Last Updated on October 17, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
If you are looking for amazing year-round weather where it never gets excruciatingly hot then Mexico should certainly be one of your considerations. With weather averaging around 25oC-28oC for most of the year it’s a great destination for families. Plus with lower temperatures here during our winter and spring comes lower rainfall and cooler temperatures in Mexcio.
British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Mexico but please make sure you have a valid and up-to-date passport plus some travel money and insurance before you leave home.
For families, Mexico is the perfect destination with tropical beaches, ancient Mayan ruins to discover and some of the best food. Plus Mexico has some of the best All-Inclusive hotels. We take a look at some of the best all-inclusive hotels for families in a number of different tourist areas across Mexico. If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.
#1. Riu Playacar – Caribbean Coast, Mexico
Located right by a beautiful white-sand beach Riu Playacar has a good mix of pools and pars and is just a 10-minute taxi ride from Playa Del Carmen’s famous 5th Avenue.
This hotel has three swimming pools, one is for adults-only with a swim-up bar and another is a shallower children’s pool. The pools are surrounded by palm trees, lots of sunbeds and exotic plants. Entertainment at the hotel includes a kids club for ages 4-7 and another for ages 8-12. The evening entertainment programme includes a variety of nightly shows and live music.
Sports facilities include a beach volleyball court, a Scuba diving school and a variety of watersports. Kids will love the pedalos you can take out. Rooms can sleep up to four people and you can have a balcony or a terrace.
The all-inclusive board includes a full American buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with live cooking stations and some special themed buffet evenings. There are also some restaurants you can dine in, snacks 24 hours, selected local-brand and imported alcohol, soft drinks and hot drinks. Also included is an in-room drinks optic with locally-branded spirits.
Find Out More – Riu Playacar
#2. Riu Vallarta – Pacific Coast
Another hotel with a great beachfront setting is the Riu Vallarta. It’s a great location on the sweeping Playa de Flamingos Beach on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. With four pools to choose from including a children’s pool with waterslides and a pool just for adults, you won’t have to walk far to enjoy a refreshing dip.
For kids, there is the RiuLand Kids’ Club for ages 4-7 and 8-12. In the evenings you can unwind with their entertainment programme including live shows and music. If you enjoy your sports there is beach volleyball, kayaks to hire, a daytime activity programme, watersports and a children’s playground. There is an 18-hole golf course nearby. Adults can also workout in the gym and enjoy treatments in the Renova Spa including massages, manis and facials plus a beauty salon.
With 24-hour all-inclusive at the hotel, you can get snacks around the clock. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also included and there are a number of options for lunch and dinner. You can enjoy unlimited local and imported drinks 24 hours a day and there is an in-room drinks optic plus a regularly restocked minibar in your room.
Find Out More – Riu Vallarta
#3. Sandos Playacar – Caribbean Coast
Set on the shore of Mexico’s Caribbean Coast is the Sandos Playacar. There are three pools geared up for activities such as water basketball. Plus for the kids, there is a mini waterpark with chutes for older children at the main pool which also has a swim-up bar. At the family pool, you can take part in entertainment sessions including music, activities and games.
The kid’s club is for children aged 4-12 and there are two children’s pools, a puppet theatre, a playground, video consoles and arts and crafts. Their Main Plaza is the place to visit in the evening for their shows and theme nights. If you have any older kids with you there is a teen’s club for 13-17-year-olds.
During the day you can take part in their daytime activity programme including bike tours. Guests are entitled to one free scuba lesson per stay, age restrictions may apply. You can also enjoy snorkelling, water polo, tennis courts and a multi-sports court. Plus mini-golf, watersports, fishing trips and there is a Mini eco-park.
Your board at the hotel is all-inclusive which includes a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks at set times and selected local-brand alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Rooms include a balcony or terrace and can include a whirlpool bath.
Find Out More – Sandos Playacar
#4. Barcelo Maya Grand Resort – Riviera Maya
The Barcelo Maya Grand Resort is one of the most family-friendly on our list. Not only are there four huge pools but you also have access to facilities at three sister hotels. There are also two stunning beaches right outside.
Located next to the beautiful palm-fringed beach are four lagoon-style outdoor swimming pools. There are bridges, islands and bars in and around the water. Kids will love the mini water parks and splash pools scattered throughout the grounds. Adults also have their own swimming spots.
You can also pay extra to eat at one of their restaurants and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to bars. The hotel runs an evening entertainment programme plus Barcy Kids’ Club for 4-12-year-olds. Other facilities include video games, a tennis court, snorkelling, watersports, an 18-hole mini golf course and a bowling alley. Plus a shopping mall! Adults can unwind with a treatment at the U-Spa and even children can enjoy a special treatment.
This is the first hotel on our list with family rooms and these even include a kitchen, a lounge area and can sleep up to 5 people. All-Inclusive board at the hotel includes a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks at set times and selected local-brand alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee.
Find Out More – Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
#5. Riu Palace Peninsula – Cancun
If luxury is what you are seeking then the Riu Palace Peninsula could be the hotel for you. It has a stunning beachfront setting with a stretch exclusively for guests. The hotel is just a 5-minute drive from downtown Cancun.
There are four pools to choose from including a shallow pool for children. Kids can also be entertained at the RiuLand kid’s clubs for ages 4-7 and 8-12. Plus there is evening entertainment.
Watersports are in abundance at this hotel plus a free introductory session to scuba diving in the pool, pedalos and kayaks. Adults can unwind in the gym or at the spa and there is a steam bath and whirlpool.
With the all-inclusive board, you can enjoy a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner plus there is the option of a la carte dining. There are snacks at set times, selected local-brand alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee. In your room, there is a drinks optic with branded premium spirits. Rooms all have a sea view.
Find Out More – Riu Palace Peninsula
#6. Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun – Riviera Cancun
Every single room at the Azul Beach Resort in Riviera Cancun comes with a whirlpool bath. You can even upgrade to a swim-up room and there is the option of booking a family suite that has a handy sliding partition.
At this resort, you will find four pools, one of which is just for adults. Kids have their own splash pool and child-sized sunbeds sit around it. They also run a kids’ club for 4-12 year olds including a Silly Science Lab and arts and crafts zone.
Have fun in the evening with their shows, singers and circus acts. Activity-wise there are two tennis courts, volleyball, football, Yoga, fitness classes and kayaks. There is also a gym, a spa and a hairdresser. Kids can even enjoy a spa treatment.
All-inclusive board includes buffet and a la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is worth knowing that not all restaurants open daily and this is subject to change. Snacks are available at set times plus selected local-brand and premium alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Rooms have a minibar that is restocked daily with beer, water and soft drinks.
Find Out More – Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun
#7. Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal – Riviera Maya
Set in a huge complex the Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal has buggies that take guests around so that they can make use of the facilities at the other three on-site hotels. Set next to a gorgeous beach it is a great place to stay if you enjoy watersports.
Two of their outdoor pools have a separate section for children. The main one has a swim-up bar and both have a Jacuzzi. Kids will love the waterpark over at one of the other hotels. In total, you have access to 11 hotels, a few may be just for adults.
In the evening there is a mini-disco plus a show in the amphitheatre. Kids can make new friends at the kid’s club for ages 4-12 and have fun playing in the outdoor playground. There is a golf course nearby and a number of sports facilities.
The all-inclusive board is 24-hour with full board buffet meals and unlimited a la carte dining, reservations must be made on arrival. You can enjoy snacks and ice creams at set times, the other restaurants at the other hotels, with the exception of their buffet restaurants plus selected drinks including alcohol.
Find Out More – Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal
#8. Iberostar Selection Cancun – Cancun
The Iberostar Selection Cancun is a really excellent choice for families. With a sprawling pool scene, a splash area, a colourful outdoor playground and a hotel-run kids’ club there is plenty to keep younger children occupied.
With 10 pools, eight bars and six restaurants you are not short of choice. Not forgetting the beach is also right next to the hotel. In the infinity pool, there is a swim-up bar and children have their own splash area with slides.
The evenings can be spent watching big-scale performances in the outdoor theatre and in the daytime, there is a hotel-run kids’ club. Sports include a multi-sports court, a football field, tennis court and there is a golf course attached to the hotel.
The all-inclusive board includes a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are snacks at set times, selected local-brand alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Rooms include villas that sleep up to 4 people and double rooms that sleep up to 4 people and can have a sea view.
Find Out More – Iberostar Selection Cancun
#9. Planet Hollywood Cancun – Costa Mujeres
If you are looking for a lively and rather sprawling hotel then Planet Hollywood Cancun could be the one for you. It is a movie-inspired hotel located right next to a large sandy beach and turquoise waters.
All three of their outdoor pools are surrounded by sunloungers and parasols. There is also a pirate-themed splash park with a pirate ship and mini slides for children and for younger children there is a dinosaur-themed splash park. Their lazy river is great fun for all ages even older children and you can pit-stop at the Grotto bar which has a cave-theme.
For children aged 4-12, there is a kids’ club with arts and crafts, gym time, dance parties, friendly competitions and themed events. Evening entertainment includes a silent disco and live performances, this hotel even has a cinema.
There is such a huge number of facilities at this hotel including mini golf, a large trampoline park and Hollywood Fast Drivers. Plus sports facilities, arcade machines, table tennis and Neon Splatter. Some activities are at an additional cost.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served buffet style and there are snacks at set times plus selected local-brand alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Rooms include family suites that sleep up to 4 with a balcony or terrace plus swim-up junior suites that also sleep up to 4 people.
Find Out More – Planet Hollywood Cancun
#10. The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences – Playa Del Carmen
Are you noticing a theme with this list? All the best hotels are located next to a fantastic beach and The Fives Beach Hotel and Residences is no exception. It is another great family-friendly resort hotel.
On-site there are 4 big swimming pools to choose from plus one for adults. The main pool is located right next to the beach and two are infinity pools. The kids’ pool is situated at the Aluxitos Kids’ Club. The club is for ages 4-12 and older children aren’t left out as teens aged 13-17 also have their own club.
You can enjoy various musical and cultural shows in the evening plus a range of sports and daily activities. This hotel has a few different facilities such as pool volleyball, foreign language lessons, water polo and pickleball.
This is one of only two hotels on our list with 2-bedroom suites which is often something we look for in a hotel. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the all-inclusive board with some options having a supplement. Snacks at set times and selected local-brand alcohol, drinks, tea and coffee are also included.
Find Out More – The Fives Beach Hotel and Residence
#11. Bahia Principe Grand Coba – Riviera Maya
This is the only family-friendly resort hotel on our list that isn’t next to a beach. The Bahia Principe Grand Coba is still a great choice for a family holiday to Mexico’s Riviera Maya with two big pools, children’s waterslides and plenty more.
This hotel is the second option for those looking for 2-bedroom family rooms. You can sleep up to 8 people in these and you will have a balcony or a terrace. Entertainment runs throughout the day and evening and includes shows, karaoke and live music. Kids can have fun in the club for ages 4-12 and also there is a mini-disco.
For one hour every day, you can make use of the watersports on the beach for free. This includes kayaks and snorkelling equipment. Other facilities include tennis courts, football, basketball, volleyball, petanque and more.
The all-inclusive board includes a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner plus you can enjoy three a la carte dinners per week. Snacks are available 24-hours. Selected local-brand alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee are also available.
Find Out More – Bahia Principe Grand Coba
#12. Royalton Riviera Cancun – Riviera Maya
The Royalton Riviera Cancun enjoys a fabulous location. The Riviera Maya is a haven for tropical beaches and delicious food. But there’s so much more to this area, which is on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
There are several eco-parks, Mayan ruins, and world-class diving areas. The hotel has a lot to offer, with nine restaurants, a kids’ pool, and a dozen bars and restaurants. A two-tier gym and a variety of activities are also included in this resort, which can keep you busy all day long. Kids can additionally enjoy a variety of activities, such as a kids’ club and a teen hangout area.
The hotel has seven pools, and a splash park that’s the ideal fun hang-out for families. Each of the pools has its own unique atmosphere, and they’re designed to provide varying levels of enjoyment. Little ones will love the colourful park, which features slides that look like crocodiles, as well as giant lily pads and all sorts of other fun things to explore.
Your all-inclusive boar includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. You also have to option to dine in any of the restaurants without the need to book. There are snacks and ice cream at set times, 24-hour room service and selected international and local drinks.
Find Out More – Royalton Riviera Cancun
For further reading and holiday inspiration please check out the following posts:
10 Bucket List Things to Do Riviera Maya in Mexico
10 Top Mexico Hotels with Swim-Up Rooms for Families
10 Best Family Hotels Riviera Maya Mexico 2024
