Stretching for 75 miles along the west coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, the Riviera Maya includes popular places like Playa del Carmen, Puerto Adventuras, Akumal, and Tulum. It’s famous for its long beaches, fine-dining restaurants, and numerous all-inclusive resorts. In fact, there are so many, it can be almost overwhelming when trying to decide which to book for your stay.
Having moved to Mexico, I’ve been able to sample many of them to help narrow down the field to the best of the best all-inclusive resorts in Riviera Maya.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya - Playa Del Carmen
One of the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, Grand Velas Riviera Maya is renowned for its luxuries that include a high-end spa with an extensive menu of holistic treatments and a hydrotherapy area. Ideal for adults and families alike, those seeking a tranquil child-free experience can book the Grand Class Adults Only section, while families will appreciate the clubs for kids and teens with daily activities. There are three spectacular pool complexes and a wide range of activities for all, including golf, sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and diving tours. The restaurants are top-notch, serving delicious chef-inspired fares, while all rooms come with outdoor living space, some of which have plunge pools and ocean views.
Key Amenities:
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Kids’ and teens’ clubs
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Spa with an extensive menu of holistic treatments
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Three pool complex + activities like snorkeling and diving
Barcelo Maya Palace - Puerto Aventuras
Located on a breathtaking stretch of white, powdery sands along crystal-clear turquoise water just south of Playa del Carmen, Barcelo Maya Palace is a 5-star resort, the most intimate and opulent of the three Barcelo properties. It boasts beautiful pools, including one that’s adults-only and another that has a water park for the kids, while activity options include snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing. There are a half-dozen restaurants serving everything from international fare like Brazilian and French to traditional Mexican cuisine. Enjoy nightly entertainment, including live shows at Jaguar’s Nightclub or the Monte Alban Theater.
Key Amenities:
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White sandy beach with activities like snorkeling and kayaking
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Three pools, including an adults-only pool and a water park for kids
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Numerous dining options + nightly entertainment
El Dorado Royale by Karisma - Playa del Carmen
One of the best adults-only resorts in Mexico, the El Dorado Royale by Karisma offers it all. A 450-acre oceanfront property, guests have access to a wide range of watersports, over a dozen pools (many with swim-up bars), a fabulous spa offering Mayan-inspired treatments and all sorts of pampering delights like an outdoor massage at sunrise with mimosas. There are nine a la carte eateries with a focus on dishes utilizing spices and vegetables grown in the 70,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse on-site, and a menu of evening entertainment is available too. Every suite comes with a balcony or terrace with loungers and a Jacuzzi. Plus, most have magnificent ocean views.
Key Amenities:
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More than a dozen beautiful pools, many with swim-up bars
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Multiple restaurants + nightly entertainment
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Spa with Mayan-inspired treatments
Carr. Cancún - Tulum Km. 55.3, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico— +52 998 872 8030
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Playa del Carmen
Set along a secluded beach with pristine white sands, the adults-only Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun is a great place for those who want to unwind while soaking up the sun and admiring the sea views. It also hosts two beautiful pools to lounge around, including one with a swim-up bar. There’s a decadent spa with beachfront treatment options and a wealth of dining venues, including gourmet restaurants with no reservations required. Private romantic dinners for two on the beach are available too. The luxurious guest suites all include private balconies for terraces, and there are some that come with in-suite Jacuzzis for two.
Key Amenities:
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One of the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in the world
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Beautiful secluded white sandy beach
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Two beautiful pools, one with a swim-up bar
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Spa offering beachfront treatments
Royal Hideaway Playacar - Playa del Carmen
Royal Hideaway Playacar is a great alternative to the region’s many mega-resorts, providing a more intimate, adults-only stay in a serene setting ideal for sparking romance. There are six pools, including a sea-view infinity pool, and the beach is idyllic, with white powdery sands. Guests can take advantage of complimentary non-motorized watersports like kayaking and sailing along with activities like cycling, tennis, and bocce ball before unwinding with one of the stress-melting treatments in the full-service spa. There are six restaurants and three bars, including the Chef’s Table and a Mexican eatery, while rooms come with terraces or balconies, some with hot tubs and hammocks.
Key Amenities:
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Adults-only property on a white-sand beach
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Six swimming pools, including a sea-view infinity pool
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Multiple restaurants, including the Chef’s Table
Desarrollo, P.º Xaman - Ha Calle, Playacar, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 873 4500
Valentin Imperial Maya - Playa del Carmen
Nestled among lush gardens while sitting along a picture-perfect white sand beach, the adults-only Valentin Imperial Maya offers many ways to relax and get active. Enjoy everything from beach volleyball and aqua Zumba to bike rides, pool spinning, yoga, and Pilates. You can swim in one of the biggest pools in the country, or just float around the lazy river. The spa offers a blissful menu of massages, body and facial treatments for secluded relaxation and there is a wide range of dining options, from Italian, French, and Japanese to Mexican. All rooms come with stocked minibars and furnished balconies with sea views.
Key Amenities:
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One of the biggest pools in Mexico + a lazy river
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White sandy beach & numerous actvity options
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Spa offering massages, facials, and body treatments
Carretera Federal 307 Puerto Juarez KM 311, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 206 3660
Kore Tulum Retreat and Spa Resort - Tulum
The oceanfront Kore Tulum Retreat is an adults-only resort focusing on wellness and relaxation. Come to refresh your mind, body, and soul with the property’s wellness center offering a wide range of spa treatments, a sauna and steam room, a beauty salon, and a gym with yoga classes available. There’s a dual-level pool area that includes a hot tub and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar. You’ll find lots of room to unwind on the beach, which includes a stretch with soft sands, and if you want to explore outside the resort, complimentary bikes are provided. The various eateries on-site serve delicious dishes that include everything from Mexican to Italian and Japanese, while rooms come with balconies featuring garden or sea views, two-person whirlpool tubs, and complimentary minibars.
Key Amenities:
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Adults-only oceanfront resort with an expansive beach
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Wellness center with a spa, sauna, steam room & beauty salon
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Wide variety of dining options
Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa - Tulum
Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa boasts a secluded location on a white sandy beach near the Mayan Ruins north of Tulum. The all-inclusive rates include limitless gourmet a la carte dining options, top-shelf liquor, daily refills of in-room minibars, and 24-hour room service. Enjoy watersports like snorkeling, diving, and kayaking, along with two pools, including one with a bar that has swing seats. Families with children can take advantage of the Mayan-themed Explorer’s Club, which offers supervised activities for the kids, allowing parents to indulge in the spa. It includes a DIY body bar with various scrubs and lotions and themed bungalows for treatments like reflexology.
Key Amenities:
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Family-friendly resort with a kids’ club
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Watersports, including snorkeling and diving
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Two swimming pools and a spa with a DIY body bar
Carretera Chetumal-Puerto Juarez Km. 236, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 871 3333
Bahia Principe Grand Tulum - Tulum
The Bahia Principe Grand Tulum sits on a picturesque white sandy beach edging clear turquoise waters and has a laid-back party vibe complete with two pools that have swim-up bars, loungers, and palapas. A variety of watersports are on offer, including snorkeling and paddling, and there’s a relaxing spa with a variety of massages and treatment options. The multiple restaurants include an extensive buffet and a la carte eateries as well as a 24-hour snack bar. Nightlife includes a casino and nightclub, while rooms are simple but all come with private outdoor living space.
Key Amenities:
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White sandy beach with snorkeling available
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Two pools, both with swim-up bars
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Multiple restaurants and evening entertainment, including a casino & nightclub
Carretera Federal Chetumal- Benito Juarez Km. 250, 77760 Tulum, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 875 5000
Akumal Bay Beach & Wellness Resort - Akumal
Akumal Bay Beach and Wellness Resort sits along a vast expanse of unspoiled white sands, providing a luxurious beach paradise with a tranquil vibe. It’s perfect for unwinding and recharging, with pools right along the seafront and hammocks for lazy afternoons. Enjoy the soft, powdery sands and opportunities for snorkeling among sea turtles and colorful fish. The full-service spa and wellness center offers a variety of pampering treatments and there are four a la carte restaurants plus a large buffet eatery, a sushi bar, and a 24-hour snack bar. All rooms come with upscale perks like outdoor hot tubs and sea views. For the best of the best, book a penthouse that comes with a large rooftop terrace and a beautiful panoramic view.
Key Amenities:
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Beachfront property with snorkeling available
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Full-service spa and wellness center
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Seafront swimming pools + multiple dining options
Carretera Federal 307, Cancun - Chetumal Km 254, 77760 Akumal, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 875 7500
Luxury Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an - Akumal
While the sumptuous Luxury Bahia Principe Sian Ka’an is a large resort with 420 suites, it feels more like a boutique hotel with a tranquil setting, nestled in the Mayan jungle with a shuttle that will bring you to its private beach and beach bar off-site. There, you’ll be able to enjoy a variety of watersports, including kayaking, windsurfing, and snorkeling. Land activities include complimentary greens fees at the 18-hole Riviera Maya Golf Club course. There are four pools to lounge around while the spa offers revitalizing massages. Among the very long list of dining options, enjoy everything from a steakhouse and authentic Mexican fare to Japanese and Mediterranean dishes. All rooms include 24-hour room service and top-shelf minibars – some have private decks with hot tubs.
Key Amenities:
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Adults-only property with exclusive private beach area
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Four swimming pools
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Activities such as snorkeling to golfing
Chetumal-Cancun Km 250, 77780 Akumal, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 875 5000
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita - Puerto Morelos
Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita offers luxurious one- and two-bedroom seafront suites, and some include two-person marble bathtubs and private plunge pools. A sophisticated resort with a laid-back vibe, it sits on a serene stretch of beach while boasting freshwater and saltwater swimming pools and opportunities to kayak, windsurf, and bike. The island-style poolside bar is a popular hangout spot, but those who want to enhance wellness can take advantage of unique saltwater treatments at the spa, a yoga center, a sauna, and a steam room. Multiple dining options include the award-winning La Canoa Restaurant, with a menu featuring everything from lobster ravioli to octopus carpaccio.
Key Amenities:
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One- and two-bedroom suites at beachfront
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Island-style poolside bar & multiple restaurants
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Yoga center, sauna, steam room, and spa with unique saltwater treatments
Belmond Maroma - Puerto Morelos
Belmond Maroma is just north of Playa del Carmen in Puerto Morelos and offers many high-end facilities as one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Made up of thatched buildings, it sits on a white sandy beach with a labyrinth of lush paths where parrots flitter about and meander through the grounds. A long list of activities and attractions await, including cooking classes and tequila tastings, and you’ll also find gorgeous palm tree-lined pools, a lavish, award-winning spa, and multiple bars and eateries. All rooms come with private terraces and king-size canopy beds – book a beachfront suite, and you’ll have a private plunge pool.
Key Amenities:
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Set on a white sand beach
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Cooking classes and tequila tastings
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Award-winning spa
Carr. Cancún - Tulum Km 51, 77710 Riviera Maya, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 370 0400
Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel - Playa del Carmen
Aimed at providing total rest and relaxation, the Blue Diamond Luxury Boutique Hotel is an adults-only property that’s ideal for couples seeking an intimate, luxurious resort away from the Cancun crowds. It sits across picturesque grounds that are part jungle and part well-manicured while offering a wealth of facilities. The all-inclusive rates include access to a golf course, and you’ll find multiple sparkling pools, an enticing beach, and a wide variety of impressive dining options. The full-service spa is the ideal place to go for pampering, while suites feature terraces or gardens, floor-to-ceiling windows, and special perks like outdoor tubs or plunge pools.
Key Amenities:
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Adults-only property with a beautiful beach
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Golf course access
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Multiple pools and a full-service spa
México 307 Km 298, Riviera Maya, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico— +52 984 206 4100
