Don’t Miss Out on These 10 Incredible Mexican Resort Towns (#1 Is STUNNING)

coconut on the sany beach of Chachaua
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As I have lived in Mexico since 2018, I’ll use all my insider knowledge to help you pick the best place to visit.

As you might have guessed, the best resort towns in Mexico are located in many of the best beach towns, such as Cancun, Los Cabos, and Tulum.

However, others are located off the beaten path in the not-so-famous places in Mexico.

This article contains a mix of both, so you’ll 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.

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1. Punta Maroma (Playa Maroma Beach)

El Dorado Palafitos on Playa Maroma Beach, Mexico
El Dorado Palafitos on Playa Maroma Beach are the best Mexico over the water bungalows. (Photo: Expedia, Best Mexican cities)

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 Punta Maroma, a Mexican beach town 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 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 on Playa Maroma Beach, Mexico
Enjoy your piece of heaven in one of just 30 exclusive, adults-only, over the water bungalows in Mexico. (Photo: Expedia, Best of 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 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.

2. Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

catamaran sailboat near large rocks in the ocean | things to do in cabo mexico
Located in the Sea of Cortez, no Cabo vacation is complete with out seeing El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, one of the most famous places in 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.

Whether you’re going with a group or 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

beautiful white homes with pink roofs and large white rock formations behind on the beach in cabo san lucas, one of the Best Mexican Beach Towns
The
  • Garza Blanca Resort & Spa
  • is one of the best Cabo hotels on the beach. (Photo: Expedia, Mexico best of Cabo)

    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.

    3. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

    los cabos mexico | san jose del cabo beach | baja california mexico
    When it comes to Mexican resort destinations, don’t overlook San Jose del Cabo.

    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, the amazing San Jose del Cabo resorts and the town itself have a completely different vibe.

    🗺️ where is Los Cabos, Mexico located?

    Before continuing, 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

    beautiful white homes with pink roofs and large white rock formations behind on the beach in cabo san lucas, one of the Best Mexican Beach Towns
    Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort is one of the best 5 Star hotels in Mexico. (Photo: Expedia, Best in 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.

    4. Riviera Maya, Mexico

    playa xpu-ha beach | best beaches in mexico
    Playa Xpu-Ha, located in Riviera Maya (Puerto Aventuras), is one of the best Mexico beaches.

    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 Mexico’s best beach towns. 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 are mostly resorts and beaches, so to get to the best things to do, you’ll want a rental car.

    🏆 Best Resort in Riviera Maya Mexico

    exterior view of the Grand Velas Los Cabos Beyond All-Inclusive Resort
    Grand Velas Riviera Maya All Inclusive is one of Mexico’s AAA Five Diamond hotels.

    There’s no shortage of gorgeous resorts in Riviera Maya; it’s often hard to choose one.

    The nicest of them all is Grand Velas Riviera Maya, a Mexico Five Diamond hotel. There’s Banyan Tree Mayakoba Mexico and Rosewood Mayakoba Mexico for Mexico bungalows in Riviera Maya.

    5. Tulum, Mexico

    woman at the van a la luz tulum sculpture of a wooden man
    The famous Daniel Popper wooden man sculpture in Tulum, Ven a la Luz (Come to the Light), at the Ahau Tulum Resort and Raw Love Cafe.

    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

    best all inclusive resorts in tulum mexico
    Tulum is quickly becoming one of the best Mexican resort towns, thanks to places like Kore Tulum. (Photo: Expedia, Best beach resort in 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.

    6. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

    beach in puerto vallarta mexico
    Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular resort towns in Mexico, and top destinations in Mexico for LGBTQ+ travelers.

    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, Puerto Vallarta has many of the best.

    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

    Garza Blanca Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, located on Playa Palmares Beach in Puerto Vallarta. (Photo: Expedia)

    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!

    7. Costa Careyes, Mexico

    two pelicans on the beach in costa careyes mexico
    Costa Careyes has some of the best beaches in Mexico on the Pacific Coast.

    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

    las Alamandas resort in Costa Careyes, Mexico
    There’s no place quite like Las Alamandas Mexico resort in Careyes, one of the best non touristy beach towns in Mexico. (Photo: Expedia)

    For travelers seeking unique accommodations, the Ocean Castle Sol De Oriente is like nothing you’ve ever seen — it’s also about $5,000 USD per night!

    Much more affordable, and also visually stunning, Las Alamandas is one of the best resorts in Careyes Mexico.

    8. Punta Mita, Mexico

    playa malpaso beach | is sayulita safe
    The exclusive Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort in Punta Mita, Mexico near Puerto Vallarta. (Photo: Expedia)

    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

    Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Mexico Resort | best resort towns in mexico
    The Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is one of the best Punta Mita resorts in Mexico. (Photo: Expedia, Best couples resort in 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.

    9. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

    colorful street in San Miguel De Allende Mexico
    San Miguel de Allende is one of the best small towns in Mexico, and the perfect Mexico resort town for those who don’t want to visit the beaches.

    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

    colorful street in San Miguel De Allende Mexico
    Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende Urban Resort offers an oasis right in the heart of the city. (Photo: Expedia)

    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.

    10. Cancun, Mexico

    cancun beach - with white sand, blue water and hotels along the sand
    The soft white sand on the best Cancún beaches, including Playa Delfines, Playa Mujeres and Playa Chacmool, make it one of the best beach destinations in the world.

    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

    One of the best parts about the Cancun Riu Palace Peninsula is it’s privileged location on Playa Caracol Beach. (Photo: Expedia, Best resort town in 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.

    Ready to Book Your Mexico Vacation? Here Are Some Resources To Look At:

    woman standing in the circlular pad in cenote suytun
    Cenote Suytun, located in the Yucatan Peninsula, is a visitor favorite.

    Mexico is a large country — the 14th largest country on Earth by size — and it’s also the 6th most biodiverse diverse country in the world.

    Though it’s mostly known for beaches, there’s a lot more to Mexico than that. Check out these Mexico articles to discover parts of the country you never knew existed.

    ⚠️ Before You Go — Get Your FREE Guide!

    Head here and enter your email address to download your FREE Mexico guide (5 Things You Don’t Want to Forget to Pack for Mexico) and get Mexico travel tips, tricks and more sent straight to your inbox.

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