Below is a video done by Passport Pages on their picks for the top 10 all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. Even though they don’t mention it, I believe their choices may include only the properties they’ve stayed at (I do the same thing when I list my own favorites) so take that into consideration with all the great properties out there.
Riu Palace Mexico recently reopened on Sept. 19, 2026, after an extensive renovation. Thank goodness the purple, silver, and pink colors are gone and replaced with a much more soothing color scheme as well as the tubs being removed from guest rooms. I walked over to this resort years ago when I was staying at Riu Palace Riviera Maya and spent half a day exploring the property and its amenities (Riu guests can visit other nearby Riu resorts within their category–Palace guests can visit other Riu Palace and non-Palace resorts and non-Palace guests can only visit other non-Palace Riu resorts). It’s basically across the road from Riu Tequila so if you wind up booking the Riu Palace Mexico property don’t forget you can walk over and enjoy their Friday evening Neon and White parties.
And the votes are in and have been tallied. The winners are the following in Condé Nast’s 2026 Readers Choice awards..(I’m only going to list the all-inclusive/all-inclusive optional resorts) Continue reading
Vacation plans now set in place for my next trip to Mexico…I will be celebrating Halloween and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. I will be staying at Riu Palace Peninsula to check out their new renovations, and Grand Riviera Princess to check out their renovations as well as how resorts typically celebrate Mexico’s famous “Day of the Dead” which is honored every year on Nov. 1 and 2nd. This is a budget-friendly resort vacation since I am planning on an upcoming move and as all individuals realize, a mover’s budget is paramount in making financial decisions. Hopefully spring 2027 will bring some extra cash flow to enjoy my lovely luxury resorts…
I just posted yesterday about the very popular Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres. The video didn’t seem to cover the speakeasy nightclub onsite, so I did some hunting and found this video which highlights what that experience is all about so that you can make an informed choice as to whether or not you want to spend your time and energy making a reservation and attending.
There are two newer resorts in Cancun that seem to be catching a lot of attention from all-inclusive vacationers–Secrets Playa Blanca and Excellence Coral Playa Mujeres. Both resorts are adults-only and both are located north of downtown Cancun off the Hotel Zone strip–beautiful grounds, architecture, and great stretches of beach areas are hallmarks of both.
I’m always on the lookout for resorts that offer rooms/suites for parties of 5+. The higher the number of people wanting to stay in the same room or space, the more difficult it seems to be to find a resort that can accommodate larger travel parties.
Well what do you know. I guess Hilton found out that the “trial period” of having an all-inclusive package option for resort guests at these luxury properties would pay off mightily for them thus resulting in them changing their entire resort meal and drink setup at both the Conrad Tulum and Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya resort locations…