Mexico is one of those countries I’ll keep going back to no matter how many times I’ve been. The country has so many different sides – a rich culture, the friendliest people, and some of the world’s most stunning beaches. If you’re like me and sometimes just need to decompress by sitting on a beach, you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to tell you everything you need to know about adults only all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.
Adults Only Resorts
What is an adults only resort? To state the obvious – no kids allowed. Who exactly is considered a child can differ a little bit from resort to resort. Some resorts will consider 16+ an adult, but most will begin their age limit at 18+. Congrats older kids, you’re in!
Just because the resorts are adults only does not mean that it’s a crazy drunk/sex fest (with a couple exceptions… *cough* Hedonism *cough*). And it also doesn’t mean if you go to the resort with friends you’ll be the only ones there that aren’t couples. There are some resorts that are more couple focused, but there are also some resorts that are more party focused. Basically, there’s an adults only resort made for everybody… you know, so long as you’re over 18!
Couples Only Resorts?
Like I just said, adults only does not mean couples only. However, there are some resorts that definitely cater more towards couples. Entertainment at different resorts kind of skews the types of people you’ll find there. The resorts that I find tend to cater more towards couples are focused more on relaxing and the spa than the entertainment.
Resort brands like Sandals really cater towards couples (although there are no Sandals resorts in Mexico). This doesn’t mean people who aren’t couples don’t visit these resorts, it just means you may be one of the only few if you roll up with all your girl friends.
Best Areas of Mexico for All-Inclusive Resorts
In this post I’m going to focus on two main areas of Mexico: Cancun and Cabo San Lucas. The Cancun area and the Cabo area are very different – the classic battle of East vs. West.
Cabo has a very California/West Coast vibe. The large majority of beaches in Cabo are not swimmable due to rougher waves. It’s the Pacific Ocean, so the ocean tends to be a little colder. If swimming in the water is important to you, you either need to choose a resort with a swimmable beach or go to Cancun. Cancun has more of that classic Caribbean vibe with white sand and bright blue water.
Cabo is pretty straight-forward. There are resorts near the downtown area of Cabo, and there are resorts not near the downtown area of Cabo. That’s about it. Cancun is a slightly more complex beast because the area is so developed and there’s so many different sections of “Cancun.” Without further ado, here are my picks for best adults only all-inclusive resorts in Mexico!
Cabo San Lucas Adults Only All-Inclusive Resorts
Cabo is the West Coast paradise. It’s a favorite of Californians due to its proximity to cities like San Diego and Los Angeles. From either city, Cabo is only about a 2.5 hour flight away. You’ll fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD).
There are two main sections of Cabo: San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. They’re both Cabo, just two different areas. Cabo San Lucas is the more iconic of the two which you would probably recognize in pictures due to the famous El Arco. It’s really a beautiful sight to see, and sits almost right on top of the downtown area of Cabo San Lucas. I would highly suggest a sunset cruise or a visit to Lover’s Beach to see it up close! If you’ve always dreamed of swimming with whale sharks, you can do this near Cabo as well!
Breathless Cabo San Lucas Resort & Spa ($$) – Breathless has one of the best spots in town. It’s located right next to the Cabo San Lucas marina, making it only a few minute walk away from downtown. The resort sits on one of Cabo’s few swimmable beaches, Medano Beach. Breathless has excellent entertainment options, like DJ pool parties and live music performances.
PERFECT FOR: Bachelor/bachelorette parties, friends traveling together, travelers who want to visit downtown Cabo San Lucas.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos ($$$) – Le Blanc is the definition of luxury in Cabo. Every room category has 24-hour room service and butler service. Every booking includes a resort credit which can be up to $2,500 depending on the length of your stay. You can use the resort credit for tours or at the resort’s state-of-the-art spa.
PERFECT FOR: Honeymooners or couples celebrating a special occasion.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Marquis Los Cabos Resort & Spa ($$) – Marquis is a stunning all suites resort. Almost every room category has an ocean view. Several categories also offer private plunge pools, perfect for a romantic getaway. Marquis is also a part of the Leading Hotels of the World, so the quality is top notch!
PERFECT FOR: Couples getaways, food lovers, and travelers who prefer larger rooms.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Cancun Adults Only All-Inclusive Resorts
Cancun is one of my favorite areas of Mexico. It’s super accessible to all of the USA, but especially those in the South and on the East Coast. There are many different sections of Cancun, but I want to focus on three-ish. These areas are Cancun Hotel Zone, North of Cancun in Playa Mujeres/Isla Mujeres, and South of Cancun in Riviera Maya/Playa Del Carmen. Each area is different and caters to different needs!
Cancun offers tons of incredible things to see and do, like a day trip to Chichen Itza, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Chichen Itza is accessible from any area in Cancun, but will require a full day trip to drive there!
Cancun Hotel Zone All-Inclusive Resorts
The Hotel Zone in Cancun, also known as the Zona Hotelera, is considered the “main strip” of Cancun. This area is home to back-to-back resorts spanning across a 10-mile piece of land. The Hotel Zone is popular a popular spot due to the proximity to nightlife and shopping. If you want to experience the night life, I’d suggest doing something like this Coco Bongo club tour with an open bar!
Some of the bluest water and most gorgeous white sand beaches in Cancun are found in the Hotel Zone. This area is home to the high-rise resorts in Cancun, making for some epic views.
Secrets The Vine Cancun ($$) – Secrets is a high rise resort, making the views here some of the best in all of Cancun. Every single room has an ocean view at the very least. Plus, you’re right in the heart of the Hotel Zone!
PERFECT FOR: Friends, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and groups due to the large number of rooms.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun ($$$) – The name might look familiar, and you’re right because there’s also a Le Blanc in Cabo! Le Blanc Cancun is the #1 rated hotel in Cancun, according to TripAdvisor. Like the sister resort in Cabo, Le Blanc Cancun also includes butler service in every suite and a resort credit of up to $2,500 depending on the length of stay.
PERFECT FOR: Honeymooners or couples celebrating a special occasion.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Hyatt Zilara Cancun ($$) – Hyatt Zilara sits on the largest stretch of beach in Cancun, making it a beach lover’s dream come true. The gorgeous beach makes it the ultimate spot to say “I Do” if you’re looking to get married in paradise! Plus, your guests will love you for choosing this resort.
PERFECT FOR: Destination weddings and beach lovers.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Playa Mujeres & Isla Mujeres All-Inclusive Resorts
Playa Mujeres is one of my favorite areas in Cancun. It’s just north of the Hotel Zone and is about a 30-40 minute drive from the Cancun airport. Playa Mujeres is a gated community, meaning there’s an extra level of safety here. There aren’t nearly as many resorts in this area either, so it can feel more private compared to the Hotel Zone.
Just 4 miles off the coast of Playa Mujeres is the stunning island of Isla Mujeres. Isla Mujeres is a true gem with some of the most picturesque blue water in all of Mexico. It’s a popular day trip destination from Cancun, but few people actually stay here compared to Cancun because of how few hotels there are. Staying on this island guarantees you’ll be spending your time in an unspoiled paradise!
Excellence Playa Mujeres ($$) – Excellence Playa Mujeres is one of my favorite resorts in Mexico. It sits on an untouched 2-mile stretch of beach. Their club level, called Excellence Club, includes more than a dozen extra and upgraded amenities sure to make your experience that much more special.
PERFECT FOR: Honeymooners or couples celebrating a special occasion.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Secrets Playa Mujeres ($$) – I love this Secrets resort because they have some ultra spacious and incredible room types. The Master Suites here are on a prime beachfront location, some even equipped with your own private oceanfront plunge pool.
PERFECT FOR: Friend groups and people who love large suites.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Isla Mujeres Palace ($$) – Isla Mujeres Palace is the only adults only all-inclusive resort on Isla Mujeres. The resort provides a complimentary boat transfer to the resort from Marina Hacienda del Mar. Similar to some previous resorts mentioned, every booking at Isla Mujeres Palace includes a resort credit of up to $2,500.
PERFECT FOR: Those wanting a hybrid experience between an all-inclusive resort and a more local island vibe.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Riviera Maya & Playa Del Carmen All-Inclusive Resorts
Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen are comprised of an over 50-mile stretch of the coast south of the Cancun Hotel Zone. Resorts in Riviera Maya are significantly more spread out than in the Hotel Zone due to laws requiring certain distances between resorts to protect the environment.
Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen are great areas to stay if you’re interested in visiting any cenotes or doing a day trip to Tulum. Tulum is south of Riviera Maya, so it can be far from other areas of Cancun.
El Dorado Maroma, by Karisma ($$) – El Dorado Maroma is famous for being the home of Mexico’s only over-the-water bungalows, which they call their Palafitos Overwater Bungalows. If that wasn’t good enough, Maroma Beach is consistently rated one of the top beaches in all of Mexico.
PERFECT FOR: Honeymooners and those wanting to try out the famous over-the-water bungalows.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
UNICO 2087 Hotel Riviera Maya ($$$) – UNICO might be my favorite all-inclusive resort I’ve ever been to. The resort is designed to immerse you in Mexican culture, while still oozing luxury. To top it off, they’ve created this concept called Unlimited Inclusions, where spa services, tours, and more are included in the resort stay – yes please!
PERFECT FOR: Activity junkies, spa lovers, and couples.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya ($$) – Another Secrets resort (there’s many in here for a reason)!! Akumal is one of the furthest south sections of Riviera Maya. Akumal is the Mayan word for “place of the turtle,” so you may see some of these guys while snorkeling or diving!
PERFECT FOR: Animal lovers, snorkelers/divers, nature lovers.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Other Areas of Mexico: Cozumel & Puerto Vallarta
While I find Cabo and Cancun to be the main resort destinations in Mexico, there are two other areas that I think deserve a shout out: Cozumel & Puerto Vallarta. These two areas don’t have nearly as many resorts and wouldn’t be my choice for a first-timers trip to Mexico.
That being said, these two areas have some excellent adults all-inclusive resorts that I think deserve a mention.
Cozumel All-Inclusive Resorts
Secrets Aura Cozumel ($$) – Cozumel is known for water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving. The resort has their own on-site dive house to make diving super easy. Plus, this resort has rooms that feature plunge pools, so you can have your own private pool if you’d like!
PERFECT FOR: Scuba divers and snorkeling lovers.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Puerto Vallarta All-Inclusive Resorts
Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel & Romantic Getaway ($) – Villa Premiere is an incredible resort option in Puerto Vallarta. Because it’s a boutique resort, it has a much more intimate feel. They’re not a fully all-inclusive resort, so you can opt to purchase room only and buy your food as you go. But, the food is supposed to be incredible, so you’ll probably want to select the all-inclusive option!
PERFECT FOR: More budget-conscious travelers, foodies, and couples.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta ($$) – Alas, another Secrets resort! This resort sits on a beautiful, wide stretch of beach in Puerto Vallarta. It’s perfect for those wanting a west coast beach experience, but who want a swimmable beach that you may not find in Cabo.
PERFECT FOR: West-coasters and beach lovers.
FIND PRICES: Hotels.com | Booking.com | Orbitz | TripAdvisor
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s hard to choose for somebody else! Cancun and Cabo are my top choices, especially for first-timers. If you’ve been a few times and are looking for something different, try to base it on your interests.
I would highly recommend arranging a shared or private transfer ahead of time. You can always contact your resort directly to help you with transfers. However, there are also well-known, reliable companies in Mexico like Olympus Tours and Lomas Travel who offer these services for a great price.
Generally speaking, the food is really good! All of the resorts I mentioned above are highly rated resorts, so you’ll find excellent food at all these resorts.
All-inclusive resorts typically include your food, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and non-motorized water sports. Most higher-end resorts will include 24/7 room service as well. Some resorts will include extras, like UNICO, which includes tours and spa experiences.
I truly believe staying at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, especially the ones I’ve mentioned, is absolutely safe. I have been to different resort areas of Mexico several times and have never felt unsafe. Make sure to book your tours and airport transfers with reputable companies. And of course, always make sure to keep up to date on State Department warnings for any country you travel to.
It’s Time for Vacation!!!
I hope you now feel like you know everything you need to in order to book your adults only all-inclusive resort in Mexico! As always, please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram or in the comment section below with any questions you have. I’m always happy to help.
I’d love it if you sent me photos when you return from your trip so I can see how great your vacation was! If you want to read more about other destinations, click here!
Pin me to Pinterest!!!! ⤵
Maddie is the traveler behind A One Way Ticket. She has been traveling internationally for over 10 years and has visited 75+ countries on 6 continents. In addition to traveling herself, she’s been helping others plan their own travel for 6+ years. Maddie eats, sleeps, and breathes travel and loves to help others discover that same wanderlust!
Danielle @ Along for Adventure
Wednesday 30th of October 2019
You take great photos! This post has me so excited for the all-inclusive resort I'm staying at next week!
Maddie
Wednesday 30th of October 2019
Awesome!! Where are you staying at?!
Pia
Friday 25th of October 2019
Great list! I stayed in an adult-only hotel in Cuba and I loved it. Nothing against kids but sometimes it´s so relaxing to not hear screaming kids playing around, or splashing around in the water, etc. Definitely a list which I could use for choosing the right hotel for me! Thanks for that!
Maddie
Friday 25th of October 2019
Amen to that! It's nice to just not have to worry about kids sometimes!! Glad you love the list :)
Heather
Thursday 24th of October 2019
The overwater bungalows are seriously calling my name! We typically shy away from the all-inclusive scene but some of these sounded pretty amazing. Definitely like the adult only concept too! Thank you for sharing
Maddie
Thursday 24th of October 2019
I love to be super adventurous and stuff (which you can staying in these resorts too!), but there's so much value in being able to just chill too, you know? After I come back from traveling I usually feel even more tired than before I left so these vacations are absolutely necessary sometimes. :)
April
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
I don't go to all inclusive resorts very often but these places all look incredible. I can't believe how clear and turquoise the water in the beach photos is. The cenotes look incredible too! I live in Mexico City but I still haven't been to so many of these places! Adding them to my bucket list now :) PS you're a very good photographer.
Maddie
Thursday 24th of October 2019
I've grown to like them more and more as I've gone! Sometimes I need a vacation from traveling, haha.
Chelsea Messina
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
I cannot believe how clean and beautiful these beaches are! When I visited the Yucatan last year all the beaches were covered in red tide aftermath. The bungalows obviously will be where I spend my next visit 😍
Maddie
Wednesday 23rd of October 2019
Mexico has had issues with seaweed! It's such a shame. It's so sporadic though, there's no way to predict where it's going to be. Plus, the government is helping a lot of the resorts to put barriers up to prevent it from coming in. Hotel Zone, Playa Mujeres, and Isla Mujeres haven't been nearly as bad as Riviera Maya. Plus, it's not even an issue on the west coast! :)