10 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico

All-inclusive resorts can be a lifesaver to families traveling. Instead of watching a budget go through the roof when taking on extra resort expenses or spending a trip saying no to the kids, all-inclusive resorts allow families to plan ahead and stay on budget, while giving kids all the fun they can find, and all the cookies they can sneak. Here, we list resorts along Mexico's beaches offering a wealth of things for families to do at fixed prices.

Written by Lissa Poirot
Of the four Iberostar all-inclusive resorts located in the Riviera Maya, the Maya is the most upscale. A Mayan decor is visible from the exterior's replica of a Mayan pyramid, and inside are opulent sculptures, architecture and artwork to complete the look. Rooms are placed within a series of three-story villas, and special features include saltwater pool, gourmet restaurants and a sauna available only to guests of the Maya, which shares amenities with the Playa Paraiso.

Read our review of the Iberostar Paraiso Maya.
Also located in Riviera Maya, the Sandos resort is made up of the Sandos Playacar Riviera and Sandos Playacar Beach resorts, sharing the same facilities, pools, kids' club, and restaurants. Kids programs and kids are provided for infants, children and teens, and are included in the resort's rates. Accommodations vary by section of the resort, with the newest Riviera section furthest from the activity pool and beach but offering spacious junior suites.

Read our review of the Sandos Playacar.
A stay at this resort, divided into adult and family areas, will change your perceptions about all-inclusives. You no longer need sacrifice luxury for the convenience of an up-front price. Lunch buffets include freshly made lobster tacos, salmon salad and duck kebabs. The bars use premium brand liquors and the specialty restaurants really are special and don't cost extra. To be near the beach, book lodging in the Ambassador section. At 1,270 square feet the rooms offer plenty of space for sharing. Children's program targets ages four to 12.

Read our review of the Grand Velas All Suites Spa & Resort.
The One & Only chain of all-inclusive resorts are the epitome of luxury, with the Los Cabos location providing families a butler to assist during a stay. The resort used to house the likes of Hollywood's heavyweights John Wayne, Bing Crosby and Lucille Ball back in the day, and after receiving a $90-million renovation in 2004, is once again a hotspot. A complimentary kids' program is available for children 4 to 12, and infants, 'tweens and teens can get special attention at this family-friendly resort with oversized hacienda-style rooms.

Read our review of the One & Only Palmilla.
With three properties in Riviera Maya, Azul Beach is cozier, but just as welcoming to its family travelers. Completely renovated in 2011, the all-inclusive, luxury resort added new restaurants, a spa and a gym to its already impressive collection of amenities, including a kids club for children 4 to 12, and of course a wide stretch of soft sand beach and a beckoning pool.

Read our review of the Azul Beach Hotel.
One of the trustworthiest of the all-inclusives, where service and amenities are nearly guaranteed to be phenomenal, the Club Med Cancun Yucatan received a $20-million renovation in 2006. Stretched out on arguably the best beach in Cancun, the resort features "GOs," or "gracious organizers," who act similar to luxury camp counselor to organize activities and make guests feel welcome. With renovations, 200 of the resort's 384 rooms were enlarged and an additional building was added to provide oversized, ocean-view suites.

Read our review of the Club Med Cancun Yucatan.
This JW Marriott is also a surprisingly lovely all-inclusive resort. Don't believe us? Check out its Five Diamond rating! Similar to its flagship Ritz-Carlton Cancun, the JW Marriott offers luxury at 20 to 30 percent less the cost. Not an official all-inclusive resort, the hotel provides packages to make the trip inclusive, including dining and children's programs at the neighboring CasaMagna Marriott Cancun.

Read our review of the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa.
Don't let the Hilton name fool you; this is an all-inclusive and downright beautiful resort. (Just look at that pool view!) Located on one of the only swimmable beaches in Los Cabos, the resort caters to families with a number of activities, a free supervised kids' program, and even kids' spa services. Rooms vary as they do in the States with double rooms featuring two queen beds to larger rooms and suites, including Presidential Suites with a master bedroom and an additional room with two queen beds, plus living room, dining room and a private outdoor hot tub.

Read our review of the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort.
The Dreams resorts are found all along Mexico's beaches, including the Caribbean and Pacific. One of our favorites is the Dreams Tulum. Not only is its entrance enough to announce you aren't in Kansas anymore, it's situated on a quiet and isolated stretch of sand and close to the Mayan ruins at Tulum and eco-parks and reserves that provide a better sense of the environment than its counterparts located closer to the bustling hotel districts. Children will also love the hotel's Explorer's Club daily kids' program.

Read our review of the Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa.
Located in the southernmost tip of Baja California in Los Cabos, this Sheraton Hacienda del Mar certainly looks like a hacienda on the sea. Built of rosy stucco and Spanish tiles, the stunning architecture and breathtaking views are enough to create vacation smiles, but keep the smiles going by choosing the all-inclusive package. Kids will love the new Kids Club, opening in April, while teens have their own fun, including snorkeling and whale watching. The hotel's 270 rooms are tucked into two-story "villas" with rooms also available on three floors in the main building.

Read our review of the Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa.
1 of 12

10 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in Mexico
  1. Iberostar Paraiso Maya
  2. Sandos Playacar
  3. Grand Velas All Suites Spa & Resort
  4. One & Only Palmilla
  5. Azul Beach Hotel
  6. Club Med Cancun Yucatan
  7. JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
  8. Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
  9. Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa
  10. Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Resort & Spa
IBEROSTAR Paraiso Maya Reviews
Fabu - Jun 4th, 2012

Spent a few days at Chichen Itza before a week at Iberostar Paraiso Maya -- it really was perfect! We've never stayed at an all-inclusive resort before and were amazingly rewarded with splendid food & drink & cocktails & everything! The ... more +
dopatz - Apr 28th, 2011

We stayed at this hotel with my family (6), my parents, and my sister's family (4). The kids varied in age from 6 to 14. The best thing of all was the wave pool. Or, so my kids would say... it was difficult to get them to leave it! We tried to ... more +
Read more IBEROSTAR Paraiso Maya reviews
Sandos Playacar Reviews
brownldnr - Nov 30th, 2011

We had a wonderful time and experience at the Sandos Playacar in Mexico. There were three families in our group(six adults and 7 children). The resort was beautiful and clean. There were many restaurants with wonderful food and a wonderful ... more +
Parvi - Apr 1st, 2011

Our family (my wife, daughter, and son and myself) took a seven-day all-inclusive vacation trip to sandos resort in playa del carmen, maya reviera, cancun, mexico. We boarded a waiting bus at the outside of the airport in hot humid night and was ... more +
Read more Sandos Playacar reviews
Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort Reviews
Be the first to write a Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort review!
One & Only Palmilla Reviews
Be the first to write a One & Only Palmilla review!
Azul Beach Hotel Reviews
kinsellajen - Apr 3rd, 2013

Last year we embarked on a wonderful familiy vacation to Cancun Mexico with our children who then were 2, 5, 7, and 15. We were a little hesitant and investigated the Azul resort for our youngest children. We needed a vacation and hadn't taken one ... more +
Veria - May 26th, 2012

Our family was at Azul Beach Hotel foe a wedding. This hotel is superb for its location, accommodations, welcoming of staff - the staff's courtesy, helpfulness, and honesty. I recommend Azul Beach Hotel for all my friends, and everyone in the world!... more +
Read more Azul Beach Hotel reviews
Club Med Cancun Yucatan Reviews
luckyskimom - Nov 15th, 2011

Club Med Yucatan (Cancun) In February of 2010, my three teenagers and I went to the Club Med in Cancun and had the greatest time. As a single mom with three teens, it was the perfect vacation. We had a room with the ocean on one side and a lake ... more +
luckyskimom - Apr 28th, 2011

We have gone to this club two years in a row now as my kids had so much fun. They meet people from all over the world and even the shyest one is dancing and participating in the fun. My daughters could use their French and my son could practice ... more +
Read more Club Med Cancun Yucatan reviews
JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa Reviews
char - Nov 25th, 2011

Excellent from the pick up at the airport and each of the 10 days there. The hotel staff goes over and above to be of service day or night. The resort offers every thing that you truly would want with out ever leaving the resort. The cleanliness ... more +
Read more JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa reviews
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort Reviews
Be the first to write a Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort review!
Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa Reviews
ewilcox41 - Apr 1st, 2013

We just returned from a one-week, all-inclusive vacation at the Dreams Tulum from March 16-23, 2013. Although the resort is far from the Cancun airport (approximately 90-120 minute drive), it is worth the drive. Once you are there, you are truly in ... more +
anabelag@hotmail.com - Nov 29th, 2011

Dreams Tulum is about an hour away from the airport, but very close to the breathtaking Tulum Ruins, and the fantastic nature parks Xelha, xplor, Xcaret. We visited all of them and had a blast. The hotel is beautiful, clean, gorgeous gardens, ... more +
Read more Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa reviews
The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Reviews
Racherach - Aug 11th, 2010

The resort feature five star restaurants. One of which serves the best dang tortilla chips to dip into homemade salsa and guacamole you will ever taste. There are darling shops on the premises should you forget a bathingsuit or need to buy something ... more +
Read more The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar reviews


  •  
    FREE Family Travel Newsletter
  • Family Travel Tips   (10 New)

    Family Planning and Tips

    • Carnival Miracle Travel Tips
      OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips All About the Extras Sail & Sign Card Carnival ships feature Sail & Sign cards, which make life so much easier. All you do is link a debit card or credit card to your Sail & Sign Card at Guest Relations or a kiosk on the ship. You'll then use your Sai...
    • Carnival Miracle Activities
      OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips Carnival is known for its plethora of onboard activities, and the Miracle is no exception to this. Listed in the Fun Times, the ship's daily newsletter, activities include beanbag tosses, trivia, bingo, games, dance classes (including a "Thriller" class) ...
    • Carnival Miracle Dining
      OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips During the cruise, I quickly learned that cruise food is every bit as big of a deal as the cruise itself. And when it comes to dining, the Carnival Miracle does not disappoint. Bacchus Restaurant Thousands of purple, bubble-like lights embellish Bacc...
    • Carnival Miracle Cabins
      OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips Carnival Miracle's rooms are simple, yet comfortable and clean, with flat-screen TV's, phones, complimentary bathrobes and stocked mini-bars. Anything consumed from the mini bars, which offer alcohol, sodas and energy drinks, will cost you an extra fee. ...
    • 10 Best Family-Friendly College Towns
      In what seems like the blink of an eye, the kids you've raised are all grown up and off to college. As parents, you're worried. More importantly, you're anxious to visit them! Lucky for you, we here at Family Vacation Critic know what it means to be concerned parents. With that, we've taken the t...
    • Carnival Miracle
      OverviewCabinsDiningActivitiesTravel Tips One of four Spirit class ships, Carnival Miracle made its magical debut in 2004. While it's certainly not Carnival's grandest ship, it's definitely something of a "miracle" for families, who find an ample amount of amenities and activities on board. Amid ...
    • 10 Best Ski Resorts on the East Coast
      With a state (New York) that offers more ski resorts than any other place in the country and the entire region of New England to boot, the East Coast hardly lacks for quality ski resorts, making the task of listing the best areas a difficult one. Nevertheless, these are our favorites, in no particul...
    • 13 Best Early-Bird Ski Deals
      You've unpacked your boxes full of gloves, ski masks and snowsuits. You've repaired your ski poles and sharpened your skis. Now, where should you go? More importantly, where will you find a good deal, preferably one that packages lodging and lift tickets? We've uncovered the best early (and even win...
    • How to See the Magic Kingdom in 24 Hours
      So, you've got one day to see the most popular theme park in Walt Disney World. Twenty-four hours to conquer The Kingdom, the holy grail of family entertainment, all 107 jam-packed acres. Can it be done? Should it be done? I've read a lot of articles on how to see the Magic Kingdom in one day, m...
    • Beyond the Theme Parks: The Best Off-the-Beaten-Path Orlando Attractions
      No doubt about it: Walt Disney World puts Orlando on the tourism map. Additional major theme parks, like Universal Studios Florida, SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND, Florida have only added to the region's lure as a family vacation destination. But there's more to see in Central Florida, both in Orland...
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Username
Password
Remember Me