Mexico had been on our family travel list for quite some time. We wanted somewhere that offered beautiful weather, incredible beaches and enough activities to keep everyone entertained, while still giving us the opportunity to properly relax.
For this trip, we decided to divide our ten nights between two of Mexico’s best-known Caribbean destinations: seven nights in Playa del Carmen, followed by three nights in Cancún.
Both are located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo. Playa del Carmen forms part of the wider Riviera Maya, while Cancún sits farther north on the Yucatán Peninsula.
We stayed at these two all-inclusive resorts:
We then moved north to the Sunscape Cancun Resort & Spa, part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, for our final three nights.
Both hotels were all-inclusive, but they offered noticeably different experiences. Riu Palace gave us a more polished and relaxed stay in Playa del Carmen, while Sunscape had a lively, family-focused atmosphere in the heart of Cancún’s Hotel Zone.
Combining both destinations turned out to be one of the best decisions we made.
Playa del Carmen and Cancún: Which Part of Mexico Is This?
Playa del Carmen and Cancún are both located in the state of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
Playa del Carmen forms part of the wider Riviera Maya, a stretch of coastline known for its beaches, cenotes, Mayan history and popular resort areas.
Cancún is farther north and is best known for its Hotel Zone, where many of the major beachfront resorts are located.
Although they are reasonably close to one another, the two destinations have very different atmospheres.
Playa del Carmen feels more compact, relaxed and connected to the local town. Cancún feels larger, busier and more like a traditional international resort destination.
Why We Chose an All-Inclusive Family Holiday
Travelling as a family can become expensive very quickly.
Once accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and activities are added together, it can be difficult to keep track of the overall cost.
This was one of the main reasons we chose all-inclusive hotels.
Knowing that almost everything was already covered made the holiday much easier. We could have breakfast when it suited us, grab lunch near the pool and choose where to eat in the evening without constantly calculating the cost.
It also gave the children more independence. They could get a drink or snack during the day without every visit to the café or pool bar becoming another expense.
For our family, the biggest benefit of all-inclusive was not simply the food or drinks. It was the convenience and freedom it gave us throughout the holiday.
Seven Nights at Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya
Our first stop was Playa del Carmen, where we spent seven nights at the impressive Hotel Riu Palace Riviera Maya.
The hotel is located in Playacar, a popular resort community close to central Playa del Carmen.
From the moment we arrived, the hotel felt bright, spacious and extremely well maintained. The grand entrance, palm trees, open spaces and beachfront setting immediately created the feeling that the holiday had properly begun.
The overall standard of the hotel was excellent.
The grounds, restaurants, pool areas and public spaces were kept exceptionally clean. The staff appeared to be constantly working in the background, keeping everything organised while remaining friendly and attentive to guests.
Recent guest reviews regularly highlight the hotel’s cleanliness, spacious rooms, service and beachfront location. Some guests also mention that the main pools can become busy and that the relatively open bathroom layout in certain rooms may not suit every family.
Our Room at Riu Palace
Our room gave us a comfortable base for the first seven nights of the holiday.
After spending most of the day in the heat, it was always good to return to a cool, clean and comfortable space. Housekeeping maintained the room to a high standard, and having drinks available in the room was another useful part of the all-inclusive experience.
Families should examine the room layout carefully before booking.
Some rooms in Riu Palace properties have an open-plan bathroom arrangement. Depending on the age of your children and your preferred level of privacy, this is something worth checking in advance.
The room itself was comfortable, but the main attraction was the hotel around it. We did not travel all the way to Mexico to spend much time indoors.
Food at Riu Palace Riviera Maya
Food is one of the areas that can make or break an all-inclusive holiday.
Eating at the same resort for seven consecutive nights could easily become repetitive, but the range available at Riu Palace helped keep things interesting.
Breakfast provided plenty of choice, including cooked options, fruit, pastries, cereals and eggs prepared in different ways.
Lunch was relaxed and convenient, especially on days when we did not want to move far from the pool or beach.
In the evening, we could choose between the main buffet and the hotel’s speciality restaurants. Recent guests frequently praise the amount of choice, the quality of the buffet and restaurants such as the steakhouse and Italian.
One of the advantages of a buffet when travelling as a family is that nobody has to compromise too much. Everyone can choose something different, and younger travellers can stick with familiar food while the adults try something new.
Our advice is to explore the various restaurants early in the holiday. That gives you enough time to return to any favourites before leaving.
Pool and Beach Days in Playa del Carmen
The pool naturally became one of the main parts of our week.
There was a lively atmosphere during the day, with music and organised activities, but we could still relax and enjoy the sunshine.
The children had plenty to occupy them, and the adults could enjoy the convenience of having drinks and food nearby.
As with many popular all-inclusive resorts, the best-positioned sun loungers can be claimed early. It is worth keeping this in mind during busy travel periods, although we would not recommend allowing the search for a particular sunbed to control the holiday.
The hotel also has direct access to a beautiful Caribbean beach.
The combination of pale sand, turquoise water and palm trees is exactly what most people imagine when picturing a holiday in Mexico.
A Note About Sargassum
Travellers visiting the Riviera Maya should be aware of sargassum.
Sargassum is a type of seaweed that can wash onto beaches along Mexico’s Caribbean coastline. The amount present varies depending on the time of year, weather conditions, currents and the particular beach.
Hotels work hard to clear it, but there may be days when it affects the appearance of the beach or makes swimming less appealing.
It did not define our holiday because we had the pools, resort facilities and Playa del Carmen itself to enjoy.
However, families whose main priority is swimming in perfectly clear water every day should research typical seasonal conditions before booking.
Exploring Playa del Carmen
One of the biggest advantages of staying in Playa del Carmen is that there is more to the destination than the resort.
The town is known for Quinta Avenida, or Fifth Avenue, a long pedestrian street filled with shops, cafés, restaurants, bars and souvenir stands.
Even on an all-inclusive holiday, we believe it is important to leave the hotel occasionally.
Walking around central Playa del Carmen allowed us to experience a different side of the destination and enjoy some of the local atmosphere.
The surrounding Riviera Maya also provides access to cenotes, nature parks, Mayan archaeological sites and boat trips.
It would be easy to fill every day with excursions, but we preferred to maintain a balance. We wanted to see some of the destination while still enjoying the hotel and giving ourselves time to relax.
Moving From Playa del Carmen to Cancún
After seven nights in Playa del Carmen, we packed up and travelled north to Cancún.
Changing hotels during a family holiday can sound like unnecessary work, but the transfer was worthwhile.
By the end of our week at Riu Palace, we had settled into a comfortable routine. Arriving at a completely different hotel in Cancún made it feel as though we were beginning a second holiday.
A pre-arranged private transfer is one of the easiest options for families. It avoids waiting around and gives you more control over luggage and departure times.
Packing one smaller bag for the second hotel can also make the changeover easier. It means you do not necessarily have to completely unpack and reorganise every suitcase for a three-night stay.
Three Nights at Sunscape Cancun Resort & Spa
For the final three nights, we stayed at Sunscape Cancun Resort & Spa, which is part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection.
The resort is located in the heart of Cancún’s Hotel Zone, directly beside the Caribbean Sea.
Sunscape is positioned as a family-friendly all-inclusive resort. Its official package includes meals, drinks, daily activities, live entertainment, kids’ and teenagers’ spaces and access to food and beverage options throughout the day. The resort also operates without the usual all-inclusive wristbands.
The atmosphere was noticeably different from Riu Palace.
Sunscape felt more colourful, energetic and specifically geared towards families. There were children enjoying the pools, organised activities taking place and entertainment throughout the day.
For the final three nights of our trip, this worked extremely well.
Why Sunscape Works for Families
Sunscape Cancun is designed around family holidays.
The resort has a supervised Explorer’s Club for children aged three to twelve, as well as a Core Zone for teenagers aged thirteen to seventeen. There are also pools, a splash area, beach games, water activities and evening entertainment.
This is particularly useful for families travelling with children of different ages.
Younger children can take part in organised activities, while teenagers have their own space rather than being placed in a programme intended for small children.
Even when families do not make extensive use of the clubs, it helps to know that there are activities available.
It gives everyone options and reduces the pressure on parents to plan entertainment every hour of the day.
Food and Restaurants at Sunscape Cancun
Sunscape operates an all-inclusive dining model with buffet and à la carte options.
The resort advertises access to kid-friendly menus, snacks, soft drinks, fruit juices and domestic and international beverages as part of the package. Restaurant access is generally offered without requiring reservations, although availability can vary.
Recent family reviews frequently mention the range of restaurants, fresh fruit, friendly restaurant staff and the convenience of having different food options available.
Some guests feel that certain areas of the property and some rooms would benefit from modernisation. Noise from entertainment can also depend on the position of the room. However, the service, cleanliness, family activities and beachfront location are recurring positives in recent feedback.
For a three-night stay, we had enough variety without feeling we had exhausted the options.
The Cancún Beach and Resort Setting
The setting is one of the major reasons to stay at Sunscape Cancun.
The resort sits beside the white sand and turquoise water associated with Cancún’s Hotel Zone. It combines direct beach access with swimming pools and activities around the property.
Cancún’s atmosphere felt more energetic than Playa del Carmen.
The Hotel Zone is lined with resorts, restaurants, shopping areas and entertainment venues. It feels purpose-built for holidays, whereas Playa del Carmen retains more of a town-centre atmosphere.
After a relaxed week in Playa del Carmen, Cancún provided a livelier ending to our trip.
Riu Palace Versus Sunscape Cancun
The two hotels should not be viewed as identical experiences.
Riu Palace Riviera Maya
Riu Palace felt more polished, elegant and relaxed.
We would recommend it to families looking for:
- A premium all-inclusive atmosphere
- High standards of cleanliness and service
- A beachfront hotel close to Playa del Carmen
- A balance between resort relaxation and exploring
- A longer stay in the Riviera Maya
- A wide choice of restaurants and food
Sunscape Cancun Resort & Spa
Sunscape felt livelier and more deliberately family-focused.
We would recommend it to families looking for:
- Children’s and teenagers’ clubs
- Organised family activities
- A lively resort atmosphere
- Direct access to Cancún’s Hotel Zone
- Pools, entertainment and a beachfront setting
- A relaxed all-inclusive experience
Riu Palace was probably the more refined hotel experience.
Sunscape offered more obvious facilities and entertainment specifically aimed at children and teenagers.
Together, they gave us a good balance.
Playa del Carmen or Cancún?
Choosing between Playa del Carmen and Cancún depends on the type of holiday you want.
Choose Playa del Carmen if you want:
- A more relaxed and walkable destination
- Easy access to a town centre
- A base for exploring the Riviera Maya
- A combination of resort days and local experiences
- A slightly slower pace
Choose Cancún if you want:
- A larger traditional resort destination
- A livelier atmosphere
- Extensive family entertainment
- Shopping and attractions around the Hotel Zone
- A shorter, resort-focused stay
For us, the split worked extremely well.
Seven nights gave us enough time to settle into Playa del Carmen, while three nights in Cancún added variety without making the trip feel overly complicated.
Tips for a Family Holiday to Mexico
Arrange transfers before travelling
Knowing who is collecting you at the airport or hotel makes travelling with children and luggage much easier.
Confirm the exact hotel
Mexico has numerous Riu, Hyatt and Sunscape properties with similar names. Check the complete hotel name and location before booking.
Review the room layout
Look at bathroom privacy, bed configuration and the possibility of connecting rooms, especially when travelling with older children.
Research seasonal weather and sargassum
Conditions can vary considerably across the year.
Bring strong sun protection
The Caribbean sun can be intense even when a sea breeze makes the temperature feel comfortable.
Pack insect repellent
Mosquito activity varies, but repellent is useful during the evenings and on excursions.
Allow time to enjoy the hotel
It is tempting to book an excursion for every available day. Remember that a significant part of the holiday cost is the resort itself.
Read recent low-rated and high-rated reviews
Do not rely only on a hotel’s overall score. Recent detailed reviews often provide more useful information about rooms, food, noise and ongoing maintenance.
Would We Recommend This Mexico Family Holiday?
Absolutely.
The combination of seven nights in Playa del Carmen and three nights in Cancún gave us relaxation, variety and plenty of quality family time.
Riu Palace Riviera Maya provided the more polished and peaceful part of the trip. Sunscape Cancun then gave us a livelier, activity-filled finish in the heart of the Hotel Zone.
Choosing all-inclusive hotels removed much of the daily decision-making and allowed us to focus on enjoying the destination.
Would we return to Mexico?
Yes.
Would we stay all-inclusive again?
Definitely.
The booking gave us somewhere to stay, but the family memories came from everything we experienced once we arrived.
And that is exactly what Beyond The Booking is about.