Binniguenda Huatulco All-Inclusive Hotel & Beach Club: La Crucecita, Mexico
Starting rates: From $168 per night
Packages: Opt for the Select room category for extra perks, such as a higher-end room and wine and snacks on arrival.
For something a bit more laid-back than ultra-popular destinations like Playa del Carmen, consider heading to this hotel on a quieter stretch of the Pacific coast. Binniguenda Huatulco All-Inclusive Hotel & Beach Club is located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, which is renowned for its more sustainable approach to tourism. With colonial-style architecture and just over 100 rooms, it’s particularly charming and intimate for an all-inclusive resort. Despite the smaller size, there are plenty of amenities guests can enjoy, including a fitness center, a sprawling pool surrounded by lush gardens, and a private two-tiered adults-only sun deck for a little extra peace and quiet. Although the resort isn’t located directly on a beach, the nearest option is a short walk away and features a beach club operated by the resort. Visitors can also head farther afield for even more pristine, quiet beach options. The well-appointed rooms feature flat-screen TVs with cable, balconies, garden views, and plenty of natural designs and textures. As a smaller resort, there are just three on-site restaurants, but guests praise the selection of food and often rave about the omelet station at breakfast.
Hacienda Buenaventura Hotel & Mexican Charm: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Starting rates: From $188 per night
Packages: The resort sometimes offers a deal where two kids can stay for free – check its website for more details. Early bird specials and seasonal discounts are also available.
If you’re looking to avoid concrete, cookie-cutter resorts in favor of something with plenty of local character, the Hacienda Buenaventura Hotel will deliver – with a prime location in the heart of Puerto Vallarta to boot. Guests describe it as a smaller all-inclusive with plenty of heart and friendly staff members who are attentive, helpful and remember your face each day. Expect bright, colonial-style rooms with a classy vintage feel, thanks to wood-beamed ceilings and colorful-yet-tasteful décor. Even at the standard room level, you’ll have vacation essentials like a king-sized bed and air conditioning. The dining options (a buffet, a specialty restaurant and an eatery near the pool) focus on Mexican cuisine and previous visitors note that the food and drinks are brimming with flavor. Relaxation is a breeze here, with a spa section featuring a hot tub and sauna, and a pool with a swim-up bar in palm-fringed tropical gardens. The beach is off-site, either a five-minute walk away or you can jump in the resort’s free shuttle.
Bahia Principe Grand Coba: Tulum, Mexico
Starting rates: From $110 per night
Tulum has a reputation for being pricier than other Yucatan hot spots like Cancún, yet an affordable visit to the jungle-meets-beach destination is certainly not off the table. Case in point: this Bahia Principe property, a few miles north of the town. Activities abound at Bahia Principe Grand Coba, with two lake-style pools and two Jacuzzis, as well as a water park, entertaining shows that’ll immerse you in Mexican culture, and kayaking, sailing, tennis, and other sporty pursuits readily available. Excursions from Tulum to the Mayan ruins are also easy to arrange. Past guests note that between the kids club, aquatic activities and nightly entertainment, there’s absolutely no shortage of things to do here. The elegant whitewashed rooms give you space to hang out with a living area and balcony or terrace, and amenities like air conditioning, minibars and safes. For dining, there’s a particularly broad selection of choices, from a Brazilian grill to traditional Mexican cuisine to a classic buffet and more.
Barceló Ixtapa: Ixtapa, Mexico
Starting rates: From $140 per night
Packages: Choose between the regular all-inclusive package, which grants access to seven restaurants (including Mexican, Japanese, Italian and buffet options), five bars, and plenty of entertainment, or the more expensive Premium level package, which includes extras like top-shelf drinks, better rooms with ocean views, and access to specialty restaurants.
Crowds flock to destinations like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Pacific coast, so for a more secluded option, consider a vacation in Ixtapa, a resort town a little further down the shoreline. Ixtapa is known for its sandy beaches and year-round sunny weather. Barceló Ixtapa is one of the cheapest all-inclusives in this resort area. Its bright, tropical rooms feature king-sized beds, rain showers and complimentary bathrobes. Relaxing should be no trouble: El Palmar beach is right in front of the resort (and a great place to catch the sunset), and there are three swimming pools on the premises, including one with a hydromassage zone. For active vacationers, there’s a golf course right next to the resort (fees apply, but guests receive a discount), and two tennis courts on the property. Past travelers call the resort family-friendly, saying they particularly liked the on-site entertainment, with highlights including the nightly shows and the Mexican Fiesta night. When it comes to dining, the resort has seven restaurants and five bars for travelers to choose from.
Allegro Cozumel All-Inclusive: Cozumel, Mexico
Starting rates: From $172 per night
Packages: A premium package is available at an extra cost, granting you access to a special section of the beach, upgraded rooms and other perks like a concierge service. Scuba diving enthusiasts can opt for the Ultimate Dive Experience package that features many of these premium perks, plus easy access to specialty dive facilities.
Head to the idyllic island of Cozumel (just off the Riviera Maya coast) for a vacation at this resort, located right on the turquoise waters of Playa San Francisco. Between the beach and five on-site swimming pools, there’s no shortage of places to lounge here. This all-inclusive resort is also kid-friendly, thanks to the complimentary kids club and teen programs, which will keep the younger ones entertained while the adults chill out. As for your sleeping quarters, even the most budget-friendly rooms come equipped with a terrace or balcony: they’re no-fuss yet have all the necessities for a supremely comfortable stay, with a king-sized bed, air conditioning and a minibar. Outdoor activities like windsurfing to snorkeling are included in the all-inclusive rates, as well as access to five dining options (spanning from modern Mexican to Japanese cuisine) and five bars. Past visitors also note that the staff are exceptionally helpful and kind-hearted – particularly the entertainment team, who work hard to make sure you’ll have a good time.
Catalonia Yucatan Beach: Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
Starting rates: From $176 per night
Packages: Upgrade to the All-Inclusive Privileged plan for extra perks like a welcome cocktail, access to an exclusive lounge and beach towel delivery to your room. You can upgrade on arrival or contact the resort in advance.
Relaxation is firmly on the menu at this destination in the resort town of Puerto Aventuras, situated between Playa del Carmen and Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula. Catalonia Yucatan Beach features a whopping five swimming pools (as well as whirlpools), a white sand beach, and a spacious spa with offerings that range from hydrotherapy to beauty treatments to massages. You’ll have ample opportunity to slow down and pamper yourself at this resort – but take note, spa treatments typically cost extra. Those looking to move can take on activities like snorkeling in the crystal Caribbean Sea, yoga or dancing the night away at the resort’s weekly beach party. The vivid, orange-accented rooms are ultra-spacious too at a hefty 420 square feet, each of which offers garden views and a balcony. The all-inclusive resort has eight bars and restaurants dishing up everything from tapas to teppanyaki. Guests can be sure that they’ll always have a snack or margarita in hand with that kind of variety, if they so desire. And it’ll be served with a smile: Past visitors praise the staff – from servers to entertainers – for going out of their way to be helpful.
Riu Lupita: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Starting rates: From $175 per night
With 300 rooms across its sprawling grounds, Riu Lupita is a formidable option for those looking for calm relaxation that’s still within close reach of all the action of Playa del Carmen. The all-inclusive resort is set among lush gardens and features two swimming pools for all your swimming and sunbathing needs. Those looking to hit the beach will need to head off-site, but the resort has a private beach club that’s just a few minutes away via free shuttle, and past visitors note that the transportation is convenient and easy to use. Plus, an extra restaurant and swimming pool at the beach club means you’re not leaving the hotel amenities behind on this excursion. You’ll bed down in spacious tiled rooms with classic wooden furniture, complete with a balcony or terrace and free minibar. The kids entertainment program provides plenty of outdoor activities and arts and crafts, so you won’t need to worry about keeping the little ones occupied. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy live music in the evenings and the lively nightclub on the premises. Restaurant options include a buffet, a Mexican spot, an Italian dining option and a steakhouse, which was a perennial traveler favorite.