Invite us on a beach vacation and we will always say, “YES!”
Go ahead, try it right now. (We always keep a carryon bag ready and we’ve been known to be quite impulsive.)
So, naturally, when the Hilton All-Inclusive Resort Cancún Mar Caribe invited us down for a few days of R&R&R (rest, relaxation and ’ritas), we said, “Sí!”
Traveling solo meant a rare chance to be someplace tropical without any urgency to explore much beyond the borders of the property.
Sleeping late, napping in a cabana in the adults-only section then sitting on the balcony listening to the waves crash onto the beach below under the light of the full moon while sipping a cold beer from the mini bar became an easy daily ritual to fall into.
We met several other LGBTQ people during our stay, both guests and staff. Plus, the Hilton All-Inclusive Resort Cancún Mar Caribe doesn’t shy away from marketing that features same-sex couples in its imagery and messaging. This gave us an extra layer of tranquility and peace of mind.
The Resort
Located in Cancun’s Hotel Zone on a strip of land separated by the Nichupté Lagoon from the Mexico mainland, with direct access to the gorgeous Caribbean Sea, this particular Hilton property occupies a considerable amount of beachfront real estate.
That means plenty of room to spread out and enjoy one of the many pools or perched on an underwater stool at the swim-up bar. On all our travels, we avoid children as much as possible, so it was nice to have a multi-pool adults-only area with its own set of cabanas, all offering ocean views and on-demand cocktail and snack service.
The all-inclusive setup makes it easy to leave your worries behind without worrying about a bill, but you’ll find options to upgrade to higher-level spirits, wines and food items throughout the resort. So, pay attention if you don’t want any additional charges.
Nightly shows, live music and dance parties ensure a proper vacation vibe, too.
Even though most everything comes complimentary and tips are included, we always pack extra pesos to tip anyone who provides excellent service, from our cabana server Diego to housekeepers to the woman making omelettes to order st the buffet.
(Pro Tip: We always order pesos in advance through our Wells Fargo app and request small bills so we don’t have to visit an ATM or currency exchange. And it’s free! Whatever pesos we have left over we can deposit right back into our account.)
(Pro Tip 2: If you want to experience the vivid blue waters at their most beautiful, try to avoid the summer months in Cancún because climate change continues to make the seaweed probably in this part of the world a real nuisance with mounds piled upon the sand, decaying in the hot sun. It’s easy to have perfectly clear waters and beaches if you book in fall and spring.)
The Rooms
We chose a room in the exclusive Enclave section. This designation gets you the closest proximity to the ocean for the best views, as well as access to a private restaurant and pool area, as well as an executive lounge with a full bar, breakfast and snacks throughout the day.
Our bed was extremely comfortable and the bathroom featured a spacious shower and separate soaking tub.
Because of the design of the buildings, every guest room faces the Caribbean and has its own balcony, some with hammocks. So, even in the least expensive category you get some nice perks.
The Spa
Give us a massage and access to a guided co-ed hydrotherapy circuit with several pools, a sauna and steam room, and we will be forever grateful. One-time access to the hydrotherapy circuit comes free for Enclave guests, too, as a welcome amenity, even if you don’t book a spa treatment.
The Food
As a general rule, all-inclusive resorts don’t appeal to us mainly because of some of the guests. Far too many people are more concerned with quantity over quality. Witnessing a man with a plate piled precariously with dozens of boiled shrimp and cookies (we kid you not), proved this theory and then some. (Calm down, girl, it’s all-you-can-eat, not all-you-can-fit-on-a-single-plate.)
So, we quickly vowed to skip the buffet restaurant and the greedy guacamole guzzlers in favor of the resort’s multiple specialty restaurants.
Enjoy a Benihana-style show at Asian-themed Noriku, juicy steaks and chops at Flama, or classic Italian fare at La Luce. However, we must insist you visit Maxal, the Mexican specialty restaurant, as it was hands-down our favorite. Plus, it would be a shame to visit Cancún and not get some top-quality Mexican food.
The Magic Moment
We firmly believe that every vacation offers at least one magical moment that makes the journey worth the time, effort and money.
For us, that occurred on our final night. Walking back to our room, full moon lighting up the ocean with lightning filling the sky in the distance from an approaching storm, we saw a turtle crawl onto the beach and begin laying her eggs and burying them in the sand. Before we knew it, we’d watched in awe for over an hour, as the waves gently crashed behind her and nature put on a light show that seemed almost otherworldly.
It’s moments like these that make travel so incredible. You just have to be open to them happening when you least expect them.
Hilton All-Inclusive Resort Cancún Mar Caribe
hilton.comThis is an update to a story originally published on September 16, 2025
