Best Adults Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun Riviera Maya
All-inclusive resorts in Mexico are ubiquitous, but one this is certain: not all are created equal. Make sure to listen to the podcast regularly as Janet (and George!) breakdown some of the best all-inclusive resorts from their extensive travels and experience. Today, we explore the BEST of the best in the Greater Cancun/Riviera Maya area for adults only, all-inclusive resorts according to our experts!
We love them all, so we didn’t assign a true rank, but holistically looking at the Greater Cancun and Riviera Maya area, this is the crème de la crème of them all! Please note—all the resorts on this list are clean and feel safe and will prove a wonderful choice, no matter where you stay!
Tune into the podcast or continue reading below:
UNICO 20 87
Unico is expansive and beautiful with 448 rooms, 5 restaurants. Lively in the day, quieter at night. The lobby bar is beautiful with live music, a DJ at times, too. There are pieces of historic Mexican memorabilia stashed all around the space so it’s like having a margarita while perusing a museum. This one has a super cool vibe and unique setting. The whole look of everything at the resort is very Mexican contemporary or maybe modern Mexican with an authentic experience included. It feels like an intimate boutique experience, but it’s large and all-inclusive. The location is about 75-90 minutes south of the Cancun airport. The beach is pretty but a bit rocky—not the best beach for swimming, but the pool scene is lively and fun. There are TVs in the swim-up bar area at the pool. You don’t have to miss your favorite game or leave the pool! Food quality and mixology are great here. This was one of Penyak Travel’s first stops after the world reopened after COVID-19. They have special menus at each bar and are well-known for their expert mixology.
Sample pricing September 2023 – starting at $533/night for two people.
Secrets AKUMAL
Secrets Akumal is like vacationing in the jungle, but also on the beach. And this is a gorgeous long stretch of white sand, indeed! The resort is a bit U-shaped: the top is the beach, the bottom is the lobby, and the middle is where the restaurants are. The greenery is so lush and full you do feel almost lost amid nature. Secrets AKUMAL has 485 rooms and 9 restaurants, including a sports bear. Not all Secrets resorts are created equal. Tall, skinny palm trees and white sand, this beach is top of the line for Cancun. It’s simply gorgeous, surrounded by crystal clear blue water. There is a reef right offshore perfect for snorkeling daily, if that is your jam! The swim up pool bar is right in the middle of the pool and the pool is near the beach. There is always something going on around lunch as well. The swim-out suite George and Janet stayed in was huge and ocean front, which was breathtaking. This was the primo Secrets property prior to Secrets Moxchè was constructed. This is still a wonderful Secrets property though, one of our favorites here on our best of Cancun and Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort list. Food here is above industry standard and still great – but for a foodie, see Atelier Playa Mujeres below – or in our full review article on the blog.
Sample pricing September 2023 – Starting at $485/night for two people
Hotel XCaret Arte
Here is a hotel on our list to check out that we have not been able to get to just yet. However, this property comes highly recommended by trusted colleagues and we will get there soon to check it out and give you the full firsthand rundown! You get access to all the parks by staying here. This modern Mexican contemporary hotel has 900 rooms and 9 restaurants. A lot of Mexican culture is incorporated here. This one is a GREAT property for travelers interested in being super active or at least having a lot of activity options.
Sample pricing September 2023 – starting at $773/night for two people.
Secrets Moxchè
Revolutionized the Secrets brand with this new resort. This is the future of Secrets! From the moment you pull up it’s very grand and opulent. Everything is new and modern Mexican with a lot of stonework. The pools are outstanding. The lagoon pool looks like you’re at the beach with sand on the bottom. Three cenote pools. Two massive pools with a swim up bar. There is also a pool on rooftop overlooking the whole resort and you can also see Cozumel across the way! This is 10 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen. Great entertainment and shows every night in the theater. Some seaweed, but they have barriers out. Seaweed won’t sully this trip – trust us! Typically, May – August is more of the “seaweed season.” Secrets Moxchè is another example of getting what you pay for. This is a high-quality resort, and this Secrets property is the highest price point for the area in the Secrets line of properties.
Sample pricing September 2023 – starting at $660/night for two people
Atelier Playa Mujeres
Atelier Playa Mujeres is consistently priced well for what you get in return. This is booking great value and high quality. Check out the FULL article about our experience at Atelier Playa Mujeres! We also did a full podcast episode, and you can find some of the YouTube footage from our trip as well! 593 rooms and 7 restaurants. Again, read the full report – it’s such a lovely place to spend your time. Outside of Secrets Akumal, this is the best price around for the value you get! If you’re a foodie, Atelier is where it’s at! Take a water taxi over to Isla Mujeres and rent a golf cart to drive around for a day. The beach here is beautiful, it’s thinner but it’s still pretty. Unanimously, George and Janet love this resort and the ambience it exudes. This is truly the best resort at this price point. This is really the best bang for your buck all-inclusive.
Sample pricing September 2023 – starting at $550/night for two people.
La Blanc Cancn
This is another resort which captured the Penyak Travel hearts of George and Janet. Trip Advisor isn’t always accurate, but this property IS rated as the #1 property in Cancun. This is closer to the action and the airport, being in the Cancun hotel zone. Wine quality here is amazing and has an edge over Atelier Playa Mujeres. The hotel zone is nice, but the Atelier location is more secluded. This is more chill than most of the other resorts. This is a serene and rejuvenating location. La Blanc has “doctor fish” which come up and nibble at dead skin cells on your feet. Hydrotherapy is exhilarating and treatments are included each day. Note the difference between hydrotherapy and spa services though, which are NOT
included each day as a perk of staying. However, the spa is lovely, and you can book treatments separately for an additional fee. Great wine list from an iPad at dinner – some are included, but reasonable upgrade prices for bottles that are not included. The gym is beautiful. Having a healthy restaurant as an option is super well-received especially being more of a wellness vibe resort. Even the burger restaurant has a healthier feel. There is a quiet lagoon pool and a main infinity pool with a swim up bar, overlooking the ocean. We got dessert and the servers came out and handmade our Tiramisu right in front of us! Every room has a butler. This is more like a personal concierge. Unico has the same thing. Some Secrets at the club-level have this service too. (Not like Sandals butler service!) If you need them to make dining or spa reservations, this is their role. They won’t bring food or reserve pool chairs like the super high services of some of the other higher tier resorts in other locations. This is a nice added touch. Most rooms do not have balconies.
Sample pricing September 2023 – starting at $786/night for two people.
Honorable Mention: Excellence Playa Mujeres
Prices out well. The food is great too. Atelier Playa Mujeres has the edge for a similar resort location. But, because it’s wonderful, it gets an honorable mention on our list!
Book your All-Inclusive Resort in Cancun with Penyak Travel Today! Click Here to Request to Book Your Next Trip with Penyak Travel!
Make sure to give Penyak Travel a call if you would like to book your next beachside vacation at any of these resorts (or they can recommend others in the area that are great, too!) Penyak Travel is a no-fee agency and will ensure you have a great time and secure a great price for your next getaway.
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