Cancun, Mexico, is a tropical paradise known for its white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife. To escape a long and cold New York winter, I booked an all-inclusive RIU resort. I dreamed of seeing myself sipping endless Mojitos, so my choice was easy. I just wanted something simple, luxurious, and stress-free, with a side order of entertainment.
I don’t have any association with RIU, so you can interchange the RIU brand with others, but it just gives you an idea and options.
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Cancun Airport Transportation
I used Transportadora Turistica Lamore, S.A. de C.V. (📞 +529848064963), booked via Booking.com. The cost from the airport to the Riu Dunamar Resort (a 55-minute drive) was $40—a great deal compared to horror stories of $100+ per person online.
The company called me, provided driver details and a photo, and ensured a smooth pickup. I wasn’t expecting much, but I was impressed. FYI, I get no fee for mentioning them. Safe, reliable transport just sets you up for a great vacation.
Arriving at Cancun Airport
Expect a crowd of taxis and transport companies outside the airport. If you’ve pre-booked, wait near Margaritaville Restaurant, a common pickup spot. It can feel chaotic, but stay calm and wait for your driver.
What to Expect at RIU Resorts in Cancun
RIU operates several all-inclusive resorts in Cancun. Here’s what you can expect:
✅ Spacious rooms with ocean or garden views
✅ Multiple restaurants featuring Mexican, Italian, and Japanese cuisine
✅ Swim-up bars with unlimited drinks
✅ Daily entertainment, live shows, and themed parties
✅ Beach and pool activities like volleyball and dance lessons
, , Isla Mujeres, 77418Food & Drinks
Mexican food is a global hit. It’s tasty, fast and I’m yet to see anyone looking sad while eating it. I hit up a couple of local restaurants, no other tourists around, and it was great.
Forget thoughts of dual menus, where there is one price for locals, one for tourists. Avoid restaurants with ‘International,’ ‘World Food’ in their titles or anything that says ‘Tourists welcome.’ They are most expensive and I feel less authentic. Look for places that locals go to. Busy, high turn restaurants are your friend.
The RIU resort offers unlimited food, drinks, and activities. There were three themed restaurants and a buffet dining hall. The buffet had both hits and misses, but overall, the food quality was solid.
Resort Parties
A side benefit of RIU is the all inclusive parties. Neon, white, pool parties, it all happens and is a lot of fun. There’s dancers and performers mingling with the crowd. It was unexpected and I had a blast, as anything involving Pina Colada does.
Daily Activities & Entertainment
To find out what’s going on at the resort, you can download the RIU app. It was helpful scheduling the day, latin dancing or beach games, it’s all there.
I got involved in some dance lessons, beach volleyball. It breaks up the day and helps you meet other people.
The beach sand is white, the water warm, and there were plenty of lounge chairs. What more could you ask for?
Alcohol and Safety
Rooms are stocked with full-sized liquor bottles, beers, and mixers, and bars are scattered throughout the resort. I didn’t end up even touching them. The bars are more fun, with music and interesting people to talk to, or people watch. While there were a few overly “happy” guests, the resort had security patrolling to maintain order.
I only saw one joint police and military patrol, oddly walking down the beach, reassuring tourists with their assault rifles, that their safety was in good hands. This is not unusual in developing locations and nothing to be concerned about. Nobody is upsetting the tourist money gravy train that is Cancun. There are checkpoints in the tourist locations and you will see large groups of police formed up at points across Cancun.
Exploring Cancun: Tips for Leaving the Resort
Remove your resort wristband before going into town—it marks you as a tourist.
Avoid overpriced tourist restaurants. Look for busy spots where locals eat.
Use Uber instead of taxis. Uber from RIU Dunamar to town was $10 USD.
From RIU Dunamar into town, Uber was USD10 (mid morning on a Saturday), return was USD15, a no brainer. Online prior to going, I saw people writing that they got charged USD100+ each way from RIU resorts into town. Bottomline, don’t take taxis – it’s an outdated mode with no transparency.
If you use an Uber, tell the front desk the driver’s car type, registration and your room number. RIU Dunamar did play some games with the driver, making him wait after repeated calls to the gate. I suspect the resort staff get a percentage if guests use taxis, and using Uber eliminates this graft.
Before you leave the resort, remove your wrist band and keep it with you. You will need it to get back into the resort. If you are wearing the wristband on the street, it identifies you and your status. You can’t haggle at a market when you’re at an inclusive resort.
Day Trip to Cancun Town
I visited Mercado 23 and 28, hoping for an authentic experience, but found tourist traps selling tequila, wrestling masks, and t-shirts. Walmart, surprisingly, had better souvenir prices. The closest I got to ‘authentic’ was a food market at Mercado 23, pictured above.
Mercado 23, Jabín 9 SM 23, Cancún, Quintana Roo, MexicoTours to Mayan ruins, adventure trips are available, but it can be long, hot days with early departures and late returns. You can book independently or fee more and go through the resorts agents.
Mercado 28, Xel-ha SM 28, Cancún, Quintana Roo, MexicoPacking Essentials for Cancun
✔ Wireless headphones for flights—United allows easy Bluetooth connections.
✔ High-SPF sunscreen—SPF 30 wasn’t enough; I got burned.
✔ Flip-flops or water shoes—Prevents foot infections in wet areas.
✔ Mosquito repellent—Bites are common, especially after sunset.
✔ Dress up for nightlife—Some restaurants and clubs have dress codes.
Drink coolers. People drink from these all day, I even saw them in the surf at the beach. It’s a choice, but there isn’t a need. I can tell you now, there is no shortage of drinks and cocktails, no one will miss out. You can drink from 10.00am onwards until 5.30pm, then the bars open up again later on. Plus meeting people at the bar is what it’s all about.
Tipping
Tipping at RIU resorts in Mexico is not mandatory, as they are all-inclusive, but it is greatly appreciated by the staff. Here’s a guide on tipping culture and recommendations:
General Tipping Guidelines at RIU Resorts
- Housekeeping – $2 to $5 USD per day, left in the room daily as different staff may clean your room.
- Bartenders – $1 to $2 per drink, or a larger tip ($10-$20) at the start of your stay to get faster service. These guys were fast and did work hard all day
- Waitstaff (Buffet & Restaurants) – $3 to $5 per meal, depending on service and group size.
- Concierge or Bellhop – $2 to $5 per bag when assisting with luggage.
- Entertainment & Activity Staff – Tipping is not expected but appreciated if they go above and beyond. Their days are long and they do it with a smile every day.
Tipping Culture at RIU Resorts & Mexico in General
- U.S. dollars are widely accepted, but local currency (Mexican Pesos) is preferred for easier exchange. Bank on a slightly reduced exchange rates outside the official
- Why – Many resort staff rely on tips as a significant part of their income.
- While tipping is optional, good service is often rewarded with better, more personalized service.
- Keep small bills handy to make tipping easier.
Final Thoughts
A vacation in Cancun is always an experience, and an all-inclusive resort makes it an easy, stress-free choice. Whether you’re a couple or a family, you’ll have a great time. However, it’s not an authentic Mexican experience, Cancun is a curated version of Mexico, but you know that when you book.
For sun, relaxation, and indulgence, Cancun is a perfect winter escape.
Happy travels
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Brett Williams
Brett Williams is the founder of Ylore Travel, a platform dedicated to making self-guided travel accessible to adventurers worldwide. With experience exploring over 50 countries and living in four, Brett’s passion for discovering new places and immersing himself in diverse cultures inspired the creation of Ylore Travel. Based in New York, he continues to seek out unique experiences and empower others to explore the world at their own pace.