Travel Guide
Discover Mexico’s 3 Most Underrated All-Inclusive Getaways For 2025
Feb
Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta. Vacationers often limit themselves to this trifecta of Mexican powerhouses.
Truth is, Mexico as a whole gets a bad rap, and not everyone views this culturally enchanting and naturally astounding country as a playground for adventure.
Conversely, not everyone’s version of adventure is a relaxing, all-inclusive getaway in a city you might not have heard of before.
It’s time to change that perspective.
Rather than follow the crowd overpaying for Cabo’s glamorous resorts and having to fight your way to the swim-up bar, there are 3 underrated all-inclusive beach destinations calling your name this year — and one has been compared to Santorini!
A Travel Advisory Foreword:
All 3 destinations presented are based in Level 4: Do Not Travel states. But, there’s a catch…
The U.S. State Department categorizes Mexico’s travel advisories based on states, not cities.
Saying no to visiting Sinaloa, for example, basically equates to issuing an advisory for the entire state of California during L.A.’s recent wildfire disasters.
Would you feel that you should avoid Lake Tahoe, San Francisco, or Palm Springs too? Chances are that’s a hard no.
As a seasoned traveler throughout Mexico, I’ve visited numerous destinations ranging from ‘safe’ to ‘dangerous’, and I can attest the same perspective should be applied here.
Yes, there are definite no-go regions of Mexico, but these 3 bright spots, which just so happen to be located in problematic states, are well-protected with a hefty National Guard presence, local police force, and private security to maintain a safe haven for tourists.
Look at it this way — all 3 vacation spots have multiple nonstop flights from the U.S. and Canada.
Do you think airlines would be making a profit selling flights to no man’s land? Negative.
So, without further ado, here are Mexico’s 3 most underrated all-inclusive getaways for 2025:
Mazatlan: Sinaloa’s Shining Star For A World-Class Vacation
Let’s get the buzzword out of the way: Sinaloa.
As you’ve gathered, Mazatlan is completely safe to visit; no more concerning than Cancun, Punta Cana, or any of the household names we rely on for your sunny paradisal escapes.
Mazatlan has been steadily gaining steam on travelers’ radars, especially in the digital nomad world.
But, many vacationers are sleeping on Mazatlan as a laid-back all-inclusive getaway with numerous resorts overlooking pristine beaches surrounded by a captivating cityscape full of urban delights and incredible views, such as El Faro Lighthouse.
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 all-inclusive resorts in Mazatlan:
- Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort
- El Cid Marina Beach Hotel
- Emporio Mazatlan
- El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel
- Hotel Riu Emerald Bay
Better yet, Mazatlan is fun to explore beyond the resorts with a buzzing nightlife, vibrant Plaza Machado, the scenic Malecon boardwalk, and even a random ode to The Beatles.
Mazatlan does have Uber, but you gotta check out the funky Pulmonias to get around; essentially their version of a “tuk tuk”.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo: My Favorite Mexican Beach Town
I’ve been all over Mexico, but my recent trip to Ixtapa kicked Mahahual to second place in my favorite Mexican beach town’s rankings.
As a former Cabo Sun contributor, I even put my travel reputation on the line, saying Ixtapa is prettier! (no offense, Sammy Haggar)
Located in the state of Guerrero, the twin cities of Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo offer a different set of attractions, but you’ll find ample resorts on both sides.
I stayed at Barcelo, and it was fantastic having a pair of swim-up bars to choose from, an all-you-can-eat seafood feast, and a pool to die for overlooking the waves crashing ashore Playa El Palmar, a certified Blue-Flag beach.
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 all-inclusive resorts in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo:
- Club Med Ixtapa Pacific
- Las Brisas Ixtapa
- Emporio Ixtapa
- Hotel Fontan Ixtapa
- Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa
Better yet, you can visit the secret island of Isla Ixtapa, with perfect snorkeling conditions and unknown ruins of Xihuacan, far off the radar from the likes of Teotihicaun and Chichen Itza.
Manzanillo: The “Santorini Of Mexico”
There’s no place quite like Santorini, Greece, but in Latin America, Manzanillo is the next best thing.
Beholding a white-washed townscape overlooking vivid blue waters, Manzanillo is perhaps Mexico’s most underrated all-inclusive resort town, largely in part due to the state of Colima’s uprise in crime.
Vacationers in Manzanillo shouldn’t be overly concerned with crime reports as the jewel of Colima has its own airport with numerous connections to U.S. cities, such as Houston, Dallas, and Phoenix, so you can fly over the “dangerous” areas, which are mostly attributed to Colima City.
Upon arriving, you’ll find ample high-end resorts perched beachside with a cultural town center to explore anchored by the picturesque Zocalo and idyllic Malecon for seaside strolls.
According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 5 all-inclusive resorts in Manzanillo:
- Barceló Karmina
- Las Hadas By Brisas
- Hotel Vista Playa de Oro Manzanillo
- Hotel Tesoro Manzanillo
- Gran Festivall All Inclusive Resort
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
