Are you craving a family vacation in Mexico on the beach but not sure what are the best family resorts in Playa del Carmen Mexico, for your family?
Deciding where to stay in Playa del Carmen and which Playa del Carmen all inclusive family resorts are best for your family’s wants and needs can be tough. Picking the right resort can make or break a trip.
Do you want to stay anywhere in the Playa del Carmen area, or do you want to be near Downtown Playa del Carmen at one of the beach resorts? Do you want an all inclusive package or would you rather go out for meals?
This is our favorite place to stay that doesn’t break the bank and has everything our kids could want. However, this is the most affordable beach resort option that doesn’t skimp on amenities.
You need to consider location, on-site activities, dining options, room types, budget, and do you want an all-inclusive family resort in Playa del Carmen so you don’t have to worry about meal & drink costs.
We’ve done the work for you and compiled a list of the best family hotels in Playa del Carmen and the surrounding area.
Editors Top 2 Playa del Carmen Family Hotels
- Our favorite: The Fives Beach Resort
- Most affordable: Sandos Playacar All Inclusive
Playa del Carmen Family Hotel Tips & Booking Recommendations
Before we get into our list, here are a few tips to consider before booking your trip.
- Booking.com – is the best place for finding and booking family hotels in Playa del Carmen. We find they have the best prices and often offer free cancellation right up to a few days before check-in. If you are looking for a hotel or one of the all inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya, most are bookable here.
- Discovercars.com – is the best place to rent a car in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Make sure to read our Renting a Car in Playa del Carmen article for more tips. This is the company we always rent with.
- Most all-inclusive resorts in Playa del Carmen include airport transportation. If your resort doesn’t have one, or you prefer to book a private shuttle from the Cancun airport, we recommend this company. We use them every year to bring us from Cancun to and from our condo in Playa del Carmen because we have so many bags and usually six people. We then pick up our rental car in Playa del Carmen.
- Downtown Playa del Carmen hotels – If you want to be within walking distance of some of the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen and local bars and shops, you’ll want to stay in the downtown area, also known as Playa del Carmen Centro. 5th Avenue is a walking street with tons of different restaurants and shops.
Playa del Carmen Packing List for Families
- Use reef-safe mineral sunscreen – We recommend this brand. Please remember to use reef-safe sunscreen to help protect our reefs. If you plan on visiting any of the nearby cenotes in Playa del Carmen most have no sunscreen policy, or several other attractions have a mineral sunscreen-only policy.
- We bring these collapsible beach sand toys on all our family beach trips. Sand toys are really expensive at hotels and tourist shops. My kids also love these mesh shell collecting bags to put their “treasures” in.
- If you plan on visiting any of the cenotes, we highly highly recommend cheap water shoes for you and the kids. Often, the rocks are slippy and sharp. My kids usually wear water shoes at the pool, too, as the concrete/decks can really hot.
- Full-face snorkel is great for kids who love to put their face under the water all the time. We have two of these full-face snorkels for my two-year-old daughter and my three-year-old son. My son loved it and instantly loved it. This mask worked great for us in the pool and cenote.
Where to Stay in Tulum with Kids – Best Family Resorts in Tulum
9 Best All Inclusive Playa del Carmen Resorts for Families
1. Nickelodeon Resort Riviera Maya – Best Waterpark Hotel
If your toddler is PAW Patrol obsessed like our two kids are, Nickelodeon Resort is the best hotel for you. Our kids loved the PAW Patrol Adventure Bay slides in Aqua Nick water park.
Nickelodeon has opened a great new resort in the Riviera Maya, and it has a huge waterpark. It’s no surprise that it is the best Playa del Carmen all inclusive family resort with a water park.
Designed for families, there’s fun around every corner. From the decor to the activities, everything is bright and full of life.
To begin, Nickelodeon Resort Riviera Maya has just about everything to love about an all-inclusive resort:
- Multiple places to eat including six restaurants including buffet and full service, three bars, and 24-hour room service
- Shows and nightly entertainment
- Spa and fitness center are great for adults
- Kid’s Club for 4-12 year olds
- Family friendly activities
- Full array of baby-friendly amenities, including baby food, baby monitor, bottle warmer, crib, stroller, etc. are available onsite.
All rooms are oceanview, some have a swim-up pool and some are a private swimming pool and can sleep up to five people with two bathrooms. There are upgraded rooms that give more space with a living room and even a personal butler.
The Nickelodeon theme is fun and playful. Kids will love the character meet and greets, and getting slimed is super cool.
Aqua Nick is the resort’s water park, and you’ll have complete access to it during your stay. It has a splash zone, a lazy river, a wave pool, and lots of water slides.
We also love that babysitting is available, but it comes at an additional cost. We typically utilize in-room babysitting for one child-free dinner while on vacation.
One downside is that the resort is spread out, so you’ll need to take a tram from section to section. The hotel is not located within walking distance of anything. So you’ll only want to stay here if you don’t plan on leaving the hotel much besides organized tours. It is about a 25-minute drive to Playa del Carmen.
If it is out of your budget to stay at this hotel, you might want to consider purchasing a day pass and staying at one of the cheaper hotels for kids like this one. Nickelodeon Resort Riviera Maya day passes are available to purchase, which lets guests visit the waterpark and is all inclusive so it includes your food and drinks.
Nickelodeon Resort Riviera Maya Current Special & Best Price
2. Sandos Playacar Beach Resort – Most Affordable for Families
Sandos Playacar is a great option as it is one of the most affordable all inclusive family resorts in Playa del Carmen. It’s complete with multiple places to eat and tons of waterslides for kids.
Families have their own section of the resort, which is close to the main pool and centrally located, and you can select rooms based on your family size. Note that the suites give more space separation between the living room and the bedroom, so take this into account when you’re making your booking.
There are nine restaurants including buffet and fine dining options, and you can grab a drink at any of the nine bars – yes, nine! Or, if you feel like a quiet night in, use the 24-hour room service and feast in the privacy of your room.
Kids from four to 10 years old will have fun at the Kids Club, while the older ones will love the Teen Club. The whole family can enjoy mini golf, tennis, and nightly entertainment for some real bonding time, and babysitting services are available for an extra cost if you need a night off.
Water fun is a highlight of Sandos Playacar, and there are two super cool water parks for kids to enjoy. The beach and large pools are also a huge plus!
Free transportation to the airport is available, but note that you must book six or more nights at Sandos Playacar to be eligible for this service. It is a short walk to Fifth Avenue, and you could walk to the beach or through Playacar.
3. The Fives Beach Resort Playa del Carmen
The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences is an all-inclusive family resort that has something for everyone in the family located just on the outskirts of town.
There are tons of different room options to choose from. Ranging from basic rooms that sleep four to suites with one to three bedrooms and a living room. There’s also the option to upgrade to rooms to spacious suites with a kitchen, private plunge pools, swim-up pools, or a Jacuzzi hot tub – even personal butlers are also an option!
There are 10 swimming pools at The Fives. Some have splash pads, while others are adult-only swimming pools. The on-site beach has tons of sand, cabanas, and even a pier.
10 restaurants give tons of options including buffet and formal dining. Five bars include swim-up and cocktail lounges.
Younger kids will love the kids club – it has daily family friendly activities like face painting and its own pool. The teen club has game rooms complete with foosball, air hockey, and PS5 for older kids, basketball and tennis courts, mini golf, and larger-than-life chess are fun for anyone.
The Fives embraces the natural jungle and Mexican culture, with pathways that have natural vegetation and wildlife like monkeys. The Mayan Trail experience, tequila tastings, and Mexican cooking lessons are tons of fun, so don’t miss out!
This is a great option and one of the best hotels for families traveling with babies. The Fives is baby-ready with cribs, changing tables, strollers, etc., and if you need full-on babysitting, it’s available but at an additional charge. Another peace of mind for parents is there is an on-site doctor to give parents peace of mind during their holiday!
4. Fairmont Mayakoba – Best Family Luxury Resort in Playa del Carmen
The Fairmont Mayakoba is one of the oldest resorts in Playa del Carmen. More importantly, it’s one of the best luxury resorts in Playa del Carmen for families.
As much as I love this resort, there isn’t a ton to do here for younger kids here. The Fairmont Mayakoba Kids Club is for ages 5-11 which is a big bummer for families with kids under 5. It is better for families with older kids.
The Fairmont is a large resort with tons of room options – the Casita suites are perfect for families with tons of space and beachfront views.
Kids will be busy with the Kid and Teen Clubs, while the adults will love the spa treatments and golf course. If parents want the night off, babysitting services are available at an additional cost.
Food options include five gourmet restaurants and room service, and there are also four bars to enjoy if you feel like getting loose.
The resort is set in the beautiful jungle of the Yucatan with canals, and its five six on site include areas for little ones as well as a few that are adult-only.
The children’s pool has a waterslide and wading pool that connects to the Las Olas pool that is in front of the Kids Club. There is also a whirlpool, and the beach is beautiful, clean, and outfitted with umbrellas and loungers.
Fairmont Mayakoba Resort is pet-friendly, making it stand out from other resorts in Playa del Carmen. The resort is north of Playa del Carmen and not within walking distance to anything.
5. Hotel Xcaret Mexico
Hotel Xcaret stands out with its idea of all fun-inclusive resorts, and its eco-friendly approach is also a highlight. If you are planning on visiting several of the Xcaret Parks, this is one of the best family resorts and the best area to stay because it is just outside of Xenses, Xplor, Parque Xcaret, Rio Secreto, and more.
All rooms and suites at Xcaret have outdoor space and a hammock, and upgrading to suites will allow you to enjoy more space if that’s what you’re after.
The kids club is great for kids from four to 12 years old, while the older children are sure to have a ball at the Teen Club. Hotel Xcaret Mexico also offers a babysitting service for an extra fee.
Hotel Xcaret’s 10 restaurants and eight bars are sure to satisfy any guests cravings. If you’re looking for a really special fine dining experience, consider Ha – you’ll need to make a reservation for this Michelin Star restaurant.
With 13 swimming pools as well as a beach, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to suit your needs. There are also pools that are designated for adults and others designed specifically for little ones.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico is an all-fun-inclusive resort, so you’ll have access to all of the amazing parks, tours, and experiences during your stay. With seven in total, you can do everything from exploring Mayan ruins to zip-lining through the jungle without having to worry about forking out extra cash!
In addition, transportation to and from the airport for the resort is complimentary. This sets Hotel Xcaret Mexico apart from the competition. The hotel is in South Playa del Carmen, and an easy taxi ride away if you want to adventure into town.
6. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
It’s no wonder that a second Sandos resort is one of the best resorts in Playa del Carmen – with an awesome water park, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort is also a great choice for families.
An entire section of the Sandos Caracol resort is designated for families. All rooms have an outdoor space like balconies, and upgrading to suites means more space and some perks like a private plunge pool on the balcony.
A major plus at Sandos Caracol is the awesome water park. It’s got everything from a small kids’ area to 29 different waterslides designed for kids and adults. This definitely makes up for having only two outdoor pools, one of which is adults-only, at the resort.
Nine restaurants offer buffet and fine dining at Sandos Caracol, while room service is available 24/7. There are seven different bars on site, and they include everything from swim-up service to cocktail lounges.
Kids between four and 12 will have fun at the Kids Club, while the adults can enjoy the tennis courts, gym, and spa. Everyone will have fun with the daily live entertainment and nightly shows for the entire family. However, if you’d rather go for babysitting, childcare services are available but at an extra fee.
Free transportation to the airport is one of the amenities also available. Just make sure you’ve booked six or more nights at Sandos Caracol before you rely on this.
7. Paradisus Playa del Carmen All Inclusive
Parents rejoice! The Paradisus Playa del Carmen has something for every child, even toddlers. This is something you won’t find at other resorts on the list.
This is one of our favorite family friendly resorts in Playa del Carmen also because of its location. This resort is located at the end of 5th Avenue (the walking tourist walking street), so you can easily get off the resort and explore the town on foot.
This includes nursery service for children 12 months to four years old, while kids from five to 12 years old will have fun at the Kids Zone. Teens will enjoy daily activities designed for them, including a Game Room that has PlayStation, Nintendo Wii, and Xbox. Babysitting is also available 24/7 at additional costs.
Adult activities include cooking classes, cigar rolling, and floral arrangement lessons to give you a taste of the local culture, while nightly shows and golfing are also fun.
Family Concierge Services will take your vacay to a whole new level. Some elite services include having your own butler, a video game setup in the room, a private beach, and aromatherapy for kids.
As for typical all inclusive resorts amenities:
- Paradisus has 14 places to eat including buffet, fine dining, and snacking. Choose your drink of choice from 10 bars.
- Room variations are about getting a bit more living space or a private Jacuzzi or swim-up pool access.
- The resort’s three pools and five water slides will keep everyone cool.
8. The Royal Haciendas Resort & Spa
What sets The Royal Haciendas apart from the competition? The kitchen. That’s right, all suites feature a kitchenette. Upgrading to a villa gives you a full kitchen, more space, and a jacuzzi on the balcony.
If you’re with the whole family, the deluxe two bedroom suite can sleep up to six people, which is a plus. If you are looking for apartments for families, this is one of the best options.
Five restaurants and bars are available at Royal Haciendas, and there are four pools at the resort with ones designated specifically for kids. The Royal Haciendas beach is big, beautiful, and inviting.
The Kids Club is perfect for little ones from four to 12 years old, and there are also daily activities that are perfect for families to do together. Adults will love the spa, gym, yoga, and tennis.
9. Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo – Puerto Morelos
If you are looking for a waterpark hotel in Playa del Carmen, we love the Iberostar. The Iberostar brand is well known for its luxury resorts that are perfect for families – Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo is all that and more.
Families will be entertained day and night at Iberostar. Kids will love the games and sports competitions, and everyone will enjoy the nightly music and magic shows – what’s not to love?
Mom & Dad will love getting treatments at the spa and working out at the gym. They also have one of the best golf courses in Playa del Carmen.
The pools are a huge highlight at Iberostar. There are eight pools with a whopping seven different slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and a splash pool – there’s nothing better for a day in the sun!
The Kids’ Star Camp is designed for kids from four to 17 years old. There are programs designed for three different age groups, and kids will do everything from singing, learning to cook, and even doing science experiments.
Visitors can enjoy seven restaurants and eight different bars that are sure to be able to satisfy any craving. You’ll find both buffet and formal dining experiences, and there’s even a late-night club for adults to have some fun.
If you are thinking about taking a family vacation to Mexico with the kids, stop thinking and book the trip!
We have traveled to Playa del Carmen with our two young kids every year on vacation for 4-6 weeks at a time since they were three months old.
We even lived in Playa del Carmen, so you could say we know a thing or two about the city.
We love the beautiful beaches, all the fun activities in Playa del Carmen and nearby, exploring the Rivieria Maya, the tacos in Playa del Carmen (especially from El Fogon), waking up to the gorgeous turquoise waters and views of the Caribbean Sea, my husband loves to go scuba diving, and much more.
Oh, and direct flights to Cancun make it a nice and fast travel day with kids.
Family Resorts in Playa del Carmen Map
We put together this map so you can see where the best family resorts in Playa del Carmen are compared to the city.
We also added some of our favorite restaurants in Playa del Carmen, bars, best places for shopping, and more.
No matter which of the above Playa del Carmen family resorts you stay at, you will have a great family vacation in Mexico and the Riviera Maya. All the kids care about is having fun on the beach or pool. If you don’t spend much time in the rooms, go for a standard room without all the amenities.
Do you have any other all inclusive family resorts in the Riviera Maya area I should add to the list? Or do you prefer staying at family friendly hotels or beach resorts in Mexico that aren’t all inclusive resorts?
If you have any questions or comments for us, please leave them below.