While the new Quintana Roo liquor laws were supposed to go into effect February 10, 2019 (limiting the hours during which liquor can be sold/served), it has not been until July 2, 2019 that tourists have experienced the actualities of liquor restrictions at Cancun and Riviera Maya resorts.
While many all-inclusive resorts have already applied for or received an “extended sale permit” from the Mexican government, there are some resorts which may have missed the application deadline or who have chosen not to pay for an extension of liquor service hours, or have altered their hours of liquor service voluntarily despite the extended sale permit. Guests of the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort in the Riviera Maya are reporting that some of the bars have different service hours. Some of the pool bars are not serving liquor until 11 a.m. or noon (probably the biggest complaint so far), while others enjoy an early morning mimosa/bloody mary/other type of drink which is now much more difficult to obtain.
While this may seem like an insignificant detail to some, many people pay for their right to access food and drink at all hours of the day or night at all-inclusive resorts–a little self-indulgence during vacation is well-deserved and paid for in advance when booking these resorts. With all the vacation choices which now exist, especially the plethora of all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, time will tell whether this was just a case of temporary insanity based on economic bottom lines or whether vacationers will continue to visit this and other popular resorts for reasons that have nothing to do with liquor service hours.
If you hear of other resorts which have limited their bar hours due to this new law, please let me know!
But, does this new law actually apply to the all inclusive resorts? As they actually do not sell you a drink. The price of whatever you drink, or eat, O,J. Milk, or beer, is already included in your room price.
Yes, because the law applies to alcohol service as well as sales. All-inclusive resorts must purchase a permit to serve earlier or later than what the law prescribes. Many of the premium all-inclusives have already bought their permit; Barcelo apparently has their permit but is choosing to somewhat limit their serving hours in specific bars (lobby, pool bars, etc.). Any resorts not having this permit cannot serve earlier than 11 a.m. or later than 11 p.m.
Does anyone have a list of resorts in Cancun that have purchased the permit and have extended their hourly drinks.
Richard: I’m sorry, I don’t know of any such list to date. Maybe there is one out there and I just don’t know about it. If I discover it I will post the link.
Just got notification that this is now in effect at TRS Coral/GRand Palladium in Costa Mujeres. No more Gravity Sky Bar till closing!
Harriet: So the bar is is not serving liquor after 11 p.m.? How about the other bars around the resort? Not serving liquor after 11 as well?
Well now it seems wishy-washy as far as bars like Aurum and Sky Bar. According to Angel Herrera, it seems that those “late” bars would close at 11:00, but you can still ask if they’re serving. I’m keeping an eye out for this, not so much for me, but for general knowledge.
Thanks, that’s good to know!
The Barcelo Maya Palace does not serve alcoholic beverages anywhere in the resort until 12 pm Noon. That means the pool bars, lobby bars, restaurants and even the premium lounge. I believe they have purchased the extended hours permit, according to some of the online forums, but are sticking to 12 noon during our stay in Jan 2020. Also, no alcohol at all is served with room service, at any hour.
If the resort can serve liquor at 1 a.m. at Jaguar’s disco I figured they had the permit. Too bad this is one of the ways they want to save money. I’ve never understood the general resort rule of no liquor with room service, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten any at any other resort either. Are you there right now?
I just returned from Hilton Playa Del Carmen and they stopped serving alcohol anyway around 10:30 pm and no alcohol until 11 am. No mimosa with break was very sad! I wish I would have known beforehand.
This post was written several years ago I believe, looks like some resorts are still adhering to it.
We stayed at the Occidental Costa Cancun just last week. We didn’t hear of this when we booked our vacation. We found this out after our arrival. I feel like if individual resorts apply for a permit it should specify on their website, FUNNY thing is, we could walk around the corner ( on the resort property ) and PURCHASE alcohol at a little outside bar. What’s the point of all-inclusive if you have to purchase drinks. Needless to say, we walked to a store and bought some.
Advertising such a detail online would possibly result in an unfair advantage for resorts who have the permit. I have always wondered if some resorts actually have the permit but save money overall by cutting bar hours…You are less likely to find this problem if you stay at resorts with higher ratings/luxury resorts–Secrets, Atelier. Excellence resorts, etc.