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The 15 best places to visit in Mexico

Oct 9, 2023 • 14 min read

Explore Mexico's stunning landscape and see the best the country has to offer © Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Cantinas and cathedrals. Art and archaeology. Mariachis and mountains. Ruins and rainbow reefs. Mexico makes a mesmerizing escape for lovers of adventure, romance, history, culture, food, and fiery festivals .

Then there are the much-lauded  beaches with clear, blue waters you’ll want to step right into and silent paradise islands without a soul in sight. From the deep canyons of Chihuahua to the peaks of Veracruz, these are the best places to visit in Mexico .

1. Mexico City

Best place for art and vibrant culture

Wondering where to go for your first trip to Mexico? Start in the bustling capital that brims with skyscrapers, markets, gardens and parks , awe-inspiring museums and more than 22 million residents.

Top Mexico City sights include “Casa Azul,” better known as Museo Frida Kahlo , where the celebrated artist lived and died. High-spirited high jinks and chihuahua-sized micheladas are on offer when catching a lucha libre (Mexican wrestling) match at the sprawling Arena México .

For artsy folks, Mexico City is where many of the country's top muralists left behind their most important works. Peruse Diego Rivera's cinematic murals in the Palacio Nacional and the social-realism work of José Clemente Orozco in the Palacio de Bellas Artes .

For a taste of culture, float along the ancient canals of Xochimilco with a mariachi band serenade, or savor piping-hot tacos from the many street-food stalls in the downtown areas before catching a show at one of the city’s 160-odd theaters. You might be lost for words, but you’ll never be short of things to do in Mexico City.

Planning tip : Couple your Mexico City stay with a trip to see the pyramids at Teotihuacán . This archaeological site is located 50km (31 miles) northeast of Mexico City, and it was one of the largest in the Americas in the pre-Columbian era. Visit during the vernal equinox to celebrate spring.

2. Isla Holbox

Best island for bioluminescence and flamingos

For its size, Isla Holbox packs a strong biodiversity punch. Only a mile wide and 26 miles long, this is one of the best places to visit in Mexico to see bubblegum-pink flamingos in the wild (head to Punta Mosquito), catch a glimpse of whale sharks (between mid-May and mid-September), and witness the mesmerizing show of bioluminescent phytoplankton glimmering in the water. Comparable to sparkling underwater fireworks, these glowing micro-organisms are best seen on moonless nights.

Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh) is a laid-back dream of an island off the northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula .

With no vehicles to disturb the peace (cars are banned), sandy streets lead to endless beaches with warm, inviting water that’s waist-deep at most for adults. The island’s one alleged drawback? Questionable wi-fi, which encourages travelers to disconnect.

3. San Miguel de Allende

Best place for craft shops and folk art

This Mexican beauty has it all: a fantastic spring-like climate, extraordinary light, breathtaking architecture, superb handicraft shopping, and well-attended art workshops. With a high gallery-to-resident ratio, San Miguel de Allende is one of the best places for creative types to visit in Mexico.

The cobbled city has been luring retirees and bewitching artists since the first art institute opened in a former convent back in the 1930s. It then enticed Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Neal Cassady, who came to drink, write and read poetry in the 1960s (the latter stayed there until his death).

Today, San Miguel de Allende’s narrow, sloped streets house boutiques and cafes that dangle multicolored ribbons from wrought iron window bars, and its vibe is akin to a sepia-toned postcard from the past.

Buildings in the historic district adhere to a color code of saffron, rusty orange, ochre, terracotta, and mustard yellow. Grab a birdseye view of them from one of the city’s numerous rooftops, like Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar at Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, a firm favorite.

Planning tip : San Miguel de Allende is a three-hour drive north of Mexico City in the state of Guanajuato . Visit in spring to see the purple jacaranda trees in full bloom.

Best place for lagoon living and Maldives vibes

Everything about Bacalar is magical. Not only was it recognized by the Mexican government as a Magic Town ( Pueblo Mágico ) in 2006, but it’s also known for its ethereal jewel-toned lagoon, serene spas offering Mexican healing rituals and a distinct bohemian vibe.

Diners enjoy live music sessions beside bright indoor murals at tropical restaurant-meets-gallery El Manati , and wellness-minded travelers experience temazcal sweat ceremonies and copal cleansings at Casa Hormiga boutique hotel.

The prized activities in Bacalar are kayaking, paddleboarding and boating on the 26-mile Bacalar Lagoon , which is known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors (Laguna de Los Siete Colores) due to its mesmerizing gradient of blues and greens.

The town also has a 90m-deep (295ft) cenote (freshwater pool) and an old Spanish fortress . Nicknamed “the Maldives of Mexico,” unhurried Bacalar is one of the best places to visit in Mexico to get away from it all.

Planning tip : Bacalar is in the state of Quintana Roo, close to Mexico’s border with Belize. To get there using public transportation, take the ADO bus from Cancún, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.

5. Guadalajara

Best city for mariachi music, tequila and fine dining

Guadalajara , Mexico's second-largest city, is a dynamic cultural hub in the state of Jalisco. This is the tequila-producing region where Mariachi music was born, as well as charrería , Mexico’s national sport (don’t miss September’s annual International Mariachi and Charrería Festival).

Must-sees in Guadalajara include a lienzo (a charrería arena), the vivid frescoes of the Instituto Cultural de Cabaña – a testament to the genius of one-handed muralist José Clemente Orozco – and the three-story Mercado San Juan de Dios , Latin America’s largest indoor market.

Despite being deeply rooted in tradition, Guadalajara has recently gained recognition for its modern gastronomic excellence with multiple appearances on the coveted World’s 50 Best lists. Delight in upscale, globalized Mexican cuisine and cocktails at Alcalde and El Gallo Altanero.

Planning tip : Guadalajara's allure extends beyond its city limits. Use it as your gateway to Lake Chapala (one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country), the agave-clad fields of Tequila, or other charming Magic Towns like Tlaquepaque or Tapalpa.

6. Puerto Vallarta

Best place for sand, adventure and LGBTIQ+ events

With climactic and wild scenery, Puerto Vallarta is a popular vacation destination for Mexicans and foreign travelers alike. Framed by the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Bahía de Banderas (Bay of Banderas), it's a place where thrill seekers conquer rugged terrain and rappel down waterfalls, and families frolic on sun-kissed beaches – Playa Conchas Chinas , Playa Las Gemelas and Playa Mismaloya are noteworthy sandy spots.

The city is also popular among LGBTIQ+ travelers; there are gay-friendly Puerto Vallarta hotels, beach bars, restaurants, and nightlife establishments. Lovers take to the Zona Romantica (Romanic Zone) for alfresco meals, and strolling along the picturesque Malecon boardwalk, with its numerous bronze sculptures and street performers, is one of the best free things to do in Puerto Vallarta.

There's also plenty going on in the ocean, where you can see humpback whales breaching on the horizon, pods of dolphins rising from the waves, and mother turtles arriving to lay their eggs.

Planning tip : The best time to visit Puerto Vallarta to witness a baby turtle release is between July and December. Selected hotels like Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa host newborn turtle release ceremonies.

7. Playa del Carmen

Best place for beach-meets-city vibes

Playa del Carmen is the best of both worlds: a thriving city with a bounty of enticing restaurants and pinch-me-please white sand beaches (one is even connected to a cenote). The palm-lined Quinta Avenida is the city's bustling artery with an eclectic mix of shops, lively street performances, and gourmand-pleasing international eateries.

In this versatile beach destination, families build sandcastles alongside digital nomads and solo travelers seeking spirited adventures, while night owls congregate around Calle 12 (12th St) for throbbing nights at Mandala, La Vaquita and Coco Bongo. Another Playa del Carmen accolade is the variety of rooftop bars, from the sleek UMI Rooftop and Tokyo Kitchen to the laid-back BeRoof .

From Playa (as locals call it), day trips to Riviera Maya towns like Akumal (known for turtle encounters) are all within easy reach using colectivos (minivans). There is also a direct ferry to Cozumel with Winjet or Ultramar .

8. Chichén Itzá

Best place to see pre-Columbian architecture

If you’ve always wanted to see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Chichén Itzá is one of the best places to go in Mexico. With origins dating back to the 5th century, this is undoubtedly the most popular of Mexico's ancient sights.

From the imposing, monolithic El Castillo pyramid (where the shadow of the plumed serpent god Kukulcán creeps down the staircase during the spring and autumn equinoxes) to the Sacred Cenote and curiously designed El Caracol observatory, Chichén Itzá is spectacular.

Planning tip : Book a Chichén Itzá tour with an English-speaking guide to learn about the mind-blowing legacy of Maya astronomers . Note that the heat, humidity and crowds in Chichén Itzá can be fierce, so try to explore the site either early in the morning or late in the afternoon, though keep in mind that the 5pm closing is a hard exit. There is also a post-sunset sound-and-light show .

9. Zihuatanejo

Best place for an Old-Mexico feel

Zihuatanejo benefited from the fortunes of neighboring resort town Ixtapa, which Mexico’s tourism body carefully developed in the 1970s. This was a direct attempt to replicate the Caribbean splendor of Cancún on the Pacific coast.

Ixtapa’s hotspot status trickled 6.5km (4 miles) south to Zihuatanejo, which feels like a sleepy fishing village elevated by a handful of relaxed seaside sanctuaries like Thompson Zihuatanejo on Playa La Ropa .

In this blissed-out traditional Guerrero town, there are storied, curiously named beaches that are great for surfing, diving, fishing and seafood-feasting in the presence of crashing waves.

Take a walk on Playa Las Gatas (Cat Beach), reportedly named after land wildcats or the whiskered nurse sharks in Zihua’s waters, or make a dash for the aforementioned Playa La Ropa (Clothes Beach), the town’s most popular beach, which incorporates a legend of a Spanish shore wreckage containing washed silk clothes.

Best place for quiet beaches

La Paz , the capital of Baja California Sur, has something for every kind of beach lover. The city is a delightful springboard to adventures on the Sea of Cortez, home to 39% of the world’s marine mammals.

Around 40 minutes from La Paz, Playa El Saltito feels tranquil and isolated during the sweltering days, and its crystal waters come alive with bioluminescence at night. Though competition is tough, Playa Balandra , with its unique mushroom-like rock formation, is heralded as one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches.

The impossible-to-miss destination in the region is the Unesco-listed Espíritu Santo  island, where you can camp under a canopy of stunning stars, snorkel with playful sea lions and even peek at congresses of clumsy blue-footed boobies. A number of operators run activities here, including kayaking and snorkeling.

Best place for wellness and boho vibes

Over the years, Tulum shed its former name (Zama), and its position as a secluded and sleepy beach-meets-jungle town in Riviera Maya and subsequently ripened into a world-famous pilgrimage for honeymooners, hedonists and holistic tourists. The spirituality-focused traveler will find a host of things to do in Tulum ranging from cacao ceremonies to pre-Hispanic sound healing and open-air rooftop yoga classes.

Tulum is a well-rounded destination with scrumptious restaurants and bars, and accommodations for all budgets, from waterfront shacks to top-end resorts and thatch-roofed boutique boltholes like La Valise Tulum .

The beaches are postcard-ready, the most celebrated stretch being Playa Ruinas with its strikingly well-preserved Maya ruins perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. There are also numerous attractions in the surrounding area, such as the massive Reserva de la Biosfera Sian Ka’an , the secluded fishing village Punta Allen and the ruins of Cobá .

Planning tip : Tulum Pueblo (the town center) is where the really cheap eats and sleeps are found, but it’s a 20-minute bike ride or 12-minute taxi to the beach. Plan ahead to find well-priced beach accommodations if that’s where you’d prefer to stay.

12. Los Cabos

Best place for glitz, glamor and parties

Sister cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo need no introduction. The former is notorious among party-hearty North American crowds, while the latter is more sedate with art galleries, celebrity-frequented luxury resorts, upscale boutiques and over-the-top decadent tequila tasting rooms.

Together, these perennially sunny spots on the southernmost tip of the Baja California Sur peninsula have become two of the top places to see in Mexico.

Under the blazing Cabo sun, golfers chase their dreams on emerald greens designed by legendary champion Jack Nicklaus, and surfers tackle world-class surf breaks.

Not many beaches are safe for swimming, but other outdoor pursuits like deep-sea fishing, spotting sea lions and whale watching (from mid-December to mid-April) keep water babies coming back.

13. Pico de Orizaba

Best place for a superlative trek

Pico de Orizaba is a symmetrical, snow-capped volcano on the border of Puebla and Veracruz states. Also called Citlaltépetl, it’s the highest peak in Mexico and the third-highest mountain in North America, with a summit elevation of around 5636m (18,491ft) above sea level.

Dormant but not extinct, the last recorded eruption was in 1846, and it is one of the most popular places to visit in Mexico for serious climbers – professionals prep there before taking on Mount Everest. Treks start from the small village of Tlachichuca, and the ascent requires some technical skills – Pico de Orizaba is the ultimate trekking and climbing challenge in Mexico.

If sea-level thrills are more to your liking, there's plenty on offer in the town of Orizaba, including a beautiful riverside walk, a couple of impressive museums and galleries and a unique "Iron Palace. " The perfect introduction to Veracruz state's most appealing town is to hop into the cable car up to the park atop 1240m (4068ft) Cerro del Borrego.

From this lofty, green perch, you can admire the domes and bell towers of the city's many historic churches and the surrounding mountainous terrain, including the snowcapped summit of Pico de Orizaba.

14. Copper Canyon Railway

Best train ride

The Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacífico (Copper Canyon Railway) remains one of Latin America’s best rail trips. Also known as the Chepe Express (from the “Ch” of Chihuahua and “P” of Pacífico), trains climb from sea level at Los Mochis to the town of Creel via the sensational rocky landscapes of the rust-hued Copper Canyon (the “Grand Canyon of Mexico”).

Vistas from your window during the train journey include alpine forests, subtropical valleys, Tarahumara villages and glimpses of some of the world’s deepest canyons.

Overnight en route at cinematic lodges overlooking the canyon's edge, or stay for days of exploring, hiking, horseback riding and even zip-lining in one of the best places to see in Mexico.

15. Oaxaca City

Best place for mezcal and cultural celebrations

Once the capital of the Zapotec Civilization, the state of Oaxaca is now better known as Mexico’s primary mezcal-producing region. Fine mezcals distilled around the state make their way to low-lit, atmospheric establishments in Oaxaca City like La Popular, El Destilado and La Mezcalerita, and savvy locals guide thirsty patrons on popular tours to experience the city one smoky sip at a time (check out Mezcouting and Oaxacking ).

The frequent colorful fiestas in Oaxaca City also win smiles from cultural travelers. The city’s population swells at the start of November during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities, when Mexican families honor and celebrate their lost loves with round-the-clock vigils, joyful offerings, and parades.

One of the most unique things to see in Oaxaca City is the merrymaking during Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) on December 23. During this competition dating back to 1897, the young and old carve radishes into scenes that are displayed in Zócalo to much fanfare.

Planning tip : Venture two hours outside of Oaxaca City to reach Hierve el Agua , a jaw-dropping petrified waterfall-like formation. You can take a bus, rent a car or hire a driver to take you to these mineral-rich infinity pools.

This article was first published June 2021 and updated October 2023

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Best Time to Visit Mexico: Month by Month Breakdown

Mexico is a vast country and there is a huge range of seasons and climates across the different regions.

The weather can be roughly split into a wet and a dry season, although this mostly counts in the tropical regions south of Mexico City.

The north has a more arid, desert-like climate, while the central regions are at high altitude and enjoy much cooler weather than the rest of Mexico. 

Mexico also has distinct low and high seasons when it comes to tourism, especially in touristy destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. These generally coincide with the wet and dry seasons too. 

To inspire your next trip, here’s our guide on the best time to visit Mexico!

Don’t leave home without: Lonely Planet Mexico (Country Guide)

Table of Contents

Mexico Dry Season 

The dry season is the best time to visit Mexico, and it falls between November and April.

This is peak season, so you can expect things to be busy, especially over Christmas, but Mexico is such a vast country that you can always find a way to escape the crowds.

Here’s our month by month breakdown for Mexico’s dry season. 

Novem b er  in Mexico

November is the start of the dry season, and for travelers, this could be the best time to visit Mexico. 

Prices are still low and tourist numbers are still small compared to what’s going to hit the top destinations in December. This is a good time to visit popular destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallarta, as you’ll find some great deals on flights and accommodation. 

As the rainy season has only just ended, it’s not the best time for diving yet, but head to Baja California and you’ll catch the start of the Whale Shark season. 

Tropical Yucatan is getting much cooler and a lot less humid, so now is the time to explore the jungles and to visit those lost Mayan Ruins without working up too much of a sweat. 

December in Mexico

Weather-wise, December is easily the best time to visit Mexico. However, everyone else has the same idea too, and December is the worst time to visit Mexico if you’re looking for a quiet vacation away from the crowds! 

In December, especially over Christmas and New Year, the resorts of Cancun and the Maya Riviera are packed out and prices are at their peak. It’s no different in other popular tourist spots either, such as Puerto Vallarta or Baja California. 

The weather is crisp, sunny and dry though, and you’re not likely to have a single rainy day. If you’re not having a beach holiday though, then take a trip to explore the indigenous culture of Oaxaca or Chiapas where you can find beautiful weather. 

January in Mexico

January is just as busy as December, at least for the first two weeks. This is peak season across Mexico, especially in Cancun and along the Pacific Coast.

Travel to Mexico towards the end of January though and you can start to get a few good deals again, as the crowds start to thin out.

Weather-wise this is a great time to explore the south, so enjoy the dry weather along the coast, and visit Mayan archeological sites like Palenque or Chichen Itza.

Mexico City is lovely in January, as are the central highlands, although it can get chilly at night. 

February in Mexico

In February the weather starts to get hotter, especially in the tropical south. Up north and in the mountains it’s still very cool, however. 

You can expect the odd rain shower across the country but for the most part, this is still a beautiful time to travel around Mexico .

You’ll get lower prices in Cancun while the diving and snorkeling off the coast of Cozumel Island is glorious, with sparkling clear water. 

This is the perfect time to visit Baja California, on the Pacific Coast, where you’ll be right in the middle of the whale watching season, and you’ll have the chance to swim with Whale Sharks. 

March in Mexico

March brings a mixed bag when it comes to crowds and the weather. This can be the middle of Spring Break, so it’s a good idea to avoid the big tourist hotspots if this isn’t your scene. If you’re looking to party though, then head straight to Cancun or Tijuana.

Equally, if Easter falls in March then it can be busy everywhere, although this is a great time to soak up the local culture during Semana Santa, the holy week. 

Weatherwise, it can be a little more unpredictable. The south sees more rain while the north is heating up and seeing a few thunderstorms too. 

April in Mexico

Like March, it can be a little unpredictable in April too, so plan your trip in advance to avoid spring break dates or Easter holidays, which can both fall this time of the year. 

April is the last month of the dry season, although you will see the weather starting to turn. The colder winter months are over and summer is on the way, which means that along with the rain it’s getting much hotter, everywhere. 

This is your last chance to see the whales and Whale Sharks in Baja California before they move on for the summer, and it’s the last chance to get really good visibility and diving conditions around Cozumel Island and along the Maya Riviera. 

As the weather heats up, this is a great time to start exploring those high altitude destinations in Central Mexico, such as Guanajuato or San Miguel de Allende, where you can escape the heat. 

Mexico Wet Season

Mexico’s wet season runs from May through to October, however, this varies across the country. The south sees the most rain, and hurricanes can lash the coastlines.

It’s cooler and drier in the north this time of the year, where the climate isn’t tropical. The wet season is not the best time to visit the south of Mexico, but there are still plenty of great deals and places to explore outside of this traditional tourist hotspot. 

May in Mexico

May is officially the start of the wet season, and you can guarantee that it’s going to be hot and it’s probably going to be rainy.

This is a good month for shoulder season travel though because you can avoid the high season crowds in places like Cancun or the Pacific Coast.

It’s fine if you don’t mind a little humidity and have a swimming pool to cool off in because you’ll only get a few hours of rain a day at most.

It’s even better in Baja California, where you can enjoy dry weather for most of May, while temperatures soar into the 30s. Mexico City has cooler weather, and it feels like it’s summer, making the capital a great option in May. 

June in Mexico

June is not the best time to visit Mexico, although you can get some cheap deals on flights and hotels.

The reason it’s cheap though is because it’s the start of hurricane season. While hurricanes are rare, it’s definitely going to rain, although if you don’t mind risking that for a few hours a day it might be worth it 

Instead of going to the coast though, stick to the central highlands, where it’s much cooler and there’s much less rain. 

July in Mexico

July is just as hot and rainy, and while you can get cheap deals at the resorts and great value flights across the country, it’s really not the best time to visit Mexico. 

Hurricanes can hit the Caribbean and Pacific Coast, while everywhere is hot, stuffy and humid. 

You get the best weather in Baja California, but make sure you have a swimming pool where you can cool off.

The other option is to stay at altitude, as you’ll find that while Central Mexico is hot, it’s not quite as hot as the coast – especially at night time.

August in Mexico

In August, it’s still going to be uncomfortably hot across Mexico, although temperatures will start to cool off slightly, especially in the higher altitude areas of the country around Mexico City.

This is still very much hurricane season, so be prepared for this if you’re traveling to Cancun or the Pacific Coast in August.

On the plus side, there are few other vacationers around in August and the prices can be very low, on both flights and hotels! 

September in Mexico

In September, things are starting to look up again when it comes to the weather. This is still the rainy season, but the worst is behind you, and September can be a great time to escape the crowds and score some good deals. 

It’s a good time to be in Mexico City, where the rain is slack anyway and the high altitude means cooler climes.

It’s also Independence day in September, so you can expect plenty of parades and fiestas. 

October in Mexico

In October, it’s the last month of the rainy season and the hurricane season, and actually this can be the best time to visit Mexico.

Rainfall will be minimal, but prices are still low, so head to the beaches and make the most of the deals before the high season crowds arrive in November and December.

As a bonus, the end of October is also when you’ll be able to celebrate Day of the Dead across Mexico.

Our Top Recommended Mexico Tours

• Mayan Adventure with G Adventures – 22 days
• Yucatan Discovery: Cenotes & Seasides with G Adventures – 7 days
• Classic Mexico Adventure with G Adventures – 14 days
• Mayan Highlights with G Adventures – 9 days
• Cultural Wonders of Mexico with National Geographic Journeys – 9 days

More on Mexico:

• Ultimate Packing List for Mexico
• Ultimate Baja Mexico Cruise: Sea of Cortex with UnCruise
•   Kayaking in Mexico: 4 Days on the Sea of Cortez
• Ultimate 3 Days in Mexico City Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Mexico City: Best Districts & Hotels
• 12 Best Day Trips from Mexico City (That are Worth Taking)
• The Amazing Mexico City Pyramids of Teotihuacan
• Manzanillo Mexico Travel Guide: A Cancun Alternative
• 8 Amazing Things to Do in Cancun
• Best Time to Visit Cancun: Month by Month Breakdown
• 8 Things to Do in the Riviera Maya for an Epic Vacation
• Celebrating 15 Years of Travel with Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
• 10 Awesome Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
• 9 Incredible Things to Do in Cozumel
• Isla Espiritu Santo in Mexico: Ultimate Planning Guide

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Travel planning resources, about david stock.

I have always been an outdoorsman so becoming an adventure traveler was just the next natural step. I love nature, I love to get off the beaten path and I like to explore. I enjoy scuba diving and cars. And yes, Lina and I have a naked dog.

1 thought on “Best Time to Visit Mexico: Month by Month Breakdown”

Such a beautiful place! Mexico’s dry season is the best for me. Thanks for sharing this Anna

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Explore the Cancun Area

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Cancun has great hotels and fabulous nightlife, not to mention its stunning beaches , but it's just the gateway to getting to know the Mayan world. There are water parks, nature reserves and archaeological sites that you really shouldn't miss out on. Even if your main interest is relaxing and taking it easy, you should still check out some of these Cancun day trips during your stay.

Chichen Itza

TripSavvy / Christopher Larson

Named one of the New World Wonders, this pre-Hispanic city was the political, religious and military center of the Yucatan Peninsula for centuries. Admire the amazing Mayan art and architecture of this ancient city. Hire a guide to appreciate the archaeological site fully. Chichen Itza is 125 miles from Cancun, a two to three-hour drive, about halfway between Cancun and Mérida . If you go on your own, get an early start to arrive before the tour groups to enjoy the site with fewer crowds.

Tulum was once a busy Mayan ceremonial center and trading port. The ruins are in a spectacular setting, on a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The Tulum archaeological site is small, consisting of some 60 buildings and can be toured in about two hours. Tulum's beach is arguably the most beautiful in Mexico. Tulum is located 72 miles south of Cancun. A visit to Tulum can be combined with a visit to Xel-Ha (see next item on the list) to make an all-day excursion.

Xel-Ha is a water theme park where interconnected freshwater lagoons combine with salt water streams, producing a unique ecosystem with multitudes of tropical fish. This is a great spot for kids and beginners to practice snorkeling. Other activities include floating along the river on inner tubes, swinging over cenotes and swimming with dolphins. If you get tired of being in the water you can go on an ecological walking tour through the surrounding jungle. Xel-Ha is 68 miles south of Cancun.

Playa del Carmen

Once a sleepy fishing village, Playa del Carmen has grown into a cosmopolitan town, now the largest in the Mayan Riviera. If you're interested in shopping, nightlife, and fine dining, this is the place, but the beach is also alluring. Go for the day, or even better, for the evening, to stroll along Quinta Avenida and enjoy perusing the shops and people watching. Playa del Carmen is located about 35 miles south of Cancun.

This is a unique ecological theme park with water activities, an archaeological site, a re-created Mayan village and jungle trails. A full day can be spent in Xcaret! You can swim in underground rivers, go snorkeling, see a re-enactment of the Prehispanic ball game, visit ancient Mayan ruins and top off the day by watching the spectacular cultural show that is presented every evening. Xcaret is a little less than an hour south of Cancun, about 40 miles.

Sian Ka'an Ecological Reserve

TripSavvy / Jamie Ditaranto

One of the largest protected areas in Mexico, Sian Ka'an has approximately 1.3 million acres of unspoiled natural beauty with unexcavated Mayan ruins, freshwater canals, mangroves, lagoons, and inlets. Visitors can learn about its diverse wildlife and participate in conservation projects. Ecological tours of the reserve are offered, as well as kayak tours and fly fishing. The Sian Ka'an ecological reserve begins just south of Tulum.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a 5-mile long island with a tranquil atmosphere. It's a great place to lounge by the water or enjoy a meal at one of the oceanfront restaurants. There are plenty of options for snorkeling, or you can rent a golf cart or a scooter to explore the island. Attractions include the Turtle Farm, Garrafon Park, and Isla Contoy, located nearby. You can get to Isla Mujeres by ferry from the Cancun hotel zone in about 20 minutes.

The largest island in the Mexican Caribbean is a short ferry ride from Playa del Carmen. It's one of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling, the clear water offering visibility of up to 200 feet. The center of the island is mostly undeveloped jungle and lagoons with many endemic species of small animals and birds. Chankanaab National Park has a botanical garden featuring tropical plants, and Chankanaab Lagoon, a natural aquarium with more than 60 species of tropical fish, crustaceans, and corals.

This fishing village is a good spot to practice windsurfing and snorkeling and is a popular spot to swim with sea turtles. You can hire boats for sport fishing, or a diving instructor to take you to visit the closest reefs. At the Ecological Center, you can hire a guide to take you on a walk into the jungle to learn about the local flora and fauna. There are rustic restaurants with great seafood along the beach. Akumal is located 62 miles south of Cancun.

This is one of the largest Mayan archaeological sites, though only a few of its estimated 6,500 structures have been excavated. Cobá was the hub of a complex network of causeways and was probably an important trade link between Mayan outposts on the coast and cities in the interior. The Nohuch Mul Pyramid , the tallest in the area, has 120 steps - if you don't suffer from vertigo you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the jungle from the top. Cobá is 95 miles from Cancun.

Mexico's Riviera Maya: Planning Your Trip

Tulum Travel Guide - Budget and Tulum Travel FAQ

Mayan Riviera Highlights and Resorts

The Top 10 Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico

Your Trip to Cancun: The Complete Guide

The 10 Best Beach Destinations in Mexico

Ancient Maya Sites of the Yucatan Peninsula

5 Destinations for Family Vacations in Mexico

How to Travel From Cancun to Cozumel by Bus, Car, Ferry, and Plane

The Beaches of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera

Ideas for Day Trips from Cancun, Mexico

The 7 Best Beaches in Tulum

The Top 10 Things to Do in Cancun With Kids

Where to Go for Spring Break in Mexico

Your Trip to Tulum: The Complete Guide

The Best Seaweed-Free Beaches in Mexico

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• All-Inclusive Resorts

12 of the Best All-inclusive Resorts in Mexico, According to Hotels.com

Planning a tropical beach vacation? Here are the top all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, according to Hotels.com.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or a family vacation, all-inclusive resorts are ideal for a relaxing trip because (nearly) everything you'll eat, drink, see, and do is covered by one price. You can find all-inclusive resorts all over the world, but nothing compares to Mexico, which is known for its varied options, ranging from budget-friendly properties to super-luxurious resorts with all the amenities. Plus, these hotels are set in the picturesque beach towns that line the country's coastline.

Velas Resorts

With so many all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, it can be tough to narrow down the choices for your vacation, so we tapped Hotels.com to curate a list of top properties in some of the country's most popular destinations, including Cancún and Los Cabos. These are 12 of the best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.

Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Playa del Carmen

This hotel's All-Fun Inclusive concept provides unlimited access and transportation to Grupo Xcaret parks, with trips to underground caves, zip lining, snorkeling, and other activities included. "With so many all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, it's always a challenge to pick a favorite," said Meagan Drillinger , a Travel + Leisure contributor. "But for families, I consistently suggest Hotel Xcaret Mexico near Playa del Carmen. I stayed here in January 2018, a month after the resort opened, and continue to recommend it today."

Meals and beverages at all on-site restaurants and bars, a ferry to Isla Mujeres, and an airport shuttle are all covered by the rate, so you can have an exciting vacation packed with excursions and delicious meals without ever reaching for your wallet. "This mega-resort is an all-inclusive paradise for foodies, adventurers, wellness enthusiasts, and sun-worshippers," said Drillinger. "Guests of the resort are also entitled to unlimited access to the Grupo Xcaret amusement parks across the Riviera Maya."

Platinum Yucatan Princess, Playa del Carmen

This adults-only resort in Playa del Carmen offers worry-free vacations with fabulous food options. Expect international buffets for three meals a day, eight bars with premium drinks, several a la carte restaurants, and BBQ on the beach. The all-inclusive rate extends to entertainment, non-motorized water sports (kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkeling, and catamarans), and other sports facilities like tennis courts, a driving range, and even a baseball field. You're never far from the water here: rooms range from suites with private hot tubs to swim-out suites with direct access to the pool. Those seeking the perfect getaway at an all-inclusive kid-free Mexican resort won't be disappointed.

Moon Palace, Cancún

Moon Palace Cancún

This Cancún all-inclusive is great for families looking for a relaxing getaway with something for every member of their crew. The expansive property has more than 2,000 guest rooms and offers tons of amenities, including 19 pools, more than 20 restaurants, five poolside bars, a golf course, a beach club, and more. Plus, there's a free kids' club as well as a children's pool and playground.

Garza Blanca Resort & Spa, Los Cabos

TAFER Hotels & Resorts

With large luxury residences perfect for groups and families, as well as one-bedroom suites ideal for couples, this Los Cabos resort has a range of accommodations for every type of traveler. There are eight pools, including a rooftop infinity option just for adults, and a family fun zone. Its all-inclusive plan covers beverages, room service, meals at several restaurants, and organized activities, among other perks.

Grand Velas Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas

An AAA Five Diamond resort, Grand Velas offers a gourmet all-inclusive experience in Los Cabos. Meals range from 10-course tastings to poolside ceviche, so there's something for every taste and occasion at one of the resort's many restaurants — premium beverages are included as well. There's also a kids' club, teens' club, fitness center, pools, and beach concierge, so guests of all ages can have a fun vacation.

Marival Distinct Luxury Residences, Nuevo Vallarta

This Riviera Nayarit all-inclusive has families in focus, with spacious penthouses featuring private pools and residences housing semi-private pools. The rate includes top-shelf wines and liquors, live entertainment, and meals at five on-property restaurants.

Marquis Los Cabos, San José del Cabo

Marquis Los Cabos All Inclusive Resort & Spa

Hotels.com reviewers commended the staff, food, and atmosphere at this adults-only San José del Cabo beachfront resort . Splurge on an oceanfront suite with a private plunge pool to take your vacation to the next level (although you'll definitely want to check out the three communal pools and the beach, too). With everything you need included at the resort, you'll never have to leave the property, but avid golfers might want to explore the nearby courses.

Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, San José del Cabo

VRX Studios / Hyatt

Enjoy a carefree vacation with the Sea of Cortez as your backdrop at Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos . This family-friendly resort has activities for the whole gang — plus a kids' water play area — and the rate includes beautiful accommodations, entertainment, buffet and a la carte dining at 15 on-site restaurants and bars, and unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, to name a few top perks.

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta

Corey Weiner / Hyatt

Another family-friendly Hyatt property, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta provides endless drinks and dining at five bars and lounges and five restaurants, including an oceanfront option. There's also a kids' club, daily fitness classes, and non-motorized water sports. And when it's time to relax and cool off, guests have access to five infinity pools.

Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All Inclusive Golf & Spa, Cabo San Lucas

"We’d start every morning on our balcony with nature’s cure, watching a parade of passing humpback whales spouting just offshore during their winter migratory journey along the coastline."

Tequila and regional wine tastings, cooking classes, theme parties, and more await at Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All Inclusive Golf and Spa resort. Rates include these activities and a Fiesta Kids Club, as well as a wide range of dining options, including Japanese, Italian, and Mexican cuisine. As the name suggests, golf and spa experiences are available, but these come at an additional cost.

"It’s impossible to forget the family trip I took with my husband and our two kids here," T+L contributor Terry Ward said. "We’d start every morning on our balcony with nature’s cure, watching a parade of passing humpback whales spouting just offshore during their winter migratory journey along the coastline. The hotel’s private beach is drop-dead gorgeous, too–and if you’re here during the winter months, be sure to look up from your lounge chair to scout the water for breaching whales and their babies. It's pure magic."

TRS Coral Hotel, Costa Mujeres

This adults-only, 469-suite paradise is located on a larger property, giving guests the benefits of an expansive resort and the tranquility of an adult-focused hotel all in one place. Each suite has a balcony or terrace, while you'll find entertainment, a private beach club, seven a la carte restaurants, 18 bars (including a 24-hour sports bar), and more to enjoy.

GR Solaris Cancún, Cancún

At the GR Solaris Cancún , three meals a day at any of the five on-site a la carte and buffet restaurants, drinks at its two bars, most activities, and daily entertainment are covered by the rate. A kids' club is also included, so you can spend less time tallying up costs and more time relaxing on the white-sand beach.

The 17 Best Resorts in Mexico: Top Picks for 2024

• Updated on January 2, 2024
• Best Locations

What You Will Learn (Click to Expand)

Welcome to the land of exquisite resorts, why mexico is such a popular travel destination.

Mexico is not just any tourist destination; it’s a paradise for visitors worldwide. With over 50 million tourists flocking to its vibrant landscapes each year, it surely has something that lures everyone. 

Ranked as the tenth most popular tourist spot worldwide, Mexico boasts an array of resorts that cater to everyone’s taste and budget.

With 32 different locations recognized as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, Mexico’s unique cuisine and endless white-sand beaches make it a perfect getaway for many.

This guide will walk you through the 17 Best Resorts in Mexico.

The Best Luxury Resorts in Mexico

1. hotel xcaret mexico: tropical paradise with culture at its core.

Hotel Xcaret Mexico is a top pick for many vacationers, with its “All-Fun Inclusive” concept setting it apart. This resort isn’t just about relaxation; it provides unlimited access and transportation to the nearby Grupo Xcaret parks.

Here, you can indulge in exciting activities like underground cave explorations, zip lining, snorkeling, and much more.

Why it made the best list: Hotel Xcaret Mexico provides a unique combination of luxury accommodations and adventurous activities. It opened its doors in December 2017 and has since been a hotspot for tourists looking for an all-rounded vacation.

Top 5 Features:

• Unlimited access and transportation to Grupo Xcaret parks.
• All-inclusive meals at on-site restaurants and bars.
• Access to the ferry to Isla Mujeres.
• Complimentary airport shuttle.
• All-inclusive visits to local cenotes and Mayan sites like Chichen Itza.

Five Benefits:

• Out-of-this-world gastronomical experience at 10+ restaurants and food stalls.
• Great for families, with facilities such as a pool with waterslides.
• Elegant spa for adults to unwind.
• Rich cultural experience with on-property art workshops.
• Pocket-friendly as it’s all-inclusive, meaning no unexpected additional costs.
• The resort can be quite busy during peak seasons.
• Some visitors may find the all-inclusive package overwhelming due to numerous activities.

Best For: Travelers who wish to immerse themselves in a rich amalgamation of fun, culture, and relaxation should find Hotel Xcaret Mexico an excellent choice.

Here are some Top Things to Do in Playa del Carmen .

2. Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun: The Secluded Tranquility

Following close behind is Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun , a jewel in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean known for its tranquility and gorgeous white-sanded beach.

The AAA Five Diamond resort offers an adults-only Unlimited-Luxury experience with pool and beach wait service.

Why it made the best list: One of the major attractions of Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun is the untouched beauty of its beach, counted amongst the most pristine in the world.

Additionally, it offers a variety of fun activities under its all-inclusive deal.

• It is a peaceful setting around a private, white-sand beach.
• All-inclusive access to gourmet à la carte dining options
• Complimentary greens fees at a nearby golf course.
• State-of-the-art fitness center and full-service spa.
• 24-hour concierge and room service.
• Private and tranquil adults-only environment – no families with kids around.
• A variety of gourmet dining outlets, including an international buffet and six à la carte restaurants.
• It has an alluring nightlife with theme party nights, big-screen movies on the beach, and a theatre with nightly shows.
• Diverse daily activities such as dance lessons, water aerobics, and non-motorized water sports.
• Free-flowing beverages at multiple bars and lounges, and pool and beach wait service.
• The beach can have a Seagrass issue, depending on the time of year.
• The resort might be too quiet for those looking for lively nightlife.

Best For: Ideal for travelers who want a quiet, adult-only environment with top-notch dining outlets and high-end services. This AAA Five Diamond resort is perfect for honeymoons, anniversaries, or just a romantic, luxurious retreat.

3. Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya: Blend of Nature and Modern Opulence

Next on our list is the stunning Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya . This resort is known for its seamless blending of its natural forested surroundings with modern amenities.

It showcases the richness and depth of the Mayan culture, and its distinctive design approach provides a fantastic holiday experience.

Why it made the best list: Certainly, Conrad Tulum impresses any visitor with its harmony between lavishness and the natural beauty of the Riviera Maya. Representing the smaller-scale properties in Tulum, it seeks to foster a connection between guests and their surroundings.

• A traditional sacbe, or “white road,” that cuts through the jungled grounds.
• 349 rooms with high-quality amenities.
• 11 restaurants catered to a wide variety of culinary preferences.
• Cenote-inspired spa offering a four-hand massage and other treatments.
• Acres of swimming pools to relax and unwind.
• Offers several kids’ and teens’ clubs, making it family-friendly.
• Amazing location, nestled among the lush greens of the Riviera Maya.
• Unique art installations inspired by Mayan macramé.
• Guests can enjoy a jalapeño margarita in the open-air bar.
• Emphasizes the rich cultural heritage of the Mayans in its design and offerings.
• Despite its several restaurants, there might be limited options for vegetarians and vegans.
• The large scale of the resort can make it difficult to navigate for some.

Best For: Conrad Tulum is regarded as a great choice for travelers in search of a distinctive blend of luxury and cultural experience. It is especially suited for those appreciating the Tulum ambiance and spirit.

4. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico: Unforgettable Pacific Ocean Vistas

The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita swims in glory near Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Rightly acclaimed as heaven on Earth, it recently joined hands with the new tented Naviva resort, ramping up the opulence level.

Why it made the Best List: This resort is the epitome of a prodigal life. Holding the title as one of the smallest Four Seasons resorts, 15 luxury tents nestled in a 48-acre lot promise an incomparable fusion of adventure and comfort.

• One-of-a-kind luxury tent accommodations with open-air living rooms, private decks, plunge pools, and outdoor showers.
• Exclusive 575-foot pristine Pacific beachfront for Naviva guests.
• Private pool for resort guests.
• Dedicated chef in the open-air kitchen and lounge, Copal Cocina.
• On-site cliffside yoga pavilion and spa pod in the jungle.
• Personalized service due to the small number of accommodations.
• Prime location with breathtaking Pacific Ocean views.
• A relaxed atmosphere with no crowds or queues.
• Focus on local produce and an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal at Copal Cocina.
• Access to the amenities of the main Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.
• The exclusivity comes with a high price tag.
• It is not suitable for those who prefer a lively resort atmosphere.

Best For: The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is perfect for those seeking an ultra-luxurious, private vacation experience. Ideal for honeymooners or couples who want to celebrate their love in a secluded, luxurious setting.

5. Banyan Tree Mayakoba: Live amidst Mangroves and Lagoons

Immerse yourself in a unique blend of modern comfort and nature’s serenity at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba . 

Beautifully nested in a private mangrove reserve along a crystal clear lagoon in the Riviera Maya, this tropical paradise embraces the environment without compromising comfort and luxury.

Why it made the Best List: Banyan Tree Mayakoba stands out with its sustainability practices and luxury accommodations that blend harmoniously with the natural environment. Its dedication to environmental stewardship has earned it certification from the NGO Rainforest Alliance.

• The 129 all-suite accommodations with butler service and private plunge pools.
• Eco-tours that delve into the local flora and fauna.
• Four pools and a pristine beach for swimming activities.
• Exemplary dining options sourcing locally produced, low-waste ingredients.
• An expansive 17,000-square-foot spa with a meditation platform.
• A luxurious experience with a touch of nature.
• Opportunities to partake in eco-educational tours and conservation efforts.
• Fresh and local gastronomic experiences.
• Perfect balance between relaxation and recreational activities.
• The resort’s ecological integrity grants it a unique charm.
• Due to its secluded location, the resort may be a bit remote from some popular tourist spots.
• Transportation across the large resort can be a bit complicated as guests need to take an electric boat to their rooms.

Best For: Ideal for travelers interested in luxury, nature, and sustainability. Banyan Tree Mayakoba is particularly suited for those wanting to experience comfort and luxury while contributing to conservation efforts.

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6. one&only palmilla: quintessential mexican elegance.

Sophisticated and timeless, the One&Only Palmilla exhibits the essence of classic Mexicana with a modern twist. 

Located on the edge of the Baja Peninsula, it was originally a 15-room hideaway for the son of a former Mexican president and is now one of the area’s most luxurious resorts.

Why it made the Best List: Its distinct history, impeccable design, and elite service turn One&Only Palmilla into the epitome of elegance. 

It operates under the umbrella of EarthCheck, a scientific benchmarking certification program, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability and preserving the beauty of its surroundings.

• 174 oceanfront rooms and suites, some with infinity pools and patios.
• One of the area’s few swimmable beaches.
• A state-of-the-art water purification system.
• An award-winning 27-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
• A massive wellness garden and spa featuring 13 treatment villas.
• Absolute privacy with dedicated butler service.
• A wide range of activities, including snorkeling, surfing, and golfing.
• The resort’s sustainability efforts include the bottling of filtered water onsite.
• Offers guests the chance to join daily patrols of nearby sea turtle nests.
• The resort’s restaurants, helmed by renowned chefs, offer exquisite cuisine.
• During high season, the resort can be crowded.
• Depending on the season, the swimmable beach may occasionally be unsafe due to high tides.

Best For: Perfect for travelers aiming for a blend of luxury, tranquility, and sustainability. This resort is particularly recommended for those who appreciate historical charm infused with contemporary elegance.

7. Grand Residences Riviera Cancun: Luxury Meets Warm Hospitality

The Grand Residences Riviera Cancun takes gracious hospitality to a whole new level. Nestled between a stunning beach and lush tropical jungle, this hidden gem in Puerto Morelos offers visitors an unparalleled luxury resort experience.

Why it made the Best List: Its dedication to providing utmost comfort, warm hospitality, and world-class services helps the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun take a prominent spot on the best resorts list. It’s also a part of The Leading Hotels of the World, which guarantees exquisite service and exceptional experiences.

• 144 spacious and luxurious suites, most of them with private pools.
• A world-class spa offering a vast range of treatments.
• State-of-the-art gym and tennis school.
• Children’s club with a variety of educational and entertaining activities.
• On-site gourmet restaurants and bars.
• Personalized service that caters to guest’s needs.
• All-suite accommodations feature high-quality amenities and ocean views.
• Multiple on-site dining options showcasing international and local cuisines.
• Fun excursions and activities, including tours to ancient Mayan ruins and scuba diving.
• Family-friendly environment with diverse activities for children and adults.
• The resort is located in a somewhat secluded area, which may limit access to local attractions.
• During peak times, the resort may feel crowded.

Best For: The Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is perfect for travelers seeking a luxury vacation experience with exceptional service and tailored hospitality. 

The resort is especially ideal for families due to its dedicated kid’s club and family-friendly amenities.

8. Excellence Playa Mujeres: All-Inclusive Adults Only Retreat

As the name suggests, Excellence Playa Mujeres exudes excellence in every aspect. Located in the secluded Playa Mujeres away from Cancun’s bustling Hotel Zone, it is an adults-only all-inclusive resort, perfect for couples seeking romance and relaxation.

Why it made the Best List: Excellence Playa Mujeres makes our list for its tranquil location, luxury accommodations, and all-inclusive dining options that don’t require reservations. The elegance of its suites with whirlpool tubs and two-person showers makes it an idyllic destination for couples and honeymooners.

• Luxury rooms with whirlpool tubs and two-person showers.
• Seven pools for bathing and relaxation.
• A plush spa offering couple’s suites and hydrotherapy circuits.
• Nine elegant restaurants and 11 bars serving premium alcohol.
• Proximity to an 18-hole golf course.
• Peaceful and romantic ambiance perfect for couples.
• Unbeatable value with the all-inclusive rate.
• Numerous dining and bar options mean you never run short of culinary variety.
• Luxurious rooms offer romantic settings with spacious dual showers and whirlpool bathtubs.
• The resort promises endless leisure with a premium spa, sports facilities, and various pools.
• Only adults are allowed, making it unsuitable for families with children.
• It might be a bit detached from the main city’s bustling scene for some visitors.

Best For: Excellence Playa Mujeres is the ultimate luxury destination for couples seeking a peaceful and intimate all-inclusive vacation. It is particularly outstanding for honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic getaway.

9. The Cape, A Thompson Hotel: The Perfect Fusion of Beach and City Life

The Cape, A Thompson Hotel , merges the expanse of the beach ambiance with a lively city vibe. It is indeed bundled with surprises, from a local bohemian-led sound bath experience on the beach to a sombrero-making class.

You find a boutique on-site, co-owned by Nina Farran and Sophia Bush, that promotes Latin American designers, creating a positive social and environmental impact.

Why it made the Best List: Highlighted in the Hot Hotel List for the best new hotels in the world, it offers a boutique experience.

The property supports local and regional makers, artists, and artisans with decor like stone walls extended from the balcony to the inside of the room and pebble-floored showers adorned with colorful Mexican tiles.

• A rooftop lounge with stunning views of El Arco and the Bahía Cabo San Lucas horizon.
• Saltwater swimming pool lined with private cabanas.
• The design by Paul Duesing and Glazier Le Architects honors local art and materials.
• Outdoor spa cabanas and hot tubs overlooking El Arco.
• An on-site Fashionkind boutique that reflects a barefoot sanctuary vibe.
• Curated city-vibe experiences.
• Home to the Cape Thompson beach club.
• The on-site restaurant, Manta, offers an inventive cuisine concept.
• Uninterrupted views of El Arco from the property.
• Beautifully wrought aesthetics melding Mexican tradition with an urban sensibility.
• It may be a bit noisy due to its bustling ambiance.
• There are few child-specific amenities, making it less ideal for families.

Best For: The Cape, A Thompson Hotel, is a perfect fit for travelers who love the bustling city-life atmosphere fused with the calm beachfront. It offers a niche experience to culture enthusiasts interested in rich, intentional Mexican artistry.

10. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal: Find Serenity Between Cliff and Sea

Experience luxury at its finest at the Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal . Built into a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this remarkable resort offers unrivaled views and accommodations that portray the beauty of Mexican culture.

Why it made the Best List: The Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal redefines the concept of luxury with its spectacular location, exceptional service, and upscale amenities.

It is also recognized as a AAA Five Diamond Resort, indicative of its high quality and luxury standards.

• 115 rooms and suites with private plunge pools and ocean views.
• World-class signature spa Luna y Mar.
• Four exceptional dining experiences.
• Family Traditions program, specially curated for young guests.
• A 24-hour team of Personal Concierges for bespoke experiences.
• It is an exclusive resort with a private tunnel entrance, ensuring privacy and security.
• Diverse cultural and adventurous activities, like horseback riding and deep-sea fishing.
• Accommodations offer an innate connection to the surroundings.
• An exceptional suite of family activities to keep little ones entertained.
• A dedicated Personal Concierge for every room is available 24 hours a day.
• The location can be secluded for some, limiting access to downtown amenities.
• Swimming in the Sea of Cortez may be limited due to strong waves.

Best For: Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal is perfect for travelers looking for privacy and unparalleled luxury. It’s especially ideal for families and couples seeking a serene and private beach vacation accompanied by warm Mexican hospitality.

Best Value for Money: Top Affordable Resorts in Mexico

11. mahekal beach resort: an authentic palapa-style resort.

Playa del Carmen’s Mahekal Beach Resort gives you the best of both worlds. It offers the luxury of being located right on one of the longest beachfront in Riviera Maya and the distinction of being a few steps away from the vibrant Playa del Carmen.

This resort is renowned for its charming palapa-topped bungalows with an array of settings and beach house plunge pools that guests will never want to leave.

Why it made the Best List: For its perfect Venn-Diagram equation of living close to the beach and bustle, this boutique all-inclusive resort seamlessly marries the feeling of an uninterrupted beach vacation with the energy of downtown Playa del Carmen.

• Stunning beachfront location.
• Palapa-themed, spacious bungalows and beach houses.
• Variety of amenities, including beachfront dining options and ocean-view pools.
• The on-site diving center offers discovery classes and certification programs.
• All-inclusive is optional for guests wanting to explore Playa del Carmen’s culinary scene.
• Relaxed, beachfront vacation vibe.
• Proximity to downtown Playa del Carmen.
• Opportunity to learn scuba diving on-site.
• Secluded, private accommodation options.
• Flexibility to enjoy both beach life and the surrounding nightlife.
• Limited options for dining may not be to everyone’s liking.
• Families with boisterous children might disrupt the otherwise tranquil atmosphere.

Best For: Mahekal Beach Resort is best for those who don’t want to choose between a beach vacation and the energy of downtown Playa del Carmen. It provides an authentic, laid-back ambiance that creates an unforgettable experience.

12. Wyndham Alltra Cancun: Ideal Spot for Beach lovers

Wyndham Alltra Cancun is famous for its fantastic beachfront location and a multitude of family-friendly amenities. It’s a cherished setting for beach enthusiasts who have a soft spot for sand between their toes and a sun-warmed body.

Why it Made the Best List: One of the key attractions of the Wyndham Alltra Cancun is the wide array of family-centered amenities, including water slides and a pirate splash park. Also, it’s one of the few resorts that allow families of up to five in a room, while many have a maximum capacity of four.

• A terrific beachfront location for unlimited fun.
• Gourmet dining with multiple à la carte restaurants and in-suite room service.
• The Family Junior Suite has multiple beds and a furnished private balcony.
• Pirate-themed splash park for unlimited children’s amusement.
• Aqua Club is for elevated amenities, and Harmony Spa is for ultimate relaxation.
• Family-friendly with several options to keep children engaged.
• Spacious rooms with a private balcony for a magnanimous view.
• Excellent eating options with boundless options to choose from.
• Ample opportunity for fun beach activities.
• The ability to accommodate larger families.
• The beach may be too crowded during peak seasons.
• A limited selection of live entertainment.

Best For: Wyndham Alltra Cancun is an excellent option for families in search of a beachfront resort providing myriad amenities. It’s particularly beneficial for larger families, thanks to its allowance of permitting up to five members in a room.

13. Hotel Dos Playas Faranda Cancun: Unwind Amidst Natural Beauty

Escape to the heart of natural beauty at Hotel Dos Playas Faranda Cancun . This resort takes pride in its prime location on a beautiful white sandy beach with lush tropical gardens and azure seas, a perfect setting for soaking up the Mexican sun.

Why it Made the Best List: An amalgamation of outstanding location, affordability, and a series of amenities propels Hotel Dos Playas Faranda Cancun onto our best resorts list. There’s a distinctive feel of tranquility that encapsulates this beautiful resort, making it a desirable holiday destination.

• Spacious rooms with garden or sea view and Free Wi-Fi.
• Incredible private beach setting.
• Appealing all-inclusive offer, including all meals and drinks.
• Sun loungers, perfect for unwinding, surround two swimming pools.
• A wide variety of sports activities and entertainment programs.
• Melds affordability with beachfront luxury.
• Perfect for nature lovers for its lush tropical gardens.
• Distances from the bustle to ensure a peaceful vacation.
• The tranquility of the resort helps you to unwind and rejuvenate.
• All-inclusive experiences ensure a relaxed holiday without any additional costs.
• The rooms may require a makeover to develop a more contemporary style.
• The resort’s tranquility might feel too quiet for those seeking vibrant nightlife.

Best For: Hotel Dos Playas Faranda Cancun is perfect for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. Specifically, couples or small families looking for an intimate and tranquil resort to unwind away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun will find a perfect retreat here.

14. Moon Palace Cancun: Family-Friendly with Ample Recreational Activities

With extensive amenities and facilities for everyone in the family, Moon Palace Cancun is one of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in Cancun, especially for families. Its expansive property is more than a resort; it’s a playground of fun and adventure.

Why It Made the Best List: Moon Palace Cancun shines as an all-inclusive resort designed for families. With a vast range of kid-friendly activities, a free kids’ club, and a children’s pool and playground, there’s no dearth of entertainment for younger guests in the group.

• More than 2,000 guest rooms are equipped with top-notch amenities.
• An astounding 19 pools to choose from.
• Multiple restaurants and bar options.
• A golf course for golf enthusiasts.
• A free kids’ club for younger guests.
• Ample play and entertainment options for every member of the family.
• Multiple dining options cater to various tastes.
• The vast property ensures abundant space for relaxation.
• The options of a golf course, beach club, and other amenities provide diverse experiences.
• A budget-friendly resort with all-inclusive pricing.
• The sheer size of the property might be overwhelming for some.
• It can get crowded during peak holiday seasons.

Best For: Moon Palace Cancun is perfect for families seeking a resort that caters to the needs of every family member. It extends a broad range of activities and entertainment that ensures a comfortable and enjoyable stay for everyone.

15. Be Tulum: Boho-Chic Boutique Hotel

Regarded as a gem in the resort-heavy area, Be Tulum boasts a smaller, more intimate environment filled with character. The resort prides itself on the unique blend of a jungle-nestled ambiance coupled with seaside serenity, making it a hit amongst honeymooners and food experts.

Why It Made the Best List: Be Tulum occupies a place on our list for its boutique hotel ambiance that diligently captures Tulum’s spirit. Complete with outdoor showers and beach-influenced hotel settings, the resort has become a firm favorite for repeat clients.

• Beachside setting with plenty of bohemian character.
• Open-kitchen restaurant, popular among food enthusiasts.
• An ideal destination for honeymooners with a bright and romantic ambiance.
• Rooms feature outdoor showers, providing a unique experience.
• It is a sensational beach club that perfectly epitomizes the Tulum vibe.
• Smaller property sizes offer a more personalized and intimate experience.
• A stylish bohemian chic design that integrates seamlessly with the Tulum aesthetic.
• A fantastic culinary scene that gastronomes will love.
• Close access to the beach and stunning sea views.
• An adults-friendly resort, perfect for couples.
• As a small property, there may be limited amenities compared with larger resorts.
• The boutique style might not appeal to those seeking resort-style entertainment and activities.

Best For: Be Tulum is an excellent option for visitors seeking a boutique, boho-chic-styled property in the heart of Tulum. It’s particularly popular among couples, especially honeymooners, due to its romantic atmosphere and intimate nature.

16. Atelier Playa Mujeres: Contemporary Design Hotel Ideal For Adults

Bask in the sun while sipping signature cocktails at Atelier Playa Mujeres , an artistic and gastronomic paradise for adults. This upscale, all-inclusive resort in Cancun takes the concept of holidaying to the next level with its exceptionally designed hotel spaces and gastronomic wonders.

Why It Made the Best List: Atelier Playa Mujeres ranks in our prestigious list for its ultra-modern design, excellent adult-friendly amenities, and sophisticated culinary experience. The luxurious rooms, delectable dining options, and a fantastic 18-hole golf course clubbed with premium amenities make it a must-visit resort.

• Impeccable design integrating Mexican culture into contemporary aesthetics.
• An impressive array of dining options featuring delectable food.
• Luxurious rooms featuring avant-garde style and top-notch amenities.
• An 18-hole golf course providing a great pastime for golf enthusiasts.
• An excellent adults-only haven, ensuring a tranquil ambiance.
• An extensive selection of Mexican and international cuisines is available for guests.
• A quieter ambiance due to the adults-only policy.
• Luxurious accommodations with stunning views.
• It is close to Playa Mujeres, giving easy beach access.
• Excellent value for money with its all-inclusive offer.
• You must be 16 or older to check in, making it unsuitable for families with younger kids.
• As a newer property, some facilities might lack time-tested refinement.

Best For: Atelier Playa Mujeres is a perfect choice for adults seeking luxurious accommodation in Cancun with a touch of artisan mastery. It’s especially recommended for foodies and design enthusiasts who take delight in experiencing fine dining and visually appealing surroundings.

17. Paradisus Playa del Carmen - Riviera Maya: Perfect Mix of Relaxation and Nightlife

Nestled in the enchanting landscape of Mexico’s Riviera Maya, Paradisus Playa del Carmen offers an exquisite blend of luxury and natural beauty. 

This all-inclusive resort boasts an array of gourmet dining options, each presenting a symphony of flavors from around the world crafted by renowned chefs.

Guests can indulge in culinary delights ranging from contemporary Mexican cuisine to tantalizing Mediterranean dishes. The resort’s vibrant array of activities ensures that every moment is filled with excitement and relaxation.

• Luxurious Accommodations: Paradisus Playa del Carmen features elegantly designed rooms and suites offering stunning views
• Gourmet Dining Experiences: The resort boasts a diverse range of dining options, including international gourmet restaurants and local culinary delights
• World-Class YHI Spa: Indulge in ultimate relaxation at the YHI Spa, a sanctuary offering a wide range of rejuvenating treatments, massages, and wellness programs.
• Diverse Activities and Entertainment: From yoga classes by the beach to exciting water sports and live entertainment.
• Stunning Beachfront Location: Situated on the beautiful shores of Riviera Maya, the hotel offers direct access to pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking natural scenery.
• Relaxation and Rejuvenation: Unwind in a serene environment with spa treatments and tranquil beach settings, promoting mental and physical well-being.
• Culinary Adventure: Experience a journey of flavors with diverse cuisine options, satisfying both food enthusiasts and curious palates.
• Family-Friendly Fun: The resort caters to families with kids’ clubs and activities, ensuring entertainment for all ages.
• Romantic Escapes: Ideal for couples seeking a romantic getaway with intimate dining, picturesque settings, and couple’s spa treatments.
• Adventure and Exploration: Engage in thrilling activities like scuba diving and eco-tours, perfect for adventure seekers looking to explore the natural beauty of Riviera Maya.
• Premium Pricing: Paradisus Playa del Carmen, with its luxury offerings and high-end services, comes at a premium cost, which may not fit into everyone’s travel budget.
• Size and Navigation: Due to the resort’s extensive size, some guests might find navigating the resort a bit overwhelming, especially in finding their way to various facilities and activities.

Best For: Families Desiring a Premium Vacation Experience. The resort’s family-friendly amenities, including kids’ clubs and a variety of activities, cater well to families looking for a high-quality, all-inclusive vacation.

Crafting Vacation Memories in Mexico

Top tips for picking the right resort for your vacation.

• Define Your Vacation Goals: Are you seeking relaxation, adventure, cultural immersion, or family fun? Identifying your main purpose helps narrow down resort options.
• Consider Location and Accessibility: Look for resorts that are conveniently located near major attractions or beaches if you plan to explore. Consider travel time from the airport.
• Check Resort Amenities and Activities: Ensure the resort offers the amenities and activities you’re interested in, such as spas, fitness centers, water sports, or children’s programs.
• Read Reviews and Ratings: Check reviews on multiple platforms to get a balanced view of guest experiences. Pay attention to comments about cleanliness, service quality, and food.
• Understand the Meal Plans: Decide if you prefer an all-inclusive resort or one with à la carte options. Consider the variety and quality of food and drink offerings.
• Assess the Size and Atmosphere: Some prefer large, bustling resorts with lots of activities, while others might seek smaller, more intimate settings. Consider what atmosphere will make your vacation enjoyable.
• Budget Appropriately: Balance cost with expectations. All-inclusive resorts might seem pricier upfront, but they can offer better value. Always check what’s included in the price.
• Look for Family or Adult-Only Options: Depending on whether you’re traveling with children or looking for a more adult-oriented vacation, choose a resort that caters to your needs.
• Consider Environmental and Cultural Sustainability: Opt for resorts that practice sustainability and support local communities.
• Book Early for the Best Deals: Especially during peak seasons, early booking can secure better rates and room choices.

Understanding the All-Inclusive Concept in Mexican Resorts

The all-inclusive concept in Mexican resorts revolutionizes the vacation experience by offering unparalleled convenience and value.

This popular model typically covers the cost of accommodations, meals, beverages, and a variety of recreational activities within the resort’s premises.   Guests can indulge in a worry-free holiday, savoring a plethora of dining options, from casual beachside snacks to fine dining experiences, without the hassle of constant payments.

Entertainment, including live shows, water sports, and wellness activities like yoga and spa treatments, are often included, allowing travelers to fully immerse in the vibrant Mexican culture and leisure offerings without additional costs.

This approach not only simplifies budgeting but also enhances the overall vacation experience by providing a wealth of options at your fingertips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which is the best area to stay in mexico.

Determining the “best” area to stay in Mexico largely depends on your personal travel preferences and the type of experience you’re seeking.

Here are some popular options:

• Cancun and the Riviera Maya: Ideal for beach lovers and those seeking an all-inclusive resort experience. It’s also great for exploring Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza and Tulum.
• Mexico City: Best for cultural enthusiasts and foodies. This bustling metropolis offers a rich history, vibrant arts, and some of the best street food in the world.
• Cabo San Lucas: Perfect for luxury travelers and adventure seekers. Known for its stunning beaches, upscale resorts, and activities like deep-sea fishing and whale watching.
• Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita: Great for those seeking a mix of beach relaxation and cultural immersion, with a side of vibrant nightlife.
• Oaxaca: Ideal for those interested in traditional Mexican culture, artisanal crafts, and gastronomy, especially its renowned mole sauces.
• Playa del Carmen: A great balance between a beach holiday and urban conveniences, with access to Cozumel for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
• Guanajuato: Best for travelers interested in history and architecture, known for its colorful, winding streets and rich colonial history.

Each area offers a unique experience, so the best choice will align with your interests, whether they be relaxation, adventure, culture, or culinary exploration.

Is Cancun or Playa del Carmen better?

Choosing between Cancun and Playa del Carmen depends on your vacation preferences, as both destinations in Mexico offer unique experiences :

• Vibrant Nightlife: Known for its lively bars and nightclubs, perfect for those seeking a bustling nightlife scene.
• Resort Hub: Features a range of luxurious all-inclusive resorts along the famous Hotel Zone.
• Shopping and Dining: Offers numerous shopping malls, high-end shops, and a variety of international dining options.
• Tourist-Oriented: More commercialized and tailored towards tourists, providing a wide range of activities and amenities.

Playa del Carmen

• Laid-Back Atmosphere: Generally more relaxed and less crowded than Cancun, ideal for a more laid-back vacation.
• Cultural Experience: Offers a blend of local and tourist experiences, with a vibrant Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida) for shopping and dining.
• Beach and Water Activities: Known for beautiful beaches and closer proximity to eco-parks like Xcaret and Cenotes.
• Access to Cozumel: A short ferry ride to Cozumel, which is famous for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Ultimately, if you prefer a more tourist-centric vacation with a focus on luxury resorts and nightlife, Cancun might be the better choice.

However, if you’re looking for a relaxed atmosphere with a mix of local culture and beautiful natural attractions, Playa del Carmen could be more suitable.

What are the best resorts in Mexico for adults only?

Mexico is renowned for its spectacular adults-only resorts, offering serene, sophisticated, and often luxurious experiences.

Here are some of the best:

• Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun: Known for its upscale amenities, stunning beachfront location, and world-class spa, it’s a top choice for luxury and relaxation.
• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun: Situated on one of the most pristine beaches in Mexico, this resort, featuring gourmet dining and elegant suites, is perfect for romantic getaways.
• El Dorado Maroma, Riviera Maya: Offers overwater bungalows for a unique and intimate experience, ideal for honeymooners or couples seeking privacy and luxury.
• Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun: Focuses on sensory experiences with sophisticated rooms, varied cuisine, and a tranquil atmosphere, perfect for a stress-free vacation.
• Excellence Playa Mujeres: This all-suite resort north of Cancun is known for its secluded location, comprehensive all-inclusive program, and an array of activities and dining options.
• Casa Velas, Puerto Vallarta: A boutique hotel offering a more personalized experience with lush tropical gardens and a quiet, intimate setting.
• Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort, Cabo San Lucas: Known for its striking desert-meets-ocean landscape, this resort is perfect for those seeking a blend of adventure and relaxation.

Each of these resorts caters specifically to adults, providing an atmosphere of tranquility and sophistication, making them ideal for romantic escapes, honeymoons, or simply a peaceful getaway.

What is the best time to visit resorts in Mexico?

The best time to visit resorts in Mexico is between December and April.

Here’s why:

• Weather: This period is the dry season in Mexico, offering sunny days with minimal rainfall, ideal for beach activities and outdoor exploration.
• Temperature: The temperatures are warm but not excessively hot, making it comfortable for tourists to enjoy various activities.
• Peak Tourist Season: While this time sees the highest tourist traffic, especially around Christmas, New Year’s, and Spring Break, it also means resorts are fully operational with a wide array of activities and events.
• Regional Festivals: These months coincide with several cultural events and festivals, offering a rich experience of Mexico’s traditions.

However, if you prefer fewer crowds and potentially lower prices, the shoulder seasons (late April to June and September to November) can be a great choice. The weather is still pleasant, though there’s a higher chance of rain, and resorts may offer more competitive rates.

Keep in mind that the summer months (July and August) are hotter and more humid, and this period also coincides with the Atlantic hurricane season, which can affect coastal resort areas.

Here is my Complete Guide on the Best Time to Visit Mexico .

Are all Mexico resorts all-inclusive?

Not all resorts in Mexico are all-inclusive.

The country’s tourism industry offers a diverse range of accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets, including:

• All-Inclusive Resorts: These are popular, especially in areas like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Los Cabos. They typically include meals, drinks, activities, and entertainment in the price, appealing to travelers seeking a worry-free vacation experience.
• European Plan Resorts: These establishments offer only lodging, with no meals or extras included. This plan is common in city hotels or resorts where guests prefer to explore local dining options.
• Boutique Hotels: Often found in cultural destinations like Mexico City, Oaxaca, and San Miguel de Allende, these hotels provide unique, personalized experiences but usually don’t offer all-inclusive packages.
• Eco-Resorts: Focused on sustainability and nature, these resorts might offer meal plans, but their emphasis is on environmental conservation and authentic experiences rather than all-inclusive luxury.
• Timeshares and Vacation Rentals: These are also popular in Mexico, offering more independence and the opportunity to cook and explore local markets.

Each type of accommodation offers different experiences, from luxurious relaxation at all-inclusive resorts to cultural immersion in boutique hotels.

Your choice should align with your vacation style and what you wish to experience in Mexico.

What are the best resorts in Mexico for couples?

Mexico boasts numerous resorts that are perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway.

Here are some of the best, known for their ambiance, amenities, and exclusive services:

• Le Blanc Spa Resort, Cancun: This adults-only resort is renowned for its luxurious accommodations, top-tier spa services, and breathtaking beachfront views, making it ideal for a romantic retreat.
• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun: Situated on one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, this resort offers a romantic setting with exquisite dining options and elegant suites.
• El Dorado Casitas Royale, Riviera Maya: Famous for its intimate casitas with private plunge pools and beachfront views, this resort is perfect for couples seeking privacy and luxury.
• The Resort at Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas: Accessible only via a private tunnel, this resort offers a unique blend of exclusivity and scenic beauty, ideal for a memorable couples’ vacation.
• Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen: Set along a network of lagoons, this resort offers secluded suites with private plunge pools, offering a blend of luxury and nature.
• St. Regis Punta Mita Resort: Located in a serene area near Puerto Vallarta, this resort is known for its world-class service, stunning ocean views, and luxurious amenities, perfect for a romantic escape.
• Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Riviera Maya: Combining Asian and Mexican design elements, this resort offers private villas with pools, ideal for couples seeking tranquility and romance.

Each of these resorts offers unique experiences, from private beach dinners to couples’ spa treatments, ensuring a romantic and unforgettable stay for couples.

Which are the best resorts in Mexico for families?

Mexico offers a fantastic range of family-friendly resorts that cater to the needs and entertainment of all ages.

• Moon Palace Cancun: Known for its kid-friendly pools, teen lounges, and diverse activities, it’s a paradise for families. The resort also offers various dining options catering to all tastes.
• Hyatt Ziva Cancun: This all-inclusive resort boasts a dolphin habitat, kids club, and teen zone, along with family suites, making it ideal for families with children of various ages.
• Paradisus Playa del Carmen: With a dedicated Family Concierge service, kids and teens clubs, and family-friendly accommodations, it ensures a comfortable and enjoyable stay for the whole family.
• Grand Velas Riviera Maya: Offering a comprehensive all-inclusive experience, this resort features kids’ clubs, teen clubs, and activities like snorkeling and kayaking that families can enjoy together.
• Club Med Cancun Yucatan: This resort is renowned for its exceptional children’s programs, from flying trapeze classes to sailing lessons, providing a unique experience for families.
• Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort: Featuring a water park, kids’ club, and spacious family suites, along with various water sports, it’s a hit with families seeking both relaxation and adventure.
• Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya: With music-themed activities, a kids’ club, and teen-friendly zones, this resort is perfect for families looking for an energetic and entertaining vacation.

These resorts not only provide family-oriented accommodations and dining options but also a range of activities that ensure a fun and engaging vacation for children and parents alike.

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Conclusion: The Best Resorts in Mexico

In conclusion, Mexico’s diverse landscape of sun-soaked beaches, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant culinary scenes is perfectly complemented by its wide array of resorts.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic escape in a secluded adults-only haven, a fun-filled family adventure in a kid-friendly paradise, or the luxury and ease of an all-inclusive experience, there’s a Mexican resort that fits every type of traveler.

Each resort we’ve highlighted offers unique experiences, impeccable service, and the promise of unforgettable memories.

Now, we’d love to hear from you! Have you visited any of these amazing resorts in Mexico? Do you have a favorite that deserves a shoutout? Or perhaps you’re planning your next getaway and need some advice?

Share your experiences, questions, or plans in the comments below.

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The best hotels in Mexico according to the editors of Condé Nast Traveller

By Michaela Trimble

Over the last few years a slew of new openings in  Mexico  has drawn attention away from Cancun's supersized resorts and towards boutique stays with a focus on local artisans, design and sustainability. Now, some of the best hotels in Mexico are found beyond the typical tourist strips and in places like  Tulum , the up-and-coming  Zihuatanejo  and in flourishing Mexico City – recently voted one of the  best cities in the world . For a getaway that's well worth the flight time from the UK, our editors have selected the best hotels in Mexico, ranging from beachside treehouses to minimalist boltholes.

How we choose the best hotels in Mexico

Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Conde Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury and properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service – as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.

Chablé Maroma, Riviera Maya

Mornings might be the most magical time of day at Chablé Maroma, which stands on a rare secluded spot on Punta Maroma beach on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. The soulful energy of the Riviera Maya pulses through the hotel, yet not a whisper of some of the louder nearby resorts can be heard here – at any time of day. Drawing back the mighty wooden doors of your thatched-roof casita reveals a tangle of serenely swaying palms, dense mangroves and painstakingly protected native plant life, punctuated by the vibrant shades of tropical birds. In the cool of the early hours, loveable little raccoon-like coatí might slink through the scene, sniffing the air for any remnants of the hot Mexican coffee and sweet pastries delivered to rooms as an ‘eye opener’ in a wicker basket. Guests emerge from jungly hideaways for huevos rancheros at Kaban, the poolside restaurant, before spending the rest of the day on the hotel’s long strip of near-deserted sand, enjoying head massages on sun loungers from roaming spa therapists or ordering just-caught ceviche from the rooftop raw bar. This was the second of the family-owned Chablé’s three Mexican properties, having opened in 2018 with an air of salt-sprayed insouciance befitting its stylish beachfront setting.  Families , groups of friends, couples and even dogs coexist peacefully here – many are emphatically delighted with the hotel and return year after year. The wellness offering feels authentically Mayan-rooted, and guests can be found sweating out late tequila-fuelled nights in the beachside temazcal, where a resident shaman runs healing sessions, or rebalancing with a four-hands massage at the airy indoor-outdoor spa. Jessica Burrell

Casa To, Puerto Escondido

Little boutique hotel Casa To is made up of just nine bedrooms. But this is a property that's a step above the rest among the boho beach-bum hostels on this corner of the Pacific coast. The self-cooling brutalist design was the craftsmanship of architect Ludwig Godefroy. A jigsaw of circular concrete archways makes up the heart of the hotel, crawling with vines that align and frame the lobby's features. There's a well-stocked bar run by a casually cool barman in a paisley shirt, and cosy corners are filled with wicker seating and sun loungers. Wooden stools dotted with retro teal lamps and the odd photography book, statement vases (that we very much wanted to take home), and plenty of palms decorate the incense-infused space. Then, of course, the hotel's iconic swimming pool , which runs through a series of concrete circular walls spanning the length of the hotel – you’ve most likely seen it splashed on your Instagram feed. Beautiful guests spend most of the day sipping mezcal and lounging in the sunlight that beams onto the pyramid of concrete puzzle steps that make up the back wall, conveniently dotted with pillows and candlelight come dusk. The bedrooms follow suit. Bifolding doors reveal a private garden sheltered by lush green palms. All furnishings, such as the colourful woven rug, the striped linen bedding and heavy wooden crafted chairs, are local artisanal pieces bringing that home-from-home feel. Glou Glou, the rooftop bar and restaurant, is run by a trendy Argentinian couple who were invited to relocate to Puerto Escondido by the hotel owner after he fell in love with their cooking and hospitality back in Argentina . The highlight is an innovative, intimate and delicious seven-course tasting menu cooked and prepared right in front of you. The head chef also cooks up a mean breakfast – we loved the creamy homemade peanut butter and mango jelly on freshly baked toast. Sophie Knight

Casona Sforza, Puerto Escondido

You’ll reach Casa Sforza after a windy drive down the dusty roads of Puerto Escondido’s quiet La Barra district. Pure secluded luxury is the order of the day here, allowing you to disconnect and unwind – the only thing for you to worry about is keeping on top of your SPF application. Mexican architect Alberto Kalach designed this beachfront property with the intention of encapturing and not distracting from the striking natural landscapes. The impressive design blends seamlessly into nature, using naturally coloured materials and smooth-flowing shapes. The hotel is made up of a series of huge, airy connecting domes that seamlessly slot together to form the 11 suites, an oval-shaped pool, and a bar and restaurant. (Note: there's a strict no children or pets policy throughout). Beach beds and straw umbrellas spill onto the sandy beach as to spiky cacti, tall palms and flowering beach shrubs. Follow the wooden stepping stone path to the beach bed dressed in linen curtains or to the shaded hammocks to divide your time between the pool and the beach. Flop and enjoy uninterrupted ocean views. If you plan your visit during migratory months, you may even spot a whale in the distance.

Bedrooms are huge, built from dusty yellow brick that glows warm at golden hour. Ground-floor suites have a private swim-up pool, while second-floor rooms come with a view of the Pacific Ocean, best enjoyed while soaking up the glow of sunset from the huge woven hammock or a freestanding hot tub. The kitchen is run by a husband (who previously did a stint at Lyles in London) and wife duo originally from Venezuela. Andrés Trujillo takes care of the kitchen, with a focus on fresh seasonal cooking, while Vanessa Franco looks after the baked goods. She’ll whip you up a sweet warm chocolate cookie in 10 minutes. Like we said, there’s no need to leave. Sophie Knight

Hotel Esencia, Xpu-Ha

Featured on our 2023 Gold List of the best hotels in the world

While Playa del Carmen and Tulum on Mexico’s Riviera Maya teeter toward overdevelopment, there’s still an unspoiled coastline between the two fast-growing towns. Near the powdery white sands of Xpu-Ha, the secluded jungle hideaway of Hotel Esencia is a reprieve from bustling resorts and hedonistic eco-hotels – yet offers all the trappings needed to never leave its grounds. Originally built as a haven for an Italian duchess, the 50-acre estate was acquired in 2014 by Hollywood producer Kevin Wendle, who has turned the property into the area’s chicest beachside retreat, beloved by tastemakers such as Bella Hadid and Lupita Nyong’o for its privacy. Hotel Esencia centres on a main house, where afternoon tea is served daily in the ocean-facing library, while stone paths lead to four expansive guest villas and 47 suites, each with a private terrace and some with a heated pool and solarium overlooking the Caribbean. The newest and most luxurious lodgings are at the Esencia Mansion, a four-bedroom villa with three swimming pools, a 20-seat screening room, a subterranean speakeasy, and a nearby cenote where guests can paddleboard among the resident manatees. To recharge, there’s a café offering Mexican pastries, a juice bar for smoothies and acai bowls, and three restaurants, including a Yucatán eatery serving dishes with Mediterranean flair, from green gazpacho topped with crab to grilled octopus layered with creamy garlic mole. Michaela Trimble

Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection

Featured on our 2023 Hot List of the best new hotels in the world

Everything about this property is seemingly curated to feel more like a boutique hotel than an all-inclusive one. It’s normal to stumble upon things like a sound bath experience on the beach led by a local bohemian who infuses jazz with the singing bowls or a sombrero-making class. The on-site boutique, a Fashionkind outpost (opening in December), co-owned by Nina Farran and Sophia Bush will comprise only Latin American designers creating positive social and environmental impact, and the design by Paul Duesing and Glazier Le Architects, sporting stone walls that continue from the balcony to the interior of the room with pebble-floored rain showers clad in colourful tiles almost entirely Mexican made and also supports local and regional makers, artisans, artists, and purveyors, solidifies the POV of being a boho-fresh, intentional, and barefoot sanctuary for those in-the-know. Don’t get me wrong, it still feels like a resort – just a resort that is focused on what is important to today’s customers. Scott Bay.

Rancho Pescadero – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Owners Lisa Harper and Billy Moore have always placed great importance on uplifting Todos Santos, Mexico since Rancho Pescadero’s inception in 2007. So when they decided to overhaul and expand the resort – going from 12 guestrooms to 103 – they implemented rare and lengthy programs for the industry, ranging from creating a solar farm and installing a desalination plant to transplanting thousands of plants moved during construction and placing them back in their original locations. But they are also concerned about the strains that a luxury resort can bring to rural areas. Therefore, they have created a housing complex for employees, where each of the 170 dwellings will actually become their legal home after years of working at the resort – while also implementing a technical education program for the community’s youth and investing in a clean-air incinerator for the resort’s waste and for local use. Waking up on my last day in my elegant-yet-beachy guest suite, designed head-to-toe by Harper (of course), and jumping into the private plunge pool overlooking the crashing waves, I found myself thinking, this is true well-being.  A place to disconnect, reconnect with what matters most and feel confident that the investment is eco-responsible and helps to uplift the people who live in this slice of desert paradise. Scott Bay

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita

This is not your parents’ Four Seasons. Formalities, like a front desk, have disappeared, and the traditional concierge has been replaced with guides who can help arrange everything from dinner reservations to surf lessons. The all-inclusive model means the entire stay is blissfully transaction-free, and the intimate scale – at just 30 guests, the size is also a shift for the brand – allows for unscripted experiences such as mezcal tastings with local distillers. And the tented suites are what it takes to persuade travellers to book a hotel in Punta Mita that isn’t right on the beach. Terraced into 48 acres of forested Pacific-facing cliffs, this adults-only luxury tented resort was designed by sustainably minded safari-tent pioneers Luxury Frontiers. Each of its 15 spacious rooms has an indoor soaking tub, an outdoor shower, and a private plunge pool with sunset views. Taking in and getting out into nature is at the heart of Naviva, but a visit to the two spa pods is a must for treatments informed by Mesoamerican traditions, like the five-hour Refuge Retreat. It includes a copal cleansing and Mayan mud massage, plus post-pampering time to soak in the pod’s oversized palm-shaded tub. Guests have access to the amenities at sister property Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, just next door, but it’s doubtful you’ll want to leave this jungle oasis. Jen Murphy

Waldorf Astoria Cancun, Cancun

For all the resorts that crowd Mexico’s east coast, the Waldorf stands out for its truly white-glove service and amenities that make it hard to leave the property. There are infinity pools aplenty, acres of pristine coastline, and that most glorious asset of all, the feeling of complete privacy in one of the country’s most bustling holiday spots. The decor, a soothing sea of creams and sand hues, spotlights Mexican artisans and highlights materials like tropical woods and local stone. The vibe here is palpably slow – no rushing from one activity to the next, just relaxing. And there are enough private cabanas to go around – you can forget about the dreaded visit to the pool at dawn to reserve a great spot. There are also dozens of lounge chairs facing the beach for when the ocean is your dip du jour. With comfortable yet polished rooms, an excellent spa, and a clutch of bars and restaurants serving excellent riffs on traditional dishes and drinks, this is Cancun like you’ve never seen it. Meaghan Kenny

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Casa Polanco, Mexico City

Set in Mexico City 's posh Polanco neighbourhood, in an elegantly renovated Spanish Revival-style mansion, a stay at Casa Polanco feels like a peek inside the lives of well-to-do chilangos (Mexico City locals). Polanco is within walking distance from sites like Chapultepec Park, a popular hangout for local families on the weekends, and lovely for morning jogs; and a short drive from Museo Soumaya, known for its unique architecture and mirror-like façade; and Casa Luis Barragán. Just around the corner are the trendy Roma Norte and Condesa neighbourhoods for eating, drinking, and boutique shopping. As is a common tendency throughout Polanco, the food here is not quintessentially Mexican – there's a quesadilla offered via room service, but, beyond that, you're working with what feels akin to a country club menu (think Caesar salads and sandwiches for in-room dining, and afternoon tea in the lobby bar). Megan Spurrell.

One&Only Palmilla, San Jose del Cabo

Featured on our 2022 Gold List of the best hotels in the world  

Arriving at this spot on the very tip of the Baja Peninsula always feels like coming home. Many of the staff are third-generation employees who not only remember your name, but whether you prefer your Margarita made with tequila or mezcal (and which brand), and where you like your yoga mat to be set up in your room. And those rooms. White-washed hacienda-style architecture brightened with hand-embroidered textiles, plus perks such as private butlers and, in the case of Villa Cortez, an exclusive fitness suite, spa room and beach cabana, reflect Cabo’s emergence as Latin America’s latest luxury hotspot. There is no shortage of glitzy new five-stars, but as the area’s first proper hotel, Palmilla has a serious advantage: real estate. Its secluded location on one of Cabo’s only swimmable beaches is unbeatable. In the 1950s, Hollywood’s elite flocked here, and today a fresh generation of A-listers do the same. A commitment to discretion and timeless glamour in an age of social-media noise, as well as constant reinvention (new wellness offerings from spiritual healer Alicia Kanxoc) have allowed Baja’s big hitter to continue holding court. Jen Murphy

Habitas Bacalar, Bacalar

Featured on our 2022 Hot List of the best new hotels in the world

A four-hour drive south of heavily touristed Cancún, the discreet Habitas Bacalar entrance on the side of a remote road makes you feel like you’ve been let in on a grand secret. The place is small – just 34 rooms, each with a maximum occupancy of two – and has a very communal vibe. The hotel makes an effort to bring the community to you, by hosting local vendors for guest experiences like a cacao-and-wine tasting, and partnering with local businesses for complimentary paddleboard tours, yoga lessons, and more. Meanwhile, the wellness programme sources local ingredients for its spa products, and restaurant Siete uses traditional Mayan cooking techniques. Mercedes Bleth

Baja Club Hotel, La Paz

With the opening of Baja Club Hotel along the esplanade of La Paz, the coastal town now has its first proper boutique hotel. Attracting the creative, artistic elite of Mexico City and beyond, the 32-room, Spanish colonial-style property serves as a base for further explorations in the Sea of Cortez, from swimming with the area’s seasonal visitors – whale sharks and blue whales – to boating trips to the biodiverse Espíritu Santo island. The rooms all have either a balcony, terrace, or private outdoor patio, with cream-and-coral striped banquettes as well as Grupo Habita’s classic minibar staple: a house bottle of Mezcal for guests to enjoy. Michaela Trimble

Four Seasons Tamarindo, Jalisco

Set in a 3000-acre private natural reserve on the southern coast of Jalisco, of which 98 per cent is completely protected and will never be developed, this resort goes far beyond the untouched beaches, impeccable views and infamous Four Seasons service — it’s an architectural marvel steeped in Mexican heritage and rich in sustainability practices. Rooms come in three styles; nature, beach, and cliffside, but it's the latter that steals the show. Interiors are of the contemporary architecture kind, replete with locally-sourced materials while floor-to-ceiling windows blur the line between indoor-outdoor living. Each one comes with a private plunge pool and hammocks handcrafted by women across the region, alongside bespoke artwork by Mayan artisans. La Mansion is the heart of the estate, where the infinity pools and gym sit. The three open-air restaurants also cascade La Mansion, each one serving its own take on Mexican soul food. Coyul, which dishes up breakfast and dinner, has an Italian-French twist, while Nacho dreams up made-to-order tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas. And Sal is where to go for sunsets and Japanese-influenced plates. Despite its seclusion, there's plenty to do around here. There's an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts and 19+ acre farm Rancho Ortega. For adventure seekers, Tamarindo Beach is just a five-minute buggy ride away where snorkelling gear, kayaks, and water bikes are at the ready. But book a lancha for dolphin spotting and whale watching. Read the full review of Four Seasons Tamarindo . Zahra Surya Darma

Verana, Puerto Vallarta

Even the most seasoned traveller may have trouble thinking of the last time they stayed in a handmade hotel. The reason being, they are extremely rare. Few places can be as intricately and ingeniously imagined as Verana. When set designer Heinz Legler and decorator Veronique Lievre left Los Angeles to purchase a plot of land in Mexico’s remote Bay of Banderas in 1997, they had one idea in mind – to build a home surrounded by nature at their own pace. The couple settled into the lush hilltop, only accessible by boat and mule, and began constructing, responding to the landscape and seasons, preserving as much of the natural environment as possible. It may sound romantic, surrendering to the unknown in the pursuit of artistic dreams, but the reality required dedication and true grit. The idea of a single home evolved into 10 casas embedded into the jungle with spellbinding views of the ocean, many of which are wall-less structures with modern thatched roofs and outdoor showers. Some have a private plunge pool or Japanese-style tea lounge. To stay here is to be immediately transported. Don’t be surprised to find it fully booked for a wedding or creative retreat. People come to Verana to become less distracted and more connected to themselves. To shut out the noise. But that’s not all. With thoughtfully coordinated colour-blocked walls, an outdoor library, vintage objects made by Mexican artisans and a spa to manage any tropical discomfort, the alchemy of inspired design dissolves any pressures from the outside world. Wake up to tea and freshly baked bread left on the doorstep, spend dreamy hours whale-watching and fall asleep to the sound of wind gently swishing trees back and forth. In one of the most beautiful parts of Mexico, the real luxury is space to just be. J ade Moyano

Octavia Casa, Mexico City

Fashion designer Roberta Maceda has crafted this seven-room retreat in the chi-chi area of La Condesa as a minimalist extension of her Octavia clothing line. On the ground floor, next to a breezy seating area with bamboo stools grouped around a concrete table by interior firm Habitación 116, there’s a shoppable bronze rail of her pieces that may include white button-up shirts or a black-and-white snakeskin ensemble. Upstairs, rooms are also decorated in neutral tones and each is named after a natural material, from walnut ( nogal ) and linen ( lino ) to earth ( tierra ) and bronze ( bronce ). The softest bedding comes from Octavia’s new homeware line, while the rest of the studied hangout spaces showcase other Mexican makers with blown-glass cups by Onora and cream-coloured vases from ceramics studio Encrudo filled with dried magnolia leaves. There’s no restaurant, but breakfast is brought in from a nearby bakery – conchas (sweet pastries) are served with homemade hibiscus-and-ginger jam and eaten in the meditative pebble-floored garden under a guava tree. In the evenings it’s a short stroll to local favourites such as Italian restaurant Lardo and natural-wine bar Hugo. This is a meticulously designed gateway to Mexico City’s coolest scene. Michaela Trimble

One&Only Mandarina, Puerto Vallarta

This glossy, globetrotting hotel group might pick up new destinations as if they were passport stamps – classics include the Maldives , Mauritius and Montenegro – but each is uniquely rooted in place. Here, along the Riviera Nayarit on the wild Pacific coast , that means drawing deeply on Mexico’s magic, with considered references to the indigenous Cora and Huichol people. Bedrooms, whether oversized treehouses or ocean-facing villas, are a celebration of local culture from the traditional textiles and pottery to the robes by contemporary Mexico-based label Candor. The spa, set in a natural volcanic-rock garden, is based on ancient healing practices and offers treatments including temazcal sweat-lodge rituals. The fantastical kids’ club was designed by Academy Award-winning art director Brigitte Broch, whose wonderland sets have been seen in Moulin Rouge! and Romeo + Juliet . The hotel has also tapped the country’s top chef, Enrique Olvera – of Mexico City’s Pujol, currently ranked the 12th-best restaurant in the world – for Carao, where feasts begin with fresh ceviche and end on homemade cinnamon buñuelos . Meanwhile Alma, an open-air, garden-to-plate joint helmed by French-Mexican Olivier Deboise, is centred around wood-fired, Pan-American-meets-Mediterranean dishes. A serious step up from the surf shacks down the road in Sayulita and San Pancho. Micahela Trimble  

Escondido Oaxaca, Oaxaca City

The region’s capital has long been celebrated for its ancestral artistry, which homegrown hoteliers Grupo Habita have drawn on in transforming this downtown colonial-era building. Merging old and new, architect Alberto Kalach has added a surprisingly brutalist extension beyond its unassuming russet façade. The initially minimalist-looking rooms – four in the original building and eight in the new tower – are dedicated to Mexican craftsmanship. Each has a bedframe made from ahuehuete wood, a type of cypress that was sacred to the indigenous Zapotec culture and even featured in its creation myth, with locally woven olive blankets matching the elemental style. Italian chef Mario Petterino serves up traditional dishes from his home region of Piedmont such as handmade ravioli; afterwards sip on a mezcal nightcap in the library-like Culture Room. Escondido is within walking distance of all the city’s hits, from Enrique Olvera’s famed restaurant Criollo to the main plaza with its Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán and the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca , the latter connecting the past and present – much like the hotel itself. Micahela Trimble

Circulo Mexicano, Mexico City

Homegrown hoteliers Grupo Habita have got creating the country’s coolest boutique spots down to a fine art. Their latest opening is no different and deftly switches up the tempo, from the buzzing, market-style ground floor to the quiet austerity of the Shaker-simple bedrooms. The chilled-out rooftop, with its pool and Japanese soaking tub, has views of central sights including the Metropolitan Cathedral, National Palace and Templo Mayor. The group shrewdly tapped renowned chef Gabriela Cámara, of seafood favourite Contramar, for the Itacate del Mar courtyard restaurant, where the menu features standout snacks such as tostadas with tangy tuna and fried calamari topped with shiitake mushrooms. And the dining area is circled by a handful of interesting curated shops: Templo stocks Oaxacan ceramics and Atlawa interiors studio sells resin kitchenware. The building was once home to celebrated 20th-century photographer Manuel Alvarez Bravo, and his black-and-white images line the walls of the public spaces. Meanwhile on the second and third floors, Círculo’s 25 utilitarian-aesthetic bedrooms are fitted out with custom oak pieces by local furniture designers La Metropolitana; most also have their own terrace. A calm, considered hub amid the thrum of historic Mexico City. Micahela Trimble

Paradero Todos Santos, Baja California

Tucked away on a previously unused 5.5-acre plot within a farming community in Baja California Sur’s Todos Santos, Paradero Todos Santos represents the mission of Mexico City-based founders Pablo Carmona and Joshua Kremer to preserve the more than 160 acres of family-owned farms that surround the property. The resort, set in front of a palm-tree oasis about 20 minutes from the beach, is made up of a series of brutalist-inspired structures designed by architects Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo. They took note of the landscape’s sun-baked hues and designed the property in golden shades to blend into the sandy natural surrounds. The buildings’ desert tones also allow the plants in the 100,000-square-foot botanical garden to pop: red sand verbena, Mojave yucca and Shaw’s agave. Though the outdoor spa and half moon-shaped infinity pool make it hard to leave the grounds, it would be a shame to miss out on guided hikes through cactus fields to reach the deserted Las Palmas beach, taco tours of the best local spots in Todos Santos, or private surf lessons. The hotel has custom boards positioned in the open-air living room, an airy sanctuary where guests kick back and relax post-adventure in anticipation of seafood-centric meals prepared by chef Eduardo Ríos, an alum of Enrique Olvera’s Mexico City restaurant Pujol. Shaded by almost 100 palm trees and other endemic plants, at the Ojo de Agua (watering hole) spa treatments happen beneath open-air, palapa-style structures and incorporate traditional sound healing – most end with a visit to the temazcal sweat lodge.   Michaela Trimble

Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, San José del Cabo

The high-stakes Cabo hotel scene has been particularly frenetic in recent years with fresh openings from big-name players including Four Seasons, Montage and Viceroy. Amid the fray, Ritz-Carlton managed to seek out a peaceful 20-acre plot overlooking the indigo Sea of Cortez and, for their fourth Reserve, built this retreat partially into the sand dunes. Those familiar with the other Reserves (in Puerto Rico, Bali and Thailand ) will notice similarities – vast living rooms decorated in blue and white textiles, decorative objets (woven leather baskets, painted pottery) made by local artisans and terraces with fire pits for a feel that’s more home than hotel room. And like its sister at Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico, Zadún has a sanctuary-like spa that is central to a stay: here, the showpiece is an earthy temazcal (a traditional ‘healing heat’ hut), as opposed to Dorado’s jungle-shrouded pool. But it’s the staff who are the real standout, remembering favourite breakfast tables and knowing where in the ginormous L-shaped pool – so large you can’t hear splashes in the other end – each swimmer will want that salt-rimmed Margarita served. In this town of elevated hotels, Ritz-Carlton shows that the bar can always be raised. Stephanie Wu

Casa Delphine, San Miguel de Allende

This pastel-tinted town has captivated writers and artists including Jack Kerouac and Frida Kahlo since the 1940s. It also bewitched LA jewellery designer Amanda Keidan, who fell so hard for its bohemian vibe that she relocated to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed spot in the Central Highlands and bought an empty hotel. With just five rooms, it hits the right note in this artistic landscape so dominated by big-name players. And unlike other small properties opening in the outskirts, it has one of the more enviable addresses, just a 10-minute stroll from the famous neo-Gothic Parroquia church with its distinctive orange-pink towers soaring above El Jardín. The latter is the social heart of the city where everything – fiesta band practice, football games, lovers meeting on benches shaded by laurel trees – takes place. There are original cantera-stone fireplaces, colourful painted tiles from nearby Dolores Hidalgo and lampshades from printmaker Ri Anderson. Local woodworker Peter Grau crafted the cedar dining table where jalapeño-spiked avocado toast and pastries are laid out each morning. Keidan’s insider knowledge rivals any hotel concierge’s with tips from her favorite restaurants (Terraza 48 for its tamal) and shops (Roma Quince for home goods) to Pilates classes and spa treatments; tarot suppers and chef-led pop-ups double as mini house parties. This feels like a revitalisation of the scene, drawing in a new wave of creatives. Jen Murphy

Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas, Baja California Sur

The eastern cape of the Baja California peninsula is like the Cabo of the 1960s, when a trip down to its tip was still largely about dirt roads and drinking tequila in the sun. Just under an hour’s drive from the big hotels that now tightly pack the stretch of coast between hectic Cabo San Lucas and charming San José del Cabo, this cactus-studded landscape appeals to travellers looking for an alternative experience. Set right on the beach, against the backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, the Four Seasons is by far the area’s smartest stay (Aman is due to open next door in 2021). Exclusivity is of course a draw – a handful of celebrities from LA are rumoured to have bought villas. But then there’s also a strong outdoor-adventure pull, from snorkelling in nearby Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, where giant polka-dot whale sharks hunt for plankton, to quad-biking empty sand dunes. While there might not be the bars and restaurants to rival Los Cabos, they’re hardly missed. Toes-in-the-sand El Puesto is the spot for ceviche and Margaritas; for a proper sit-down meal, an outpost of beloved Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos serves seafood suppers. All 141 rooms are designed to blend into the surrounding desertscape with sliding glass doors that lead to private terraces, as well as views of the Sea of Cortéz. And unlike on the rough, rocky Pacific side of Baja, the waters here are as tranquil as a lake. This Four Seasons arrival has let the secret out of the bag. Jen Murphy

Chable Maroma, Riviera Maya

This may quite possibly be the only hotel anywhere in Mexico that provides the level of wellness travellers now hop on planes for with the country’s trademark sugary beaches. It is a worthy second act from the brand whose resort Chablé, in the jungles of the Yucatán, made waves in the wellness world with its intelligent, stylish approach to holistic health nearly three years ago (that cenote! That spa!). The focus hasn’t shifted at Maroma, but this place does feel remarkably more resort-like than its boutique sibling. With 70 neutral-palette suites, it’s nearly twice as large, and each has its own pool, terrace and palm-shrouded outdoor rain shower. And let’s not forget its access to Riviera Maya’s powdery sands (we definitely missed the surf at Chablé). True to the brand, Maroma’s bright spa remains deeply rooted in Mayan healing traditions (the temazcal ceremony, led by a local healer, is the real deal, requiring a two-hour commitment). While your schedule in the Yucatán is packed with fitness classes and spa sessions, Maroma encourages time spent sipping margaritas by the infinity pool, as any Mexican hotel should. Chef Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City’s top-ranked Quintonil oversees the menus at both outposts, sourcing ingredients from on-site ka’anches (Mayan gardens). Naturally, seafood is the star at Maroma, showcased at the rooftop raw bar and at casual restaurant, Kaban. The tasting-menu-only restaurant Bu’ul is more ambitious – and delicious, in our opinion – than the Yucatán’s fine-dining spot. Regional dishes such as mamey fruit tartare topped with glazed escamoles (surprisingly tasty ant larvae) will challenge and wow your palate. In a world where travellers are increasingly having to choose between the amenities of something big-scale and the consideration of a boutique property, Maroma lets us have both. To find out more see our Chablé Maroma, Riviera Maya hotel review .

Montage, Los Cabos

Cabo has a secret it doesn’t like to reveal: it’s tough to swim at most of its beaches. While dramatically beautiful, this stretch of the Pacific is rough and rowdy with sneaky undertows and crashing beach breaks that keep even lifeguard-strong swimmers landbound. Not a big deal if you’re more of a pool person, but when the honeyed, late-afternoon sunlight hits the cobalt-blue water just so and it looks like a thousand little diamonds are winking, there will be a primordial pull to set down the frosty drink and leap, giddily, greedily, into the sea. The lack of wade-in-worthy property has never stopped hotels from building here, in fact the area is having a boom right now, with big-name openings lined up like relay runners. Which makes it all the more magical when a great hotel has access to a dive-right-in section of sea. Montage Los Cabos, the first international property from the Orange County-based brand, is said unicorn. Located on 39 quiet acres of beachfront between the overdeveloped hotel zones of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Montage looks out on the serene, divinely swimmable waters of Santa Maria Bay. Just as impressive is the fact that all of the 122 guest rooms, suites and casas (not just top-tier rooms) have ocean views, expansive terraces with daybeds and dining areas, and outdoor showers – just the sort of breezy indoor/outdoor set-up you want on a beach holiday. And in a town where things can go from place-defining to cliché very quickly, Montage gets it right. Interiors have a Mexican 2.0 aesthetic that favours local materials, executed in a sophisticated desert palette (lots of native wood, creamy sandstone, earth-toned woven throws and hanging tapestries), while landscaping embraces native, drought-resistant plants such as agave, flowering desert figs and saguaros. The food at fine-dining Mezcal and casual beachfront Marea is traditional in flavour and ingredients but executed with a light touch and an eye on health (Marea has a separate vegan menu) and seafood – lobster ceviche, scallop tiradito, grilled Baja prawns – is always the way to go. The real treat, though, is to sit by the pool with a book and Michelada, knowing that the Pacific is there waiting when you’re ready for your plunge. Find out more at our Montage Los Cabos, Mexico hotel review .

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, Tulum

The most distinctive part of Hilton’s luxury debut on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is its chameleon-like approach to hospitality. Yes, with its 349 rooms, acres of pools, 11 restaurants, and kids’ and (soon) teens’ clubs, the Conrad is the type of resort whose (large bronze) gates a traveler would be content to pass through only twice: right before check-in and right after checkout. Spiritually, though, it aligns more closely with the smaller-scale properties 30 minutes north in Tulum that seek to connect guests with the surrounding destination. Honoring the Mayan cultures that have occupied this stretch of Caribbean coast for centuries, a traditional sacbe, or “white road”—the name of the ancient roadways Mayans created to travel by moonlight—cuts through the jungled grounds. In the lobby, a soaring art installation takes a cue from Mayan macramé. And at the cenote-inspired spa, a traditional four-hands massage is second only to a jalapeño margarita in the open-air bar as a way to immediately shed any lingering real-life stress remaining after a dip in the sea. Erin Florio

Four Seasons Mexico City

Even though this 240-room stay is at the heart of Mexico City , sitting pretty by historic Paseo de la Reforma avenue, you feel like you're worlds away from it all. Perhaps it's because of the Spanish colonial-style designs with its stucco walls and dramatic arches or the fairy light-filled garden courtyard that hides you from the buzz – every room even has a direct view of this oasis. Scattered around it are homegrown boutiques, alongside the three restaurants dishing up Mexican street food, Italian flair and Pacific cuisine. Meanwhile, the pool and gym sit on the rooftop, providing a glimpse of the cityscape just beyond. Zahra Surya Darma

Casa Silencio, Mexico

Located in a windswept valley within the community of Xaagá (about one hour outside downtown Oaxaca City), this six-room boutique property is an isolated refuge for spirits enthusiasts who desire to taste rare editions of Mezcal El Silencio. Designed by the Mexican architect Alejandro D’Acosta, using a rose-hued shade of compressed clay—along with reclaimed wood, steel, and stone—the property’s heartbeat is an open-air dining room with outdoor firepits, where its legendary mezcal tastings are held. Each of the six rooms features a moody aesthetic, with design touches like abstract black-and-white textiles produced by local artisans, copper light fixtures, and wood-burning fireplaces. Michaela Trimble

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• 14 nights at a all-inclusive hotel

Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal Jun 8,15,18 from $2699 + $614 tax ( Sandos Cancun ; 5-star) Jun 8,15,18 from $3299 + $614 tax ( Seadust Cancun ; 4.5-star) Jul 7-Aug 31 from $4299 + $486 tax ( Iberostar Selection Cancun ; 4.5-star) Aug 27,31 from $2399 + $643 tax ( Crown Paradise Club ; 4.5-star) Aug 27-Sep 21 from $2899 + $643 tax ( Seadust Cancun ; 4.5-star) Sep 3,7,10,21 from $1899 + $643 tax ( Krystal Grand Cancun ; 4-star)

Airport transfers: exit the airport, do not stop and chat inside with anyone saying they are supposed to pick you up and take you to your resort inside the airport. These people are trying to sell you time shares. Head straight out of the airport to find someone holding a sign with your tour operators names on it. They will have your name on their list and direct you to the correct transfer to your hotel.

Using taxi’s in Mexico : if you will be taking a taxi to get around, negotiate the flat rate before getting in or you may get a surprise when you arrive at your destination.

Currency: Mexican peso (MXN/MXV). But USD is widely accepted. Automated banking machine services are available throughout the country. Canadian debit and credit cards are widely accepted; however, Canadian currency and traveller’s cheques are not.

Climate: Cancun is hot and humid, but the humidity is not as high as in other areas. The average annual temperature ranges from 25 C to 30 C. Offshore water temperatures range from 26 C in January to 29 C in August. May through November is the rainy season.

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Exploring the best places to visit in Mexico

The best places to visit in Mexico offer a variety of holiday experiences from white-sand beaches to hiking across some of the most astounding landscapes with rainforests and famous ruins. It is the ultimate holiday destination, bound to leave everyone happy.

Best places to visit in Mexico

With pristine beaches along the Caribbean Coast, colorful markets in urban cities, and quaint colonial villages, the best places to visit in Mexico offer something for everyone. While history buffs can get their fill of ancient Mayan ruins found almost everywhere in the country, there are also colonial towns to contend with.

For the foodies, Mexico is renowned for its flavors, so you won’t be short of eating options; choices range from upmarket restaurants to authentic market squares. Try a street stall hamburguesa in Oaxaca and a plain burger will never cut it again. Here, it’s topped with a hotdog, cheese, pineapple, jalapenos, and ham. These are just a few of the experiences that await you in Mexico.

Mexico City

Both a state and city, Mexico City is one of the top destinations in Mexico. A bustling metropolis with an exploding culinary scene where you’ll find top-notch restaurants and incredible street-food markets. It’s a gentle ease into a vibrant culture. Downtown is an area packed with colonial-era and pre-Hispanic architectural splendor.

With restricted car access, it’s great for a stroll to drink everything in. Additionally, Alameda Central is where you’ll find the impressive Palacio de Bellas Artes, home to some of the greatest works by Mexican artists.

It contains various impressive and important murals, including that by Diego Rivera, recreated from the one destroyed at the Rockefeller Center due to its capitalistic theme.

The neighborhoods of La Condesa and Roma consist of wide boulevards lined with trees and elegant mansions and boutiques, great for retail therapy and people-watching. A bit further out from the city center, Coyoacan is a maze of cobbled streets with authentic restaurants and cafes and where you’ll find various museums. Along these cobbled streets is a house with a bright blue door, Frida Kahlo’s former home, now Museo Kahlo.

Traveling further southeast of Mexico City brings you to Cholula. Cholula was a town of great religious and economic importance during the Mesoamerican civilization, long before the Spanish arrived, confirmed by way of the once mighty Tlachihualtepetl. The remaining ruins of this magnificent pyramid, one of the largest pyramids ever constructed by ancient civilizations in the Americas, are one of the main draws to this city near Pueblo.

You can access the tunnels under the pyramid through the Museo Regional de Cholula, which is the perfect place to gain more knowledge about its construction. Along with ceramic artifacts recovered from the site, there are some intriguing panels that detail the building of the temple.

The Baroque Spanish-style church of Sant Gabriel, the oldest Christian building in the Americas, is as intriguing as the history of the place. Constructed on the site of a temple that the Spanish destroyed, it’s thought to have burned over two days; its facade is ornately decorated in the Plateresque style.

Away from the city, there are great hiking options. Try hiking the pine-scented trails at Cerro Zapotecas, from which you can see the great pyramid and the tips of the volcano Popocatepetl. If you’re feeling brave, give the Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltepetl, a go — it’s the highest mountain in Mexico.

Oaxaca State

Not far from Pueblo, you’ll come to the state of Oaxaca, whose capital city goes by the same name. The city and neighboring towns are where to be between the 31st of October and the 2nd of November. It holds one of the biggest Day of the Dead celebrations, one of the best things to do in Mexico.

People travel from far and wide to see streets decked in garlands of marigolds and lit altars, culminating in a parade featuring elaborate costumes. It’s also the place for some of the most outstanding foodie experiences in Mexico. Nowhere else does mole like they do in Oaxaca, a spicy sauce that mixes in chocolate with euphoric results. It’s the best thing to have with your tortillas at Mercado 20 de Noviembre. Wash it down with a shot of mezcal.

The whole downtown area of the city is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Head for the Zocalo Courtyard, the beating heart of the historic city area, where you’ll find colorful architectural colonial buildings. It’s right in front of the National Palace and is packed with eateries, just the place to sip your mezcal as you watch the world go by.

For a bit of culture, the Santo Domingo Cultural Centre has you covered, with historic attractions such as a Baroque-style church, a museum, and botanical gardens.

Pacific Coast Mexico

The Pacific Coast of Mexico was once overlooked for the more popular beaches of Cancun and Tulum, but it is fast becoming one of the best places in Mexico for a holiday. Along one of its coastlines, bordered by the US state of California on one side, is Baja California, one of the largest states in Mexico.

It’s home to great hikes, quaint towns, and stunning beach resorts. The border municipality of Tijuana is a bustling town synonymous with tequila shots, margaritas, and spicy food. However, to get the most out of this region, head further afield.

Baja California Sur

When you head to the southern parts, you will get to Baja California Sur, an almost perfect holiday destination. Its capital, La Paz, is a port city with lots of restaurants and bars and is famed for hosting various festivals. Probably the most renowned among them is the Carnaval La Paz, which takes place every February with parades, events, fireworks, and food stands everywhere in the city.

While one of the best resorts in the area is Los Cabos, where you’ll find cobbled streets flanked by lively bars and alfresco restaurants selling incredible seafood. The best time to visit this area is between October and mid-December; otherwise, it can get incredibly hot and wet. From mid-December, it gets rather crowded, which is absolutely fine if you don’t mind crowds, as it creates a great party atmosphere.

Looking for an active holiday? The shallow bay at Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park has one of only three live coral reefs in North America and is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. You can also kayak here. Alternatively, Desierto de El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve is perfect for hiking, biking, and camping. During the winter months, you’re likely to spot spectacular pods of whales at San Ignacio Lagoon.

While Rosarito was once a getaway for Hollywood jet setters, it’s now one of the best places to go in Mexico to combine a beach holiday with adventure sports and good food. The beach has some spectacular sunsets and is a haven for extreme sport-lovers of all levels. Browse art galleries and artisan markets with local crafts or head to Baja Studios, where the replica ship for the Titanic movie was built. The movie itself was filmed nearby.

Puerto Nuevo

One of the best places in Mexico for couples is Puerto Nuevo, a foodie’s paradise with over 30 restaurants offering local and international cuisine. It’s the perfect place to head with your partner. Pamper yourself with a spa day at the luxurious Spa Ventana al Mar before heading to Villa Ortega for your lobster.

Yucatan Peninsula

Probably one of the most beautiful places in Mexico is the Yucatan Peninsula, which separates the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. One of the best places to visit on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast, it’s home to the popular resort of Cancun and roughly 18.5 miles of coastline that make up the Riviera Maya further south. This is your ideal destination for a beach holiday in some of the best resorts in Mexico. However, there’s much more on offer than sipping cocktails on pristine white sands.

Top of your list of places to visit on the Yucatan Peninsula should be Cancun; it’s one of the best places to visit in Mexico with family. Boasting fine white-sand beaches with turquoise waters, the boulevard Kukulkan is lined by all-inclusive hotels on both sides and is the perfect place to stay in the area.

Most of these hotels have private beaches where you can lounge around and sip cocktails if you don’t want to venture further out of the resort. If you want to, head to El Centro, which has more traditional markets and restaurants.

The Mayan Museum of Cancun is packed with artifacts from nearby ancient Mayan ruins, and these ruins are also perfect for a day out. Both Chichen Itza and Tulum, some of the most popular ruins, are great for a day away from the beach, while there are various cenotes and quaint villages all over the place for more genuine Mexican experiences.

If it’s Mayan ruins you’re really interested in, then Tulum is the place to stay. This is home to some of the most famous landmarks in Mexico, including the Tulum Ruins and El Castillo. Fondly referred to as the lighthouse, it’s part of a complex of ancient Mayan ruins that stand on a cliff edge overlooking the Caribbean Sea, with a pristine beach below, Playa Ruinas.

Along Tulum’s coastline lie various beaches with rather charming, thatched-roof hotels to pick from. Head to Playa las Palmas for a quiet secluded beach with only two hotels on it. One of the most picturesque beaches in the area is Playa Pescadores, from which you can see the ruins in the distance.

If you arrive early enough, you could catch the fishermen bringing in their daily catch; it’s also good for snorkeling. The beach with the most popular accommodation is the party central, boho-chic Papaya Playa Project Beach, which has a beach club where you can lounge on comfy beach beds. Or better still, you can watch or indulge in a game of beach volleyball.

Playa del Carmen

Further down in the state of Quintana Roo lies Playa del Carmen, the Riviera Maya’s trendiest spot; it has great options, especially if you’re visiting Mexico with family. It’s your perfect base for touring other areas in the region, like the ancient ruins in Coba, Tulum or nearby Cozumel.

Punta Esmeraldas in the northern part of town is where to find a calm and beautiful cenote shallow enough for kids to dip in, with a gorgeous beach for them to build sandcastles on. One of the top things to do away from the beach here is to head to El Acuario de Playa del Carmen, which has over 200 species of fish and 45 exhibits. Kids are bound to love it.

Meanwhile, Parque Fundadores not only provides a great playground for children, but it’s also one of the best places to watch a sunset in the town. The Portal Maya statue, a roughly 50-foot-high sculpture that pays homage to the Mayan culture, is where crowds gather most evenings. It has become the go-to place to watch the last rays of the golden sun as it dips beyond the sea. The roughly mile-long bustling stretch of beach at Quinta Avenida is where all the restaurants, bars, and shops are located.

Just a ferry ride across from Playa del Carmen brings you to the island paradise of Cozumel, the third largest island in Mexico. It’s much quieter than Playa del Carmen across the waters and has whiter beaches; it’s also great for scuba diving. Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park is home to some of the best diving spots on the island, where you can dive down to see the submerged Mesoamerican Reef and Museo Subacuatico de Artes sculptures.

The island is so small you can easily get around it on a buggy, which are available to hire. On one side of the island is San Miguel, which is where you’ll find the best hotels and restaurants. It’s also home to the Mayan ruins of San Gervasio, near San Miguel, and some of the oldest ruins, in the picturesque town of El Cedral.

Located in the northern part of the Yucatan Peninsula is the Yucatan state, where you will find the city of Merida, its capital city. Mixed in with its Mayan heritage is a vibrant city with colonial-era mansions and churches that were built using stones from a Mayan town that once stood on the site of this modern city. Along wide boulevards where luxurious hotels co-exist with these historic cultures, it’s a perfect base to visit the other existing ruins and colorful villages (pueblos) that dot the state.

Merida is known for its gastronomic experiences with distinct Yucatec flavors that mix Spanish, Lebanese, Caribbean, and European styles into its cooking. There are plenty of fine-dining restaurants and colorful markets, such as the Mercado Lucas De Galves and Mercado Santiago, through which you can take a guided tour to sample local specialties. Otherwise, head to Mercado 60, a food hall with around 18 eateries to pick from for casual dining, or the yellow-walled courtyard of Museo de la Gastronomia.

The second largest city in the Yucatan state, Valladolid is one of the pueblos you can visit from Merida. This charming city is a treasure trove of cobbled streets with locals lounging around, boutiques in colonial-era buildings and haciendas serving alfresco meals.

Doors open into incredible courtyards reminiscent of an era gone by. One of its many draws is the great architecture bequeathed by the conquistadors who were keen to leave their stamp on the area. All around town, you’ll find Havana-like buildings in a burst of colors, earning it the status of a pueblo. Head to Calz. De los Trailers for a good example of this heritage.

One of the best things to do in Mexico is to swim in a cenote ( a natural pool) and Valladolid has a wide variety to pick from. Zaci is located a few minutes from the main square. One of the most beautiful in the area is Ik Kil, close to the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. Suytun is another; it’s a cave-like cenote with beautiful blue waters and chandelier-like structures hanging from its stoned ceilings. It is one of the most popular, thanks to trending pictures on social media.

Fondly known as the ‘yellow town’ (virtually the whole town is painted in yellow), Izamal is the other pueblo close to Merida. Largely unknown to many travelers, it’s one of the best examples of a pueblo mixing both Spanish and Mayan heritage. Good weather graces the area and, along with outstanding culinary experiences, it is great for a laid-back, authentic break. Once the capital of Yucatan, before it moved to Merida, for a small town it packs a range of accommodation to suit every budget.

A main attraction here is the Convento de San Antonio de Padua, whose colonial structures were erected on top of a Mayan site that’s the central point of the city. It’s a mesmerizing structural wonder and very much worth a visit. Don’t miss out on the Spanish colonial center, a street lined with colonial-era buildings, yes, all painted in yellow. Because of its high temperatures and small population, the town center can feel eerily quiet during the day but comes alive in the evenings.

If you visit the Gulf of Mexico you cannot miss Campeche, the capital of a state of the same name. This port city was once the site of a booming Mayan civilization. The ruins of Calakmul, Isla Jaina, and Edzna close by attest to this.

It’s a historic fairyland with a walled city center (built to protect it from pirates) and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within these walls are narrow cobblestone streets, along which stand mansions in soft pastel hues.

However, the authentic buzz of the city lies outside these walls, where the beating heart of the city is a bustling market and the old docks. Malecon is a roughly 4-mile-long promenade on the waterfront, great to watch the beautiful sunsets or sunrises that grace the region.

On the outskirts of the city stand two well-preserved colonial forts as if on guard. One of these forts is one the most important museums of Mayan history, the Museo de la Arquitectura Maya, containing exceptional archaeological pieces.

Things to know before you board your plane to Mexico

If you haven’t quite decided if a trip to Mexico is for you, the below frequently asked questions should hopefully help.

What is Mexico famous for?

From pristine beaches to large rainforests, Mexico is a treasure trove of Mayan ruins and quaint, colorful cities. Some of the best places to visit in Mexico, they offer a glimpse into a fascinating ancient civilization.

When is the best time to visit Mexico for good weather?

Although Mexico is hot throughout the year, it has a rainy season that runs from around May through to October. To avoid this season, aim to travel to Mexico between the months of December and April; however, the best weather is between December and February, which are the coolest months in Mexico.

Is Mexico good to visit in winter?

Winter in Mexico is from mid-December and runs through to mid-March. The average temperatures are a rather balmy 68°F to 77°F during the day with roughly 10 hours of daylight. Making winter a great time for a Mexican beach holiday. Areas in high-altitude regions can be cooler in the mornings but the afternoon sun soon burns the chill off.

Inspired by this article? Check out our guide to exploring Mexico City . Or if you are a foodie read our piece on restaurants worth traveling for .

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The Very Best Hotels in Mexico, From Cabo to Cancún

By Michaela Trimble

Over the last few years, a slew of new openings in  Mexico  has drawn attention away from Cancún's supersized resorts and toward boutique stays with a focus on local artisans, design, and sustainability. Now, some of the best hotels in Mexico are found beyond the typical tourist strips and in places like  Tulum , up-and-coming  Zihuatanejo , and flourishing Mexico City . For a getaway on the west coast, east coast, or somewhere in between, our editors have selected the best hotels in Mexico, ranging from beachside treehouses to minimalist boltholes.

How we choose the best hotels in Mexico

Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury and properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service—as well as serious sustainability credentials. We update this list regularly as new hotels open and existing ones evolve.

A version of this article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK .

Jump to hotels in:

• Baja California Peninsula
• Pacific Coast
• Mexico City
• More in central Mexico
• Yucatán Peninsula
• Southern Mexico

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Montage Los Cabos Arrow

Located on 39 quiet acres of beachfront between the overdeveloped hotel zones of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Montage looks out on the serene, divinely swimmable waters of Santa Maria Bay. As impressive is the fact that all of the 122 guest rooms, suites, and casas (not just top-tier rooms) have ocean views, expansive terraces with daybeds, dining areas, and outdoor showers—just the sort of breezy indoor/outdoor setup you want on a beach holiday. And in a town where things can go from place-defining to cliché quickly, Montage gets it right. Interiors have a Mexican 2.0 aesthetic that leans into local materials while executed in a sophisticated desert palette (lots of native wood, earth-toned woven throws and hanging tapestries, and creamy sandstone), and landscaping embraces native, drought-resistant plants like agave, flowering desert figs, and saguaros. The real treat, though, is to sit by the pool with a book and michelada, knowing that the Pacific is there waiting when you’re ready for your plunge. —Rebecca Misner

Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas Arrow

Set right on the beach, against the backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, the Four Seasons is by far the area’s sleekest stay. Exclusivity is of course a draw—a handful of celebrities are rumored to have bought villas. But there’s also a strong outdoor-adventure pull, from snorkeling in nearby Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, where giant polka-dot whale sharks hunt for plankton, to quad-biking empty sand dunes. While there might not be the bars and restaurants to rival Los Cabos, they’re hardly missed. Toes-in-the-sand El Puesto is the spot for ceviche and margaritas; for a proper sit-down meal, an outpost of beloved Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos serves seafood suppers. All 141 rooms are designed to blend into the surrounding desertscape with sliding glass doors that lead to private terraces, as well as views of the Sea of Cortéz. And unlike on the rough, rocky Pacific side of Baja, the waters here are as tranquil as a lake. —Jen Murphy

One&Only Palmilla Arrow

Arriving at this spot on the very tip of the Baja Peninsula feels like coming home. Many of the staff are third-generation employees who remember not only your name but whether you prefer your margarita made with tequila or mezcal (and which brand), and where you like your yoga mat to be set up in your room. And those rooms. Whitewashed hacienda-style architecture brightened with hand-embroidered textiles, plus perks such as private butlers and, in the case of Villa Cortez, an exclusive fitness suite, spa room, and beach cabana reflect Cabo’s emergence as Latin America’s latest luxury hotspot. There is no shortage of glitzy new five-stars, but as the area’s first proper hotel, Palmilla has a serious advantage: real estate. Its secluded location on one of Cabo’s only swimmable beaches is unbeatable. In the ’50s, Hollywood’s elite flocked here, and today a fresh generation of A-listers does the same. A commitment to discretion and timeless glamour in an age of social-media noise, as well as constant reinvention (new wellness offerings from spiritual healer Alicia Kanxoc), have allowed Baja’s big hitter to continue holding court. —Jen Murphy

Jessica Puckett

Alex Erdekian

Paradero Todos Santos Arrow

Though experience-based lodgings are old news in countries throughout South America and Africa, Paradero claims to be the first hotel brand to introduce the model to Mexico. Located on a previously unused 5.5-acre plot within a farming community in Baja California Sur’s Todos Santos, it’s become the mission of Mexico City –based founders Pablo Carmona and Joshua Kremer to preserve the over 160 acres of family-owned farms that surround the property. The resort, set in front of a palm tree oasis about 20 minutes from the beach, is made up of a series of brutalist-inspired structures designed by architects Ruben Valdez and Yashar Yektajo. They took note of the landscape’s sunbaked hues and designed the property in golden shades to blend into the sandy natural surrounds. The buildings’ desert tones also allow the plants in the resort’s 100,000-square-foot botanical garden to pop: red sand verbena, Mojave yucca, and Shaw’s agave. Though the resort’s outdoor spa and half-moon shaped infinity pool make it hard to leave the grounds, it would be a shame to miss out on guided hikes through cactus fields to reach the deserted Las Palmas beach, taco tours of the best local spots in Todos Santos, or private surf lessons. The hotel has custom boards positioned in the open-air living room, an airy sanctuary where guests kick back and relax post-adventure in anticipation of seafood-centric meals prepared by chef Eduardo Ríos, an alum of Enrique Olvera’s Mexico City restaurant, Pujol .

Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Arrow

The high-stakes Cabo hotel scene has been particularly frenetic for the past few years, with fresh openings from big-name players like Four Seasons , Montage , and Viceroy . Amid the fray, Ritz-Carlton managed to seek out a 20-acre plot for its fourth reserve, overlooking the indigo Sea of Cortez and built partially on the sand dunes. Suites feel both comfortable and considered, with vast living rooms featuring blue-and-white textiles, objets d’art from local artisans (woven leather baskets, painted pottery), and terraces with firepits. But it’s the staff that truly make the place stand out: remembering favorite breakfast tables and knowing the right chaise lounge around the enormous L-shaped pool at which to drop off each swimmer’s margarita. In one of the world’s most elevated hotel towns, Ritz-Carlton shows that the bar can always be raised. —Stephanie Wu

Baja Club Hotel Arrow

With the opening of Baja Club Hotel along the esplanade of La Paz , the coastal town now has its first proper boutique hotel. Attracting the creative, artistic elite of Mexico City and beyond, the 32-room, Spanish colonial–style property serves as a base for further explorations in the Sea of Cortez, from swimming with the area’s seasonal visitors—whale sharks and blue whales—to boating trips to the biodiverse Espíritu Santo island. The rooms all have either a balcony, terrace, or private outdoor patio, with cream-and-coral striped banquettes as well as Grupo Habita’s classic minibar staple: a house bottle of mezcal for guests to enjoy.

Casona Sforza, Puerto Escondido

You’ll reach Casa Sforza after a windy drive down the dusty roads of Puerto Escondido’s quiet La Barra district. Pure secluded luxury is the order of the day here, allowing you to disconnect and unwind. Mexican architect Alberto Kalach designed this beachfront property with the intention of capturing and not distracting from the striking natural landscapes. The impressive design blends seamlessly into nature, using naturally colored materials and smooth-flowing shapes. The hotel is made up of a series of huge, airy connecting domes that seamlessly slot together to form the 11 suites, an oval-shaped pool, and a bar and restaurant. (Note: There's a strict no children or pets policy throughout.) Beach beds and straw umbrellas spill onto the sandy beach as do spiky cacti, tall palms, and flowering beach shrubs. Follow the wooden stepping stone path to the beach bed dressed in linen curtains or to the shaded hammocks to divide your time between the pool and the beach. Flop and enjoy uninterrupted ocean views; if you plan your visit during migratory months, you may even spot a whale in the distance.

Bedrooms are huge, built from dusty yellow brick that glows warm at golden hour. Ground-floor suites have a private swim-up pool, while second-floor rooms come with a view of the Pacific Ocean, best enjoyed while soaking up the glow of sunset from the huge woven hammock or a freestanding hot tub. The kitchen is run by a husband (who previously did a stint at Lyle's in London) and wife duo originally from Venezuela. — Sophie Knight

Casa To, Puerto Escondido

Little boutique hotel Casa To is made up of just nine bedrooms. But this is a property that's a step above the rest among the boho beach-bum hostels on this corner of the Pacific coast. The self-cooling brutalist design was the craftsmanship of architect Ludwig Godefroy. A jigsaw of circular concrete archways makes up the heart of the hotel, crawling with vines that align and frame the lobby's features. There's a well-stocked bar run by a casually cool barman in a paisley shirt, and cozy corners are filled with wicker seating and sun loungers. Wooden stools dotted with retro teal lamps and the odd photography book, statement vases, and plenty of palms decorate the incense-infused space. Then, of course, the hotel's iconic swimming pool , which runs through a series of concrete circular walls spanning the length of the hotel. Beautiful guests spend most of the day sipping mezcal and lounging in the sunlight that beams onto the pyramid of concrete puzzle steps that make up the back wall, conveniently dotted with pillows and candlelight come dusk. The bedrooms follow suit. Bifolding doors reveal a private garden sheltered by lush green palms. All furnishings, such as the colorful woven rug, the striped linen bedding, and heavy wooden crafted chairs, are local artisanal pieces bringing that home-from-home feel. Glou Glou, the rooftop bar and restaurant, is run by a trendy Argentinian couple who were invited to relocate to Puerto Escondido by the hotel owner after he fell in love with their cooking and hospitality back in Argentina . The highlight is an innovative, intimate, and delicious seven-course tasting menu cooked and prepared right in front of you. — Sophie Knight

Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico Arrow

This is not your parents’ Four Seasons. Formalities, like a front desk, have disappeared, and the traditional concierge has been replaced with guides who can help arrange everything from dinner reservations to surf lessons. The all-inclusive model means the entire stay is blissfully transaction-free, and the intimate scale—at just 30 guests, the size is also a shift for the brand—allows for unscripted experiences such as mezcal tastings with local distillers. And the tented suites are what it takes to persuade travelers to book a hotel in Punta Mita that isn’t right on the beach. Terraced into 48 acres of forested Pacific-facing cliffs, this adults-only luxury tented resort was designed by sustainably minded safari-tent pioneers Luxury Frontiers. Each of its 15 spacious rooms has an indoor soaking tub, an outdoor shower, and a private plunge pool with sunset views. Taking in and getting out into nature is at the heart of Naviva, but a visit to the two spa pods is a must for treatments informed by Mesoamerican traditions, like the five-hour Refuge Retreat. It includes a copal cleansing and Mayan mud massage, plus post-pampering time to soak in the pod’s oversized palm-shaded tub. Guests have access to the amenities at sister property Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita , just next door, but it’s doubtful you’ll want to leave this jungle oasis. —Jen Murphy

One&Only Mandarina Arrow

This glossy, globetrotting hotel group might pick up new destinations as if they were passport stamps, but each is uniquely rooted in place. Here, along the Riviera Nayarit on the wild Pacific coast, that means drawing deeply on Mexico’s magic, with considered references to the Indigenous Cora and Huichol people. Bedrooms, whether oversized treehouses or ocean-facing villas, are a celebration of local culture, from the traditional textiles and pottery to the robes by contemporary Mexico-based label Candor. The spa, set in a natural volcanic-rock garden, is based on ancient healing practices and offers treatments including temazcal sweat-lodge rituals. The hotel has also tapped the country’s top chef, Enrique Olvera—of Mexico City’s Pujol —for Carao, where feasts begin with fresh ceviche and end on homemade cinnamon buñuelos. Meanwhile Alma, an open-air, garden-to-plate spot helmed by French-Mexican Olivier Deboise, is centered around wood-fired, Pan-American-meets-Mediterranean dishes. It might be a step up from the surf hotels down the road, but one that still feels very much in step with Nayarit’s spirit. 

Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection Arrow

Everything about this property is seemingly curated to feel more like a boutique hotel than a resort. It’s normal to stumble upon things like a sound bath experience on the beach led by a local bohemian who infuses jazz with the singing bowls or a sombrero making class. The on-site boutique, a Fashionkind outpost co-owned by Nina Farran and Sophia Bush , includes leading designers from across Latin America, with a special focus on those local to Mexico. The design by Paul Duesing and Glazier Le Architects, sporting stone walls that continue from the balcony to the interior of the room with pebble-floored rain showers clad in colorful tiles almost entirely Mexican made and also supports local and regional makers, artisans, artists, and purveyors, solidifies the POV of being a boho-fresh, intentional, and barefoot sanctuary for those in-the-know. Don’t get me wrong, it still feels like a resort—just a resort that is focused on what is important to today’s customer. —Scott Bay

Four Seasons Tamarindo Arrow

Located in the relatively undeveloped western state of Jalisco, Tamarindo is intentionally secluded. From the moment you pass through its tucked-away gates and steal a far-away glimpse of the bright-blue Pacific through miles of lush jungle, it becomes clear just what a hidden treasure the resort is. The outdoor lobby acts as a central home base for the property, where contemporary seating invites you to leave your worries behind and ornate wooden beams frame sweeping views of the coastline below. To the right sits Tamarindo’s Discovery Center, where guests can learn about the wildlife and vegetation that surround the property and how they change throughout the seasons, as well as the resort’s boutique, which is filled with unique crafts, fashion, and homeware made my local artisans alongside some signature Four Seasons merchandise. Just beneath the lobby’s main structure are several levels of eateries and bars, three infinity pools, the spa, and a state-of-the-art fitness center, all cascading down the cliffside and overlooking the beach. An 18-hole golf course and two additional beaches are just a short golf ride away, as is Rancho Ortega, a 35-acre farm which supplies the resort’s produce, meat, and eggs and will soon produce its own tequila. —Gabby Shacknai

Verana Yelapa Arrow

Even the most seasoned traveler may have trouble thinking of the last time they stayed in a handmade hotel—they are extremely rare. Few places can be as intricately and ingeniously imagined as Verana. When set designer Heinz Legler and decorator Veronique Lievre left Los Angeles to purchase a plot of land in Mexico’s remote Bay of Banderas in 1997, they had one idea in mind—to build a home surrounded by nature at their own pace. The couple settled into the lush hilltop, only accessible by boat and mule, and began constructing, responding to the landscape and seasons, preserving as much of the natural environment as possible. It may sound romantic, surrendering to the unknown in the pursuit of artistic dreams, but the reality required dedication and true grit. The idea of a single home evolved into 10 casas embedded into the jungle with spellbinding views of the ocean, many of which are wall-less structures with modern thatched roofs and outdoor showers. Some have a private plunge pool or Japanese-style tea lounge. To stay here is to be immediately transported. Don’t be surprised to find it fully booked for a wedding or creative retreat. People come to Verana to become less distracted and more connected to themselves. To shut out the noise. But that’s not all. With thoughtfully coordinated color-blocked walls, an outdoor library, vintage objects made by Mexican artisans, and a spa to manage any tropical discomfort, the alchemy of inspired design dissolves any pressures from the outside world. Wake up to tea and freshly baked bread left on the doorstep, spend dreamy hours whale-watching, and fall asleep to the sound of wind gently swishing trees back and forth. In one of the most beautiful parts of Mexico, the real luxury is space to just be. — Jade Moyano

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende Arrow

The Rosewood's 13 acres are enviably sited in San Miguel de Allende's centro, and the hotel is without peer in a town that has its share of swank stays. Portals and stone paths lead to tiered swimming pools, two-person cabanas, covered patios, and a tequila bar, and the 67 rooms are grand and outfitted with regionally sourced hardwood floors and Spanish colonial furnishings. Even a standard king, at an already-generous 535 square feet, comes with special treatment: A bubble bath lit by candles is drawn at turndown upon request. Views from the rooftop Luna tapas bar make a seat here especially sought-after at sunset.

Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel Arrow

The babble of a courtyard fountain, a breeze that shoulders its way through stone arches: Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel is an unquestionably sensory experience. But the more elemental charms of this historical marvel, whose 17th- and 18th-century buildings are scattered across San Miguel de Allende ’s Centro district, are only part of its allure; the rest it owes to the human touch. I arrived at my suite—a corner unit cleaved from a former mansion—to find my wedding portrait set into a carved tin frame; one afternoon, I returned to find textured strips of paper on my reading stack—bookmarks. Chef Alejandra Puente told me about her daughter as we contemplated fresh avocados at the local market, gathering up the bounty we would need for my private cooking class. This is hospitality at its finest. —Betsy Blumenthal

Casa Delphine Arrow

San Miguel de Allende has captivated writers and artists including Jack Kerouac and Frida Kahlo since the 1940s. It also bewitched LA jewelry designer Amanda Keidan, who fell so hard for its bohemian vibe that she relocated to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed spot in Mexico's Central Highlands and bought an empty hotel. With just five rooms, it hits the right note in this artistic landscape so dominated by big-name players. And unlike other small properties opening in the outskirts, it has one of the more enviable addresses, just a 10-minute stroll from the famous neo-Gothic Parroquia church with its distinctive orange-pink towers soaring above El Jardín. The latter is the social heart of the city where everything—fiesta band practice, football games, lovers meeting on benches shaded by laurel trees—takes place. There are original cantera-stone fireplaces, colorful painted tiles from nearby Dolores Hidalgo and lampshades from printmaker Ri Anderson. Local woodworker Peter Grau crafted the cedar dining table where jalapeño-spiked avocado toast and pastries are laid out each morning. Keidan’s insider knowledge rivals any hotel concierge’s, offering tips on everything from her favorite restaurants (El Manantial for tacos) and shops (KM33 for dresses) to Pilates classes and spa treatments. Tarot suppers and chef-led pop-ups double as mini house parties. This feels like a revitalization of the scene, drawing in a new wave of creatives. —Jen Murphy

Insider tip: Book the rooftop suite with its hot tub and epic views of the church spires.

Octavia Casa Arrow

Fashion designer Roberta Maceda has crafted this seven-room retreat in the chi-chi area of La Condesa as a minimalist extension of her Octavia clothing line. On the ground floor, next to a breezy seating area with bamboo stools grouped around a concrete table by interior firm Habitación 116, there’s a shoppable bronze rail of her pieces that may include white button-up shirts or a black-and-white snakeskin ensemble. Upstairs, rooms are also decorated in neutral tones and each is named after a natural material, from walnut ( nogal ) and linen ( lino ) to earth ( tierra ) and bronze ( bronce ). The softest bedding comes from Octavia’s new homeware line, while the rest of the studied hangout spaces showcase other Mexican makers with blown-glass cups by Onora and cream-colored vases from ceramics studio Encrudo filled with dried magnolia leaves. There’s no restaurant, but breakfast is brought in from a nearby bakery— conchas (sweet pastries) are served with homemade hibiscus-and-ginger jam and eaten in the meditative pebble-floored garden under a guava tree. In the evenings it’s a short stroll to local favorites such as Italian restaurant Lardo and natural-wine bar Hugo. This is a meticulously designed gateway to Mexico City’s coolest scene.

Casa Polanco Arrow

Set in Mexico City ’s posh Polanco neighborhood , a stay at this elegantly renovated Spanish Revival-style mansion feels like a peek inside the lives of well-to-do chilangos (Mexico City locals). Polanco is within walking distance from sites like Chapultepec Park, a popular hangout for local families on the weekends, and lovely for morning jogs; and a short drive from Museo Soumaya, known for its unique architecture and mirror-like façade. Just around the corner are the trendy Roma Norte and Condesa neighborhoods for eating, drinking, and boutique shopping. While many Mexico City hotels play to classic heritage motifs, Casa Polanco shows off a different side of the city. Here, the lines are clean, neutrals take precedence, and there’s a subtle prep-school flavor with houndstooth pillows and plaid napkins. Given this is a home, soak up the spaces that so clearly remind you that you're in one. Order a glass of wine at the lobby bar and take it to one of the many shared terraces; after a long day, grab a nook in the well-curated library and flip through one of the many coffee table books on Mexican art, history, or culture. —Megan Spurrell

Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City Arrow

Even though it’s set on busy Paseo de la Reforma, this name-brand luxury hotel delivers tranquil, boutique charms. Rooms are set around an interior courtyard, and you’re just a short distance from Chapultepec Park , offering respite from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City. Add to that all the other Four Seasons hallmarks—insanely comfortable beds, high-quality service, and wellness amenities like a pool, gym, and spa—and you’re guaranteed a memorable experience. —Susannah Rigg

Circulo Mexicano Arrow

Known for creating Mexico’s trendiest boutique properties, the hotel developer Grupo Habita transformed this 19th-century townhome in Centro Histórico into a Shaker-inspired boutique hotel. The result is Circulo Mexicano, which begins with a buzzing marketplace-style ground floor and moves up to the chilled-out rooftop with an infinity pool, Japanese soaking tub, and views of Centro Histórico sights: the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Palace, and the Templo Mayor. The 25 bedrooms are fitted out with custom oak pieces and most have their own contemplative terrace or balcony. Head to the courtyard Itacate del Mar restaurant for innovative takes on Mexican street snacks, the standout of which are the tostadas with tangy tuna or fried calamari topped with shiitake mushrooms.

Chablé Maroma, Riviera Maya Arrow

This may quite possibly be the only hotel in Mexico that combines the level of wellness travelers now hop planes for with the country’s trademark sugary beaches. It has 70 neutral-palette suites, each with its own pool, terrace, and palm-shrouded outdoor rain shower. And let’s not forget its access to Riviera Mayakoba’s powdery beach. True to the brand, Maroma’s bright spa remains deeply rooted in Mayan healing traditions (the temazcal ceremony, led by a local healer, is the real-deal, requiring a two-hour commitment). While your schedule in the Yucatán is packed with fitness classes and spa sessions, Maroma encourages time spent sipping margaritas by the infinity pool, as any Mexican resort should. Chef Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City ’s top-ranked Quintonil oversees the menus, sourcing ingredients from on-site ka’anches, Mayan gardens. Seafood is the star at Maroma, showcased at the rooftop raw bar and at casual restaurant, Kaban. The tasting menu-only restaurant Bu’ul is more ambitious, with regional dishes like mamey fruit tartare topped with glazed escamoles, surprisingly tasty ant larvae, which will challenge (and wow) your palate. —Jen Murphy

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya Arrow

The most distinctive part of Hilton’s luxury debut on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is its chameleon-like approach to hospitality. Yes, with its 349 rooms, acres of pools, 11 restaurants, and kids’ and teens’ clubs, the Conrad is the type of resort whose (large bronze) gates a traveler would be content to pass through only twice: right before check-in and right after checkout. Spiritually, though, it aligns more closely with the smaller-scale properties 30 minutes north in Tulum that seek to connect guests with the surrounding destination. Honoring the Mayan cultures that have occupied this stretch of Caribbean coast for centuries, a traditional sacbe, or “white road”—the name of the ancient roadways Mayans created to travel by moonlight—cuts through the jungled grounds. In the lobby, a soaring art installation takes a cue from Mayan macramé. And at the cenote-inspired spa, a traditional four-hands massage is second only to a jalapeño margarita in the open-air bar as a way to immediately shed any lingering real-life stress remaining after a dip in the sea. —Erin Florio

Waldorf Astoria Cancún Arrow

For all the resorts that crowd Mexico’s east coast, the Waldorf stands out for its truly white-glove service and amenities that make it hard to leave the property. There are infinity pools aplenty, acres of pristine coastline, and that most glorious asset of all, the feeling of complete privacy in one of the country’s most bustling vacation spots. The decor, a soothing sea of creams and sand hues, spotlights Mexican artisans and highlights materials like tropical woods and local stone. The vibe here is palpably slow—no rushing from one activity to the next, just relaxing. And there are enough private cabanas to go around—you can forget about the dreaded visit to the pool at dawn to reserve a great spot. There are also dozens of lounge chairs facing the beach for when the ocean is your dip du jour. With comfortable yet polished rooms, an excellent spa, and a clutch of bars and restaurants serving excellent riffs on traditional dishes and drinks, this is Cancun like you’ve never seen it. —Meaghan Kenny

Habitas Bacalar Arrow

A four-hour drive south of heavily touristed Cancún, the discreet Habitas Bacalar entrance on the side of a remote road makes you feel like you’ve been let in on a grand secret. The place is small—just 34 rooms, each with a maximum occupancy of two—and has a very communal vibe. The hotel makes an effort to bring the community to you, by hosting local vendors for guest experiences like a cacao-and-wine tasting, and partnering with local businesses for complimentary paddleboard tours, yoga lessons, and more. Meanwhile, the wellness program sources local ingredients for its spa products, and restaurant Siete uses traditional Mayan cooking techniques. —Mercedes Bleth

Hotel Esencia, Xpu-Ha Arrow

Right on Xpu-ha beach, the best stretch of white sands on this part of Mexico's Caribbean coast, Esencia is one of those hotels that is spoken about in hushed tones by bohemians in the know, none of whom want to let this secret get out. But those who do make it here discover a small, natural beauty of place set on a palm-swaying estate on the edge of the tumbling sea. There are hammocks to laze in, and a dimly lit spa where lotions and potions made from garden herbs are crushed into poultices to smooth out knots. For snorkeling among rainbow-colored fish, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a five-minute hop on the hotel’s catamaran. There are ceviches and tiraditos to try at Mistura, a restaurant with views of the moon-dappled sea, and a wooden beach bar that does the best Margaritas in Mexico. Then there are the rooms. The interiors of the house, originally built as a hideaway for an Italian duchess, have splashes of fifties art and huge bedrooms with generous terraces. The Jungle Rooms, complete with plunge pools and beach suites, are a study in white. All in all, it is perfect. —Mary Lussiana

Casa Silencio Arrow

Located in a windswept valley within the community of Xaagá (about one hour outside downtown Oaxaca City ), this six-room boutique property is an isolated refuge for spirits enthusiasts who desire to taste rare editions of Mezcal El Silencio. Designed by the Mexican architect Alejandro D’Acosta, using a rose-hued shade of compressed clay—along with reclaimed wood, steel, and stone—the property’s heartbeat is an open-air dining room with outdoor fire pits, where its legendary mezcal tastings are held. Each of the six rooms features a moody aesthetic, with design touches like abstract black-and-white textiles produced by local artisans, copper light fixtures, and wood-burning fireplaces.

Escondido Oaxaca Arrow

The city of Oaxaca has long been celebrated for its ancestral artistry and gastronomy, which homegrown hoteliers Grupo Habita have drawn on for their latest opening here. Fusing old and new, behind an unassuming russet red facade downtown, architect Alberto Kalach has added a surprising Brutalist addition to this colonial-era home. Minimalist-looking rooms, four in the original building and eight in the new tower, are dedicated to elevated Mexican craftsmanship. Each features a majority of furniture produced from ahuehuete wood (a type of Mexican cypress that is sacred to the local Zapotec culture and even featured in their creation story), while locally-made olive bedspreads match the elemental interiors. Another surprise is dished up in the restaurant where chef Mario Petterino turns out classic dishes from his home region of Piedmont, Italy, such as homemade ravioli and gelato. Afterwards, enjoy a mezcal nightcap in the library-like ‘Culture Room’. The hotel is in walking distance of all the city’s attractions, from the famed restaurant Criollo by chef Enrique Olvera to the main plaza, home to the Templo Santo Domingo church and the Museo de las Culturas de Oaxaca, that connects Oaxaca’s cultures of past and present; much like the hotel itself.

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Best Dining Bets in Mexico

• La Opera (Mexico City; tel. 55/5512-8959 ): This legendary cantina, in the style of an opulent European cafe, has attracted illustrious personalities for decades -- Pancho Villa shot a still-visible hole through the roof. In the historic center, it doubles as a restaurant, but it's best as a late-afternoon watering hole.
• El Sacromonte (Guadalajara; tel. 33/3825-5447 ): Various dishes delight the senses with novel tastes and textures and skillful presentation. The menu describes each dish in Spanish couplets.
• Adobe Fonda (Tlaquepaque; tel. 33/3657-2792 ): Delicious Mexican food is served inside one of those gorgeous decorative arts stores that line Tlaquepaque's Calle Independencia. The point of departure for the food is some uncommon Mexican recipes, which are then given sparkling Italian and Argentine accents.
• Daiquiri Dick's (Puerto Vallarta; www.ddpv.com): A Vallarta institution, this beachfront restaurant combines scrumptious Mediterranean cuisine with excellent service and a lovely setting. Come for fresh fish creatively prepared and wash it down with a daiquiri or two. You'll find this casual restaurant as compelling for a romantic occasion as for a fun night out with friends.
• Trio (Puerto Vallarta; www.triopv.com): Most locals will tell you Trio is their favorite restaurant in Vallarta, a modest but stylish cafe where chef-owners Bernhard Güth and Ulf Henricksson's undeniable passion for food imbues each of the delicious Mexican and Mediterranean dishes.
• Le Fort (Bucerías; www.lefort.com.mx): Diners are treated to a culinary show by acclaimed chef Gilles Le Fort followed by the chance to sit down with him and other guests in a communal gourmet dinner. The prix-fixe menu includes three courses and matching wines, and the table seats 16.
• Zibu (Acapulco; tel. 744/433-3058 ): This chic open-air restaurant combines Mexican and Thai architectural and culinary styles to create one of the nation's best dining experiences, including a breathtaking view of the sea.
• Los Flamingos (Acapulco; www.hotellosflamingos.com/restaurant.html): If you're in Acapulco on a Thursday, you can enjoy a bowl of pozole, a traditional hominy-and-meat stew. Although you'll find it served at lunchtime throughout town, the best place to savor it is at Los Flamingos' cliff-top restaurant.
• Mariscos Villa Rica Mocambo (Veracruz; tel. 229/922-2113 ): Nobody else does seafood the way Veracruz does seafood, and this restaurant is the showcase for the region's cuisine.
• The Club Grill (in the Ritz-Carlton Cancún; tel. 998/881-0808 ): Two of the only AAA five-diamond restaurants in all of Mexico sit inside the Ritz-Carlton Cancún, which also operates a world-class culinary center. Consider this jazz and supper club for a special occasion; anything you order will be superb.
• Labná (Ciudad Cancún; www.labna.com): In Cancún's old downtown, this authentic Yucatecan restaurant offers deliciously unusual cuisine from the region like lime soup, poc chuc, and pork pibil. The gracious staff takes good care of diners, ensuring they have an enriching experience.
• La Pigua (Campeche; tel. 981/811-3365 ): Campeche's regional specialty is seafood, and nowhere else will you find seafood like this. Mexican caviar, coconut-battered shrimp, and chiles stuffed with shark are just a few of the unique specialties, along with the regional trademark pan de cazón, a layered casserole of baby shark. La Pigua's pompano will have you checking flight schedules.
• Don Emiliano (downtown San José del Cabo; www.donemiliano.com.mx): Don Emiliano wields farm-fresh ingredients laced with Mexican tradition and emerges from the kitchen with modern delights such as stepped-up chile en nogada for Día de Independencia and lemon atole with candied pumpkin for Day of the Dead. Don't miss the regular menu, which combines the likes of locally made cheeses with roasted tomatillos and dried hibiscus flowers with beef tenderloin.
• Palapa Azul (La Paz; tel. 612/122-1801 ): Almejas (clams) can be found everywhere from roadside shacks to gourmet restaurants in Baja Sur and are prepared raw with lime and salsa or baked inside their shells. The best place to enjoy this local treat is Palapa Azul on La Paz's Tecolote beach. The shells are stuffed with cheese, jalapeños, bacon, butter, tomatoes, and a secret ingredient the chef won't reveal. They are then wrapped in aluminum foil and tossed into an oven. The result is delectable and so is the view of the Sea of Cortez you will enjoy.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Los Angeles Dodgers | Bottom of Dodgers’ lineup has become a rally…

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Los Angeles Dodgers

Los angeles dodgers | bottom of dodgers’ lineup has become a rally graveyard, with the top of the lineup getting on base at a robust clip, the bottom portion takes a good part of the blame for the team’s poor performance with runners in scoring position.

LOS ANGELES — Well, he should know. He built it that way.

“I mean, it’s going to be top heavy,” Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said of a lineup topped by three former MVPs. “But, no, I think we’re going to have length to our lineup. We’re looking at a 20-game sample. I’m confident that these guys will hit. Obviously at some point we’ll make decisions and figure it out as we go.”

As it has gone over the first month of the season, the Dodgers’ lineup has been bottom-less – and not in a good way.

The trio at the top of the lineup has produced as advertised. The Dodgers’ leadoff hitters (Mookie Betts) have a .347 average (second in MLB at the leadoff position) and 1.082 OPS (first) through 24 games. Those batting in the second spot (almost exclusively Shohei Ohtani) have produced a .368 average and 1.099 OPS, both best in the majors in the 2-hole. Even with Freddie Freeman’s recent slump (and slow-arriving power), the Dodgers’ No. 3 hitters have the third-best average in the majors (.281) and seventh-best OPS (.786).

Those top three spots have hit a combined .333 with 23 doubles, two triples and 12 home runs in the first 24 games of the season.

It slows down from there as you would expect. Their cleanup hitters (mostly Will Smith) have the second-best average (.326) and eighth-best OPS (.857). The hitters they’ve used in the fifth and sixth spots (primarily Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernandez in one order or the other) have been slightly above average – a .253 batting average (15th) and .804 OPS (seventh) in the fifth spot, a .231 average (ninth) and .715 OPS (11th) from the sixth hitters.

Then the offense drops off a cliff.

The seventh through ninth spots in the Dodgers’ lineup have individually been among the least offensive in MLB. Collectively, they have been dreadful – a .168 batting average with six doubles, five home runs and 25 RBIs. The bottom three spots have contributed 80 strikeouts to the team’s National League-leading total of 226.

“I think as far as the bottom of the order, people are trying to group them all,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “There’s probably six different guys that are in that mix.”

It’s actually eight. James Outman and Gavin Lux have been the most consistent presences in the bottom third of the lineup. Chris Taylor and Kiké Hernandez have received occasional playing time, Miguel Rojas and Austin Barnes even less frequently. Jason Heyward played just four games before going on the injured list. Andy Pages arrived just a week ago.

Of the four players who have played the most – Outman, Lux, Kiké Hernandez and Taylor – only Hernandez has an average over .180 (he’s at .200). Only Outman has an OPS of .500 (.566).

To analyze the bottomless lineup, Friedman agrees with Roberts that it has to be taken player by player.

“For sure,” he said.

There have been “a lot of positive signs” from Outman recently, he said.

“I think over the last seven to 10 days there have been some really good swings,” Friedman said. “Obviously some he has been rewarded for, some he has not. When he is stepping on balls to the opposite field, I think that’s a very good sign for where he’s at and he has a number of times and not been rewarded recently.”

The diagnosis for Lux’s .148 average to date leads back to the major knee injury he suffered in spring 2023, causing him to miss a full season.

“I think that’s part of it,” Roberts said. “He hadn’t played in a calendar year. He won’t use that as an excuse. But just kind of the compete mode, adjusting in between at-bats, taking an 0-fer, getting back in there and try to grind through it – that’s part of playing every day. He’s missed that.”

Lux did hit well in spring training, putting up a .297 batting average in Cactus League play (albeit with only one extra-base hit).

“In spring training there’s just not much scouting. That’s just the facts,” Roberts said. “Pitchers are trying to get their work in. In Gavin’s particular case, he was on the fastball. And they throw a lot of heaters in spring. And now they’re throwing all secondary pitches. That’s the cat-and-mouse in baseball.”

Taylor’s 2-for-38 start – including a stretch of 31 hitless at-bats – has been the most painful to watch. A swing he manufactured in order to make the big leagues has been prone to deep slumps in the past. Friedman acknowledged that fact but offered faint hope for a quick turnaround.

“CT is in a real funk,” Friedman said. “He is such a grinder and such a good baseball player and we all feel for him. What the exact right answer is, I don’t know. But I know that he is doing everything he can to get out of it. … I don’t know what the answer is.”

Taylor is in the third year of a four-year, $60 million contract extension he signed before the 2022 season. Friedman would not say how long the Dodgers can wait for Taylor to start producing offensively or whether there might be a breaking point when they have to give up.

“I have no idea how to answer that right now,” Friedman said. “I would bet that it’s a moot question, that he will grind and figure out a way out of this.”

For now, the bottom half of the Dodgers’ lineup has become a rally graveyard. With the top half of the lineup getting on base at a robust clip, the bottom half takes a good part of the blame for the team’s poor performance with runners in scoring position – a .254 average (19th in MLB), .716 OPS (15th) and 70 strikeouts (first).

“A decent chunk (of the blame),” Friedman agreed. “I also feel like there are (poor) stretches every year. Last year, we scored over 900 runs and we had this same conversation at one point. So I think some of it is the nature of the game, with the ups and downs. There’s a week period where we’re scorching hot with runners in scoring position and it feels like we’ll never lose a game. And then we’ll go a couple games where we’re not and it feels like we’re never going to win again.

“I think that is the nature of this sport. And for us, it’s about sifting through that as much as we can to make bets on what will happen in the future. We’re still collecting that information in order to make bets in the future – and I don’t just mean in ’25 and beyond. I mean, in August and September and so on.”

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Steve Schwarzman is going all in on data centers. Inside Blackstone's $100 billion bet.

• Steve Schwarzman revealed Blackstone has a $50B portfolio of data centers and $50B coming.
• Blackstone's growing data center bet parallels its $175B investment in warehouses a decade ago.
• Jon Gray has predicted as much as a trillion dollars of data centers will be needed to power AI.

Steve Schwarzman , Blackstone's chief executive, revealed that the behemoth Wall Street firm had $50 billion worth of existing data centers or projects currently under construction globally and another $50 billion of planned facilities in its pipeline.

The $100 billion tally revealed the magnitude of the firm's efforts to tap into a boom of digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence by investing in what are essentially warehouses for computing systems.

Schwarzman gave his comments during a call to discuss Blackstone's first-quarter financial results held on Thursday, April 18.

It was just three years ago, in June 2021, when Blackstone made its first big bet in the space by acquiring US data-center company QTS for roughly $10 billion. Late last year, Blackstone executives said the value of the firm had since tripled .

Schwarzman said QTS was now "the largest data center company in North America" and that data centers were one of Blackstone's "highest conviction investment themes today."

Blackstone's data-center bets appear on pace to rival the firm's investments in storage warehouses a decade ago to cater to growing e-commerce and logistics demands. Blackstone went on to grow that portfolio to $175 billion in scale, its largest single asset.

Jon Gray, Blackstone's president, suggested Blackstone's data center portfolio would continue to grow.

"On the generative AI front, it's still very early days," Gray said.

The size of Blackstone's investments in data centers reflect an astonishing rise for a once-obscure industry that's gaining importance in the race to develop and commercialize artificial intelligence . Gray has previously estimated there will be as much as a trillion dollars of data center construction in the next five years necessary to power AI.

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Schwarzman said there has been "a paradigm shift around demand for data centers driven by growth in content creation, cloud adoption, and most importantly now the revolution underway in artificial intelligence."

"AI requires exponentially more computing power and capacity than was previously imagined," he added.

Blackstone's investment in QTS was spread across three of its funds, including Blackstone Real Estate Income Trust, known as BREIT.

During the earnings call, Michael Chae, the company's chief financial officer, said the investment "was the single largest driver of appreciation" for those three funds in the first quarter.

Blackstone has sought to expand its entry into the data center sector through other investments as well. In December, it announced it would take a majority ownership stake in a venture with Digital Realty Trust, another large name in the business, that plans to build $7 billion of data centers in northern Virginia, Frankfurt, and Paris.

Around the country, there has been a boom of data center construction. The facilities provide a home for the internet and the processing and storage for an increasing array of other essential functions, including cloud computing and, now, artificial intelligence.

Gray also pointed out that Blackstone was investing in a "whole ecosystem" of companies that are connected or ancillary to the data center business.

"We've made a number of investments around cloud companies" and "contractors building" data centers, Gray said.

Schwarzman said that Blackstone was also seeking to cater to the "sector's growing power needs, leveraging our sizable energy infrastructure platform, which includes the largest private renewables developer in North America," a reference to Blackstone portfolio companies such as Invenergy, a renewable energy firm it invested into in 2022.

There are unique hurdles in the data center business, however. The rapidly growing industry has placed strains on energy grids across the country, which have struggled to keep up. There are growing concerns, meanwhile, whether data center demand could upend efforts by utility systems to decarbonize and also who will end up paying for the billions of dollars of infrastructure needed to power up the proliferating facilities.

Late last year, QTS won local approval to build one of the country's largest new data center projects in Virginia. The project, however, was hounded by heavy local opposition .

Watch: How to invest in AI stocks

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