If you are sure you want to stay at an all-inclusive resort in the Cancun or the Riviera Maya parts of Mexico, then there are several points to consider when making the best resort choice for yourself and your family.  Here are some ideas to think about to make that happen:

• First of all, you have to know whether you want more of a Miami Beach scene with high-rise buildings and busy roads (Cancun’s Hotel Zone), whether you want to stay at larger resorts which mostly have big beach areas but no jungle atmosphere (Playa Mujeres/Costa Mujeres), or whether to stay in an area that has more of a “in the middle of the jungle” experience with easier access to ruins, cenotes, and parks (Riviera Maya).  These locations are often thought of interchangeably by those not familiar with this part of Mexico.
• Cancun’s Hotel Zone is THE place to be if you want lots of late night partying.  Several all-inclusive resorts are within walking distance to/from the clubs, plus there is an easy and cheap public bus system for accessing Plaza Forum (where the clubs are located in the Hotel Zone).  Clubs start getting busy at 11 p.m. and gradually close down around 3 a.m.
• Another very relevant point to consider when thinking about staying at a resort in this part of Mexico is the time of year you plan on going. I think the only months I haven’t stayed at an all-inclusive resort in this part of Mexico have been May and June.  Pools are too cold to swim in during Dec. through Feb., March/April is both spring break and Easter season so it’s incredibly expensive, hurricane season is from June through Nov., and you have to plan at least a year in advance if you want to travel here during Christmas/New Years.  Another relevant factor nowadays is SARGASSUM SEASON.  Sargassum season is now typically considered to be between May through Oct., but I have experienced it in certain areas in Nov., Dec. as well as Feb.  It’s definitely a changeable condition–you can arrive at a resort one day and several days later have mostly clear waters. However, sargassum can be so bad you literally cannot get into the ocean at all during an entire resort stay–piles of it on beaches can leave beach areas literally inaccessible due to the odor as sargassum decomposes. If you are worried about not being able to get into the water due to sargassum levels, then don’t book resorts in this area from June through Sept. unless you routinely follow sargassum reports in the area where you are thinking of vacationing.
• Families who want to stay at all-inclusive resorts only have one option–family-friendly properties.  Adults have several options including resorts which are strictly adults-only (there are some resorts which allow only age 21+, but they are in the minority and are typically “lifestyle” properties, or those with opportunities for explicit sexual encounters).  There are resorts with adults-only sections, but potential adult guests need to be aware that they will still be around children at restaurants, theaters, pools, etc., so you cannot get away from vacationing with them.
• Is being able to swim in the ocean a high priority?  Most all-inclusive resorts in this part of Mexico are beachfront, but some resorts have more swimmable ocean waters than others.  Resorts in Cancun’s Hotel Zone with east-facing beaches have very few days of swimmable conditions due to high surf and rip currents (Kms. 10-20).  Resorts in Cancun’s Hotel Zone with north facing beaches have more sustained swimmable conditions–calmer and generally more shallow water-related conditions are standard (Kms. 2-9).  Playa Mujeres/Costa Mujeres beach areas are outside of Cancun’s Hotel Zone and have moderate wave action and windier conditions, so occasional red-flagged beach days can happen (red flags on the beach mean dangerous swimming conditions). There are many beaches in the Riviera Maya with excellent ocean swimming conditions; check out individual resort reviews to see what prior guests report on this aspect of a resort stay.  Beaches in the Puerto Morelos area of the Riviera Maya and areas north (from Puerto Morelos to the Cancun airport) have less desirable swimming conditions generally speaking, so potential guests wanting to stay in this part of Mexico should think carefully about what they want out of their vacation.
• Want lots of great resort amenities and a potentially better resort experience?  Choose a resort with higher compiled “star ratings” from actual guest reviews, or choose one which has won recent “Vacationer Choice” awards.  Most resorts want to (and do) advertise themselves as a 5 star property when in actuality they are not.  Prior guest reviews and vacationer award information can be found on TripAdvisor, wholesaler website review sections, Facebook resort fan pages, and publications such as Condé Nast and Travel + Leisure.
• Want to save money at new desirable properties?  Make reservations at new resorts as soon as bookings become available.  The first three months after accepting first guests is commonly referred to as a “soft opening”; you can get great deals by booking this time frame in advance, but some resort amenities may not be open and typically new resorts are finishing working out any “bugs” inherent in opening a brand new resort; construction noise may also be present.  But then that is part of why larger discounts are being offered during this time frame.  Also, keep in mind when booking in advance that some resort openings are delayed which may leave a bevy of disappointed vacationers.  The potential good news about this is that some resort chains or companies may provide complimentary vouchers for future stays–if it is not immediately offered it doesn’t hurt to ask.  Secrets and Dreams resorts have always been very good about this option (these resorts and related others are now part of the Hyatt chain).

Are there any other points you consider when deciding on a resort stay?  Let us know by commenting below!