Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Puerto Aventuras, Riviera Maya

The 687-room Hard Rock Riviera Maya is an upscale all-inclusive resort that pushes hard to instill its brand name. Expect rock-themed rooms, all with jetted tubs and balconies (some with ocean views). There are three pools, six restaurants, two kids' clubs, a constant barrage of adventure activities, a convention center, and Wi-Fi even in the remote areas. Note that even though this is the family-friendly side of the Hard Rock complex (sister resort Heaven at Hard Rock is for adults only), it can still get a bit rowdy during high season. The biggest downside here is the man-made beach on a lagoon; for a natural beach on the ocean, consider the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun instead. 

The Palace offers a high-end all-inclusive experience on a gorgeous stretch of white-sand beach 15 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. It’s the smallest, newest and most upscale of the three properties in the Barcelo complex, with 756 beautiful rooms surrounded by gorgeous pools and manicured grounds. All rooms are Junior Suites or Suites with pretty bathrooms featuring separate showers and tubs. There’s a lot for everyone here, from couples to families to groups, but those who want to party will have to walk to the hotel's sister properties next door, and non-Club Premium guests should expect to pay for Wi-Fi.

The 1,012-room Colonial & Tropical is an upper-middle-range all-inclusive resort located right on a white-sand beach just south of Playa del Carmen. It offers several huge pools, eight restaurants, and a long list of activities for all ages. While many types of travelers can appreciate the hotel’s extensive features, the hotel seems to cater mostly to families, with great kid-friendly extras such as a kiddy pool, kids’ and teens clubs, and spacious rooms that can accommodate up to five guests.

The 1,031-room Caribe & Beach is a mid-range all-inclusive resort located right on a white-sand beach just south of Playa del Carmen. It is the least luxurious of the three properties in the Barcelo complex, but offers two huge pools, six restaurants, and a long list of activities for all ages. The hotel caters mostly to families -- with great kid-friendly features such as a kids’ and teens' clubs and rooms that can accommodate up to five guests -- but it is also popular with couples and groups.

The 479-room Barcelo Maya Tropical is an upper-middle-range, all-inclusive resort located on the beach, smack in the middle of the Riviera Maya. Rooms are spacious and well-maintained, albeit old-fashioned in parts, plus outfitted with free minibars, showers and separate tubs, and furnished outdoor spaces. Guests here have reciprocal access to three next-door sister resorts and free shuttle transport. Standout features include nine a la carte restaurants, a tequila bar, and seven pools, plus tennis courts, a huge spa with good hydrotherapy circuit and gym, and a mile-long stretch of beautiful beach with plenty of loungers. Families, couples, and groups like the PADI dive shop, dolphinarium with free daily shows, live nightly entertainment, and array of kid-friendly features. There is no resort fee, but non-Premium guests should expect to pay for Wi-Fi. Couples may prefer the adult-only Ocean Maya Royale.

The 423-room Catalonia Riviera Maya is a family-friendly, all-inclusive about an hour south of Cancun. The upper-middle-range resort shares amenities with its sister property, Catalonia Yucatan Beach, right next door. Despite its smaller size, there is no shortage of activity here. There are water aerobics in the pool, snorkeling in the lagoon, ceramic painting, scuba lessons, nightly performances at the on-site theater, and an incredible spa and modern fitness center. But while the activities list is appealing, the food is not: most meals are bland, boring, or just simply bad. Rooms are dated and worn. Some guests have complained about drainage issues in the bathrooms and problems with temperature control in the showers. Guests looking for a family-friendly atmosphere that’s a bit more upscale should check out Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa, though it has higher nightly rates.

Hotel Barcelo Maya Beach is one of five resorts that make up the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort complex. While water sport activities, a gym, and spa are common all-inclusive features, a haunted house, mall, mini-golf, and Dolphinarium are not -- and that’s what sets this huge three-and-a-half-pearl hotel apart. The beach is basically private for guests and rarely feels overcrowded. The pools are fun and offer separate sections for adults and kids. Modern suites are renovated and all 630 rooms feature free minibars. Downsides include mediocre food, long wait times at check-in, a fee for Wi-Fi, and dated standard rooms, but families and couples are generally happy. For a resort that takes advantage of Playa del Carmen’s city life, check out Playacar Palace, a smaller but more modern resort that offers intimate service. 

The 205-room Catalonia Yucatan Beach is a family-friendly all-inclusive about an hour south of Cancun. The upper-middle-range resort shares amenities with 423-room sister property, Catalonia Riviera Maya, right next door. The two hotels combined seem like one large resort, though both together are not as massive as many of the area’s all-inclusive mega-resorts. Despite the smaller size, there is no shortage of activity here. Guests can swim in the pools, post up at the bar, play a round of beach volleyball, or take Spanish lessons with the hotel staff. But while the activities list is appealing, the food is not. Food at Catalonia Yucatan Beach hardly seems fresh; and though there’s a lot to choose from, most meals are bland, boring, or just simply bad. The guest rooms are showing some wear and beds are hard. Guests looking for a family-friendly atmosphere that’s a bit more upscale should check out Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa, though it has higher nightly rates.

This upscale resort is a great all-inclusive option in the safe area of Puerto Aventuras. Though its kids' club and extensive list of daily activities cater to families, the resort attracts an equal number of couples (thanks to its sexy spa and relaxed atmosphere). All rooms have balconies and massive marble bathrooms with double vanities. The decor is a bit more chic than other family-oriented resorts nearby, with sleek furnishings, pops of color, and nature-inspired designs throughout. One downside of the rooms, however, is that the tiny flat-screen TVs can barely be seen from the bed.