See also: Top Cancun All Inclusives for Families, and Top Cancun Resorts -Not All Inclusive
Cancun's 25-km Hotel Zone of double waterfront (ocean and lagoon) is wildly popular with night-club-goers, shoppers, and diners-out, but also has many resorts -- including some all inclusive resorts -- that welcome families. As a bonus, guests at Cancun resorts can do day-trips to the Mayan Riviera for Mayan ruins, coral reef, Xcaret and other "eco-theme parks".
Most of Cancun's resorts are in the Hotel Zone which has a 14-mile stretch of white-sand beach. Note that the state of the beach is not a constant: Hurricane Wilma (2005) swept away much sand; major reconstruction followed, but Hurricane Dean (2007) undid some of this work. The Mexico government gives top priority to Cancun's tourist appeal, and beach improvements are ongoing.
- See Tips about Cancun Resorts: beach conditions; are pools heated, tipping, Give-A-Toy, etc.
- Compare prices of many Cancun resorts
TIP: most higher-end Cancun resorts are not all inclusive resorts. So if you're after that extra pampering, see Luxury Resorts in Cancun that Welcome Families.
CANCUN ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS: ALPHABETICAL
See map of the Hotel Zone; see Top Cancun Resorts for Families
Avalon Grand Cancun
In the Cancun Hotel Zone, with all-inclusive plan; Wild Things kids' club for ages 4 to 10; guests can eat and play at the Avalon Reef Club on Isla Mujeres (a nice day-trip.) Next door is boutique hotel Avalon Baccara, geared to adults but families can use the kids' club at Avalon Grand Cancun.
Avalon Reef Club
So near busy Cancun, and yet so far: on its own private islet on laid-back Isla Mujeres, the Reef has gentle beaches, friendly little town nearby. Guests can day-trip to the Avalon Grand Cancun. Kids club; small rooms but nice suites.
Beach Palace, Cancun
In the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone, with kids'club; guests can "play" at other Palace Resorts.
Blue Bay Club Cancun
Well-priced all-inclusive resort, five miles north of Hotel Zone. White-sand beachfront; junior suites; kids' club; good comments! (At time of writing.)
Club Med Cancun Yucatan
Prime spot, on its own 22-acre peninsula at the edge of the crowded Hotel Zone. The Club Med brand of all-inclusives has unique ambiance. Mini-Club Med for ages 4 to 10, "Passworld" for 'tweens and teens, Baby Welcome program; windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, trapeze...
Crown Paradise Club, Cancun, Mexico
9 miles from the airport, on quieter end of Cancun's Hotel Zone; family-of-five-friendly; four pools, supervised kids' waterpark; minigolf; Baby club for ages 18 mos. to 3 yrs.; Mini-Club for 4 to 12.
Dreams Cancun
Choice location, with beach on three sides; snorkeling right off-shore; kids club, watersports.
Fiesta American Grand Coral Beach Cancun
Near Cancun's northern tip; all-suites; kids' club, lagoon pool; regularly named a AAA 5-Diamond property; not an all-inclusive, though.
Gran Melia, Cancun
This large resort-- part of the Sol Melia group-- has kids club; not an all-inclusive but an inclusive plan is available. "Royal Service" has an exclusive area and amenities.
Grand Oasis Hotel:
Pyramid-shaped building and large interlocking pools. No kids club, at time of writing; reportedly this resort tends to partying and drinking. Check recent visitors' comments at a site like TripAdvisor.com.
Great Parnassus Resort & Spa
At the south end of the Hotel Zone and designed for families, with baby care, kids clubs, teen clubs, and rooms that can accommodate families of five. Five pools, a waterpark in the kids' club, indoor minigolf, 400-seat theater, good price point.
Moon Palace
The Moon Palace Golf Resort (on Cancun's south shore, in the Mayan Riviera) has over 2000 rooms in 3-story villas, two giant lagoon pools, watersports, in-line skating, kids' club, etc.
Oasis Palm Beach
Value priced, with kids' club.
Riu Cancun Resort, Cancun, Mexico
Riu is a Spain-based company with over 100 properties world-wide; there are several in the Cancun area. All-inclusive; kids prices for ages under 12; watersports, fun activities, etc.
Royal Resorts
Primarily timeshare-owned, but anyone can book a vacation, the Royal Resorts operate as private clubs, limited to members and registered guests. Royal Yacht Club Marina, kids pool, sports centers, kids' activities, and more; guests can also use sailboats, bicycles, snorkeling gear, tennis courts (including rackets), and golf clubs free of charge.
Sun Palace - a quieter, smaller property in the family of Palace resorts, this is now a couples-only property.
• Compare prices of many Cancun all-inclusives
* Always check hotel sites for updates, including latest condition of beaches affected by hurricanes; check recent visitors' comments too.
*photo © Teresa Plowright
