The Ultimate Mexico Resort Guide – The Best Resorts To Choose For A Holiday To Cancun
With so many resorts to choose from, I have made planning a holiday to Cancun easier with my guide of the best areas to stay.
Dreaming of a holiday to Cancun? With Aer Lingus’ new direct flight from Dublin to Cancun, it’s never been easier to discover the beauty of Mexico’s Caribbean coast. I spent 11 days this year exploring some of the best resorts in the area, from Playa del Carmen and Tulum to Isla Mujeres and Akumal, with a day trip to the ancient wonders of Chichen Itza.
This part of Mexico offers something for everyone, from luxury adults-only hotels to family-friendly resorts, alongside vibrant nightlife, turquoise waters, and ancient ruins. To help you pick the perfect base for your holiday to Cancun, I have outlined the highlights of each resort bellow, followed by some of my top Cancun tips, so you can plan a great holiday to this tropical paradise.
Looking for top things to do and top hotel recommendations. Check out our picks here:
Read: The Best Hotels in Cancun and Surrounding Areas
Read: Top 10 Things To Do In Cancun And the Riviera Maya And Insider Tips For Your Mexico Holiday
About Cancun
This part of Mexico is often referred to by different names, which can be confusing. The Yucatán Peninsula is the large region in south eastern Mexico and includes the states of Yucatán, Campeche, and Quintana Roo.
Cancún is the main gateway to the area, home to the largest international airport and a huge number of resorts. The Riviera Maya stretches south from Puerto Morelos, through Playa del Carmen, Akumal, and Tulum, and is often considered to extend as far as the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. All of these destinations are located within the state of Quintana Roo.
How to get to Cancun and the surrounding areas
From the 6th of January 2026, Aer Lingus will operate a brand new direct route from Dublin to Cancun, running through to April 2026. TUI also offers a direct service during the summer months of June and July, available as two week package holidays.
Year round, you can fly to Cancun with 1 stop options via the UK, the USA or even Canada with airlines such as British Airways, Virgin, United, American Airlines, Delta or Air Canada.
Alternatively, if you are planning to visit Tulum only, there is a new airport located there which can be reached from a number of cities in the USA.
Best time to travel to Cancun
You can be very lucky travelling to Cancun and the Rivieria Maya year round, as it is a tropical destination that offers plenty of sunny days. However, due to its location on the Caribbean hurricane path, certain times of year can bring humid conditions and heavy rainfall.
High season runs from December through to March and generally offers the best weather, with warm sunny days and low humidity. The shoulder seasons of April and May, as well as November, can also be a great time to visit with fewer crowds and cheaper prices.
If possible, try and avoid the period from June to October, which is officially classed as hurricane season. During these months there is an increased chance of heavy rain and storms.
What Resort To Choose For Your Holiday to Cancun
To help you plan your holiday to Cancun, I have listed the top resorts by area below, so you can decide which part of the Yucatan Peninsula will suit you best.
Cancun
Best for: Nightlife & day trips
A lot of first-time visitors will choose to stay in Cancun as it is where the international airport is located and home to hundreds of hotels and all-inclusive resorts. It is also known worldwide for its vibrant nightlife and party scene. With powdery white-sand beaches offering an array of water activities along the Caribbean Sea, 100s of all-inclusive resorts, first class golf resorts, shopping malls and restaurants, this 15 mile-long sandbar has a lot going on.
In the Cancun hotel zone you’ll find everything including trendy restaurants, chic rooftop bars and stylish beachfront clubs. The area is home to many of the biggest and most popular nightclubs, such as the very famous Coco Bongo entertainment show. Note the legal drinking age in Mexico is 18.
Many hotels are located beside the beach where there is a huge selection of water sports available including parasailing, snorkelling, Wave Runners and Banana Boats. A holiday to Cancun is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to chill all day and party all night.
Puerto Morelos
Best for: Fishing & laidback local feel
Once a small local fishing village, Puerto Morelos has evolved into an up-and-coming, laid-back town with an easygoing charm. I found this area less touristy than many nearby spots and it still feels genuinely local, with family run eateries, quiet beaches and a calmer vibe to daily life. In a few years, I imagine it will become a major resort lined with many more hotels, but for now it strikes a lovely balance between relaxation and an authentic local feel.
Puerto Morelos sits about 30 minutes from Cancun, perfectly placed between there and Playa del Carmen, which means you can visit for lively nights or enjoy a little shopping – it offers the best of both worlds. It is also an ideal base for exploring the coast, fishing, trying fresh seafood or simply unwinding with warm sea breezes and long unhurried evenings.
Top tip: If you are looking for some incredible local tacos check out tacos.com – easily some of the best tacos I’ve ever tasted!
Akumal
Best for: Snorkelling & relaxing
Akumal is a coastal resort on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. It is famous for being home to the second largest reef in the world, where you can swim with colourful marine life and sea turtles just a short distance from the shore. The area also offers a great choice of high quality hotels and resorts, many of which are designed to make the most of the natural beauty around.
It is a great base for exploring the Riviera Maya, with easy access to popular attractions such as the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum, the eco parks Xcaret, and a variety of cenotes dotted throughout the jungle. You can also visit nearby Playa del Carmen for shopping, dining and nightlife, before returning to the calmer pace of Akumal.
It is also home to the number one Best of the Best hotel in the world voted by TripAdvisor in 2025, the adults only Secrets Akumal, which I stayed in and absolutely loved.
Read: The Best Hotels in Cancun and Surrounding Areas
Playa del Carmen
Best for: Families & shopping
Playa del Carmen was my favourite resort on my trip to Mexico. I loved going out and exploring the area around Quinta Avenida, otherwise known as Fifth Avenue, and it definitely felt like a classic holiday resort experience. Before my trip, loads of people told me, “You cannot leave the resort in Mexico.” Incorrect. Playa del Carmen felt like any other holiday resort, with shops, bars, beaches, restaurants, and street performers, and I think it is a fantastic resort, especially for a first time holiday to Mexico.
Playa del Carmen is located between Cancun and Tulum, so you could easily visit either locations from there. It’s also only a 45 minute ferry ride to Cozumel, a great day trip for an island escape.
The adventure eco parks Xplor, Xcaret and Xel Ha Water Park are all based in Playa del Carmen, making it an ideal base for a family holiday if you are planning to visit these attractions.
The hotel beaches are all public in Playa del Carmen and get very busy at the weekends. From what I gathered most hotels have their own security patrolling their section of beach. There’s a great atmosphere on the beach with lots of families, couples, friends and locals hanging out.
I loved walking around Fifth Avenue during both the day and the night, watching street performers, shopping, and bar hopping. I also attended the Coco Bongo entertainment show and could not recommend it enough. It is a super fun night out for anyone over 18.
You’ll find plenty of souvenir shops along the avenue and big brands like Sephora, Nike, Crocs, iPhone, Bershka and many more. Shop owners and street vendors will invite you to shop their goods, we didn’t find anyone over persistent or intimidating – we simple said, “no, gracias” and strolled on by without any issue.
Top tip: Coco Bongos Playa del Carmen closes on Mondays – bare this in mind if you are planning ahead.
Playacar
Best for: Relaxing
Playacar is an upscale, gated area within Playa del Carmen, making it ideal if you want to relax on pristine beaches during the day and still have the option to explore Fifth Avenue in the evening. The area is known for its quieter feel and limited number of chain hotels, which gives it a more exclusive atmosphere. As it is within walking distance of central Playa del Carmen, it offers the best of both worlds if you do not want to spend every day inside your hotel.
Top tip: If you choose certain RIU hotels in this area you can use the facilities of others nearby RIU hotels, this is a great way of exploring the area and different hotels during your stay.
Tulum
Best for: High end restaurants, beach clubs & exploring
Tulum is famous for its white sandy beaches, ancient Mayan ruins and chic, luxury accommodation. The first thing you need to know if visiting Tulum is that the town and the beach are about 5km from each other. So you need to ask yourself do you want to base yourself near the town and jungle, or at the beach?
Tulum is famed as being home to Mexican cenotes (sinkholes and caves) which are filled with crystal-clear cool waters. You will also find tropical lagoons, lush Mayan jungle, tasty local foodie hotspots, high-end restaurants and classy nightlife here.
The beach area is very instagrammable with a plethora of beach clubs and cute cafes – it kind of feels like a lot of the hotels, cafes, restaurants and museums were designed with Instagram photo ops in mind!
Tulum is ideal for those who want to enjoy a more relaxed, boho and authentic experience, with a plenty of luxury thrown in. It has become more commercialised in recent years but still offers a laid back vibe. There are a lot of adult only hotels and upscale restaurants but can be family friendly too.
Top tip: For popular restaurants and beach clubs like Bagatelle or Ziggy’s make sure to make reservations in advance.
Cozumel
Best for: Snorkelling & exploring
Looking for laid back island vibes? Cozumel is just a 45 minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen, and you can either stay overnight or visit on a day trip, whatever you prefer. It is a popular port for cruise ships and is home to some truly beautiful beaches.
I think Cozumel is ideal for anyone who likes scuba diving, as it is home to part of the Mesoamerican Reef and the Museo Subacuático de Arte, which features incredible submerged sculptures. You may also be lucky enough to spot dolphins and sea turtles.
It ticks many boxes for travellers looking for an island escape that still offers plenty to do and see. Be sure to check out the ancient Mayan ruins while you are there.
Top tip: If you are planning just a day trip to Cozumel, there is no need to join a tour group. Simply book a return ferry ticket and explore the island at your own pace.
Costa Mujeres
Best for: Beaches & modern resorts
The stunning Costa Mujeres is located on a narrow stretch of peninsula called Isla Blanca, just north of Cancún. It is a new addition to Mexico’s holiday scene, largely made up of big beachfront resorts. Almost every property along this coastline has been built in recent years, so guests can expect contemporary design and modern, up to date facilities.
The area is quieter and less developed than central Cancún, offering a more relaxed atmosphere, pristine beaches, and easy access to water sports and nearby attractions.
Isla Mujeres
Best for: Beaches & island vibes
Isla Mujeres was one of my favourite spots on my trip to Mexico. I only visited for the day but next time I will make sure I stay longer because it is such a beautiful island. You can stay in excellent hotels and spend your time relaxing in the sun, or set off each day in a golf buggy to explore the island, which is what most visitors choose to do.
The town near the port is lined with shops, bars and restaurants, and the beach called Playa Norte was one of the nicest beaches I have seen in my life. It is also voted one of the best of the best beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.
Top tip: Bargain with the guys renting the golf buggy’s, I paid $45 but definitely could have gotten it cheaper.
Isla Holbox
Best for: Animal lovers & exploring off the beaten track
Do you want to explore a bit off the beaten track on your holiday to Cancun? Isla Holbox is a small island of the coast off the Yucutan Peninsula. There are no high rise hotels, fancy resorts or cars on the island, so everywhere is explored by foot or bike. If you are an animal lover put this place on your list as its home to flamingos, pelicans, sharks and sea turtles.
Mostly known for the backpacking scene or just a place to go relax without the all inclusive resorts, its definitely a more local Mexican island experience than the other resorts on this list.
8 Top tips for your Holiday to Cancun
Currency – In Mexico they use Mexican Pesos but often accept USD. Card is widely accepted but always carry cash for backup.
Tipping – Tipping caught me by surprise. This was my first holiday where tipping is such a big part of the culture, so I really wanted to get it right. That said, there definitely is no right or wrong.
It is important to carry plenty of small dollar or peso notes, and ideally organise this before arriving, as ATMs were scarce. Working out how much to tip can feel awkward at first, but after some research these were the commonly suggested amounts. Of course, tipping is always a personal choice and everyone does it differently.
Transfers: $5 to $10 per guest
Bell boys: $5
Housekeeping: $5 per day
Bar staff: $1 to $2 per drink
Buffet staff: $5
Sit down meal staff: $5 per guest
Butler: $10 to $20 per day
Room service: $5 to $10 per order
Tours: $5 to $10 per guest
Water – Do not drink the tap water. Bottled water is usually provided by the hotel and is often available beside sinks or replenished daily in your room.
Sargassum season (Seaweed) – Mexico’s sargassum seaweed season primarily runs from April/May to October, peaking in the warmer summer months (June-August) so its best to avoid this time of year if you want crystal clear water along with white sand.
Language – Although the level of English spoken in Mexico is excellent, staff really appreciate it when you make the effort to use a few Spanish words or phrases. Learning some basics before your trip goes a long way.
Tours – There are so many amazing things to see and do on a holiday to Cancun, but it is important not to overload your stay with too many tours. For a ten day trip, choosing two or three key places to visit is usually ideal, as tour days can be very long and tiring.
Resort activities – Take advantage of what your resort offers. Fitness classes, kayaking, evening shows, and water sports are often included and are a great way to break up lazy pool days.
E sim – Many hotels offer free Wi Fi, but it is worth buying an E sim as a backup if you plan to leave the resort or go on organised tours.
I hope this travel guide helps you choose the best resort for your holiday to Cancun. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, prices and experiences are subject to change.
