Best all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya and Tulum for 2026–27
Updated November 2, 2026
The Riviera Maya is the stretch of Caribbean coast in Mexico running roughly 100 km south from just below Cancún to Tulum. Most visitors fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN), which has direct flights from many Canadian and US cities, and Tulum now has its own international airport (TQO) at the southern end.
Compared with Cancún's Hotel Zone, the Riviera Maya is quieter and greener, with resorts spread along beaches, mangroves and jungle, plus reefs, cenotes and Mayan ruins nearby. December to April is the dry season and the busiest time. Below are the resorts guests rate highest, with the area each one is in. All ratings come from verified guest reviews.
Which part of the Riviera Maya to stay in
Puerto Morelos: a small, relaxed fishing town about 20 minutes from Cancún airport, with a protected reef close to shore that is good for snorkelling. The shortest transfer on the coast.
Maroma Beach and Mayakoba: between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, around 30 to 40 minutes from the airport. Maroma is a wide stretch of white sand, and Mayakoba is a gated enclave of luxury hotels set among lagoons and mangrove canals.
Playa del Carmen: a lively town about 45 to 50 minutes from the airport, with the pedestrian Fifth Avenue, restaurants, nightlife and the ferry to Cozumel. Playacar, just south of the centre, is quieter.
Akumal, Xpu-Ha and Puerto Aventuras: about an hour or a little more from Cancún airport. Akumal is known for snorkelling with sea turtles in its bay.
Tulum: the southern end, with Mayan ruins on a cliff above the sea, a beach road of boutique hotels and a jungle town. Around 1.5 to 2 hours from Cancún, or much closer if you fly into Tulum airport.
Best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya
Good for couples and honeymoons: no kids' clubs, quieter pools and usually more à la carte dining.
- ★★★★★
Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Adults only
Carretera Federal 307 Chetumal-Cancún Km. 306.5 Solidaridad,, Playa del Carmen
Adults-only on Maroma Beach, rated 9.6 out of 10 by more than 1,000 guests.
9.6Superb855 reviewsSee prices → 
★★★★★Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, All & More Inclusive - Adults Only
Carretera Cancun Tulum, Km 55.3, Playa del Carmen
Adults-only overwater bungalows on Maroma, a rare sight in the Caribbean, rated 9.7 out of 10.
9.7Superb140 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar - Adults Only All Inclusive Resort
Carretera Chetumal - Puerto Juarez km. 309 Playa Paraiso, Playa del Carmen
Iberostar's adults-only resort on Playa Paraíso, north of Playa del Carmen, rated 9.6 out of 10.
9.6Superb439 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya - Adults Only
Carretera Federal 307 Chetumal- Puerto Juárez km 254 + 600, Akumal
Adults-only near Akumal, rated 9.6 out of 10 by more than 850 guests.
9.6Superb859 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Excellence Riviera Cancun - Adults Only All Inclusive
Carr. Federal 307 Chet-Pto. Juarez, Km 324 - 342, Mza. 7, Lt. 1, SM 11, Puerto Morelos, QROO, 77580, Puerto Morelos
Adults-only near Puerto Morelos, one of the closest resorts to Cancún airport, rated 9.4 out of 10.
9.4Superb778 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Hotel Xcaret Arte - All Parks All Fun Inclusive - Adults Only
Carr. Chetumal - Puerto Juárez Km. 282, Playa del Carmen
Adults-only, with access to the Xcaret group's parks included in the stay. More than 1,200 guest reviews.
9.3Superb1218 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya All Inclusive - Adults Only
Carretera Federal 307 Chetumal Puerto Juarez KM 311 500, Puerto Morelos
A large adults-only resort between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, rated 9.3 out of 10.
9.3Superb451 reviewsSee prices →
Best family all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya
These resorts welcome children and have kids' clubs, family pools and rooms or suites that fit a family.
★★★★★Grand Velas Riviera Maya - All Inclusive
Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 62, Playa del Carmen
A luxury all-inclusive with separate adults-only and family sections, rated 9.6 out of 10.
9.6Superb478 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Hotel Xcaret Mexico All Parks All Fun Inclusive
Carretera Federal Chetumal Puerto Juarez, Playa del Carmen
The family version of Hotel Xcaret, with the group's parks included, and nearly 1,400 guest reviews.
9.0Superb1384 reviewsSee prices →- ★★★★★
Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya - All Inclusive
Ctra. Fed. Cancun - Playa del Carmen KM 298 Solidaridad, Playa del Carmen
An all-inclusive in Mayakoba's lagoons and mangroves, with a kids' club and plenty of space.
8.7Very good158 reviewsSee prices → 
★★★★★Playacar Palace - All Inclusive
Fraccionamiento Playacar, Bahia del Espiritu Santo, Playa del Carmen
On the beach in Playacar, close enough to walk to Playa del Carmen, rated 9.4 out of 10.
9.4Superb460 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya - Gourmet All Inclusive by Karisma
Carretera Cancun Playa del Carmen KM 45 Muchim 77710 Solidaridad Quintana Roo, Puerto Morelos
Built around kids, with Nickelodeon characters and a water park, near Puerto Morelos.
8.5Very good1009 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya - All Inclusive
Km 269.5 Carretera Chetumal, Puerto Aventuras
A smaller family resort in Puerto Aventuras, rated 9 out of 10.
9.0Superb485 reviewsSee prices →
Best luxury resorts at Mayakoba and Maroma
These are among the highest-rated hotels in Mexico. They are not all-inclusive, so meals are extra.
★★★★★Rosewood Mayakoba
Carr Federal Cancun, Playa del Carmen KM 298, Playa del Carmen, QROO, 77710, Playa del Carmen
Suites set along Mayakoba's lagoons and beach, rated 9.8 out of 10.
9.8Superb117 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya
Carretera Cancun Tulum Km 51, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, QROO, 77710, Playa del Carmen
A small, long-established hotel on Maroma Beach, rated 9.8 out of 10.
9.8Superb116 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Carretera Federal Chetumal Puerto Juarez, Playa del Carmen
Every villa has its own pool, rated 9.6 out of 10.
9.4Superb333 reviewsSee prices →
Where to stay in Tulum
Tulum is better for boutique hotels than big all-inclusives, though a few large resorts sit just outside town.
★★★★★Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
Carretera Cancun Tulum 307, Tulum
A large beachfront resort on the coast just north of Tulum, rated 9.2 out of 10.
9.2Superb253 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club - Adults Only - All Inclusive
Calle Itzimina esq. Av Kukulkan,mz 001, lote 007, reg 014, Tulum
An adults-only all-inclusive in Tulum, with nearly 800 guest reviews.
8.6Very good779 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Azulik - Adults Only
Carretera Tulum Ruinas KM 5 Rumbo a Boca Paila, Rojo Gomez, Tulum
Adults-only, known for its treehouse-style wooden villas above the beach.
8.6Very good610 reviewsSee prices →
★★★★★Our Habitas Tulum - Adults Only
Carretera Tulum-Bocapaila, Tulum
An adults-only beach hotel on the Tulum hotel-zone road.
8.9Very good370 reviewsSee prices →
Tips for booking the Riviera Maya
Check the transfer time from the airport you fly into. Tulum is up to two hours from Cancún, so flying into Tulum can save half a day.
Compare the total price with taxes and fees for your exact dates, not the nightly rate. On Suitefair, switch search results to total price.
For Christmas, New Year and March break, book early with free cancellation if you can. You can still cancel and rebook if the price drops.
From roughly spring to early autumn, sargassum seaweed can wash up on the beaches. Winter usually has the least.
Hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November. Winter trips fall outside it.
Good to know
- What is the difference between Cancún and the Riviera Maya?
- Cancún's Hotel Zone is a strip of big resorts, malls and nightlife next to the city. The Riviera Maya, south of Cancún, is quieter and more spread out, with resorts along beaches, mangroves and jungle, and towns like Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
- What is the best area of the Riviera Maya to stay in?
- Puerto Morelos is closest to the airport and relaxed, Playa del Carmen is the liveliest, Mayakoba and Maroma have the most upscale resorts, and Tulum suits boutique hotels and a slower pace.
- What are the best adults-only all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya?
- Among the highest-rated by guests are Secrets Maroma Beach, Palafitos Overwater Bungalows, JOIA Paraiso by Iberostar, Secrets Akumal and Excellence Riviera Cancun.
- What is the best family all-inclusive in the Riviera Maya?
- Grand Velas Riviera Maya is the highest-rated by guests. Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Fairmont Mayakoba and Playacar Palace are also popular with families.
- Is there seaweed in the Riviera Maya?
- Sargassum seaweed can arrive from roughly spring to early autumn, and the amount changes from year to year. Winter usually has the least.
- Should I fly into Cancún or Tulum?
- Cancún has far more flights and is best for Puerto Morelos, Mayakoba and Playa del Carmen. If you are staying in or near Tulum, check flights into Tulum airport to cut the transfer.
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