions.
When hunger calls, you really can’t go wrong with any of the on-site restaurants, which run the gamut from Japanese to Indian to Italian. Even the buffet here doesn’t disappoint. For Christmas, the buffet featured decadent selections, including oysters and crab legs. And there is one eatery, Dorado restaurant, that is exclusive to Hideaway guests.
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You don’t have to jet off to the Maldives to experience some of the world’s best overwater bungalows. In fact, the accommodations at Palafitos Overwater Bungalows at El Dorado Maroma are just as stunning as the ones in the South Pacific—and they’re much closer to home. As such, this dreamy property, which is one of the very best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, is especially ideal for a bucket-list-worthy romantic weekend getaway.
Don’t just take it from us, though. According to Alexandra Farrington, luxury travel advisor and founder of Acera Travel, this resort is “absolutely ideal for honeymoons, babymoons, anniversary trips or any romantic getaway where you just want to enjoy yourself, your partner, the sun and the sea.”
Beloved on Tripadvisor for its bespoke butler service and postcard-worthy surroundings, the overwater bungalows are outfitted with private infinity plunge pools, expansive balconies, glass-bottom flooring and direct ocean access. We’d also be remiss not to mention the overwater restaurant (which is also complete with glass-bottom flooring) and an overwater spa, where couples can indulge in some pampering.
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Those searching for true, uninterrupted rest and relaxation should retreat to the 14-acre Palmaïa. According to Shelby Albo, a luxury travel consultant at Embark Beyond, this resort is a great option for “plant-based, mindful travelers interested in wellness and relaxation.” (It is worth noting that meat options are also available!) It’s located on a private stretch of sand in Playacar (on the south side of Playa del Carmen), where you’ll find some of Riviera Maya’s best beaches.
With all this in mind, it’s no surprise this luxury wellness retreat has amassed a perfect five-star rating on Tripadvisor. What’s more, as one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Palmaïa stands out for its Architects of Life programming, which includes an array of activities, including meditation, yoga and ancient ceremonies. The on-site Atlantis Spa is renowned for its serene, flora-filled surroundings, and the cabana-lined swimming pool is another highlight. Guests choose from five dining experiences, each with exceptional plant-based offerings (per Albo, you won’t want to miss the plant-based sushi and the morning breakfast sausage). “Additionally, alcohol is provided, as well as an evening beachside DJ,” she says. Last but not least, travelers have access to their own “nomadic guides,” aka private butlers.
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When it comes to family-friendly vacations in Mexico, Moon Palace Cancun has the competition beat. Spanning a whopping 123 acres, this one-of-a-kind resort is a personal favorite of mine—and my family’s—for its upscale accommodations, each of which is complete with a double whirlpool tub so that guests can indulge in a relaxing soak any time of day (or night!). It’s also impossible to be bored here. While my parents and I enjoyed spending our days soaking up the sun by the beach and pool, my siblings took advantage of activities and amenities, including complimentary kayaking, standup paddleboarding and a surf simulator.
Guests can also enjoy a full-service spa, a gaming center and arcade, bike rentals and sports, such as tennis and pickleball. Don’t miss The Dreamery, a concept designed with youngsters in mind. Highlights include beachside foam parties, a state-of-the-art kids club (featuring face-painting, a movie theater and more) and lots of candy. The cuisine here is also top-notch, with an array of options, from casual eateries serving pizzas and burgers to an elegant Indian eatery. Even the youngest of travelers can indulge in mouthwatering fare: Parents (and babies!) can choose from a selection of fresh-prepared purées delivered straight to their room. Other resort highlights include a nightclub, several bars and a traditional pub.
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Meet and greets with Nickelodeon characters, swim-up suites overlooking the ocean and whimsical dining options galore: Find all this (and more) at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya. This family-friendly warm winter getaway is most famous for its themed entertainment offerings and on-site water park, where you’ll find more than 20 slides to zip down. “The water park was amazing [and] my 2-year-old loved the characters in the splash pad and kids pool,” says Jennin Quiroz from Dallas, Texas, who recently visited the resort.
The on-site kids club has a giant ball pit, crafts, cooking sessions and live theater performances and is sure to put a smile on any child’s face. As a bonus, all accommodations are oceanfront swim-up suites with two bathrooms for extra space. Meanwhile, the 10 drinking and dining options are equipped with special touches, including interactive food displays, and many have Nickelodeon themes, such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Plus, says Quiroz, the food here “was better than most all-inclusives I’ve been to.” Most fun of all? Kids—and kids at heart—will have the opportunity to get slimed!
As part of an initiative with Autism Double-Checked, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya is also certified as Autism Ready (as are all other Karisma Hotels and Resorts properties), which means all staff members who interact with guests have received special training and are best equipped to make those with autism feel at home. There is also a dedicated autism concierge who is on hand to assist with planning and accommodating individual requests.
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According to Holly Johnson, travel expert and founder of Club Thrifty, a source for finance and travel content, the all-suite Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta is ideal for large families. And because it’s wheelchair-accessible, it’s great for all ages and abilities. “I took my parents here for their 50th wedding anniversary, mostly because it was the best value resort I could find that offered huge suites for families,” Johnson says. “We specifically booked a three-bedroom oceanfront suite that had four bathrooms and more than 3,000 square feet of space.” As a bonus, she said the suite had a full kitchen and a washer and dryer, “which made it feel like home even though we were at an all-inclusive resort.”
Johnson recommends this Mexico all-inclusive resort for its high-end and delicious dining options, which include an innovative Mexican restaurant, an elegant steakhouse and an Italian eatery. And bonus: Guests also have access to the three eateries at sister property, Hotel Mousai.
Children can enjoy the complimentary kids club for those ages 5 to 12, which includes movie screenings, crafts, sandcastle building, hiking and more. Otherwise, Johnson recommends your group soak up the sun and spend the day by the large, meandering infinity pool (there are also two other pools on property to choose from). Families craving adventure can embark on a complimentary guided hike through the lush jungle or take advantage of free nonmotorized water sports, while wellness enthusiasts can hit the spa. Last, don’t miss the TierraLuna Gardens, an outdoor space that offers a handful of boutiques to snag souvenirs, clothes and more and even hosts events and some of the included dinners, per Johnson. “It was beautiful up there and a great place to watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean,” Johnson says.
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Foodies looking for a shoulder season trip will appreciate a stay at Grand Velas Los Cabos, which is one of the top-rated hotels in San Jose del Cabo on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. At this all-suite all-inclusive resort in Mexico, you can choose from seven dynamic eateries. Among our favorites is the multi-course tasting menu at Cocina de Autor, which is led by Michelin-starred chef Sidney Schutte.
Frida (a Mexican eatery inspired by Frida Kahlo) and Lucca (an Italian restaurant that boasts more than 2,500 bottles of wine) are also not to be missed. Farrington is a fan of the property for its on-site culinary offerings, which “are kid-friendly while still offering gourmet options for more advanced palettes.” She’s quick to highlight the aforementioned Cocina de Autor and adds that it’s not often you can find a resort with a Michelin-starred chef and pizza for the kiddos. Just keep in mind that some restaurants, including Cocina de Autor, are adults-only.
Aside from the stylish eateries, you’ll find spacious suites—they start at 1,100 square feet—each with private balconies and ocean views. For a true treat, splurge on one with a private plunge pool. Last, no stay here is complete without a visit to the 35,000-square-foot spa. Per Farrington, don’t miss the Water Journey (also known as the Hydrothermal Circuit or water circuit spa therapy). It’s comprised of seven stations, including an ice room and sauna, and she says it’s truly remarkable and “both exhilarating and relaxing.”
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“The Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach is an all-inclusive luxury resort located at the north end of the hotel zone in Cancun,” says Johnson. “Because of its partially guarded location, it has the best beach and surf in the entire Cancun area.” What’s more, says the travel pro, the waves are almost nonexistent and the water is crystal clear. As one of the best resorts in Mexico, the property has earned high marks on Tripadvisor for its exceptional service and food offerings, which include 12 drinking and dining venues. “My favorite dinner at the resort was at Le Basilic, an award-winning AAA Five Diamond French restaurant,” says Johnson. “The meal was incredible, and dinner featured a live ballet dancer.”
In addition to unlimited nonmotorized water sports, a 20,000-square-foot kids club (available for children ages 3 to 12) and a 40,000-square-foot spa, it also features a huge multisection pool with several swim-up bars. After a fun-filled day exploring the resort and enjoying its many amenities, retreat to your ocean-view suite and relax on your private terrace.
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Hotel Xcaret Mexico is easily one of the most action-packed all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, and it comes highly recommended by travel advisor Danielle Powers, owner of Travels by Danielle. According to the pro, unlimited access—and transportation—to Xcaret’s eco-parks are included in the resort costs, allowing guests to partake in a seemingly endless amount of activities, including ziplining, ATVing and swimming in a cenote.
Round-trip ferry transportation to Isla Mujeres, which is known for its pristine stretches of sand, is also complimentary. The property itself boasts 900 all-suite accommodations—each equipped with contemporary decor, fun pops of color and private terraces. The suites are spread across five buildings, called Casas, which are designed to suit every type of traveler (including two family-friendly buildings, an adults-only building and another that’s geared toward wellness travelers).
There are also 12 restaurants, a tranquil spa, paddle and tennis courts, yoga and meditation, and nonmotorized water sports. The main infinity pool is the place to be during the daytime, so be sure to arrive early to snag a seat.
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Between the postcard-worthy oceanfront scenery and the hot-tub-equipped suites, Impression Moxché by Secrets exudes romance in every sense—and Johnson agrees. “Every suite at this hotel is ideal for a honeymoon, since all rooms come with a huge bathroom, nearly 1,000 square feet of space and a balcony hot tub.” This romantic resort is situated on a serene stretch of palm-lined beach in Playa Del Carmen, setting the scene for a lovely and relaxing escape.
Guests here also have access to the entire Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen, which, per Johnson, boasts a “huge lagoon pool that’s ideal for relaxation and splashing around without having to get in the ocean.” As for the exclusive amenities, that includes “an incredible private rooftop with its own drinking and dining venues and pools, including an oceanfront infinity pool.”
There are also a total of 14 eclectic dining venues between the two properties, which makes it difficult to run out of options. While I wouldn’t blame any couple who spent the entire day soaking up the sun by the rooftop pool, you can also embark on a catamaran ride, go snorkeling, play a game of pickleball or indulge in a massage at the spa. Come nighttime, the fun continues with a cocktail-making or dance class, along with a selection of live musical performances and shows, a speakeasy-style nightclub and live music by the pool. Best of all, a butler is on hand to ensure your needs and wants are taken care of. Ready to relax and unwind with your partner?
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I relied on a combination of personal experience, expert recommendations and real-people Tripadvisor ratings. As a travel writer and frequent visitor to Mexico, I am fortunate enough to have visited some of the country’s best hotels. As such, I have extensive first-hand knowledge of several properties. Once I narrowed down a few of my favorites, it was time to compile the rest of the list. To help, I reached out to experts—a combination of travel advisors and actual resort guests—to pick their brains. Last but not least, I also weighed each property’s features and amenities and combed through Tripadvisor reviews from people who’d been there, loved that.
While there are hundreds of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, my top picks all needed to have a beautiful beachfront location (private warm water beaches were a bonus). It’s worth noting, however, that while all our final contenders are located on the beach, some of the water is not swimmable. Cabo San Lucas, for example, boasts stunning beaches, but due to the strong waves of the Sea of Cortez, a majority of the beaches are not ideal—nor safe—for swimming, surfing or paddling. (If you’re craving a swimmable beach escape, consider one on the eastern side of Mexico.)
On-site activities were also a must. Whether with cooking classes, beachfront yoga, complimentary boat rentals, hydrotherapy treatments or kayaking, our all-inclusive resort selections add value through fun. In-room jacuzzis and private plunge pools were bonuses. And while nightly entertainment, live music and kids clubs were not requirements, they are nice perks, which is why we were sure to highlight properties with these amenities too.
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