Resort Comparison Guide
Best for travelers who want an all-inclusive Riviera Maya resort with meals and drinks included in the stay, pools and resort grounds to enjoy, and facilities for children for guests traveling with kids.
Better for travelers who want their all-inclusive stay to sit within the Xcaret Destination on the Riviera Maya, with the destination setting as the main reason to book.
If you want an all-inclusive Riviera Maya resort that welcomes all ages, with meals and drinks included and facilities for children, Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is usually the stronger pick for families and mixed-age groups.
If your priority is staying within the Xcaret Destination and building your trip around that setting, Occidental at Xcaret Destination is the property that matches that goal.
Bottom line: choose Hotel Riu Palace Mexico for an all-ages all-inclusive resort with pools, grounds, and children's facilities, and choose Occidental at Xcaret Destination for an all-inclusive stay centered on the Xcaret Destination. Call our team to confirm current room types, inclusions, and family amenities for your travel dates.
| Category | Hotel Riu Palace Mexico | Occidental at Xcaret Destination |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe |
All-ages, all-inclusive Riviera Maya resort with pools, resort grounds, and facilities for children.
Best for Mixed-Age Groups
|
All-inclusive Riviera Maya stay set within the Xcaret Destination.
Best for Destination-Focused Trips
|
| Location | On Mexico’s Riviera Maya coast in Quintana Roo, with ocean views and resort grounds as part of the setting. | On the Riviera Maya within the Xcaret Destination, so the destination itself is the main draw of the location. |
| Rooms & Suites | Rooms for guests of all ages on an all-inclusive plan; confirm current room types and occupancy for your group when booking. | All-inclusive accommodations within the Xcaret Destination; confirm current room types and occupancy for your group when booking. |
| Dining | All-inclusive: meals and drinks are included in the stay. | All-inclusive stay; confirm the current restaurant and bar lineup when booking. |
| Pools & Beach | Resort pools and grounds with an ocean setting, as shown in the resort’s own imagery. | Riviera Maya coastal setting; confirm current pool and beach details when booking. |
| Families & Guests | All-ages resort with facilities for children listed, making it a natural fit for families and mixed-age groups. | Confirm current family amenities and children’s facilities with our team before you book. |
| Price & Value | Best value if you want meals and drinks included and a resort that works for travelers of different ages. | Best value if the Xcaret Destination setting is the main reason for your trip. |
Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is an all-ages, all-inclusive resort on the Riviera Maya, so your room is a base for a stay where meals and drinks are already covered.
Riu Palace Mexico is the better pick if you are traveling with children or a multi-generational group and want an all-inclusive resort that welcomes all ages.
Occidental at Xcaret Destination places your all-inclusive stay within the Xcaret Destination, so the room is a base for exploring that setting.
If staying inside the Xcaret Destination is the heart of your plan, Occidental is usually the stronger fit.
Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is an all-inclusive resort: the stay includes meals and drinks, so you can plan your days without budgeting separately for food and beverages.
Expect:
Occidental at Xcaret Destination is also an all-inclusive stay, which keeps dining simple while you spend time in the destination.
Both resorts take the guesswork out of dining. The right choice comes down to which setting fits your trip.
Hotel Riu Palace Mexico pairs resort pools and landscaped grounds with an ocean setting, as shown in the resort’s own photography.
Occidental at Xcaret Destination offers a Riviera Maya coastal setting as part of the wider Xcaret Destination.
If you want a resort-first stay with pools and grounds to enjoy, Riu Palace Mexico is the safer pick. If the destination comes first, look at Occidental.
Hotel Riu Palace Mexico is an all-ages resort, and its listing includes facilities for children, which makes it a practical choice for families.
Occidental at Xcaret Destination suits travelers who want to stay within the Xcaret Destination on the Riviera Maya.
Traveling with children? Our team can confirm current family amenities at both resorts so you can compare them side by side.
Hotel Riu Palace Mexico offers the most value when you want an all-inclusive stay that works for every age in your group.
Occidental at Xcaret Destination is the better value if your priority is an all-inclusive stay within the Xcaret Destination.
Choose Riu Palace Mexico if you want an all-ages, all-inclusive resort with facilities for children and meals and drinks included in the stay.
Occidental is the better pick if you want an all-inclusive stay within the Xcaret Destination and plan to build your trip around that setting.
For groups that span different ages, Riu Palace Mexico welcomes everyone and keeps meals and drinks included for the whole group.
If the Xcaret Destination setting is what you are booking for, Occidental keeps your all-inclusive stay right inside it.
Questions? Contact Us!