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If you’re looking for family-friendly, all-inclusive resorts with year-round warm temperatures, beautiful beaches, top-notch cuisine, picturesque sunsets and a plethora of water sports, Mexico is a hard destination to beat. Its family resorts boast everything from water parks and high-tech teen clubs to world-class spas and five-star dining for an all-inclusive getaway, making your family vacation easy and memorable.
U.S. News has compiled a list of the top all-inclusive family resorts in Mexico so you can treat yourself and your family to luxurious accommodations, a variety of dining options, kid-focused amenities and entertaining activities.
(Courtesy of Club Med)
Families will love staying at the oceanfront Club Med Cancún Yucatán, with its three outdoor pools, three white sand beaches, flying trapeze lessons at the circus school, access to the world’s second largest coral reef and private family spaces. The Aguamarina buildings offer accommodations and facilities designed for families, including connecting or two-bedroom family rooms. You can also take advantage of all-day gourmet dining at family restaurants with children’s areas, plus dedicated family pools and kids clubs (for ages 4 to 17).
There are nearly 30 included activities to choose from at this Club Med property in Cancún, located at the tip of the iconic Riviera Maya. This all-inclusive family resort also boasts live music with shows and dancing, excursions to explore the Yucatán Peninsula, and luxurious treatment options at the Club Med Spa by L’Occitane. Favorite activities of recent guests included sailing and workout classes.
Families can enjoy a multigenerational vacation at Moon Palace Cancun with all-inclusive fine dining at 15-plus dining venues, pristine beaches, a world-class spa, nightly entertainment, a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, and activities for kids and teens. There’s a FlowRider wave simulator for those who want to give “surfing” a try, kid-focused playrooms, an arcade lounge and an amazing pool area. The resort is divided into two sections, Nizuc and Sunrise: Both offer dining, nightlife, pools and activities to suit the entire family.
The all-inclusive amenities include 24-hour room service, access to beautiful pools and beaches, spacious accommodations, and nonmotorized water sports such as kayaking and snorkeling. In-room perks range from a minibar that’s restocked daily to a double whirlpool tub. The Swim Up Suite even features a private balcony and pool.
An ideal option for families is the Superior Family Suite, which comes with two connecting rooms, a fully stocked minibar with Hershey’s milkshakes and more, a beach bucket kit, adult- and kid-sized bathrobes and slippers, an Xbox One, and a welcome bottle of wine. Some guests say the highlight of their trip was the food, including the “dancing chef” who serves ice cream while showing off his dance moves.
Enjoy all that Cancún has to offer at beachfront Paradisus Cancún, located on the stunning Caribbean Sea. Along with superior rooms offering services for the whole family at Nikté, the property features a well-being oasis at the YHI Spa, a private golf course, an outdoor pool, tennis, a kids club and nightly entertainment. There are 18 restaurants and bars to choose from, including the guest-favorite Lemon Fish, which serves Asian fusion cuisine.
The kid-friendly Nikté suites come with in-room video games and personalized concierge service; you’ll also receive assistance securing priority reservations for activities and restaurants. Guests 18 years and older receive complimentary dinner at the Sal Steak Cave restaurant and access to YHI Spa water ritual. Recent travelers raved about the excellent service, although a few reported having issues with the air conditioning.
(Courtesy of Hotel Xcaret México)
With a focus on art, gastronomy and cultural heritage, the AAA Five Diamond-rated Hotel Xcaret México sits in the heart of the Riviera Maya, a little more than 5 miles from Playa del Carmen. This resort offers an “All-Fun Inclusive” concept with amenities such as unlimited access and round-trip transportation to all Grupo Xcaret parks and tours.
Choose from Xel-Há, a natural water park; Xenses, a sensory amusement park; Xichén tours of the archaeological site of Chichén Itzá; a Xenotes tours of Cancun’s cenotes (a type of sinkhole); and more. There’s no time for the kids to get bored or a need for parents to constantly entertain them – and the adults can have plenty of fun too. Also included at this resort is a round-trip ferry ride to Isla Mujeres with Xcaret Xailing and round-trip airport transfers.
Families may want to book the Ocean Front Family Suite. Amenities include hammocks and a volcanic tub on the terrace, bicycle loans, airport shuttle service, and unlimited access to the parks. With nearly a dozen dining options included, you’re sure to find innovative fare to meet everyone’s palate. Parents can make time to unwind at the holistic Muluk Spa, whose unique natural caverns make for the ultimate setting to relax. Access to the theme parks was a big draw for past guests, but many also commented on the luxury of having butler service.
This all-suite, all-inclusive resort boasts gourmet cuisine, oceanfront suites and activities for all ages. The “Gourmet Inclusive” experience includes 24-hour room service, gourmet meals (which many travelers have praised), activity programs, a kids club, a family lounge, snorkeling and kayaking equipment, and more. Kids will love learning to cook through the Little Eko Chefs program. The resort has plenty of baby amenities included to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, such as bottle sterilizers and warmers, strollers, baby food, cribs, and more.
On a family vacation at Generations Riviera Maya Resort, children, parents and grandparents alike can create memories while snorkeling, kayaking, taking a greenhouse tour or even getting an indulgent treatment at the Mayan-inspired Náay Spa (which also has kids services for ages 4 to 12). There are plenty of suite options available, with some that sleep up to six adults and six kids, plus swim-up suites that have direct pool access. One of the favorite features of past guests was the butler service.
(Courtesy of Seadust Cancún Family Resort)
This top resort is located in the Cancún Hotel Zone, with access to expansive white sand beaches. The Seadust Cancún Family Resort offers an all-inclusive experience with 10 restaurants, 10 bars, a spa, a kids club and more. With a stay here you’ll have access to a water park, zip lining, theater shows, mini-golf and a teen hangout space.
There are also three infinity pools, an adult-only pool and a children’s pool. Recent lodgers loved the kids pool, which is geared toward families. The Family Suite is spacious and comfortable for the entire family; it features a bunk bed area tucked away from the main sleeping space and a balcony with a partial ocean view.
(Courtesy of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit)
This all-inclusive luxury resort near Puerto Vallarta starts with a massage and infused tea upon arrival and only gets better from there. The AAA Five Diamond-rated Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers award-winning cuisine, a five-star spa, an infinity pool, beach access and creative amenities for kids of all ages. Its “Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” concept provides a truly bespoke vacation.
Families can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, tennis, scuba diving lessons, live music and theme nights. Teenagers have plenty of amenities of their own at the high-tech teen club, from video gaming booths and arcade games to karaoke and a disco dance floor. There’s also the Kids’ Club Terrace for ages 6 to 12 that has table games and TV programming. While the younger guests are being entertained, parents can get away for a round of golf, a spa ritual such as the Grand Velas Water Ceremony or a cocktail at Koi Sports Bar.
The property is a tropical respite with ocean views, an expansive beach, breathtaking sunsets and lush garden landscaping. For accommodations that allow enough room for family members to spread out, consider the two-bedroom Family Suite or the larger Family Residence. The Family Residence – which comes with either two or three bedrooms – is a two-story suite with a bar, a dining room, living spaces and a terrace hot tub with ocean views. Previous visitors can’t say enough great things about this resort, giving high praise to the food and service. Grand Velas also has a location in Playa del Carmen, Grand Velas Riviera Maya.
(Courtesy of Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto by Danzante Bay)
This award-winning resort is a luxury escape away from the busier beaches of Mexico. You’ll find serenity at the remote Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto set amid the dramatic Sierra de la Giganta mountains, bordering the Sea of Cortez. The town of Loreto is known for its unspoiled natural beauty and lack of crowds – perfect for some quality time with the family. Recent travelers love this property, praising the attentive service.
Guests can book the all-inclusive plan, which includes access to a number of the resort’s facilities; a plethora of on-site activities, including paddleboards and kayaks; and entrance to its various theme nights. With this package, guests get to indulge in an unlimited selection of food and alcoholic beverages at the resort’s restaurants and bars. While in this part of Mexico, be sure to seek out the famous chocolate clams, a rare treat found along the coast of the Baja Peninsula.
Dawn-to-dusk family adventures include guided tours on horseback, snorkeling, whale watching, ATV desert excursions, paddleboarding, cultural city tours and exploring the famous islands of Loreto. The resort is complete with an 18-hole golf course, four restaurants serving up fresh and local cuisine, the Sabila Spa, and five sparkling pools that together form a sea turtle shape. Every guest accommodation includes a kitchen or kitchenette and provides families with all the amenities of home.
Guests can also book the “Family Fun Package,” which offers a four-night stay, daily breakfast, airport transfers, an island tour with snorkeling, a day on the putting course, a beach bonfire night and one free hour of babysitting.
Sensira Resort & Spa in the Riviera Maya lets you enjoy your family all-inclusive vacation in the best way. This resort offers a complete range of amenities for kids and babies alike, which includes clubs for three different age ranges, from infants to teens. Younger guests will be engaged and entertained while parents enjoy a treatment at the adult spa or some tranquil sunbathing in the nearby sands of Sensira’s semiprivate beach. This hotel’s range of experiences can satisfy all kinds of visitors, with a tennis court, a cinema, live entertainment, an adults-only night club, a gym, a zip line, a water park and three swimming pools.
The guest rooms can be stocked with baby gear and equipment – think: full-sized cribs, Pack ‘n Play playards, car seats, bottle warmers and sterilizers – as needed. The resort also provides babysitting services, with a beeper for the parents in case the babysitter needs to reach them. There are more than a dozen dining venues and bars at Sensira, ranging from Italian fine dining to an Old West-inspired steakhouse. Previous travelers rave about their culinary experiences and excellent service.
Enjoy an endless array of activities and experiences at Bahia Principe Grand Tulum. Tulum, a hidden gem of a destination, beckons travelers with its nightlife, natural beauty and well-preserved Mayan ruins. Travelers can also visit nearby Isla Mujeres, explore Cozumel on a day trip or enjoy one of Xcaret’s themed parks – this area has it all.
The Bahia Principe Grand Tulum immerses guests in Mayan culture with family-friendly experiences and amenities. This seaside property, located in the heart of the Riviera Maya, features an expansive Mayan-inspired recreation area for kids, a water park, kids and teen clubs, and a beautiful white sand beach. There’s also nightly entertainment, a full-service spa and a golf course. Included with your stay are three a la carte dinners per week at the restaurants, unlimited drinks and access to the 24-hour Snack Bar. You can also take advantage of opportunities for kayaking, tennis, catamaran rentals, snorkeling and in-pool diving lessons.
Past guests commented that the kids club was a hit, while others felt the food could be improved and mentioned that the resort is not on a swimmable beach. Babysitting services are also available at this resort for an additional charge. Families can bed down in spacious suites that include connecting areas with common living rooms – ideal for bonding and enjoying your trip together.
(Courtesy of Dreams Resorts & Spa)
Surrounded by the jungle and mountains of Riviera Nayarit, the eco-friendly, all-inclusive Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort caters to families and couples with a variety of interests. It is situated on picturesque Banderas Bay, about 30 miles from Puerto Vallarta. Guests can enjoy this resort’s “Unlimited-Luxury” concept with amenities spanning surf-friendly waters and surfing lessons for all ages, a spa, beach access, kayaks and paddleboards, three pools (including a kids section), an adults-only hot tub, and fitness classes like yoga.
Entertainment at this resort ranges from live music to beach parties to tequila tastings. When adults want to spend time alone during the day or night, the Explorer’s Club (for ages 3 to 12) and Core Zone Teens Club (for ages 13 to 17) are perfect for younger guests to enjoy supervised fun. Unlimited dining and drinks pair with 24-hour room service and luxurious suites to make your stay at Dreams Bahia Mita memorable. Many travelers who have stayed at the property reported that what made their vacation special was the friendly staff; some comment that the beach is rocky.
(Courtesy of Hilton)
This beachfront property in Tulum is an all-inclusive resort that includes 13 restaurants and bars, a high-end spa and a family-specific area. With the “Family Fun Break” package, kids 12 and younger stay free. Choose from several oceanfront family-friendly suites at the Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya All-Inclusive Resort. Book an Enclave room for access to the Enclave Lounge and an exclusive pool area, as well as a personal concierge, a welcome amenity and more.
There’s no shortage of things to do while at this resort, from lounging by the pool and working out in the gym to getting a spa treatment and attending an art workshop. The kids and teens clubs boast age-specific facilities and activities, and parents can enjoy an adults-only bar and buffet. Be sure to take the kids to the ice cream and churro shop for a special treat. If you want to explore the area, several excursions are available, such as an ATV jungle adventure or scuba diving at a cenote.
Enjoy your vacation without worrying about a thing, as the all-inclusive fare includes meals, beverages, daily stocked minibar, activities, entertainment, fitness classes, concierge, and pool and beach service. Travelers who’ve stayed here say the best part of their stay was the friendly staff and beautiful views. Some, however, were not impressed with the food or the rocky beach. Hilton has another all-inclusive location in Cancún.
Sharael Kolberg is a U.S. News & World Report contributor with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to family-friendly, all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. She always appreciates the ease of having accommodations, meals and activities included in the price of a resort stay. Her favorite resort from the list is the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit for its beautiful architecture, fine dining, beachfront location and impressive kids club amenities. Kolberg used her personal experience and research skills to curate this list of the best all-inclusive Mexico resorts for families.