Differences Between a Cancun and Riviera Maya Vacation. Finding What's Right for You!

If you have your heart set on taking a Caribbean vacation, consider Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The fine, white sand beaches and bright turquoise waters are a sight to be seen, and the resorts offer variety unlike any other destination. Spend your days lying on the beach, participating in an abundance of water sports, taking in Mayan history at one of the many archeological sites, or snorkeling and scuba diving in one of the world’s largest living reefs.

Over 150 unique resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya line the Caribbean coastline and provide the opportunity to enjoy a great vacation at a great value. It can be overwhelming to make a resort selection whether it’s your first visit to the Yucatan or you’ve been there many times before. There are many sites out there that have forums and advice from travelers who have visited this area firsthand. We recommend taking a look at these. After you have narrowed down your options to a few resorts, you can visit Deal2Cancun.com to book the best Cancun deals from your favorite resorts.

One factor for selecting a resort is based on the type of vacation you will be taking. For example, a couple on their honeymoon may opt for an “adults-only” resort, while a family with young children would most likely want a resort geared towards families. Other resort categories include spa and luxury. Each type of resort is set up to create an atmosphere and cater amenities for that certain type of vacation.

Many resorts in the Mexican Caribbean are All-Inclusive, meaning the cost of your stay at the resort generally includes all meals, drinks (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), tips and non-motorized sports. Not all resorts offer these packages, and amenities offered with an All-Inclusive can vary by resort. Many are rated on a 1-5 scale, differentiating in service, food quality and number of activities offered. Our Cancun travel specialists have stayed at a wide variety of these resorts and can help you determine which resort can best fit your needs. To ensure that you won’t be disappointed with your vacation experience, we highly recommend staying at a resort that has a rating of 3.5 or higher.

Resorts on the Yucatan’s Caribbean coast are largely divided between two areas: Cancun and Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen. Each offers high quality resorts, but with vastly different surroundings. Below is an overview of each area to determine which is best suited for you.

Cancun

Cancun is a bustling, modern city. High-rise hotels stand side-by-side along the beaches, and jet skis buzz across the sparkling aqua water. Staying at resorts directly in Cancun (or along the “7”, Cancun’s hotel district) is great for vacationers who want to explore outside of the resort, try different restaurants, walk to shops and experience the vibrant nightlife at nearby clubs. There are countless activities to try both day and night, and it’s impossible not to pick up on the air of excitement.

Riviera Maya/Playa del Carmen

Just south of Cancun is the beautiful Riviera Maya and the town of Playa del Carmen. This area is a remote oasis away from the active city. Rising no more than three stories high, most resorts along the lush Riviera Maya are All-Inclusive with a wider variety of restaurants and bars than their Cancun counterparts. This area is better for travelers who prefer to stay right at the resort for dining and nightlife during the majority of their stay, yet most resorts in Riviera Maya are only a short distance from Playa Del Carmen, a quaint, yet modern city with excellent shopping and restaurants. The pristine beaches offer opportunities for relaxing or trying various water sports. You will also find more historical parks and ancient ruins in the Riviera Maya.

Below is a list of our popular resorts in the Cancun and Riviera Maya region, based on preference:

Family Resorts

1. Grand Palladium Resorts (Riviera Maya)
2. Barcelo Maya (Riviera Maya)
3. Iberostar Resorts (Riviera Maya)
4. Sandos Playacar (Riviera Maya)
5. Gran Bahia Principe (Riviera Maya)
6. Great Parnassus (Cancun)

Adults-Only Resorts

1. El Dorado Royale (Riviera Maya)
2. El Dorado Maroma (Riviera Maya)
3. Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun (Playa Del Carmen)
4. Secrets Maroma Beach (Playa Del Carmen)
5. Excellence Playa Mujeres (Isla Mujeres)
6. Le Blanc Spa Resort (Cancun)

Spa Resorts

1. El Dorado Royal (Riviera Maya)
2. Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun (Playa Del Carmen)
3. Secrets Maroma (Playa Del Carmen)
4. Paraiso de la Bonita (Riviera Maya)
5. Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort (Riviera Maya)
6. Le Blanc Spa Resort (Cancun)
7. Royal Hideaway (Playa Del Carmen)

Explore a list of over 150 resorts in Cancun and Riviera Maya. Offers and values are abundant in Cancun and the Riviera Maya. One great tool we have brings back the hottest Funjet Vacation Packages, INCLUDING SPECIFIC TRAVEL DATES, which is extremely helpful if you have flexible travel dates! Many of these deals are last-minute or simply deeply discounted. We encourage you to check out the great values you can get on a vacation package to Cancun and Riviera Maya.