Hotel Riu Palace Mexico - All Inclusive
Playa del Carmen, MXAdults only
Our take
Lively Playacar all-inclusive steps from a wide white-sand beach and 5th Avenue
- 434 rooms
- 8 dining venues listed
- ~50 min from CUN
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Resort facts & overview
- Location
- Playa del Carmen, MX
- Audience
- Adults only
- Brand
- RIU Hotels & Resorts
- Rooms
- 434
- Dining listed
- 8 venues
- Airport
- CUN
- Transfer
- ~50 min
- Reno
- Reno 2026
Why travelers love it
“Lively Playacar all-inclusive steps from a wide white-sand beach and 5th Avenue”
Guests come back for the genuinely warm staff, a wide and well-kept beach, and a location inside gated Playacar that's a short walk or quick cab from Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida. The property is large and busy with foam parties and nightly entertainment, but reviewers consistently flag dated rooms — note that the hotel is closing for a major renovation and is set to reopen in September 2026 as an adults-only resort.
Food & drink
StrongBuffets deliver fresh variety and the steakhouse's lamb chops and lobster are legitimate standouts, though quality is uneven and a vocal minority calls it lukewarm and unworthy of a Palace label.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Steakhouse lamb chops and lobster
- Fresh, varied breakfast and dinner buffets
- Italian restaurant a favorite
- Beach dinner experience available
Heads up
- Some report lukewarm buffet food
- Reported stomach illness from a few guests
- Selection thinned before renovation closure
Dining overview
A 24-hour main buffet anchors dining, supplemented by à-la-carte specialty restaurants covering Japanese, Italian, Mexican/steakhouse, and fusion concepts, with reviewers calling out the steakhouse and the Krystal restaurant as favorites. Private dinners on the beach can be arranged for an extra fee and get strong reviews.
8 documented dining venues
Don Julián
Krystal
Miyagi
Counts and access can vary by source and room tier.
Food & drink photos
Food & drink photos
Photo: www.riu.com
Beach
StandoutThe wide, soft, white-sand beach fronting Playacar is the headline reason to book, with warm water, attentive drink service, and staff who rake sargassum aggressively when it lands.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Wide soft white sand
- Warm calm swimming water
- Waiter service for drinks on the sand
- Staff clear seaweed daily
Heads up
- No umbrellas or palapas for shade
- Occasional sargassum after weather
The hotel sits on a wide stretch of soft white sand in Playacar that's raked and tidied each morning, with calm Caribbean water and plenty of loungers, hammocks, and shade. Like the rest of the Riviera Maya, sargassum can roll in during late spring through summer.
Photo: www.riu.com
Pools
StandoutMultiple pools with roaming drink service and lively daytime entertainment earn near-universal praise, with a swim-up bar and mariachi afternoons anchoring the scene.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Multiple large pools with swim-up bar
- Waiter drink service poolside
- Mariachi and pool entertainment
- Foam parties a hit
Heads up
- Limited shade unless you claim chairs early
- Not enough obvious restrooms near pool deck
Four outdoor pools plus a children's pool stretch through the central courtyard, with a swim-up bar and poolside service throughout the day. The layout is large and animated rather than serene, so expect music and entertainment around the main pool.
Photo: www.riu.com
Rooms & suites
434 rooms434 rooms and suites with balconies, safes, and free Wi-Fi; some suites feature a spiral staircase to a rooftop terrace with a jacuzzi. Guests consistently note that the rooms feel dated and that the open-concept bathroom isn't ideal for families — issues the upcoming refurbishment is meant to address.
Double Room
The base category at this resort. Standard double room with a balcony, safe, and free Wi-Fi. Guests note the rooms feel dated, with an open-concept bathroom that isn't ideal for families.
- View:Resort view
- Sleeps:3 guests
Includes
- +private balcony
- +in-room safe
- +free Wi-Fi
Double Room Pool View
Same layout as the standard double, but oriented toward one of the resort's outdoor pools. A small step up if you want a view without paying for ocean.
- View:Pool view
- Sleeps:3 guests
Includes
- +private balcony
- +pool view
- +in-room safe
Junior Suite
Slightly larger than the double room with a sitting area. Same dated decor and open-concept bathroom layout as the standard categories.
- View:Resort view
- Sleeps:3 guests
Includes
- +sitting area
- +private balcony
- +in-room safe
Room details here are AI-assisted, compiled from the resort's own website and public sources. Categories and names change often — confirm the exact room when you book.
Room photos
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
What’s included
MixedFor a resort branded as a five-star Palace, the tired rooms, rust, and pre-renovation cost cutting have soured recent value perception; the post-2026 refurb and Elite tier are set to reshape what you pay for.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Playacar location walkable to 5th Avenue
- Staff service still feels premium
- Cross-resort dining privileges at nearby Rius
Heads up
- Rooms visibly worn, rust, and dated pre-refurb
- Charged extra to change rooms in some cases
- New Elite tier ending Riu's flat pricing model
- Not delivering on five-star Palace billing
Package inclusions and upgrade access have not been collected yet. Confirm them for your room and dates when booking.
Amenities & activities
Couples
Good fitHoneymooners and anniversary couples get treated like royalty here, with romantic touches like decorated beds and beach dinners, but the kid-friendly party scene and thin-walled rooms can undercut the mood.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Honeymoon and anniversary flourishes
- Romantic beach dinner option
- Spiral-staircase suites with terrace jacuzzis
- Reopening as adults-only after refurb
Heads up
- Club and shows are kid-friendly, not adult
- Wedding groups partying till 3-4am nearby
- Thin walls between rooms
Families
Good fitA genuinely family-welcoming Playacar base where multi-generational groups build annual traditions, though the open-concept bathrooms in some rooms are an awkward fit for kids.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Repeat multi-generational family traditions
- Walkable to shops and beach
- Wildlife and animals around grounds
- Foam parties and pool entertainment
Heads up
- Open shower/bathroom layout awkward for families
- Property converting to adults-only after 2026 refurb
Peace & Quiet
MixedThe daytime vibe is lively but manageable, with Riu Party nights, live band Mexcal, and silent discos setting the tone; light sleepers near wedding blocks or the neighboring hotel report music until the early hours.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Live band Mexcal and Riu Party nights
- Silent disco under the stars
- Bachata and salsa classes
- Minimal noise in most room locations
Heads up
- Neighboring hotel music until 1am
- Wedding groups partying till 3-4am
- Poor sound insulation between rooms
Beyond the pools and beach there's a full spa with sauna, a fitness center, tennis courts, a kids' club, and a Pacha-branded nightclub on property. Daily activities, live music, and themed evening shows keep the social calendar full.
Water sports included
- snorkeling
- windsurfing
- kayaking
- catamaran sailing
- introductory scuba lesson in the pool
Resort amenities
What guests say
High confidence149 reviews · through Nov 2026
Read all reviews on TripAdvisor ↗Google ↗
Consistently praised
Recurring complaints
Best suited for
What past guests say
“High end resort at Hotel Riu Palace Mexico in Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It is an upscale all-inclusive beachfront resort on the Caribbean coast, with pools, gardens, and easy beach access. A relaxing place to stay, with plenty of room to unwind and enjoy the area.”
★★★★★
“Great vacation. Super friendly staff. Very, very clean. Tasty food. Could just be a bit warmer. Otherwise, had another excellent stay there.”
★★★★★
★★★★★
“We absolutely loved our stay at Riu Palace Mexico in Playa Del Carmen! Massive shout out to Mario at the bar, he rocked and was hilarious! Pastor and Angel as well. Also Pamela, Marlene and Gustavo - this place really treats you well on your birthday!! The guys out front that greet you and help with luggage, everyone is so warm, helpful and welcoming. We thoroughly enjoyed the food, the pools and the beach. The place is also spotless! Can't say enough. Highly recommend and thank you to the...”
★★★★★
“This was our first time at this hotel chain, and it was truly a wonderful experience. All the facilities are fantastic, and each restaurant is a 10/10, offering a wide variety of delicious food. We never had any trouble getting into any of them, and we're so grateful to all the staff, who were always so attentive and helpful. It was our best experience with any hotel chain we've ever stayed in! 100% recommended! We will definitely be back!”
★★★★★
Latest reviews from Tripadvisor
Loaded live from Tripadvisor when you ask — the newest reviews and the current rating.
Ratings breakdown
Read all reviews on Google (4,321) ↗
Ask Rosie
Have a specific question about Hotel Riu Palace Mexico - All Inclusive?
Rosie answers from this resort’s guest reviews and our research — with quotes.
Know before you book
- rooms feel dated and worn
- open-concept bathroom layout awkward for families
- room key cards frequently demagnetize
- entertainment quality has slipped according to repeat guests
Location
Mz3 Lt4 Paseo Xaman - Ha, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, 77710, Mexico
View on Google Maps →What you should know
What to Know
The property closed for major renovation in mid-2026 and reopens as an adults-only resort with a new Elite tier, so what you book now is not what past guests experienced.
high confidence
What you'll enjoy
- Walk to 5th Avenue and Playacar mall
- Day-pass access to sister Riu resorts nearby
- Safe area to walk outside the resort
- Playa del Carmen taxi to downtown is short
Heads up
- Closed May to September 2026 for refurbishment
- Reopens as adults-only, no more kids
- New Elite tier ends single-class Riu model
- Rooms pre-renovation are dated and worn
WATCH OUT: Seasonal heads-up
- Sargassum seaweed possible April through August along the Riviera Maya
- Atlantic hurricane season runs June through November, peaking September
- Property closed for major renovation in 2026 — verify reopening dates before booking
Cancun airport (CUN) is roughly 45–60 minutes by car, and the resort is a 5–10 minute taxi or 25-minute walk to Playa del Carmen's Quinta Avenida — handy for shopping and excursions. Tipping isn't required but is appreciated by bar and restaurant staff. Confirm your travel dates against the renovation closure: the property is scheduled to reopen in September 2026 as an adults-only hotel, so families booking after that date should look elsewhere in the Riu portfolio.
Good to know
- Inside the gated Playacar community — safe to walk out to shops and 5th Avenue
- Currently family-friendly but closing for renovation and reopening September 2026 as adults-only
- Pacha nightclub on property means easy nightlife but some noise near the central areas
- Two elevators serve a large property — can be slow at peak times
- Wristbands and Riu's 24-hour all-inclusive cover food, drinks, and most activities
All photos
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
Photo: www.riu.com
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What we know
Everything below comes from data we collected: here's the inventory for this resort.Updated October 2026- Photos
- 91
- Review excerpts
- 20
- Dining venues
- 8
- Menus
- Not yet collected
- Room categories
- 5
- Videos
- 3
- Editorial lenses
- 8
We aggregate. We don't trap. Verify on any of these:
Where this data comes from
We tell you what we know, and what we don't.
- Last updated
- October 4, 2026
- Sources
- Official resort siteGoogle PlacesTripadvisorDirect resort media
- Completeness
- 83%
Source collection snapshot
These collection totals can differ from the items available on this page. Video totals include screened results; the inventory above counts published tours.
- 81 photos
- 1 dining venue
- 19 videos