Mexico Holidays

Mexico is a holiday heavyweight: Caribbean beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, some of the best all-inclusive resorts on the planet, and food that'll ruin every taco you eat at home.

Holidays to Mexico 2026 highlights

• Caribbean beaches and cenotes - White sand, turquoise water, and the second-largest coral reef in the world. Inland, thousands of cenotes (natural limestone swimming pools) are scattered across the Yucatan jungle.

• All-inclusive paradise - Mexico does all-inclusive better than almost anywhere. Huge resort complexes with multiple restaurants, swim-up bars, waterparks, and 24-hour food and drink programmes.

• Mayan ruins on the doorstep - Chichen Itza (one of the New Seven Wonders of the World), the clifftop ruins at Tulum overlooking the Caribbean, and the jungle pyramid at Coba are day-trippable from Cancun and the Riviera Maya.

• Food that goes way beyond tacos - Mole, cochinita pibil, ceviche, elote, churros, and yes, tacos that are nothing like what you get at home. Mexican cuisine is UNESCO-listed for a reason.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup - Mexico is co-hosting the tournament this summer (June 11 to July 19), with the opening match at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and games in Guadalajara and Monterrey. The whole country will be buzzing.

Good to know

• ☀️ Weather - The Caribbean coast (Cancun, Riviera Maya) is warm year-round: 25-33°C with most sunshine from November to April. June to November is hurricane season, but direct hits are rare. The dry season (December to April) is peak tourist season with the calmest seas and clearest water.

• 💶 Money - Mexico uses the Mexican Peso (MXN). A sit-down meal costs around £8-£15 / €9-€17, a beer is £1-£2 / €1.20-€2.30, and a cocktail at a resort bar runs £4-£7 / €5-€8. Cards are accepted at resorts and tourist areas, but carry cash for markets, taxis, and tips.

• 🌮 Fun Fact - Mexico gave the world chocolate. The ancient Maya were the first to turn cacao beans into a drink, calling it "xocolatl" (the food of the gods). They also gave us vanilla, chillies, avocados, and the concept of zero. Not bad for one civilisation.

Where's the best area to stay in Mexico?

Whether you’re looking for a laid-back family retreat, an epic group adventure, or a romantic escape for two, there’s a perfect spot waiting for you. From dreamy beach holidays to lively towns and cities buzzing with culture and nightlife, it’s all here. Here are just a few of our top-pick destinations for your next Mexico holidays:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Cancun - Yes it's lively, but the Hotel Zone is packed with family-friendly all-inclusives, and the calm Caribbean waters are perfect for kids. Waterparks, aquariums, and pirate ship adventures all on the doorstep.

• Riviera Maya - If you want something slightly quieter, Riviera Maya has bigger, more spread-out resorts with private beaches, waterparks, and easy access to cenotes and Mayan ruins for day trips.

💑 Couples

• Riviera Maya - Yes there are big family resorts, but there are also swanky adults-only resorts & jungle spas. Tulum's beachfront ruins and Akumal's sea turtles are proper romantic day-trip material.

• Playa del Carmen - Boutique feel with Fifth Avenue's restaurants, bars, and shops. Beach by day, cocktails and strolling by night.

🎉 Groups

• Cancun - Beach clubs by day, Coco Bongo and the Hotel Zone clubs by night. The nightlife here is built for groups who want to go big.

Best Beaches to visit on your Mexico holidays

From the iconic sands of Tulum to the serene shores of Bahía Balandra, Mexico boasts some of the world's most stunning coastal gems you should definitely check out on your 2026 holidays. Whether you're after a bustling beach party, a tranquil retreat, or a chance to swim with turtles, there's a perfect spot waiting for you. Here are a few of our faves*:

• Playa Norte - Made entirely of crushed coral with shallow, paddle-friendly waters. Known for its quieter vibe and outstanding sunset views. On Isla Mujeres, a short ferry from Cancun.

• Playa Paraiso - A top sandy spot in Tulum, with gorgeous views of the Mayan ruins on the clifftop above, chilled vibes, and snorkelling and scuba diving.

• Playa del Carmen - A buzzing beach town with soft white sand, bright blue waters, and top-tier diving at the nearby Cozumel reef.

• Playa Tortugas - A lively, family-friendly beach in Cancun's Hotel Zone with shallow waters, food and drink spots, watersports, beach volleyball, and a bungee jump off the pier.

• Playa Mujeres - A long sandy stretch north of Cancun known for sunbathing and snorkelling. Quieter than the Hotel Zone, with some of the area's best luxury resorts.

• Akumal Beach - Known as "place of the turtles," this is a must-visit for snorkellers. Colourful coral reefs and sea turtles in the shallows, right on the Riviera Maya coast.

• Playa Maroma - Often ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world. Powder-soft sand, crystal-clear water, and a properly exclusive feel.

• Playa Zicatela - For surfers. Over in Puerto Escondido on the Pacific coast, this beach has some of the most famous pipeline waves in Mexico. Watch from the sand if you're not a confident boarder.

*Okay fine, it was more than a few.

Best Hotels to stay at on your holidays to Mexico

Looking for the perfect spot to soak up the sun in Mexico? Whether you're planning a last-minute beachside escape in Cancun, a luxury resort in the Riviera Maya, or a boutique stay in Tulum, we’ve got you covered with our top hotel picks:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Barcelo Maya Grand Resort - Massive beachfront complex in the Riviera Maya with 4 buffet restaurants, 15 bars, a waterpark, kids' club, and a 24-hour all-inclusive programme. Access to multiple hotels within the resort means you'll never run out of things to do.

• Grand Oasis Cancun - Right in the Cancun Hotel Zone with beach clubs, a mega pool area, a kids' zone, and a relaxing spa. All-inclusive and properly set up for families.

• Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa - In the Cancun Hotel Zone with outdoor pools, Jacuzzis, a private beach with an ocean trampoline, movie nights, and water sports. Brilliant for families who want a bit of everything.

• Melia Cozumel - On Cozumel island with an adults-only swim-up bar, kids' mini electric car driving lessons, water sports, and three restaurants. A different pace to the mainland resorts.

💑 Couples

• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Adults-only luxury on an award-winning beach in the Riviera Maya. Infinity pool, multiple restaurants, yoga classes, cocktail-making sessions, and a spa that's worth the trip alone.

• Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya - Adults-only with nine dining options, three pools (including infinity), and activities from archery to beach volleyball. 200m from the beach and surrounded by tropical gardens.

• Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa - Set on a white-sand beach surrounded by tropical gardens with nine restaurants, a world-class spa, and the Tulum Mayan ruins just minutes away. Great for couples who want romance with a side of history.

• Iberostar Selection Cancun - Beachfront in Cancun with 10 pools, spa, and food for every mood. A proper five-star that delivers on the luxury without being stuffy.

🎉 Groups

• Grand Oasis Cancun - Beach clubs, adults-only bars, pool parties, and Cancun's nightlife on the doorstep. Built for groups who want the full-on Mexico experience.

• Barcelo Maya Grand Resort - So big it has its own shopping centre, sports bar, bowling alley, and nightclub. Six hotels in one complex means your group can spread out and regroup for dinner.

✨ Luxury

• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun - Adults-only on one of Mexico's most famous beaches. Private plunge pools, butler service in premium suites, a world-class spa, and the kind of attention to detail that justifies the price tag.

• Bluebay Grand Esmeralda - Five-star with six a la carte restaurants, beachside pools with in-water sun loungers, and a spa for when you need proper pampering.

💰 Value

• Barcelo Maya Grand Resort - Incredible amount of resort for the price. 24-hour all-inclusive, waterpark, 15 bars, and 2km of private beach. Hard to beat for value on a long-haul all-inclusive.

• Melia Cozumel - Good-value island option with all-inclusive, water sports, and a more laid-back pace than the mainland mega-resorts.

👉 See all Mexico hotels 👉 All-inclusive Mexico holidays

Last minute holidays to Mexico

Last-minute holidays to Mexico are next level, especially if you've splashed out and you're heading to Mexico for them. Time and time again, this spot has proven popular with all kinds of holidaymakers, and we see the vision; it's hard to disagree with the reasons why. They're top-notch spots all over, from Riviera Maya to Cancun, ideal for your Mexican break, especially when you want to go away at the drop of a hat. So, have a nosey, you might have just found your next jolly, hassle-free.

Mexico holidays 2026 travel guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

• Xcaret Park, Riviera Maya - An eco park on the coast south of Playa del Carmen with underground rivers you can swim through, a butterfly pavilion, a coral reef aquarium, snorkelling in a natural inlet, and an evening show with traditional Mexican music and dance. A genuine full day out that works for all ages.

• Chichen Itza day trip - One of the New Seven Wonders of the World and about two and a half hours from Cancun. The Kukulkan pyramid is extraordinary, and the site is big enough that kids can explore without feeling like they're on a museum visit. Go early to beat the heat and the coaches.

• Xel-Ha, Riviera Maya - A natural all-inclusive waterpark where the entry fee covers food, drink, snorkelling gear, and access to a huge natural inlet full of tropical fish. Zip lines, cliff jumps, and a lazy river through the mangroves. Genuinely one of the best family days out in Mexico.

• WaterWorld at the resorts - Most big all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya have their own waterparks, splash zones, and kids' clubs included in the package. The Barcelo Maya, Moon Palace, and Grand Oasis complexes are particularly well set up.

• Interactive Aquarium, Cancun - In the Hotel Zone's La Isla Shopping Village. Touch pools, shark tanks, a dolphin encounter programme, and air-conditioned relief from the midday sun. Combine it with lunch and shopping in the mall.

💑 Couples

• Tulum ruins at sunrise - The clifftop Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean are Mexico's most photographed site. Arrive when the gates open (8am) to have the place almost to yourself before the tour buses arrive from Cancun. The beach below the ruins is swimmable.

• Cenote swimming - Thousands of natural limestone sinkholes are scattered across the Yucatan jungle, filled with crystal-clear freshwater. Cenote Dos Ojos and Gran Cenote near Tulum are the most photogenic. Cenote Ik Kil near Chichen Itza has vines hanging from the opening 26 metres above. Swimming in one is properly magical.

• Isla Mujeres by ferry - A 20-minute ferry from Cancun to a laid-back island with golf-cart transport, Playa Norte (one of Mexico's best beaches), and waterfront restaurants serving fresh ceviche. The pace is completely different from the Hotel Zone.

• Mezcal tasting - Mezcal is tequila's smokier, more complex cousin, and the Riviera Maya has bars and distillery experiences where you can learn the difference. Pair it with a sunset at a beach bar in Playa del Carmen.

• Akumal turtle snorkelling - Swim alongside green sea turtles in the shallow bay at Akumal, about 30 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. Guided tours run daily and sightings are almost guaranteed in the morning.

🎉 Groups

• Coco Bongo, Cancun - Part nightclub, part Cirque du Soleil, with acrobats, light shows, confetti cannons, and open-bar packages. The signature night out in Cancun's Hotel Zone and built for groups who want a big night. Book in advance, it sells out.

• Catamaran party cruise - Booze cruises run from Cancun marina with open bars, DJs, snorkelling stops at the reef, and a beach break at Isla Mujeres. The afternoon sailings tend to be more chilled, the sunset ones louder.

• Xplor Park, Riviera Maya - Zip lines through the jungle canopy (the longest is over a kilometre), amphibious vehicles through mud trails, underground river rafting, and cliff jumps. All-inclusive entry covers food and drink. Works brilliantly for groups who want an active day out.

• Fifth Avenue bar crawl, Playa del Carmen - The pedestrianised strip runs for over 20 blocks with cocktail bars, mezcal joints, rooftop terraces, and live music venues. More boutique and varied than the Cancun Hotel Zone scene.

• Cenote day trip - Hire a minivan and hit three or four cenotes in a day. Cenote Azul, Cenote Cristalino, and Casa Cenote are all within an hour of Playa del Carmen. Swimming in underground caves with your mates is properly memorable.

🗣️ Local Lingo: talk like a local 🇲🇽

• Hola – Hello

• Gracias – Thank you

• Una cerveza, por favor – A beer, please

• ¿Cuánto cuesta? – How much does it cost?

• ¡Qué padre! – That’s cool!

• ¿Dónde está la playa? – Where is the beach?

• Lo siento, no hablo mucho español – Sorry, I don’t speak much Spanish

🌎 Mexico Destinations

• Cancun - The big one. Caribbean beaches, mega all-inclusive resorts, and a nightlife scene that goes until sunrise. The Hotel Zone is a 14-mile strip of pure holiday.

• Riviera Maya - Stretching south from Cancun along the coast. Bigger resorts, cenotes, Mayan ruins, and a more laid-back feel than Cancun itself.

• Playa del Carmen - Boutique beach town with Fifth Avenue's restaurants and bars, Caribbean diving, and a more walkable, independent vibe.

• Mexico City - One of the world's great cities. Ancient Aztec ruins, world-class food, rooftop bars, and Frida Kahlo's Blue House. Brilliant as a city-break add-on.