Courtesy Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts

For better or worse, Mexico has remained a magnet for American travelers throughout the pandemic. Those looking to escape found a welcoming international destination that has kept its borders open and not required quarantine. And outside of its ease of entry, the draw of Mexico’s resorts remains crystal clear: a winning combination of white-sand beaches, affordable luxury, regional cuisine, and abundant tequila and mezcal. As the world begins to welcome back guests, the results of our 34th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey reflect the kinds of properties you longed to visit when you couldn’t travel and the ones you returned to first once you could. Here are the best resorts in Mexico, according to our readers.

30. Grand Residences Riviera Cancun

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2021

When you enter your suite for the first time at this beachfront resort, a few miles down the sand from the fishing village of Puerto Morelos, you’re greeted with a chilled bottle of Ojo de Tigre mezcal, limes, chili powder, and shot glasses. Think of it as an impossible-to-resist invitation to chill out and get on the same relaxed wavelength as seemingly everyone else on this stretch of the Mexican Caribbean. While here, you can order tropical drinks from the swim-up bar, lounge on the white-sand beach, or enjoy an after-sun body wrap or a relaxing vanilla bath at the spa, but there are plenty of opportunities to be a bit more active, including yoga lessons, bike rides into town, and cooking and cocktail-making classes.

29. Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos Beach Resort

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2020, 2021

This resort is like a slice of the Mediterranean in Cabo, with white-washed, blue-domed buildings standing out against the Sea of Cortez. Each of the 147 suites are decorated with the same Mediterranean style (think blue touches everywhere), and have private patios and balconies perfect for watching the sunset. When it comes to swimming, you'll be spoiled for choice between the tropical swimming pool and direct access to El Médano Beach. Other resort amenities include three on-site restaurants, full-service spa, and seaside golf course.

28. Mi Amor

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2018, 2021

Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the beach in Tulum, this adults-only boutique hotel is filled with romantic little nooks from which to take in the sun and surf: egg-shaped chairs dangling over the pool, cushioned daybeds in private gazebos, hammocks slung from private patios. There’s a beachy minimalism to the guest rooms, where you’ll want to leave the sliding doors open to invite in the sea breeze. At the onsite restaurant, Australian chef Paul Bentley serves the kind of Mexican-meets-Mediterranean cooking you want to eat in a setting like this, with dishes such as squid ink garganelli with braised octopus and tempura fish tacos with jalapeño peanut salsa, while spa treatments include ground coffee exfoliation, chocolate mud wraps, and flower baths. Best of all, you’re about a 35-minute walk from the Mayan ruins of the Tulum archaeological site.

27. Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa Cabo San Lucas

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2018, 2020, 2021

Set on the world-famous Médano Beach, Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa Cabo San Lucas has everything you would expect from one of the best resorts in Mexico. You know you've landed somewhere special the moment you enter the nine-story atrium lobby, with chandeliers and saltwater aquariums. The luxury continues in the 460 suites, which have stunning views of the Sea of Cortez and outdoor terraces or balconies. But the main draw here might be the Desert Spa, a 31,000-square-foot spa boasting hydrotherapy centers and a full-service beauty salon, and a menu that features every type of facial and massage you could imagine.

26. Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2020, 2021

The soft sands of the “Mexican Riviera” stretch about 200 miles along the Pacific Ocean. They line the coastal state of Nayarit, a compact region with a mix of tropical and adventure recreation that’s increasingly made it one of Mexico’s top destinations. Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa is an all-inclusive, family-friendly stay located in the heart of the Riviera Nayarit, with everything you need right next to some of the country's best beaches. There are tons of activities to discover in the region, but you don't really need to leave the resort to fill your days with fun. Whether you want to go whale watching or take a Spanish-language or cooking class, Villa del Palmar has you covered.

25. Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa Riviera Nayarit

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2021

Located on the northern edge of Nuevo Vallarta, this family-friendly resort is centered around a grand bi-level pool with a swim-up bar and access to the calm waters of Flamingos Beach, while the spacious rooms and suites feature Spanish Colonial–inspired furnishings. Within the resort, guests can join cooking classes (to learn how to make paella, guacamole, or ceviche), take dance or Spanish language lessons, or work up a sweat playing beach soccer, pool volleyball, or water polo. Don’t miss the elegant Mexican steakhouse La Casona’s lobster night, which features such dishes as lobster confit salad with hibiscus jelly and mesquite-grilled lobster tail—or, for something even more romantic, book a sunset table for two right on the sand, lit by the warm glow of flickering torches.

24. Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2020, 2021

Located on the beautiful Riviera Maya, Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa has access to some seriously gorgeous beaches—and it's an easy drive away from both Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The all-inclusive hotel is great for both couples and families, letting guests choose how close they want to be the kid's club and water park. When you aren't soaking up the sun on the half mile of beach lining the resort, head to one of the freshwater swimming pools or enjoy a round of mini golf. As for the rooms, you can expect colorful artwork and throws and balconies with hammocks.

23. Hotel XCaret Mexico

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2021

It’s hard to imagine that an all-inclusive along the Riviera Maya could be the first hotel in the Americas to win EarthCheck certification for sustainability. But rather than swim-up bars teeming with sunburned masses in fluorescent wristbands drinking daiquiris, Hotel Xcaret Mexico has a vibe more like a boutique hotel (albeit one with seven pools). The cheerfully embroidered cushions made by women in Chiapas, Yucatan-made rope hammocks, and floor tiles from Puebla in all of the 900-plus rooms wouldn’t be out of place in Tulum’s more boho-chic barefoot inns. Mercado de la Merced, Xcaret’s main restaurant, is a Wonka-esque explosion of authentic ceviches, sopas, asados, and Mexican sweets. And the spa—built into the surrounding limestone like some kind of a nymphean grotto—beckons you to lie in a giant swinging bed and zone out before your spice-infused Mayan Journey in a private temazcal. Even the five nearby theme parks defy the big-build, thrill-ride stereotype, designed as they are to guide you through the indigenous natural surroundings and traditional culture.

22. Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2019, 2021

There's not much to dislike at this 52-acre, all-inclusive blufftop resort on the Pacific Ocean—after all, it's not every day you take in perfect views of migrating whales while floating in an infinity pool. The architecture is hacienda-style, and the bedding and decor have Mexican patterns. Head to LaFrida, a dimly-lit boîte oozing with old-school Mexican elegance (think luminous black chandeliers, and Frida Kahlo reproductions lining the walls), for a night of traditional live music and some hearty but sophisticated dishes—the braised short rib, with a black chilhuacle sauce, is a must.

21. Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta

READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2021

Set between Banderas Bay and the Ameca River, this city-sized beachfront resort sprawls across 2,500 acres—making it nearly five times bigger than the principality of Monaco. Five different lodging options, including the jungle-shrouded Estates and the family-friendly Mayan Palace, are bolstered by a staggering number of things to do across the property, such as a Jack Nicklaus–designed golf course, a lazy river, beaches, pools, nearly three dozen restaurants and bars, tennis courts, and even a sea turtle sanctuary. You’ll even find a touch of Vegas-style pizzazz here in the form of Santuario, an indoor-outdoor entertainment pavilion offering nightly acrobatic, dance, or music shows, and the Lake Show, a Bellagio-like display of choreographed fountains, lights, and projections. There’s quite a bit of ground to cover here, and in early 2021, Vidanta welcomed the SkyDream Parks Gondola, the world’s first aerial gondola at a beach resort.

20. Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf & Spa Resort

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Beyond its stretch of resplendent beachfront, there's plenty to impress at this secluded adults-only retreat. Rooms are vibrant and airy, but what we really love are the deliciously scented holistic treatments at Armonia Spa (such as the Lavender & White Tea relaxing ritual), and the restaurants that are tasty and varied enough to please picky palates. Siempre blends Mediterranean and Mexican flavors, while the new Market at Quivira is modeled on the great food halls of Europe. Need more ways to pass the time? Golf, fishing, and trips to observe nesting sea turtles are just a few of the available activities.

19. Banyan Tree Mayakoba

$$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

Imagine a cluster of airy, freestanding villas, decorated with handcrafted Mayan furnishings, and outfitted with private pools that curve around individual gardens. That’s Banyan Tree Mayakoba. There are a whopping 15 dining options (including Kosher meals and floating tapas cruises), but there are a few standouts. The tasty dishes at Cello are Mediterranean influenced, while Saffron serves Thai food—but we most enjoy the private dining set-up at La Cava, deep in the hotel's wine cellar.

18. UNICO 20˚87˚Hotel Riviera Maya

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021

At this all-inclusive, adults-only resort along the Riveria Maya, the food, spa treatments, and stellar views are the main attractions. Rooms and suites come with perks like private swim-up pools, outdoor spa tubs, and panoramic views, while the airy interiors feature wooden accents, hand-crafted furniture, and works made by local artists. Guests can opt for “local host” service: They will help arrange everything from a pillow menu request to an insider’s guide to the local food scene. Alternatively, take your pick from the five onsite restaurants—spanning Mediterranean, Mexican, Japanese, and European cuisines—including Cueva Siete, overseen by celebrity chef Xavier Perez Stone.

17. Nizuc Resort & Spa

$$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

The beach—and its views—are the main attraction at this 274-room resort on the Yucatán Peninsula. Book one of the eight penthouse suites, which have outdoor living rooms and Caribbean vistas. Views aside, there’s much more to love: three colossal infinity pools and two beaches, both well stocked with loungers, and six restaurants. We love Ramona, with its clean and contemporary Mexican cuisine (did somebody say lobster bisque with mezcal sauce?) and La Punta Grill, where a tender, expertly salted flank steak might be the main event.

16. Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

$$$ | GOLD LIST 2018 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

This Mediterranean village-inspired enclave gives off a rustic beach vibe that makes you feel like you just stumbled upon the place, and luckily so. Suites are outfitted with hand-carved wood, locally made ceramic tiles, and plunge pools hanging off private ocean view-terraces. Another selling point? The exceedingly attentive staff, plus a personal concierge program—you'll have someone dedicated to making your vacation dreams come true, including planning romantic evening cruises and early morning massages at your request.

15. Chablé Maroma

$$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2019, 2020, 2021

This may quite possibly be the only hotel in Mexico that combines the level of wellness travelers now hop planes for with the country’s trademark sugary beaches. It has 70 neutral-palette suites, each with its own pool, terrace, and palm-shrouded outdoor rain shower. And let’s not forget its access to Riviera Mayakoba’s powdery beach. True to the brand, Maroma’s bright spa remains deeply rooted in Mayan healing traditions (the temazcal ceremony, led by a local healer, is the real-deal, requiring a two-hour commitment). While your schedule in the Yucatán is packed with fitness classes and spa sessions, Maroma encourages time spent sipping margaritas by the infinity pool, as any Mexican resort should. Chef Jorge Vallejo of Mexico City’s top-ranked Quintonil oversees the menus, sourcing ingredients from on-site ka’anches, Mayan gardens. Seafood is the star at Maroma, showcased at the rooftop raw bar and at casual restaurant, Kaban. The tasting menu-only restaurant Bu’ul is more ambitious, with regional dishes like mamey fruit tartare topped with glazed escamoles and surprisingly tasty ant larvae, all of which will challenge (and wow) your palate.

14. Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas

$$$ | HOT LIST 2020 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2020, 2021

Set right on the beach, against the backdrop of the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains, the Four Seasons is by far the area’s sleekest stay. Exclusivity is of course a draw—a handful of celebrities from L.A. are rumored to have bought villas. But there’s also a strong outdoor-adventure pull, from snorkeling in nearby Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, where giant polka-dot whale sharks hunt for plankton, to quad-biking empty sand dunes. While there might not be the bars and restaurants to rival Los Cabos, they’re hardly missed. Toes-in-the-sand El Puesto is the spot for ceviche and margaritas; for a proper sit-down meal, an outpost of beloved Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos serves seafood suppers. All 141 rooms are designed to blend into the surrounding desertscape with sliding glass doors that lead to private terraces, as well as views of the Sea of Cortéz. And unlike on the rough, rocky Pacific side of Baja, the waters here are as tranquil as a lake.

13. Fairmont Mayakoba

$$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021

Some consider Tulum a little too laid back—just ask the patrons of the Fairmont Mayakoba. Designed around a network of crystal clear waterways, the Fairmont Mayakoba is situated deep within 240 acres of dense tropical forest. The hotel is home to five pools—including an adults-only infinity edge pool—and El Camaleón, the 18-hole course designed by Greg Norman, has two water features. Rooms are bright and airy to reflect modern Mexican design, and have deep marble soaking tubs. Book a private suite, and you’ll have a pristine white beach at your doorstep. El Puerto restaurant captures the flavors of regional Mexican seafood, while Las Brisas blends traditional Latin flavors with global ingredients. Willow Stream Spa focuses on traditional Mayan techniques and offers a top deck with unbeatable ocean views. And if you want to design your own adventure, take out an electric lanchita—a small, electric boat—to explore the grounds.

12. Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Set in the private, gated Mayakoba complex, the Andaz has a bit of beachfront and is a more youthful, playful, free-spirited alternative to some of the other hotels that are also part of the complex. Most of the Andaz is built around tranquil lagoons and lush gardens, all crisscrossed with trails for walking and cycling. Guest rooms and suites are inspired by nature with open-plan layouts, abundant natural light, and a sea-and-sand color palette with bright pops of color in Mayan-style artworks and textiles. The activities staff encourages adventurous undertakings, from stand-up paddleboarding to kitesurfing. The four on-site restaurants showcase local cuisine and cooking techniques.

11. Rosewood Mayakoba

$$$ | GOLD LIST 2018 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Once you arrive at this gorgeous ecological enclave in the Riviera Maya, don't expect to rush anywhere—chances are, you'll want to gape at the interior details, like hunks of Yucatán limestone and renewable wood, as well as wooden lattices and glass doors that punctuate the guest rooms. On your Rosewood Mayakoba to-do list should be the Sense spa, which sits on its own private island overlooking limestone lagoons. Try out one of its unique Mayan-influenced treatments, like the Cenote Temazcal Purification—you'll start by meditating in the garden, and work your way to a detoxifying steam bath, scrub, and massage.

10. Cuixmala

$$$ | GOLD LIST 2018 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Cuixmala, a private estate south of Puerto Vallarta with 12 suites, three private villas, and 10 casitas, sits on a private beach backed by a 30,000-acre nature preserve. It doesn’t have a kids’ club, but who needs one when the whole family can go horseback riding and fishing, or watch sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach?

9. Viceroy Riviera Maya

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Staying at the Viceroy Riviera Maya is a vacation in the truest sense of the word: Palapa villas with lots of wood and rattan (many with private pools and outdoor showers) are connected by meandering pathways that fan out to lush, fragrant gardens. And it’s all fronted by seven miles of glorious, white sand beaches. Just remember that you are in the jungle, so be sure to keep your eye out for wily spider monkeys.

8. Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection

$$ | HOT LIST 2018 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Cabo San Lucas is a town full of resorts that are either too fusty, too fancy, or too family-friendly, but Chileno Bay is the rare option that feels both sophisticated and hip. Follow the throng of weekending thirty-somethings to the resort's cool open-air restaurant, or to a little taco shack on the beach with an excellent selection of small-batch mezcal. The beach that the hotel is on is probably the only real swimming beach in Cabo—no small thing, since it can be kind of painful to be at a "beach resort" and not be able to take a dip in the ocean. (Cabo's waters are notoriously choppy, rough, and not swimmer-friendly).

7. Montage Los Cabos

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2020, 2021

Located on 39 quiet acres of beachfront between the overdeveloped hotel zones of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, Montage looks out on the serene, divinely swimmable waters of Santa Maria Bay. As impressive is the fact that all of the 122 guest rooms, suites, and casas (not just top-tier rooms) have ocean views, expansive terraces with daybeds, dining areas, and outdoor showers—just the sort of breezy indoor/outdoor setup you want on a beach holiday. And in a town where things can go from place-defining to cliché quickly, Montage gets it right. Interiors have a Mexican 2.0 aesthetic that leans into local materials while executed in a sophisticated desert palette (lots of native wood, earth-toned woven throws and hanging tapestries, and creamy sandstone), and landscaping embraces native, drought-resistant plants like agave, flowering desert figs, and saguaros. The real treat, though, is to sit by the pool with a book and michelada, knowing that the Pacific is there waiting when you’re ready for your plunge.

6. The Cape, a Thompson Hotel

$$ | HOT LIST 2016 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2016, 2017, 2019, 2021

A mod-Mexican restaurant from Enrique Olvera, four bars with note-perfect cocktails (over 100 and counting), two pools, an amazing spa, and not a trace of hacienda-style architecture—in short, just what Cabo needed. Kudos to Thompson Hotels for introducing a place in an otherwise crowded market with uninterrupted views of El Arco and the Bahía San Lucas horizon. Mexico City architect Javier Sanchez has combined a relaxed 1960s Southern California-meets-Baja aesthetic. It’s refreshingly grown-up, perfect for couples, but without an ounce of pretension. Every room has a balcony to view the Pacific (some with private plunge pools and butler service), plus Cabo’s only rooftop lounge to relish each and every sunset. 

5. Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

The only private beach resort in Los Cabos, Esperanza couldn't feel further from the freewheeling streets of downtown Cabo San Lucas (though it's only a 15-minute drive, in case a craving for cheap strawberry-mango margaritas strikes). This 57-room hotel sits right on the rocky Cabo coast, meaning every room, suite, and infinity pool—several room categories come with their own—promises stellar views, and a constant soundtrack of crashing waves. Inside, the rooms have a soothing blend of crisp white linens, light wood-beamed ceilings, and massive windows, and are all spacious enough to spend the day in. But with a world-class spa, fitness center (which also offers a full schedule of workout classes), and experiences that include sea foraging and a tequila tasting course, you'd rarely be tempted to do so.

4. Chablé Yucatán

$$ | GOLD LIST 2019 HOT LIST 2017 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

If you’ve never visited the ruins at Uxmal—truly a wonder of the world—and you want somewhere luxurious to stay, this is your best bet. Forty contemporary white-limestone-and-glass casitas are strung across the densely wooded 740-acre estate, each with its own terrace, pool, and hammock. Guests fall broadly into two categories: those who have come to explore the ruins of ancient abandoned Mayan cities, and those who are here for the spectacular forest spa, where the pools are lined in tiles of petrified wood. Surrounded by jungle, a dozen treatment cabins are arranged around a cenote, a water-filled sink hole which the Maya believed to be a portal to the underworld but guests are told is a fountain of wellness. It’s a place of such beauty and charm that even non-converts to traditional Mayan healing rituals will succumb to the overall spirit and peace.

3. One&Only Palmilla

$$$ | GOLD LIST 2018, 2020, 2022 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

Arriving at this spot on the very tip of the Baja Peninsula always feels like coming home. Many of the staff are third-generation employees who remember not only your name but whether you prefer your margarita made with tequila or mezcal (and which brand), and where you like your yoga mat to be set up in your room. And those rooms. Whitewashed hacienda-style architecture brightened with hand-embroidered textiles, plus perks such as private butlers and, in the case of Villa Cortez, an exclusive fitness suite, spa room, and beach cabana reflect Cabo’s emergence as Latin America’s latest luxury hotspot. There is no shortage of glitzy new five-stars, but as the area’s first proper hotel, Palmilla has a serious advantage: real estate. Its secluded location on one of Cabo’s only swimmable beaches is unbeatable. In the ’50s, Hollywood’s elite flocked here, and today a fresh generation of A-listers does the same. A commitment to discretion and timeless glamour in an age of social-media noise, as well as constant reinvention (new wellness offerings from spiritual healer Alicia Kanxoc), have allowed Baja’s big hitter to continue holding court. Doubles from $1,330. —Jen Murphy

2. Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

$$$ | HOT LIST 2020 READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2020, 2021

The high-stakes Cabo hotel scene has been particularly frenetic for the past few years, with fresh openings from big-name players like Four Seasons, Montage, and Viceroy. Amid the fray, Ritz-Carlton managed to seek out a 20-acre plot for its fourth reserve, overlooking the indigo Sea of Cortez and built partially on the sand dunes. Suites feel both comfortable and considered, with vast living rooms featuring blue-and-white textiles, objets d’art from local artisans (woven leather baskets, painted pottery), and terraces with firepits. But it’s the staff that truly make the place stand out: remembering favorite breakfast tables and knowing the right chaise lounge around the enormous L-shaped pool at which to drop off each swimmer’s margarita. In one of the world’s most elevated hotel towns, Ritz-Carlton shows that the bar can always be raised.

1. Live Aqua Beach Resort Cancun

$$ | READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2017, 2018, 2021

Done up in a relaxing palette of Caribbean Sea blues, sandy beiges, and cumulus-cloud whites, the 371 rooms at this adults-only, all-inclusive resort are designed to set minds at ease at every turn. The hotel occupies an enviable strip of real estate on the Zona Hotelera waterfront, but guests won’t need to wander far to occupy time during their stays: The 11 bars, restaurants, and cafés include such standouts as Sea Corner for ceviches and tropical cocktails, while spa treatments draw on the aromas and ingredients of the region, including avocado, cocoa, and coffee.