The Most Beautiful Neighborhoods in Cancun

Sunset Royal is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort with a sprawling beachfront. Expect classic resort-style rooms in calming shades of white and brown, most with space to sleep four. If you’re the active type, this is the place for you – there’s a host of activities from yoga to beach volleyball and cooking classes. Best of all is the room rate – it’s remarkably low given everything on offer here.

This Hotel Zone resort keeps things simple – as a result it is one of the most affordable beachfront options in town. There’s a mix of beachy-casual rooms for two to four guests, plus funky villas (studio, one- and two-bedroom options are available) with full kitchens and spacious sleeping spaces. There are three restaurants serving an array of international cuisine – go for deli bites and wine at Palmar Market, and pizza and steaks at Sea & Stones. Then relax at the pools or on the long, white shores. It’s a solid bet for an easy, breezy vacation under the Yucatan sun.

Dreams Vista is an all-inclusive beach-side resort inside a gated community: the whole thing centers around a bold modernist building with a rooftop pool. Inside are more than 400 striking, angular rooms geared towards couples and families. It has an exceptional array of activities, from spa treatments to a kids club. Dining is a highlight, with 15 restaurants and bars turning out a world of dishes, from sushi to pizza and Mexican.

Make serious savings by avoiding the beachfront resorts and opting for something closer to Cancun proper — and Suites Malecon is one of the best choices. There are affordable standard rooms, plus one- to three-bedroom suites with private terraces and full kitchens, alongside handy amenities including a gym and an infinity pool. While it may not have beach access, it’s great if you’re an independent solo traveler wanting to explore the Riviera Maya: it’s right by major roads with connections to surrounding towns, while the Plaza Las Americas mall is in the same complex for all your day-to-day necessities.

If you’re into a resort-style stay, Grand City Hotel is a relaxing option right in the city center, within walking distance of the popular Mercado 28 flea market. The air-conditioned rooms are simple yet comfortable, with splashes of color, and the hotel is walled off from the busy streets, with a tranquil outdoor pool surrounded by tropical plants. There’s a restaurant, but you’ll want to explore the surrounding streets, home to plenty of cheap joints serving moreish dishes.

There’s appealing urban sophistication in this downtown hotel, where city-view rooms have smart striped walls and pale timber underfoot. The vibe, though, is Caribbean-coastal, as you’d expect this close to the sands. Want to buy beach accessories? With a downtown location on buzzy Avenida Tulum, the hotel is handy for Plaza la Roca and the Kukulkan mall, both less than 2km (1.2mi) away. A little light culture? Head to the El Rey Maya ruins in the Hotel Zone and get your fill of local history – and iguanas. Now treat yourself to a sleep-inducing massage at the spa before sundowners by the inky-blue outside pool. This is bliss.

On a tree-lined boulevard, this little beauty is popular for its rooms – sleeping two and four – prettily tricked out in emerald green or shimmering gold. Balconies are perfect for sunset-gazing each balmy evening. They may be hard to leave, but you should, with beauty spots close by including Kabah Park, home to crocodiles, ducks, spider monkeys, turtles and iguanas plus a large population of the racoon-like coati. Back at the hotel, take a swim in the rooftop pool before sipping a margarita from a chilled glass.