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A “mere” 290 rooms, but everything else about this hotel-resort is on a grand scale. Three giant pyramids make up the main buildings; there are eight restaurants, 13 bars, the Up & Down nightclub, and the pool is one of the biggest in Latin America. A big range of watersports and theme parties complete the picture.

Opened in the early days of Cancún, this spacious site has the typical Club-Med range of sports facilities – enough even when the 456 rooms fill up – and youth-oriented entertainment including a techno disco.

The biggest all-inclusive resort of all, with 2,031 beach-house-style rooms. With such a size, it’s able to offer every possible activity and 10 restaurants – all crowded.

A mid-sized, relaxing resort with a superb beach, fine pool, and pretty rooms. It started up in the 1970s and still has the charming, low-key approach that has won it many loyal customers. Book well ahead.

A good deal cheaper than most places offering an all-meals-included plan. Rooms and food are relatively basic – too much so for some – but it has a great beach location and a fine pool, and its low prices and simple style have won it many fans.

One of the biggest and most amply equipped of the Playacar resorts, especially well-organized for families, with a lot of kids’ activities and entertainments. Rooms are in modern-hotel style, but bright and spacious.

The 300-room Ibero-star, opened in 1999, is well located for snorkeling and diving in the south-west corner of the island, near Punta Francesa, and faces an especially fine beach. Like the Tucán, it offers a big range of activities.

Another giant, split into two: the Barceló Maya Beach (612 rooms) and the Barceló Maya Garden next door (408 rooms). They share over 2 km (1.5 miles) of beach and offer a lot on-site for the all-inclusive rates. You’re not encouraged to go anywhere else. Highlights include a nightclub under a giant palapa plant and a luxurious beachside buffet.

This small-sized resort is “adults only” and so mainly for couples. The atmosphere is relaxed, there’s a nice pool, and the cabaña -style rooms are spread along the beach with plenty of space and sea views.

Medium-sized resort with an exquisite, large pool that snakes almost like a lake beside some of the rooms. Another plus is that it’s only a short walk from Akumal village along the beach, so that those who appreciate the convenience of allinclusives can also wander out of it whenever they wish.