Top 5 Family-Friendly Resorts of the Riviera Maya
If you’re itching to get away somewhere warm and sunny this fall or winter, the Riviera Maya fits the bill nicely. Remember though that with travel busier than ever (last travel season was the busiest on record for Mexico) it’s important to start planning sooner rather than later.
This popular Caribbean tourist destination on the coastline of Mexico’s northeastern Yucatán Peninsula just south of Cancun is famous for its sparkling beaches, high-end all-inclusive resorts, lush jungle landscapes, and ancient Mayan ruins. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy (the 3D Museum of Wonders and the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary & Rescued Animals are definite must-sees) and of course family-friendly resorts, perfect for spending quality family time together as you relax and unwind from the everyday routines of home.
Here is our list of the Top 5 Family Friendly Resorts of the Riviera Maya, perfect for family getaways all year long.
Planet Hollywood Cancun
Step into the shoes of the rich and famous as you and your family enjoy the movie star experience. Located on the beautiful white-sand beachfront of Costa Mujeres, this resort features 648 suites (including the 689 sq. ft Entourage Suite – Family Room), 11 restaurants and bars, the Shipwreck Cove and Jurassic Splash Park, a lazy river, four sparkling pools, sports and fitness facilities, and more.
Image credit: planethollywoodhotels.com/resorts/cancun
The resorts “Showstopping Moments” continue with:
Hollywood memorabilia, entertainment-themed facilities, attractions, and amenities
Nine-hole mini golf course and labyrinth
Supervised STARS Kids Club (ages 4 – 12)
Disco, movie theatre, and daily and nightly entertainment
Planet Play trampoline park and arcade
FlowRider® Wave
There’s even a Kids Superhero Beach Party, where your children can dress up as their favourite superhero, enjoy yummy snacks, defeat an obstacle course, and play fun games.
Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun
It’s no surprise this resort is high on our list of the Top 5 Family Friendly Resorts of the Riviera Maya! With one of the largest on-site water parks in the Caribbean, a dedicated kids club, bowling and laser tag, and a trampoline park, among other amazing amenities, your littles will be more than ready to enjoy a delicious meal at one of 12 deluxe restaurants before retiring for the night in one of the resort’s 1005 suites.
The resort’s world-class suites feature outdoor terraces and swim-out pools. You can even upgrade to a Diamond Club™ suite and enjoy additional elevated services and amenities (Butler service, preferred room locations, and more).
Your stay will be made even more unforgettable with:
On-site multi-sport courts
Private pristine beach access
Water sports and activities (snorkelling, kayaking, beach volleyball and soccer, paddleboarding)
Entertainment at the indoor and outdoor theatres
Did I mention that this resort is only 35 minutes from Cancun International Airport and close by to plenty of dining and nightclubs, golf courses, archeological sites, and the nearby coastal towns of Playa del Carmen and Puerto Morelos?
Iberostar Selection Paraíso Lindo
Image credit: resortpass.com/hotels/iberostar-selection-paraiso-lindo
This picturesque resort, situated on the seafront of the age-old Caribbean, is the perfect embodiment of the Iberostar chain’s Aliveness concept, celebrating their unique mutual respect and respect for the environment. FUN FACT - the resort’s Star Camp play area (perfect for ages 3 and up!) is made up of more than 7.2 tons of recycled plastic! That’s the equivalent of 32,000 five-litre containers and 65 trees worth of wood!
When you’re not relaxing in one of the resort’s jungle view rooms or indulging in cuisine from around the world, you and your family can enjoy Aquafun, a brand new waterpark, a lazy river, five pools, live shows with artists of multidisciplinary and international talent, and more:
Water sports
PADI Certified Scuba Center
Beach hammocks
Game Room/Reading Room
On-site Golf Course
Fitness facilities
And don’t forget the babysitting service if you need some kid-free time!
Moon Palace Cancun
We couldn’t leave this resort off our Top 5 Family Friendly Resorts of the Riviera Maya! Not only do kids 17 and under stay, play and eat for free (with restrictions), but your entire family will also enjoy pristine beaches, a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, our world-class Awe Spa, exotic tours, the best nightly entertainment, and super-fun kids and teens areas.
One of the Palace Resort chain’s largest resorts, the Moon Palace Cancun offers vacationers two sections, Nizuc and Sunrise. That’s a combined 17 gourmet dining options, a choice of fantastic or laid-back nightlife, an arcade lounge, playrooms, Flowrider® Double Wave Simulator, and much more.
If you’re travelling with young children, we recommend staying at the Moon Palace Cancun – Nizuc section:
The Nizuc Playroom offers interactive and outdoor fun for kids ages 4–10 years in a wonderland of nonstop excitement.
The two dedicated basketball courts are perfect for a game (or two) of 21 with family and friends.
The spacious pools with slides offer a perfect escape from the mid-day heat.
Treat the whole family to this lush suite with two connecting rooms, offering an array of exciting amenities for everyone to enjoy.
With two unique accommodations to choose from, located just minutes away from each, you can’t go wrong with this popular family-friendly resort.
Hotel Xcaret México
The ultimate in splurge and indulgence, a stay at Hotel Xcaret comes complete with the resort’s All-Fun Inclusive® concept, offering unlimited access and ground transportation to their parks: Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco, Xenses, Xavage and Xenotes. Your stay also includes round-trip transportation to the Embarcadero Isla Mujeres por Xcaret in the Cancun Hotel Zone and the ferry ride to Isla Mujeres with Xcaret Xailing.
Choose from:
unlimited snorkelling, food, and beverages
ziplining
driving an amphibious vehicle or Monster Truck
obstacle courses
whitewater rafting
exploring caves and underground rivers
And more!
Image credit: hotelxcaret.com/en/hotel-xcaret-mexico
When you’re not out and about seeing the sites, you’ll enjoy 5 Diamond certificated hospitality with views of the Caribbean Sea, Mexico’s iconic inlets, an emerald colour river or protected areas of the Mayan jungle. The resort’s 900 suites are distributed in 5 buildings or Casas, all inspired by important symbols of the Mayan cosmovision. Casa Tierra and Casa Viento are perfect for families, with immediate access to pools, the beach, Family and Kids Clubs, the trajineras dock that goes to Xcaret, and also the candy stations and desserts of the Chibali restaurant.
This resort must be experienced to be truly appreciated!
We are here to make your stay at any of these Top 5 Family Friendly Resorts of the Riviera Maya absolutely amazing. Give us a call at 403-651-5090 or drop us a note at fitstravelplanning@gmail.com.
Safe travels!