aerial view of all inclusive resort in mexico
This will have you changing your mind about all-inclusives. | Photo courtesy of TAFER Hotels & Resorts
This will have you changing your mind about all-inclusives. | Photo courtesy of TAFER Hotels & Resorts

Kiss Winter Goodbye at Mexico’s Dreamiest All-Inclusive Resorts

From Los Cabos to Tulum, expect nothing but the best at these sunny beachfront escapes.

We all say we want to travel like a local, but let’s be real: That requires an exhausting amount of planning, cross-town schlepping, and on-the-fly thinking. Sometimes—maybe even most of the time—you want to beeline to a beautiful beach and have everything you could possibly want made readily available to you 24/7, served alongside a drink with a little umbrella sticking out of the top.

There are world-class all-inclusive resorts all over the world, but coastal Mexico remains the gold standard for vacationers who want it all in one scenic place—and often at an unbeatable price. What’s more, as travel tastes change, the very best Mexican resorts are also evolving.

Don’t worry: The days of foam parties and bottomless margs from a swim-up bar aren’t gone. But now 24-hour party destinations live comfortably alongside chic resorts offering rejuvenating wellness experiences, world-class cuisine, cultural excursions, outdoor activities, and more. Whether you’re looking for sambuca body shots or seaweed body wraps, there’s a hotel for you among Mexico’s very best all-inclusive resorts.

aerial view of breathless cabo san lucas resort surrounded by water
Not the look you’d expect at an all-inclusive. | Breathless Cabo San Lucas

​​The best all-inclusive hotels in Los Cabos

Los Cabos has a reputation as the playground for the rich and famous—toss a seashell in any direction and it’s bound to land in some A-lister’s mimosa (or a classic rocker’s tequila). But that doesn’t mean you need a personal assistant and a SAG card to enjoy its spoils.

Located on Medano Beach—one of the few actually swimmable beaches in Los Cabos—the adults-only Breathless Cabo San Lucas is the place to go if you like your music loud, your beverages free-flowing, and your fellow guests extra social. There’s a reason you’re greeted with a cocktail by the cheery reception staff: Activities include theme nights (think bubble parties and a “Carnival of Champagne”), tequila tastings, DJ-fueled pool parties, and more, plus a whopping 12 restaurants and bars to help fuel your revelry. There’s a spa and a quiet pool too, but considering the resort overlooks the marina, you can expect the party to roll from morning until, well, the following morning.
Rates: Rooms start at $260 per night

What's great about Paradisus Los Cabos is, first and foremost, the uninterrupted view of the Pacific. It’s located on the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Translation? It's gloriously quiet. The crowd here is looking to unwind with a fabulous meal, a spa trip, or a day spent lounging by the pool or the (swimmable) beach. If you’re looking for a chill post in Los Cabos, this is your spot.

Paradisus is also a total enigma in that it is somehow equally appealing for and accommodating to families with kids and child-free adults. How, you ask? Separate sections—that actually do feel separate. Book some time at the adults-only Gastro Bar, or upgrade to the Reserve, which includes extra perks like a private pool and two exclusive bars. Meanwhile, families can book a dedicated concierge to provide kid-friendly experiences and amenities while the parents do their thing.
Rate: Rooms start at $450 per night

Todos Santos continues to fly under the radar for vacationers drawn to the no-doubt thumping siren song of busy Los Cabos. But for those looking for something artier and more laid back, it’s well worth the hour’s drive up the Baja Peninsula to experience this relatively untrodden coast. And like the surrounding area—think Sayulita or Tulum, except more desert and far, far fewer tourists)—Paradero is a singular destination thanks to its “experience inclusive” approach, which means your activities and excursions are included along with your food and drinks.

With escorted hiking and biking trips, art and architecture tours, wellness experiences, and dining all up for grabs, the sleekly designed Paradero is a great option for travelers who want the convenience of an all-inclusive resort, but the perks of being able to get out and explore a destination that’s on the tipping point of becoming way too expensive for the non-Elon Musks of the world.
Rates: Rooms start at $505 per night

view of lounge chairs by the pool at casa velas
Ready to put on that OOO yet? | Casa Velas

The best all-inclusive hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most action-packed coastal cities in all of Mexico. But when you slip behind the gates of this luxury, adults-only resort, you'll feel like you've left the booming bass of downtown far away. Tucked within the swanky Marina Vallarta, Casa Velas only has 80 rooms, so you can rest assured that while the party rages on the Malecón, it won't follow you back to the hotel. Instead, you'll find expansive plus suites, some outfitted with private hot tubs and plunge pools.

The one caveat is that this resort isn't located on the beach. But before you keep scrolling, it does have two main pools, plus a private beach club a two-minute shuttle ride away. That said, the beaches in this part of Puerto Vallarta aren't exactly white sand—things can get pebbly around here. Still, the resort has plenty to keep you feeling pampered. Dial up the romance with a massage at the spa or park yourself at the swim-up bar—you won’t even be thinking about the beach after your first round of palomas.
Rates: Rooms start at $511 per night

Villa Premiere sits right at the intersection of Puerto Vallarta's aptly named Hotel Zone and its more culturally immersive downtown. Here you’ll find the quintessential beach resort vibe, but within walking distance of all the entertainment, restaurants, culture, and nightlife that first put Puerto Vallarta on the tourist map.

The 80-room hotel is compact, and each and every one room has an ocean view and balcony (some even have a hot tub on said balcony). The hotel’s slice of beach happens to be one of the nicest in town, and you’ll find several restaurants onsite, as well as a central pool with plenty of surrounding loungers and daybeds. Is it the flashiest all-inclusive in Mexico? No. But over the years it has consistently been one of the most comfortable, relaxing, and affordable—and in one of the best locations in town, allowing you to have your all-inclusive pampering while also immersing yourself in the local scene without making an “excursion” of it.
Rates: Rooms start at $238 per night

linear view of pool chairs by pool
Like a scene from Bali. | Photo courtesy of TAFER Hotels & Resorts

The best all-inclusive hotels in Cancún

Haven Riviera feels decidedly glamorous, but at a price that won't cause you to forgo vacations for the next decade. The elegant resort bends like a horseshoe around a sprawling pool that overlooks the sea. There are 333 guest rooms with views of the Caribbean, which is pretty remarkable for an all-inclusive resort of this size. (The real move is to book one of the 88 swim-out suites.)

What’s great about Haven Riviera Cancún is its “choose your own adventure” vibe. Stay snuggled up in your swim-up suite all week; get a salt scrub and walk the hydrotherapy circuit at the 15,700-square-foot spa for a day of relaxation; or head off property to dive the coast of Cozumel to swim with whale sharks. The stretch of white sand beach right out front—plus the three pools and various restaurants—is why this resort is a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a gold-star endorsement for fans of all things pampering.
Rates: Rooms start at $301 per night

You may be wondering how a resort could appeal to so many different groups of travelers, but trust us: The adults-only TRS resort shares a broad beachfront with its sister resort, the Grand Palladium, which is perfect for those with little ones in tow. Both resorts leave no stones unturned when it comes to designing your dream vacation: With the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre (one of the top-rated tennis facilities in Mexico), a soccer field, the sprawling Zentropia Spa & Wellness Center, and over a dozen restaurants available to guests, the two-pronged property takes the term “all-inclusive” very literally.

Both resorts are located roughly 30 minutes from the Cancún airport, near the cute beach town of Costa Mujeres. Until recently, the stretch of beach was basically undeveloped—but no powder-soft stretch of sand goes untouched for long in these parts. Now, it's a thriving beach destination that’s pleasantly secluded from the pulsing energy of Cancún's Hotel Zone.
Rates: Rooms start at $446 per night

One of Cancún’s newest hotels, the Garza Blanca went from slick new kid on the block to celebrity-favorite destination in about the time it takes to swim up to its bar and down a tequila. But this colorful, eye-popping resort manages to offer something for everybody, regardless of status, across its massive 452 suites. And whether you opt for a junior suite or a four-bedroom penthouse, you’re in for the VIP treatment—complete with a personal butler.

Situated on a tucked-away portion of Playa Mujeres’s famous white sand beach, the resort feels like the antithesis of the chaos of Cancún’s party scene. Kick back in the holistic Muluk Spa, then get ready to feast: The culinary focus here offers up a wealth of option, from pan-Mexican flavors to opulent steaks, modern Chinese, Japanese-Mexican fusion, and more (for the indecisive among us, Gourmet Hall houses five speciality cuisines including barbecue, Italian, Asian, seafood, Mexican, and a coffee shop). The resort’s size also makes it easy for families to let loose and adults to avoid kids at all cost, truly making this a place with something for everyone.
Rates: Rooms start at $387 per night

people doing yoga on floating mats in a pool
At UNICO 20°87°, you can swim right off your suite. | UNICO 20º87º Hotel Riviera Maya

The best all-inclusive hotels in Riviera Maya & Tulum

Whenever I’m asked about the best all-inclusive resort in Mexico, this is my pick. It's fun, but approachably chic. It's big, but not overwhelming, with most of its 488 overlooking the ocean. The first floor rooms have swim-up pools, while the higher floors have hydro spa tubs on the terraces. And yes, the tubs are big enough for two.

Outside, there are three pools that work for both the social butterflies and for those who prefer to put in their earbuds and zone out. Wandering around the grounds, you'll find DJs spinning, outdoor grills firing, and bubbles constantly flowing. The restaurants serve up food that makes you forget that this is an all-inclusive experience (my personal favorites being Mura House for sushi and Mi Carisa for Champagne brunch). You can also stop by Palmera Lounge, with its 1940s Havana vibes, for a nightcap and cigar.
Rates: Rooms start at $503 per night

Dreamy Tulum isn't known for its all-inclusive scene. So when you find one—and one at such an absurdly reasonable price, at that—hang on tight. Case and point? Catalonia Royal Tulum, an adults-only oasis perched right on the perfectly sun-bleached beach.

We’ll be upfront: None of the rooms have ocean views. Instead, they're stashed back in the jungle, so expect slightly longer walks to the beach, but way cooler wildlife viewing once you’re inside. That said, the rooms are larger than those at other hotels in Tulum, and the resort itself does have a beachfront with bars, so you're never that far from finding what you seek—unless what you seek is a party, in which case, you’ve come to the wrong place. The tone here is subdued, secluded, and very anti-scene, although things do pop off at Rauxa, which serves its internationally influenced Mexican fusion cuisine while live musicians and circus performers entertain diners.
Rates: Rooms start at $294 per night

La Casa de la Playa opened on Mexico’s Riviera Maya in 2021, and the ultra-high-end, adults-only boutique resort has been upping the all-inclusive ante ever since. You’ll definitely want to take advantage of its tailor-made experience packages, which could send you below the surface on a caving expedition or to a soul-cleansing purification ceremony. Follow that with dinner and a show courtesy of Gran Tlacho Theater, which showcases Mexico’s history and traditions in, well, grand fashion. For some solo exploring, La Casa also provides complimentary transportation in the form of a fleet of Teslas.

Back at the 63-suite resort, you’ll find the heart and soul of the place in its food and beverage offerings. Featuring a culinary collective of standout Mexican chefs like Martha Ortiz, restaurants explore the various cuisines of the country’s different regions. One of the hotel’s bars is focused primarily on mezcal and tequila, and there’s even a 24-hour chocolatería for those interested in learning more about local cacao. The price to entry is high, but few all-inclusives offer a more personalized and unique twist on the concept.
Rates: Rooms start at $1,679 per night

couple looking out at property of riviera nayarit
Take a reset in this luxurious surfer’s paradise. | Delta Hotels by Marriott, Riviera Nayarit, an All-Inclusive Resort

The best all-inclusive hotels Riviera Nayarit

Riviera Nayarit is quickly becoming one of the jewels of the Mexican vacation scene, and soon the hidden pockets of over-the-top luxury that dot this surfer's paradise will inevitably be rubbing elbows with the likes of the most exclusive sections of Los Cabos or Cancún. But for now, Nayarit remains reasonably affordable, and one of the best places to fall in love with it is Marriott Riviera Nayarit.

If you're looking to hit reset, this is the resort you want; it's got all the buzzwords of a wellness retreat (think yoga and hiking) without actually being one. There is no beachfront, although there is a private beach club offsite. What it offers instead is a prime location in the Sierra Madres, just outside the small town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and not far from boho-chic Sayulita and San Pancho. On the property are 117 rooms with private balconies, plus two restaurants, four pop-up venues, two outdoor swimming pools, and a 24-hour fitness center and spa.
Rates: Rooms start at $233 per person, per night

Secrets Resorts are known for being all-inclusive lovers' paradises, and that goes double when you drop one in Punta Mita, one of the most exclusive areas of Riviera Nayarit known for high-end dining, superb surfing, and luxe hotels. The 278 suites of adults-only Secrets Bahia Mita offer the same exact Banderas Bay views as more expensive properties, but for a much more affordable price. In fact, if you plan your trip just right, your per-night all-inclusive experience could dip below the price of a dinner date in NYC or LA.

Just because Secrets is known for its romantic offerings—which, in this case, include tequila tastings and private dinners in a wine cave or on the beach—doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time canoodling by candlelight. The resort encourages guests to get outdoors with surf lessons, a jogging track, and a variety of excursions, as well as an infinity pool, a beach club pool, and a rooftop pool for those who book Preferred Club rooms.
Rate: Rooms start at $196.50 per night

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Meagan Drillinger is a travel writer living and breathing in NYC. But if you give her a plane ticket today, she will be somewhere else tomorrow. She like tacos, music and making lists. But travel is her life.
Andy Kryza is a former editor at Thrillist.