The 25 Best Resort Towns in Mexico to Visit for a Relaxing Stay
Want to stay in the best resorts in Mexico?
Then you’re in the right place, because the best resorts are all located in the best resort towns in Mexico — and those are all listed in this article.
As I have lived in Mexico since 2018, I’m going to use all my insider knowledge to help you pick the best place in Mexico to visit.
As you might have guessed, the best resort towns in Mexico are located in many of the best beach towns in Mexico, like Cancun, Los Cabos and Tulum.
However, there are others, located off the beaten path in the not so famous places in Mexico.
This article contains a mix of both, so you’ll truly find the place you’re looking for. While the best resort in Mexico is subjective, by the end of this article, you will find your best place to go in Mexico — so let’s get to it.
The 25 Best Resort Towns in Mexico
1. Punta Maroma (Playa Maroma Beach)
At Playa Maroma, named one of the 10 Best Beaches in the World by the Travel Channel and Discovery Channel, you’re surrounded by natural beauty, peace and quiet.
This near-private beach is located in a Mexico beach town called Punta Maroma, between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
While this isn’t among the most popular Mexico resort towns, travelers in the know can’t get enough of Punta Maroma Mexico.
It has great coral reefs for snorkeling that are located just off-shore, especially those on the southern end of the beach, near the Chablé Maroma Resort.
⚠️ Playa Maroma Tip: Buy a Day Pass
Though all beaches in Mexico are public, not all beaches have public access.
Unless you’re staying at a resort like El Dorado Palafitos or Chablé Maroma, the easiest way to access Playa Maroma is with a day pass from Maroma Adventures and Beach Club.
🏆 Best Resorts in Punta Maroma Mexico
🏆 El Dorado Palafitos Maroma
When it comes to the best all inclusive resort in Mexico, it’s hard to beat El Dorado Palafitos Mexico Overwater Bungalows on Maroma Beach Mexico.
It is an adults only, gourmet all inclusive resort by Karisma, located right in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
🏆 Chablé Maroma
If Caribbean overwater bungalows aren’t your thing, there’s also the Chablé Maroma Resort.
This upscale resort on the beach, has 70 suites with private plunge pools, three restauurants, a spa and gym, two outdoor swimming pools, and more.
🚗 How to Get to Punta Maroma Mexico
You’ll want to fly into Cancun International Airport (code: CUN). ✈️ Check flights to Cancun!
From there, pre-book with Cancun Airport Transportation, the highest rated Cancun Airport transfer company. They have private shuttles, luxury SUV and limo service, and accessible options.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Cabo San Lucas is one of the best Mexico travel destinations and best resort tows in Mexico.
Not only are there so many things to do in Cabo San Lucas, but it’s easy to get there (you’ll fly into Los Cabos Airport), and also one of the safest places to visit in Mexico.
🇲🇽 For a deep dive into this topic, check out Is Cabo San Lucas Safe? Cabo Travel Safety Tips
Whether you’re going with a group, a partner, or doing solo travel in Cabo, it’s easy to spend a week or a weekend in Cabo.
A year-round destination, Cabo sees an astounding 300 days of sunshine annually, so there’s no best time to visit Cabo, because it has sunny days all year.
Whether you want to snorkel, do a boat cruise, ride ATVs in the desert, play golf in Cabo, or just relax on the beach and eat some fresh fish tacos — Cabo San Lucas and Los Cabos Mexico have a lot to offer.
🏆 Best Resort in Cabo Mexico
For those who want to stay at a Mexico all inclusive resort, the Cabo resorts are known as some of the best in the country.
The Garza Blanca Resort & Spa is perfect for a splurge, and the Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas is a great mid-budget all-inclusive Cabo resort option.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
3. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
San José del Cabo is a fantastic little beach town in Mexico, perfect for those who appreciate culture, art, sightseeing and of course, beaches.
There are plenty of things to do in San Jose del Cabo, and this little town should be high on your Mexico bucket list.
San Jose, as it’s known by the locals, is easy to get to because the Los Cabo International Airport (code: SJD) is right in town.
Though it’s overshadowed by nearby Cabo San Lucas, these amazing San Jose del Cabo resorts and the town itself have a completely different vibe.
🗺️ where is Los Cabos, Mexico located?
Before we continue any further, let’s take a moment to clear up the Is it Cabo or Los Cabos? question.
I’ll admit it can be quite confusing because there’s Cab San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and Los Cabos, so here’s the rundown:
Los Cabos is a geographic area in Baja California Sur state, of which the two top tourist towns are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
When you see “Los Cabos,” it usually refers to the Los Cabos Corridor, which is the area between Cabo and San Jose.
🏆 Best Resort in Los Cabos Mexico
While Cabo San Lucas is the most popular place in Los Cabos, many of the best resorts in Cabo are located closer to San Jose del Cabo and the Los Cabos Corridor.
These include the spectacular Grand Velas los Cabos All Inclusive and Las Ventanas al Paraiso — two of the best Mexico resorts.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
4. Riviera Maya, Mexico
The Riviera Maya is a long stretch of Caribbean coastline on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, located in-between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
You won’t find many Mexico travel guides that don’t describe this area one of the nicest places in Mexico for a relaxing vacation on the beach.
When you arrive you’ll soon see why Riviera Maya is one of the best beach towns Mexico has. In fact, many visitors don’t even leave their resorts.
It is home to many of the best resorts in Yucatan, including the Grand Velas Riviera Maya All Inclusive, a 5 Diamond Mexico hotel.
Within Riviera Maya itself, there’s mostly just resorts and beaches, so to get to the best things to do in Riviera Maya, you’ll want a rental car to get around.
🏆 Best Resort in Riviera Maya Mexico
There’s no shortage of gorgeous resorts in Riviera Maya; in fact, it’s often hard to choose one.
The nicest of them all is Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a Mexico Five Diamond hotel.
For Mexico bungalows in Riviera Maya, there’s Banyan Tree Mayakoba Mexico and Rosewood Mayakoba Mexico.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
5. Tulum, Mexico
Tulum, Mexico is located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula about 75 miles (120 km) south of Cancun, and 40 miles (65 km) south of Playa del Carmen.
It is known for its bohemian vibes, gorgeous coastline with crystal clear waters, posh beach clubs, stunning Tulum resorts and the Tulum Mayan Ruins archeological site.
Besides the Tulum Ruins, you’ll enjoy swimming in the Tulum cenotes (freshwater sinkholes in the jungle).
You can also go snorkeling in Tulum and explore the surrounding area on some Tulum day trips.
With so many things do in Tulum, you’ll have no problem filling your Tulum itinerary.
🏆 Best Resort in Tulum Mexico
Tulum is a small town, and there aren’t many resorts within the city itself.
Actually, there are only two resorts in Tulum, Mexico — Kore Tulum Retreat & Spa Resort the only all inclusive Tulum resort for adults, and Dreams Resort Tulum Mexico, the best family resort Tulum has.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
6. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. It sits on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, and is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country.
If you’re looking for all inclusive beach resorts in Mexico — look no further than Puerto Vallarta for many of the best beach resorts in Mexico.
The picturesque Mexican beach town is flanked by the Bahía Banderas (Bay of Banderas) on one side, and Sierra Madre Mountains on the other.
With so many things to do in Puerto Vallarta, it’s a great place to spend a few weeks, or even just a few days.
🏝 Need help planning your Puerto Vallarta vacation? Check out this Puerto Vallarta Itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 Days in PV, and use it as your personal Puerto Vallarta travel guide.
🏆 Best Resort in Puerto Vallarta Mexico
When it comes to Puerto Vallarta resorts, none even come close to the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa.
There’s also the Casa Kimberly Boutique Hotel, the home once owned by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton.
It is now the best boutique hotel in Puerto Vallarta, and a piece of living history.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
7. Costa Careyes, Mexico
Costa Careyes is a hidden, private estate community, comprised of posh and exclusive resorts, oceanfront villas and hidden bungalows.
It is located on the Costalegre, meaning “coast of joy,” in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, and sits on the Pacific Ocean.
The beach resorts in Costa Careyes combine the sensuality of the Mediterranean with the unique architecture and hospitality of Mexico.
While Careyes Mexico many not be a household name, it’s one of the world’s most coveted destinations among travelers in the know.
🏆 Best Resort in Careyes Mexico
For travelers seeking unique accommodations, this Ocean Castle Sol De Oriente is like nothing you’ve ever seen — it’s also about $16,000 USD per night 😳‼️
Much more affordable, and also visually stunning, Las Alamandas Resort is one of the best resorts in Careyes Mexico.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
8. Punta Mita, Mexico
Punta Mita is an exclusive area with posh resorts in an area called the Riviera Nayarit. It is in Nayarit state, one of the Mexico Pacific States.
Riviera Nayarit has many great beaches, but Punta Mita is popular because it’s only about one hour from Puerto Vallarta.
The Riviera Nayarit beaches have something for everyone — whale watching in winter, calm beaches for swimming and great beaches for surfing.
With everything from inexpensive hostels to some of the best 5 Star resorts in Mexico, like Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, and places in-between like the Marival Armony Luxury Resort, there’s a place for everyone.
🏆 Best Resorts in Punta Mita Mexico
Punta Mita is all abut luxury stays. When looking for the best luxury resort in Mexico, look no further than the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, one of the AAA 5 Diamond resorts in Mexico.
Besides Grand Velas, there’s also the Four Seasons Punta Mita and St. Regis Punta Mita Resort.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
9. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
There aren’t too many resort towns in Mexico that aren’t located on the beach, but San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato state is one of the few.
Besides the resorts, it doesn’t hurt that this town is incredibly gorgeous, and feels like you’re walking around in a painting.
The gothic-style Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel (San Miguel de Allende church), and the town’s colorful streets have made San Miguel a Mexico must see.
There are plenty of things to do in San Miguel de Allende, which makes it the perfect resort town getaway in Central Mexico.
🏆 Best Resort in San Miguel de Allende Mexico
San Miguel de Allende accommodations are generally pretty gorgeous, but for a true resort experience, no place compares to Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende.
For the best boutique hotels in San Miguel de Allende, there’s L’Ôtel at Dôce18 Concept House and Casa de Sierra Nevada.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
10. Cancun, Mexico
Cancun is world-class destination in Quintana Roo state on the Caribbean Sea, and on Mexico travel bucket lists.
And what’s not love with 14-miles (22.5 km) miles of coastline, washed by turquoise waters so intense they seem painted?!
Besides all that, Cancun is one of the 30 safest cities in Mexico.
If you’re looking for the best Mexico beach resorts, opt for the Zona Hotelera (Cancun Hotel Zone), located right on the beach.
This is among the safest beaches in Mexico, and has many of the best hotels and resorts in Cancun.
There are many things to do in Cancun, which is a place for everyone — not just those looking to party!
Now, there are plenty of Cancun nightlife spots to dance and drink the night away, but Cancun is a top Mexico travel destination because it’s a place families, couples and singles can enjoy.
🏆 Best Resort in Cancun Mexico
Cancun is undeniably a Mexico resort town, and there are a lot of Cancun resorts to choose from when traveling to Cancun.
For travelers looking to splurge, the Finest Playa Mujeres Resort is a great upscale option, while Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun is more budget-friendly.
👨👩👧👧 Traveling to Mexico with kids?
The best resort in Cancun Mexico for families is the Hyatt Ziva Cancun Resort.
It is often called the best kid resort in Mexico and the best family resort in Mexico because it has a water park on the property.
🎉 Looking for the best party resort in Mexico?
The all-inclusive, adults-only Temptation Cancun Resort is always a good time, as well as the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
11. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Isla Mujeres, Mexico is a small island paradise just a few miles from Cancun, across the Bahia de Mujeres (Mujeres Bay).
Even though it’s close to Cancun, Isla Mujeres offers a totally different experience.
It is accessible only by ferry from Cancun, and a popular day or weekend trip for both visitors and locals, but you can also stay on the island.
As island life is much more laid back, it’s the perfect spot to come and relax for a few days in one of these beautiful and best Isla Mujeres resorts.
🇲🇽 Isla Mujeres is one of the 177 or so Mexico pueblos magicos, or magic towns. These are tourist-friendly, small towns in Mexico highlighted for their unique attributes.
🏆 Best Resort in Isla Mujeres Mexico
When it comes to luxury hotels in Isla Mujeres, there’s two great options, Excellence Playa Mujeres Resort and Zoetry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres.
If this is an adults’ trip, opt for Excellence Playa Mujeres because it’s adults only, whereas Zoetry Villa Rolandi welcomes guests of all ages.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
12. Playa del Carmen, Mexico
One of the top beach towns in Mexico, “Playa” (as the locals call it), is also one of the best Mexico travel destinations.
Located on the Caribbean Sea, about 45 minutes south of Cancun, Playa del Carmen has something for everyone — Mayan ruins, cenotes, beautiful beaches and more.
Once considered simply a less-crowded Cancun, in recent years Playa del Carmen has carved out its own identity.
It the winter home to a lot of expats in Mexico, so some say it has a stronger sense of community than Cancun, and it’s also very popular with digital nomads inn Mexico.
🏆 Best Resort in Playa del Carmen Mexico
There’s no shortage of beautiful resorts in Playa del Carmen, and many visitors have a hard time choosing just one!
For their prime location right on 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen, the Hilton Playa del Carmen and Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort are your best options.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
13. Cozumel Island, Mexico
Cozumel, Mexico is a lovely, low key beach island destination positioned just 12 miles (19 km) from Playa del Carmen.
There are so many great Cozumel beaches all over the island, though the best beaches are on the west side of Cozumel.
If you’re in search of white sand and aqua water, head to Playa Dzul Ha, Playa Palancar and Punta Sur Ecological Park.
This is a wonderful eco-park to visit for more than 2,500 acres (1,011 hectares) of untouched nature.
It has stunning beaches, tropical plants and even adorable Mexican wildlife like the coatimundi.
Cozumel is one of the best Mexico beach destinations, especially for snorkeling in Mexico.
Located just off-shore, there’s the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (AKA Great Mayan Reef). This is the second largest coral reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef.
There’s also the San Gervasio Mayan Ruins to explore back on dry land.
🏆 Best Resort in Cozumel Mexico
The Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa is amazing, and one of the of all Mexico 5 Star resorts.
The Meliá Cozumel All Inclusive is another great option that’s more budget-friendly.
If you’re looking for the best Secrets resort in Mexico, check out Secrets Aura Cozumel.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
14. Playacar, Mexico
Playacar is just south of Playa del Carmen, and known for its pristine white sand beaches, exclusive golf courses, luxury hotels and Playacar resorts.
Playacar Beach offers a nice respite from the crowded Playa del Carmen beaches.
It is much more laid back than Playa del Carmen, but close enough that you can easily get there to enjoy both towns — and near the Playa del Carmen Secret Beach.
If you’re staying in nearby Playa del Carmen, you can buy a day pass from Riu Palace Riviera Maya, so you have access to the beach, lounge chairs, umbrellas, servers, the pool, showers and restrooms.
🏆 Best Resort in Playacar Mexico
If you want exclusive and unique, book Palmaïa – The House of AïA Wellness Enclave, one of the coolest and best wellness resorts in Mexico.
There’s also traditional resorts, like Playacar Palace All Inclusive Resort and Riu Palace Riviera Maya.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
15. Isla Holbox Island, Mexico
Though Isla Holbox (pronounced hole-bosh, not hole-box) is near Cancun, it feels like it’s a world away.
The island is a tranquil tropical paradise on the Caribbean Sea, with hammocks in the water, seafood restaurants in the sand — and you can even swim with the whale sharks in Holbox.
For a Mexican Caribbean island so close to the big destinations, like Cancun, you can stay at the best Holbox resorts for a fraction of the cost — and enjoy the same beautiful Caribbean waters.
It is with good reason that Holbox Island ranks as one of the best Mexico small beach towns.
🚢 How to Get to Holbox Island Mexico
The easiest way to get there is to fly into Cancun Airport, then head to the small pueblo of Chiquila and take the ferry to Holbox.
For a deep dive, this Cancun to Holbox Island travel guide will explain how to get to Isla Holbox.
🏆 Best Resort in Isla Holbox Mexico
Holbox consists of Playa Holbox Beach on the northern end of the island, and Playa Punta Cocos on the southern end, with Downtown Holbox (Centro) in-between the two.
Most of the best Holbox resorts are near Playa Holbox, and this area is popular with couples and families.
If you want to stay on popular Playa Holbox Beach, the main beach in Holbox, opt for the Las Nubes de Holboox Resort.
Downtown is a more central area, closer to all the best things to do in Holbox, so if you want to stay here, Casa las Tortugas Holbox is amazing.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
16. Akumal, Mexico
Akumal is in the state of Quintana Roo, one of the three states that make up Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. It is south of Cancun, and in-between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
The pueblo (small town) of Akumal sits on the Caribbean Sea, and ranks among the safest cities in Mexico.
Akumal means place of the turtle in Maya, and Playa Akumal is famous because you can swim with the sea turtles.
A few years back, the Mexican government put restrictions in place to limit the number of daily visitors — so you must now book a tour to swim with the turtles in Akumal.
🏆 Best Resorts in Akumal Mexico
A great option for families with kids, Bahia Principe Luxury Akumal has an adults-only area, and an open area for all to enjoy.
Looking for a peaceful Akumal resorts? Nearby Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is quite possibly the best resort in Mexico for couples, and it’s adults only.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
17. Merida, Mexico
Merida has long been considered the safest city inn Mexico, and the safest city in all Latin America.
As this town gets more and more popular, the boutique hotels in Merida and resorts keep getting better and better, and there are many more of them with each passing year.
The best way to experience Merida as a Mexico resort town is to stay in one of the restored haciendas just outside of town.
There are many great Yucatan haciendas near Merida, which are large estates once owned by Merida’s wealthy elite, that have now been converted into resorts.
🏆 Best Resort in Merida Mexico
Located just 25 minutes from Downtown Merida, La Hacienda Xcanatun has been restored to its 18th Century grandeur for visitors to enjoy.
A little further from town, Chablé Hacienda Yucatan is one of the best haciendas in Mexico that you can stay in.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
18. Bahías de Huatulco, Mexico
Bahías de Huatulco, usually just called Huatulco, is a beautiful coastal town in Oaxaca state.
💁♀️ Wondering about the Huatulco pronunciation? It’s wah-tool-koh.
Huatulco Mexico is known for gorgeous beaches with turquoise water, snorkeling and scuba diving, delicious Oaxaca food, whale watching in winter, all-inclusive resorts, and friendly locals.
Book the window seat for your Huatulco flight, because the views from the air will leave you speechless.
While descending, you’ll see the 36 beaches and 9 bays of Huatulco Mexico.
The Huatulco Airport is just outside of town, so after landing, you’ll be enjoying them in no time.
🏆 Best Resort in Huatulco Mexico
Bahia Conejos, which means “bunny bay,” is a beautiful and secluded beach, perfect for a Huatulco vacation.
Here, you’ll all the best Huatulco resorts — Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa, Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa, Barceló Huatulco Resort and Camino Real Zaashila Huatulco.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
19. Puerto Escondido, Mexico
Puerto Escondido, meaning “hidden port,” is the most popular of all beach towns in Oaxaca.
For those who have seen photos of the best Puerto Escondido beaches, you already know why this Oaxaca coastline town is so popular.
Known as one of the best Mexico surf destinations, many beaches in Puerto Escondido are great for swimming and snorkeling as well.
Among them, don’t miss the best beaches in Puerto Escondido — Playa Carrizalillo, Playa Puerto Angel, Playa Zicatela and Playa Bacocho.
🏆 Best Resort in Puerto Escondido Mexico
When it comes to the best resorts in Puerto Escondido Mexico, there’s one that reigns supreme: Hotel Escondido.
This is a gorgeous boutique hotel, located on a private beach area about 30-minutes from Puerto Escondido by rental car.
Disconnect from it all in one of their private beachfront bungalows.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
20. Mazatlan, Mexico
Mazatlán is the best Mexican beach destination in Sinaloa state, and in general, one of the best places to visit in Mexico.
Located on the Pacific Ocean, its rich history, delicious Sinaloa-style seafood, and beach views make it a perfect Mexico vacation destination.
You’ll want to hit all the best beaches in Mazatlan while you’re there, like Playa Camaron.
If you’re staying at a Mazatlan resort, you’ll likely be visiting the beaches in the Golden Zone (Zona Dorada).
This is where the action happens, as these beaches are tourist-friendly.
🏆 Best Resort in Mazatlan Mexico
Las Villas Hotel & Golf By Estrella del Mar is the premier resort in Mazatlan, especially for travelers who want to work on their golf game and hit the beach.
Hotel Riu Emerald Bay All Inclusive Resort is another great option, and prices are usually a bit lower.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
21. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Mexico
The towns of Ixtapa (pronounced icks-taa-paa) and Zihuatanejo (pronounced zee-wah-ten-nay-hoe) are located right next to one another, at only about 15- to 20-miles apart (24-32 km).
They are always spoken about together, but they are very different towns.
Ixtapa, Mexico is undeniably a resort town, however, it doesn’t see the same huge crowds as Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.
Here, you’ll have a nice balance between these lux Ixtapa resorts and also gorgeous beaches, like Playa la Ropa, one of the best beaches in Mexico.
Zihuatanejo, Mexico is much more laid back, and better for budget travel in Mexico.
Though it’s one of the coolest but cheapest beach towns in Mexico, there are still some gorgeous resorts in Zihuatanejo, like Thompson Zihuatanejo, A Beach Resort and La Casa Que Canta.
🏆 Best Resort in Ixtapa Mexico
Among the top-rated resorts in town, there’s the Barceló Ixtapa All Inclusive Resort, located right on popular Playa El Palmar Beach.
Some other great options are Cala de Mar Resort & Spa Ixtapa, Azul Ixtapa All Inclusive Resort and Club Med Ixtapa Pacific.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
22. Puerto Penasco, Mexico
Puerto Peñasco, which means “Rocky Point,” is a resort town in the state of Sinaloa, Mexico.
It was once a sleepy Mexican fishing village, but in the last decade or so, has become a top vacation destination because of its proximity to the United States.
Rocky Point is located just one hour from the Arizona border. It is sometimes called “Arizona’s Beach,” as this is the closest beach to Arizona.
If you’re driving to Mexico from Arizona, this is an easy trip across the border.
🏆 Best Resort in Puerto Penasco Mexico
The Sonoran Sun Puerto Penasco Resort is considered the best hotel in Puerto Penasco Mexico, and located on the beach.
It actually sits right in between the two best beaches in Puerto Penasco — Playa Bonita and Playa Hermosa.
It’s also not far from the Puerto Penasco sand dunes and magical tide pools in Bahía la Choya. These are two of the best things to do in Puerto Penasco.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
23. Sayulita, Mexico
From surfing in Sayulita and hiking mountains, to the best beaches in Sayulita — including the Mexico hidden beach on Islas Marietas — you’ll fall in love with this Mexico beach town.
It’s a relatively new entry to the list of best resort towns in Mexico, but worth checking out.
Sayulita is a bohemian beach town in Nayarit state, and one of the towns in the Riviera Nayarit, along with Punta Mita and San Pancho.
Beloved by surfers, backpacker and luxury travelers alike, you won’t find the big name resorts here (yet), but there are plenty of boutique resorts in Sayulita.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
🏆 Best Resort in Sayulita Mexico
When it comes to Sayulita resorts, Siete Lunas Boutique Sayulita is in a class all its own.
Located on a cliff overlooking the beaches in Sayulita, the views are stunning, and so is the service.
To save a bit on the cost, there’s also Avela Boutique Hotel Sayulita.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
24. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City (aka CDMX) is the sixth largest city on Earth, and the largest city in North America.
Though not the first place that comes to mind when you think “Mexico resort towns,” it actually has some of the nicest hotels in the country.
From hip neighborhoods and Aztec history, to the colorful boats of Xochimilco, the historic Teotihuacan Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and of course, the delicious tacos — there’s nowhere on Earth quite like Mexico City.
With the temperate Mexico City weather, this city is a year-round destination.
There are about 150 fascinating museums in Mexico City, delicious restaurants in Mexico City, massive parks, and even great day trips from Mexico City — so don’t skip over this amazing city when traveling to Mexico.
🏆 Best Resort in Mexico City
Many don’t think of Mexico City when picking the best resorts towns in Mexico, but it offers a lot.
All the major hotel chains have properties in Mexico City, including the Four Seasons Mexico City, The St. Regis Mexico City, and Camino Real Polanco, located in the posh Polanco neighborhood.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
25. Acapulco, Mexico
Wondering, What’s the closest beach to Mexico City? It’s Acapulco, a resort town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, in the state of Guerrero.
It has been one of the top Mexico destinations since the 1950s and ’60s when the jet-set crowd discovered it.
Set between the Pacific Ocean and Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, there’s so many things to do in Acapulco — from eating fresh seafood at the amazing restaurants to lazing on the best Acapulco beaches.
Known for high-energy nightlife, a lively LGBTQ+ scene, beautiful beaches and world-class golf courses, Acapulco has it all.
When you visit, don’t miss the La Quebrada cliff divers, a group of professional divers that perform 131-feet (40 m) jumps into the ocean, day and night.
🏆 Best Resort in Acapulco Mexico
When it comes to Acapulco resorts, Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués is in a class all its own, with both suites and private villas available.
If you’re looking for the best Dreams Resort in Mexico, there’s also the Dreams Acapulco Resort & Spa.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico Map
To help you get a visual of where everything’s located, all 25 Mexico resort towns featured in this article have been pinned to the Mexican resort towns map above.
While they might not all be resort towns in Mexico you may know by name, they’re all safe places to travel in Mexico.
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
Mexico Travel: Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best time to visit Mexico?
Mexico is a large country, so the best time to visit will depend on where you’re traveling.
In general, you get the best weather on Mexico beaches from about November to April.
The cities of Mexico, mostly located in Central Mexico, are very nice all year long.
However, the beaches are best in winter, but often hot, humid and rainy in the summers.
For a deep dive into Mexico travel month by month, check out the guides lined below:
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
Is Mexico safe to travel to?
For the majority of travelers, yes, Mexico is safe for travel.
This isn’t to say bad and unfortunate things don’t happen in Mexico; they do.
However, Mexico is much safer than most are led to believe by the mainstream media.
You will want to use common sense and follow the same general travel precaution and guidelines you would when visiting anywhere else on Earth.
These include staying aware of yourself, your belongings and your surroundings, but if you do all that, Mexico will likely be safe for you.
🇲🇽 For more Mexico travel tips, check out 50 Best Tips for Mexico Travel (Advice from a Local)
Best Resort Towns in Mexico
Is Mexico worth visiting?
As someone who lives in Mexico — I’m clearly biased with this answer.
My biases aside, Mexico is the sixth most biodiverse country in the world, so you can enjoy beaches, rainforests, waterfalls, deserts, mountains, rivers, tacos and more, all in the same country.
Beyond landscapes and nature, there’s amazing annual festivals like Day of the Dead on November 1-2.
Mexico is known to have some of the friendliest people of any country, and with a great inter-country bus system and low-cost airline carriers, it’s easy to travel within Mexico.
My Final Thoughts on the Best Resort Towns in Mexico
We’ve reached the end, but this list of the 25 best resort areas in Mexico certainly covered a lot of ground!
I hope you find the Mexico resort town that’s right for you, and also have an answer to the What is the best resort in Mexico? question.
With a mix of the most popular resort towns in Mexico, like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, and some hidden gems, like Isla Holbox, Sayulita and Costa Careyes, there’s a perfect resort town in Mexico for everyone.
If you need a few more suggestions of the best resort cities in Mexico to consider, there’s La Paz, Rosarito, Puerto Morelos, Manzanillo, Loreto, El Cuyo, Lake Bacalar, Nuevo Vallarta, Todos Santos, Ensenada and Zipolite.
