There’s no shortage of all-inclusive resorts throughout the Riviera Maya, the sandy strip along Mexico’s northeast tip that pokes into the Gulf of Mexico. The city of Cancún alone has dozens, each with its own visitor offerings. But for one of the best, make your way south toward the town of Puerto Morelos where Palmar Beach Resort & Spa just might be the ultimate choice for your next Mexican adventure.
Photo: Shel Zolkewich
This Riviera Maya Resort Gets It Right for Families and Travelers Without Kids
As a travel writer, I’ve been to my share of all-inclusive resorts. Some have it figured out to a tee when it comes to guest satisfaction. Others don’t. But Palmar has something that took me a few days to put my finger on. What makes it so enjoyable? In a word: service.
Let’s face it, in today’s world, customer service can be a rare commodity, but that’s not the case here. If you misplace your sunglasses for the third time in two days, someone will recover them. If you feel like guacamole and chips at 10:30 PM, room service will be there. If you want to munch on fried crickets as an appetizer — even when they’re not on the menu — a chef will make it happen. And the best part for family vacationers: kids stay free.
From family digs to ultimate luxe: Rooms at Palmar Beach Resort & Spa
Photos: Shel Zolkewich
There are 435 suites at Palmar Beach Resort & Spa, which makes this resort big enough to include all the options yet small enough to give off a boutique vibe. All of them face pools or the ocean. Studio suites with one king bed are cozy, colorful, and start at $315 per night for two people. And remember, the rates are all-inclusive, so they include food and drink for two.
Parents and kids will be equally delighted with the family suites that feature two twin beds that can be closed off with a sliding door to a space with a queen bed. If you need a stroller, playpen, or baby monitors, just ask for them at the front desk. There’s even a step stool under the double-sink vanity to make nighttime routines a little easier. These suites start at $343 per night for two people.
For a step into big luxury, Palmar has a select number of suites that include a private butler, a pillow menu, aromatherapy selection and an in-suite dinner with a private chef. Staying in one of these suites also includes a reserved Bali bed poolside for your stay, not to mention welcome amenities and, in the case of the two-bedroom ocean front option, over 2,400 square feet of space. Nightly rates for two people start at $885.
Oh, and there’s one more serious perk: every suite also has a jetted tub.
Swimming and spa-ing: Amenities at Palmar Beach Resort & Spa
Photos: Shel Zolkewich
Pool life is the name of the game at Palmar Beach Resort & Spa. Each of its five sparkling pools awaits your quick morning dip, lounge session at the swim-up bar, or a final swim before sundown. The adults-only pool is surrounded by Bali beds and loungers, features elevated tile beds for in-pool sunbathing, hot tunes, and cool drinks. The kids’ pool has a splash pad, water slide, and games area. The other pools offer a mix of loungers, Bali beds, and tile beds — all perfectly clean and warm. Swim-up suites connect to the main pools, so there’s no need to wear sandals.
As you meander around the meticulously landscaped grounds, stop at the macrame hammock area, where sea breezes and serenading birds will help you drift off for an afternoon nap. You deserve it after a morning aqua aerobics class, game of tennis, or kayak paddle. The kids’ club was making me wish I was under 12 again, thanks to a fun and funky indoor space that hosts crafts, games, and opportunities to make new friends. There’s also a teens’ club with video games, board games, and plenty of fun away from your folks.
Photo: Shel Zolkewich
I was looking forward to my visit to the Kaab Spa from the day I arrived, and it was, in a word, dreamy. The space on the third floor of the lobby is a stunner with its skylights, live plants, and warm terracotta color scheme. Each treatment starts with the hydrotherapy ritual — a circuit that includes sauna, steam room, and hot tub time with cool-downs in between. There’s even a walk-through river stone path that serves as a reflexology treatment.
Then, it’s over to the quiet room where your personal attendant places a warm towel around your neck and invites you to relax in the low lights and soft music. The spa includes a variety of treatment rooms, including ones for kids, but I chose to have my massage on the beach, on a raised, palapa-covered platform. It will be a long, long time before any treatment matches one with the sound of the waves and the ocean breeze as additions.
Eight restaurants, six bars: Dining at Palmar Beach Resort & Spa
Photos: Shel Zolkewich
It’s hard not to be impressed with the food and drink options at Palmar. With eight restaurants and six cocktail bars, choices feel truly endless, and the innovation of the menus is something not common at all-inclusives. Best of all, there’s no need to make reservations for specialty restaurants (a common practice at some all-inclusives). You simply show up and take a seat — plus, every restaurant offers a kids’ menu, making it easy to please picky palates.
Early risers (like me) should walk over to the coffee bar for a cappuccino and a stroll along the resort’s beachside walkway. There’s also plenty of juices and milk in stock for the kids. Then head to breakfast at Caprichos, the resort’s only buffet for anything your heart desires. It’s also open for lunch and dinner. Other restaurants occasionally open for breakfast, too, and menu favorites include chilaquiles and mushroom quesadillas. For lunch, take your pick from The Gourmet Burger Boutique or wood-fired pizza at Al Forno, which happens to be right next to the kids’ pool and a fave for families.
Photo: Shel Zolkewich
Dinner is a big deal with four restaurants that do it up right. Pinxos 32 (named after the Basque version of tapas) offers Spanish favorites like grilled tuna on risotto in a tone-on-tone room featuring fabulous art. Davino captures the essence of Italy in a room that’s both grand and cozy, plating up standout bites like crispy fried squid and mushroom ravioli that pair perfectly with Mediterranean-leaning cocktails. La Casona has a Caribbean theme, complete with a big fish, buoys, and nets (get anything with lobster). Zama pays tribute to Mexico with funky pop culture images on the walls and classic dishes like tortilla soup and molcajete Zama (a molcajete is the traditional Mexican base for a mortar and pestle).
Cenotes and archeological cities: Things to do near Palmar Beach Resort & Spa
Photos: Filippo Ferraro/Shutterstock and Mardoz/Shutterstock
When it’s time to explore the wild spaces around Puerto Morelos, head for the coral reef and marine life in Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. It’s roughly two and a half hours from Palmar but well worth the trip. Closer to the resort, the Yucatán Peninsula is home to countless cenotes — natural freshwater sinkholes where swimming is nearly a spiritual experience. If it’s your first time in the area, Chichén Itzá is also a must. The iconic pre-Columbian city was built by the Mayans and is about three hours away from Palmar.
Getting to Palmar Beach Resort & Spa
Palmar can arrange for the 20-minute ride from the Cancún International Airport (CUN), and it’s probably the best option. Stepping out of the airport and facing the throng of people and vehicles can be overwhelming. Ride-sharing services are also widely available in the area. 