What We Love

  • No reservations needed for any of the restaurants.
  • This palatial paradise has two shimmering pools, plus a prime beachy location. Sun worshippers, you'll be in love.
  • Tucked into a gated, upscale community, the swanky decor here is modern and chic.
  • This Beach Eden is geared for families and adults, so the crowd isn't a rowdy party crew.
  • Weights. Cardio. Stretching. It's going on every morning and afternoon.
  • Dipping into a relaxing steam bath and whirlpool after your stress-smashing workout.
  • Carving out some much needed naptime on the beach. The swaying palms will be your lullaby.

Things to Know

  • Playa del Carmen offers oceans to do nearby: Mayan ruins, shopping, Xaman-Ha Aviary and golf.
  • Beach comb your way up and down the shores. Stop by a neighboring Riu for a free drink or two.
  • The exceptionally friendly staff always greets you with a smile and will pamper you the moment you arrive.
  • RiuLand keeps the kiddos entertained while you book a stress-smashing day at the spa.
  • Looking for some friendly competitions - why not, right? Tennis, ping pong and volleyball are favs.
Hotel Promotions
Free Perks - Shared transfers included when booking Suite, save $53 per person.
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 02 Jan 2025 to 31 Dec 2025
Travel Dates: 02 Jan 2025 to 30 Jun 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Enjoy Pickleball
Guests can enjoy playing pickleball on the new pickleball court. Equipment will be provided ( paddles and balls).
Important Information: Reservations at the hotel front desk will be necessary.

Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 29 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2026
Travel Dates: 29 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Up to $1460 in Resort Credits.
Guests will receive up to $1460 in coupons per room towards the purchase of Spa Services,  Golf, Weddings, Photos, and Dining.  Additional details will be provided upon check-in at the hotel.

Important Information: 
Guests will receive coupons at check-in.  The total of credits is per room for guests 21 and older.  Resort credits are non-transferable, non-cumulative, non-refundable, non-combinable, and cannot be used on future stays.  Resort credits can be used as a discount only for selected services.  Credits cannot be exchanged for cash.  Promotion is subject to availability and can change without notice.  Restrictions may apply. 
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 15 Dec 2023 to 22 Dec 2025
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2025
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Up to $850 in Resort Credits.
Guests will receive up to $850 in coupons per room towards the purchase of Spa Services,  Golf, Weddings, Photos, and Dining.  Additional details will be provided upon check-in at the hotel.

Important Information: 
Guests will receive coupons at check-in.  The total of credits is per room for guests 21 and older.  Resort credits are non-transferable, non-cumulative, non-refundable, non-combinable, and cannot be used on future stays.  Resort credits can be used as a discount only for selected services.  Credits cannot be exchanged for cash.  Promotion is subject to availability and can change without notice.  Restrictions may apply. 

Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 15 Dec 2023 to 22 Dec 2025
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2025
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Honeymoon Inclusions.
Guests celebrating their honeymoon with us will receive 
- Surprise welcome gift in the room
- Small bottle of Tequila
- King Bed ( subject to availibilty)
- Late Check out (subject to availibility at time of departure)
Complimentry upgrade to next availiable room category ( subject to availibility and upon request)
- $35 Spa Credit for a selected service in "Specials for couples" category (120 min)

To receive this offer, just enter "HONEYMOON" in the Special Service Request section during check-out or call our Customer Care Center and we will be happy to make the notation for you.

Important Information:  Proof of marriage must be provided at check-in. Emission date of less than 90 days
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 27 Jun 2024 to 23 Dec 2026
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2024 to 23 Dec 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Exchange Privileges
Guest will have access to all bars, lunch and snacks at Riu Palace Riviera Maya, Riu Yucatan, Riu Playacar and Riu Tequila.

Important information: All of the above information is subject to change at any time without prior notice. More information will be provided upon check-in. Breakfast and Dinner must be taken at the booked hotel. Transportation is not included

Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 28 Jun 2022 to 23 Dec 2026
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2022 to 23 Dec 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
All Inclusive Amenities
All meals, snacks and local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in all hotel bars and restaurants.
Snacks and drinks 24 hours a day.
Regularly refilled minibar and liquor dispenser in the guest rooms.
In-room safe.
Room service 24 hours a day.
Turndown service.
Drinks service at the pool.
Free sports, activities and entertainment programme as described. Activities include: tennis (raquets and balls),  kayaking, bodyboarding, snorkel gear, 1 scuba tryout in the pool, RiuFit program, beach volleyball, pedalos ( paddle boats)
Free wellness facilities as described (gym).
WiFi throughout the hotel.
Daytime entertainment program for adults
Live music, shows, and Riu entertainment
Free entry to the discotheque at Riu Tequila (drinks included). Must be 18 years old.
Riu Get Together Party at the Riu Tequila hotel
RiuLand Kids Club for ages 4-7 and 8-12
All hotel guests are required to wear an "All Inclusive" wristband for identification purposes.
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 28 Jun 2022 to 23 Dec 2026
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2022 to 23 Dec 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.

Resort Details

You don’t have to go far for delicious food and drinks, these options have you covered.
OnSite Dining
  • Various Lounges/Bars
    - Bar Cubano
    - Los Mariachis
    - Lounge 24
    - El Palmeral
    - Beach bar
    - Capuchino
  • Various Restaurants
    - Don Julian-Restaurant with terrace
    - Guacamole-Beach restaurant/grill and steakhouse
    - Krystal-Fusion Restaurant
    - La Dolce Vita-Italian restaurant
    - La Bodega-Mexican restaurant
    - Miyagi-Japanese restaurant

Treat yourself to everything that this resort has to offer and more.
On-Site Amenities
  • 24-hour front desk
  • 24-hour room service
  • Accessible facilities
  • Babysitting,Offsite†
  • Baggage hold
  • Bell staff/porter
  • Children programs
  • Children welcome
  • Children's play area
  • Elevators
  • 24-hour front desk
  • 24-hour room service
  • Complies with Local/State/Federal laws for disabled
  • Babysitting, Offsite†
  • Baggage hold
  • Bell staff/porter
  • Children programs
  • Children welcome
  • Children's play area
  • Elevators
  • Exercise gym
  • Free high speed internet connection
  • Free parking
  • Gift/News stand†
  • Golf, Offsite†
  • Housekeeping - daily
  • Laundry/Valet service†
  • Lounges/bars
  • Meal Plan Type: All Inclusive
  • Non-smoking rooms available
  • Pool
  • Restaurant
  • Safe deposit box
  • Sauna
  • Spa†
  • Tennis court
  • Tour/sightseeing desk
  • Wakeup service
  • Water sports†

† Fees may apply

Whether a land lover or a water sports fanatic, you’ll always have something fun to do.
On-Site Recreation
  • Children's pool
    There is 1 children's pool onsite.
  • Children's program
    RiuLand
  • Direct access to a beach
  • Fitness center on-site
  • General †
    Pickleball Court  
  • Hot tub
    2 Outdoor Hot Tubs
  • Motorized Water Sports †
    Jet ski, parasailing, waterskiing, diving, deep sea fishing, etc.
  • Non-Motorized Water Sports
    Windsurfing, sailing, kayaks, snorkel gear, body board, one introductory scuba lesson in the pool, paddle boat, etc.
  • Pool
    There are 4 pools onsite.
  • Sauna
  • Spa †
  • Tennis court
    There are 2 lit tennis courts onsite. 


Off-Site Recreation
  • Golf †
    Golf course located within 5 miles of the property.
On-Site Attraction
  • On-site Entertainment
    Access to weekly theme parties for everyone

† Fees may apply

Guest Reviews from CheapCaribbean Customers

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_4.5 8754 reviews
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Great hotel, great service!

    We had a fantastic 10 nights at the RIU Palace Mexico. The location was very peaceful- Playacar is a gated community with a number of hotels as well as some shops and bars. The wider area has some very interesting places to visit, we would recommend Tulum and the cenotes, though we found Cancun not worth visiting. The hotel itself is beautifully presented, with a stunning foyer and grounds. There are plenty of staff, and the customer service is amazing - so friendly and attentive. The standard of cleanliness could not be better- the room is serviced not once but twice a day. We found the food to be of a high standard in the main restaurant as well as the five specialist restaurants, and we really appreciated how easy it was to get a table in those restaurants, all on a first come, first served basis, with no pre booking required.We also appreciated the availability of branded drinks and excellent cocktails at the bars. The beach is beautiful and is kept spotlessly clean, and watersports are readily available. The pool area and pool bars are also well maintained with excellent poolside service, though a small downside is that all the pools are a bit samey (rectangular) and close together, so whilst some may be designated for lane swimming, or sports etc, the reality is they all kind of merge together. One of the benefits of staying at the RIU palace is that you can use the facilities in the neighbouring RIU hotels, this proved useful as the RIU Tequila has a great sports bar, and the RIU Yucatan has really interesting grounds with monkeys, lizards and Coatis (Raccoon cousins). The biggest disappointment with the hotel was the room - whilst it was very big( bizarrely we had two double beds pushed together) with plenty of space and storage, the open plan design meant that the toilet was enclosed in a tiny space. Also the room was showing its age, with noisy aircon whose controls did not work properly, plus some other faulty electrics. The wood finishes on the doors were poor and not in keeping with the rest of the decor. Overall we had a great stay - excellent hotel and all inclusive service, just slightly let down by the room.

    Oct 14, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 3.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Hotel RIU Palace Mexico

    We recently completed our annual holiday at the RIU Palace Mexico staying there from September the 15th for two weeks overall we would score the hotel 3/5 stars this score would be a 2/5 if not for the fantastic colleagues who work there , we can’t praise them enough excellent service, friendly nothing was a problem for them from room cleaning , bar service , dining and entertainment all fantastic. The food was of a very high quality,and all the restaurants were equal in delivering excellent food and service ..no problems whatsoever with the food The issues that disappointed us were… The standards of the room we had ,as mentioned the cleaning And towel changes were great but the room itself was extremely tired and dated disappointed when we walked through the door awful out look on to some trees dividing us from the next hotel ,grubby paint work poor repairs quality I think the room has had more coats of paint than the Tyne bridge , electrical sockets awful no usb trying to wedge items under the plug to get your phone to charge not good enough , the tv was really poor picture quality and the channel choice was poor very little English speaking channels ..yes I appreciate we were in Mexico but when you sometimes just want to watch the tv for a few hours General noise on late evenings and early hours was really poor doors slamming music playing in rooms , shouting screaming , the corridors seem to magnify the noise , people returning from their night out you understand a bit talking laughing ect but when it kicks off at 1 and 2 in the morning it’s not acceptable , I feel a bit of a discreet security presence walking the corridors would help with some people who can’t behave themselves in the early hours and a knock on the room doors to sort the problems out , lying in bed waiting for the noise to subside is not one of my favourite pastimes , Dress codes in the restaurants was poor people sitting with sun hats on ,I will say this was a minority but we observed it several times Gym ..or lack of it really poor for the size of the hotel , I did use the gyms in the sister hotels you can use that were slightly better So in summary *great looking hotel ..until you get to your room and then you start to notice how tired the place is ,also visible in the restaurants *Great food and fantastic really hard working colleagues *Really poor acceptance of rowdy noisy people and the sheer level of noise in the corridors and from some rooms really spoilt it for us and left us disappointed with our stay

    Oct 13, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Epitome of excellence

    Arrived at the hotel and was found that Expedia had somehow messed up our reservation. Spoke with the Manager Jamie and another Lady and they were very helpful in getting it all straightened out. When we went to our rooms they were clean, smelled nice, and really quite lovely. The room itself made you feel as if you were in your own home. The room had everything you could want right down to the frig bar and comfortable beds. We definitey used the bar amenities, and had our frig filled up with water, cold drinks, and ice. We used our amenities in our room alot and enjoyed every minute of it. We were located on the first floor and it was super quiet and barely heard ( and I mean barely) heard the staff. They were awesome people that were ameniable , sweet, and very kind. If you neeed something all you had to do was call and it arrived withi minutes, such as water if you ran out, and not small bottles but large quart bottles. Next next go with the food, so good, so awesome. Our favorite restaurant was the La Bodega, excellent food, excellent service. I would eat there every night while I was there, if I had discovered it early and made it only there on our last night. Every restaurant was delish and no reservations were needed so it all went smoothly. The Italien was very good as well as the Fusion restaurant if you wanted to try different foods. Gustav at the pool with his workouts and teaching us Salsa was absoulely worth his weight in gold. Jamie at the front desk along with another lady who gave us a voucher before we even got checked in, sorry I can't remember her name, both were so helpful. Check out so easy with no hassel. The atmosphere was divine, the staff awesome, and all staff that were taking care of us on a daily basis were the kindest, most sweetest people. There was absolutely not one thing wrong that I can fault this hotel with, and I intend to return as well as my friends who agreed with me. The Hotel Palace Rui Play Del Car was the epitome of class, good taste, excellent service and I highly applaud them for their dedication to making us feel at home in their Hotel.

    Oct 12, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Lovely hotel. Amazing holiday

    Just returned from this hotel. What a wonderful holiday we have had. Yes some areas of the hotel need a little updating but it doesn't impact your holiday. The staff really can't do enough for you from house keeping to bar staff to reception everyone is so friendly. The coffee/milk shake cafe is a nice addition. Food is good and we enjoyed the steak house and Mexican restaurants. We will certainly be returning. Thank you to all the staff for making this an amazing holiday.

    Oct 12, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Great vacation

    I had a great name celebrating my daughter’s birthday !!! And Luisa Noriega from Trafic Tours. Made sure transportation was provided and the excursions were soooo much fun! I’ll definitely be back!!

    Oct 07, 2025
Hotel Advisories
  • AdvisoryStudent Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.
  • AdvisoryThe state of Quintana Roo will be charging a sanitation tax of a minimum $33.94 Mexican Pesos, per room per night. This amount is not included in your vacation price and will be collected at your hotel. This fee is subject to change at any time without notice by the hotel.
General Policy
  • Check In: 3:00 PM
  • Check Out: 12:00 AM
  • Minimum Check-In Age: 18
  • General Policies:

    Check-in Policy: Deposits or credit/debit card hold authorizations are not requested at check-in. "Minimum age of 18 is required for check-in, an ID/Passport will be requested upon arrival.

    Convention Policy : Groups traveling together can book this property for their stay taking advantage of group benefits such as 6th or 11th complimentary guest, Group dinner reservation, One complimentary cocktail hour with a selection of appetizers, One complimentary massage for the group leader, Complimentary room upgrades to the next category, Fruit plate and bottle of wine for the VIP, Private check-in when arriving together,  Welcome sign. Applicable with Wedding Collections and Social Packages. Consult terms & conditions.

    Transfer Policy: A price may display when children stay free, if your vacation includes transfer to your hotel.

    General Information: Room taxes and service fees are included in vacation price. Minimum night stay restrictions may apply. Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel.

  • Pet Policy : Pets Not Allowed
  • Early Departure Policy
    • Early Departure Penalty:1 NightApplies: Sunday - Saturday 04Jul24 - 23Dec26
    • Early Departure Penalty:2 NightsApplies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec25 - 30Apr26

{{title}}