If you’re looking for the best all-inclusive resort in Mexico for families, head south of Cancun to the Riviera Maya. I visited the Barcelo Maya Grand Resort and found it to be the perfect destination for those families looking for a mix of fun and tranquility. I felt like a kid again at this resort with ziplining, bowling, miniature golf, and a mini theme park, and that’s why I know families will love it.
Where is Riviera Maya in Mexico?
The Riviera Maya, located along Mexico’s Caribbean coast in the Yucatán Peninsula, is a world-renowned tourist destination celebrated for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and rich cultural heritage. Stretching from Puerto Morelos to Tulum, this region is steeped in history, boasting ancient Mayan ruins such as the Tulum Archaeological Site and Cobá, which offer glimpses into the grandeur of the Mayan civilization. Visitors can explore stunning cenotes (natural sinkholes) for swimming and diving, vibrant coral reefs for snorkeling, and the eco-parks Xcaret and Xel-Há for family-friendly adventures. The Riviera Maya is also home to luxury resorts, wellness retreats, and vibrant nightlife, making it a versatile destination. Conveniently located, it is approximately 30–90 minutes south of Cancun International Airport, depending on the specific town or resort, providing easy access for international travelers.
About Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
The Barceló Maya Grand Resort is a vast, all-inclusive complex comprising five distinct properties, each offering unique accommodations and amenities, catering to various types of travelers.
- Barceló Maya Beach – This property features beachfront accommodations with classic tropical décor and spacious rooms that include family suites, offering private terraces or balconies with ocean views. Guests can enjoy a range of dining options at the resort’s à la carte restaurants, a large pool area, a fitness center, and a variety of water activities. It’s ideal for those seeking a traditional resort experience.
- Barceló Maya Caribe – Known for its vibrant, family-friendly atmosphere, Barceló Maya Caribe offers comfortable rooms and suites with modern amenities like jacuzzis in select rooms. Guests can enjoy specialty dining, an expansive pool area, and a water park for children. It’s perfect for families looking for a fun-filled vacation with easy access to both relaxation and entertainment.
- Barceló Maya Colonial – Offering a more elegant and tranquil experience, Barceló Maya Colonial features luxurious rooms with colonial-style décor. Some rooms include private balconies or terraces with views of lush gardens or pools. The resort boasts fine dining options, a large pool complex, and a dedicated spa for guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.
- Barceló Maya Tropical – Combining comfort and elegance, Barceló Maya Tropical offers spacious rooms with modern furnishings and private balconies. The property has extensive swimming pools, a variety of restaurants, and family-friendly amenities like a kids’ club and a mini-golf course. It’s a great option for families and couples looking for a more relaxed environment with easy access to entertainment.
- Barceló Maya Palace – The flagship property of the resort, Barceló Maya Palace, offers the most luxurious accommodations with suites that feature marble floors, jetted tubs, and swim-up options. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining at exclusive restaurants, enjoy a private beach area, and access a range of high-end amenities, including a spa, fitness center, and premium concierge service. This property is ideal for those seeking the ultimate luxury experience.
Each property shares access to the expansive resort’s common facilities, including beaches, pools, water sports, and entertainment, while still maintaining a unique atmosphere tailored to different preferences, from family fun to luxury relaxation. A double-decker bus shuttles guests from one resort to another although all are easily walkable.
What Makes Barcelo Maya A Great Family Resort?
The resort includes more than 2,700 guest rooms, ranging from oceanfront suites to swim-up rooms located on a private pool to family-friendly apartments. Barceló Maya is a sprawling, all-inclusive complex that offers a variety of accommodations to suit different travel styles and budgets, making it an ideal destination for families and multi-generational travel. The resort offers spacious rooms and suites, including family suites with multiple bedrooms and amenities like private terraces and swim-up access. Despite it’s size, I felt like I was an intimate, boutique resort.
Family-Friendly Activities at Barcelo Maya
Whether you’re traveling as a small family or multi-generational family in Mexico, there’s something for everyone at this resort. There are 10 swimming pools including a water park just for the little ones. The beach is wide and expansive perfect for building sandcastles or a little body surfing. If you’re looking for a bit more ocean adventure, you can choose from snorkeling to scuba to parasailing. On land, there’s no shortage of activities with mini golf, zip lining and an onsite bowling alley. The resort is one of the first to have its own adventure park on site, with zip lines, a hybrid zipline/roller coaster, a free-fall experience, bungee swing, and rope courses.
There are three theaters that feature nightly live entertainment and two nightclubs for late night dancing. A fully-equipped fitness center and a luxury spa, including one for the kids, rounds out the activities. Did I mention there’s even a shopping mall on the property? Multi-generational groups benefit from the resort’s expansive layout, which allows guests to enjoy shared spaces like the beachfront pools and entertainment venues, as well as private areas for relaxation.
Dining at Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
There’s no shortage of dining options, even for the pickiest eaters, with 11 restaurants that span the globe in terms of cuisine. When traveling as a family, it can be tough to please everyone, but I assure you that won’t be the case here. Guests can choose from casual to elegant, Italian to Asian, and kid-friendly to adults-only. For more casual meals, there’s a 24-hour sports bar with theater seating. The resort features 11 restaurants, each providing a unique dining experience, ranging from casual to fine dining. Buffet-style dining is available at the Palace Buffet, offering a wide selection of international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For those seeking a more specialized experience, the resort boasts several à la carte restaurants, including La Fuente, serving authentic Spanish cuisine, and Miyako, which offers delicious Japanese fare, including sushi and teppanyaki. Guests can enjoy Italian cuisine at El Dorado, fresh seafood at Marina, and delectable steaks and grills at Rodizio, a Brazilian steakhouse. The resort also features themed restaurants, like El Caribeño, which focuses on Caribbean flavors, and Las Olas, located beachside for a casual dining experience with seafood and grilled specialties. For a more intimate experience, Club Premium guests have access to exclusive restaurants and premium bars. Additionally, the resort has several bars and snack areas, perfect for enjoying tropical cocktails, light bites, or a refreshing drink while lounging by the pool or beach. With such diverse options, the Barceló Maya Grand Resort caters to families, couples, and solo travelers, offering something for every palate.
This is truly the best all-inclusive resort in Mexico for families. It’s part luxury resort, part theme park that offer activities for everyone in the family from 8 to 80.
Beyond Barcelo Maya: Family-Friendly Excursions
Families staying at the Barceló Maya Grand Resort in Riviera Maya can enjoy a variety of fun activities and exciting day trips just beyond the resort. Adventurous families can explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum or Cobá, where kids can climb the Nohoch Mul pyramid for panoramic views of the jungle. Nature lovers will enjoy snorkeling and swimming in the region’s famous cenotes, such as Cenote Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote, offering crystal-clear waters and underground caves to explore. Families can also spend the day at Xcaret Park, an eco-archaeological park with cultural performances, wildlife exhibits, and water activities, or visit Xel-Há, a natural water park perfect for snorkeling, tubing, and zip-lining. For those interested in marine life, a short boat trip to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel provides opportunities for reef snorkeling and glass-bottom boat tours. With so many attractions nearby, families can easily combine relaxation at the resort with unforgettable adventures in the Riviera Maya.
Getting To Barcelo Maya
Traveling to the Barceló Maya Grand Resort from the U.S. is convenient, with most visitors flying into Cancun International Airport (CUN), the closest major airport serving the Riviera Maya region. Cancun International Airport is a busy hub with direct flights from major U.S. cities such as Miami, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, making it easily accessible for travelers across the country. Upon arrival, the resort is approximately 47 miles (76 kilometers) south of the airport, and the drive typically takes 60 to 75 minutes. Guests have several transportation options, including private airport transfers, shuttle services, rental cars, and taxis, all readily available at the airport. Many visitors opt for pre-booked private transfers for convenience and comfort, especially when traveling with family or large groups. Additionally, some vacation packages and tours include transportation, streamlining the travel process. The well-maintained Highway 307 runs along the coast, offering a scenic and smooth drive to the resort, ensuring a stress-free start to a Riviera Maya vacation.
How Much Is The Barceló Maya Grand Resort in Mexico?
The Barceló Maya offers a range of accommodations to suit various budgets and preferences. Standard room rates typically start around $217 per night, with prices varying based on room type, season, and booking specifics.
For 2025, the resort has announced special promotions to enhance guest experiences. One notable offer is the Summer 2025 Hotel Deal, providing a 40% discount on bookings, with an additional 10% off when using the promotional code 25SUN10. This offer is available for reservations made on Barcelo.com.
Guests are encouraged to visit the official Barceló website or contact the resort directly to stay informed about current rates and upcoming special packages for 2025, as promotions are subject to change and may have specific terms and conditions.