When you and the kids are craving a warm-weather escape that’s fun and low-stress, an all-inclusive can be the easiest way to truly unplug. Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancún Resort by Karisma is an all-ages, all-inclusive resort with island vibes, swaying palm trees, hut-style bars, and cute design touches like margarita-glass chandeliers.
Even the white-and-blue buildings are a nod to Jimmy Buffett’s songs, with names like Edge of Paradise, Fins Right, Come Monday, and Nothin’ but a Breeze.
The resort was renovated and reopened in 2020. A manageable size, it’s easy to navigate, especially with kids. There are 148 suites, four pools, four restaurants, six bars, a spa, a gym, and beachfront access.
The photo ops are endless here, with murals and signs throughout the property that turn Jimmy Buffett song lyrics into colorful artwork. Everywhere you look, there’s a Buffet-inspired nod to a parrot, a surfboard, flip-flops and margaritas. And there are plenty of areas to chill out, drink in hand, listening to the manmade waterfalls or the ocean breeze.
Here’s our suggested itinerary for a weekend in Mexico:
Day 1: Arrive, Explore & Eat
Taking the shuttle from the airport to the resort is easy, though the final stretch of road to get there is very bumpy. Once you arrive, you’ll immediately notice lots of tropical décor, from a chandelier made of margarita glasses to giant swinging beds (much more comfortable than a hammock) and furniture decorated with song lyrics.
After getting our resort wristbands, we headed to our room, a spacious junior suite with its own hot tub and balcony. More nods to Buffett are abound in the form of parrot paintings (and parrot-printed bedsheets!), a margarita maker at the in-room bar, pillows embroidered with “Changes in Attitude / Changes in Latitude,” and even do-not-disturb door tags with song lyrics.
Hungry from our travels, we went down to Where is Joe Merchant?, a market area that has pastries, sandwiches and a coffee bar that is part of the resort’s all-inclusive offerings. The resort has a points system, and each room gets a set number of points per night, which kids can redeem for Mexican-brand snacks, candies, and drinks by scanning their wristbands. Other items are also available for an extra charge.
Next, we headed to the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar for a drink (a margarita, of course!), while kids splashed around in the main pool, which also has a swim-up bar. On the opposite side of the resort, there are two more pools, including swim-up hotel rooms, and the SOS (Stranded on a Sandbar) bar. There are lifeguards on duty every day until 5 pm, and the pools close by 8 pm.
Our first dinner was at Latino, where we feasted on Mexican-Asian fusion dishes like a shrimp tempura crunchy roll that rivals sushi we’ve had stateside; a diced chicken tostada appetizer; and Dominican sancocho, that had beef, chicken, pork, cassava, plantains and corn in a soupy broth.
Vegetable Tian was made with baked eggplant and zucchini in a tomato sauce that resembled shakshuka. The fresh mahi mahi with rice and vegetables is also a must-try.
The dessert sampler, served with a decorative flip-flop, is a total crowd pleaser, too.
Day 2: Sunrise, Tacos & Culture
Sunrise at the beach is a vacay must, so we woke up early to walk down to the water. While it was seaweed season during our stay which limited swimming, we were told that the ocean is typically crystal blue and warm year-round. On most days, guests can rent a gazebo, grab a kayak or relax on the dock. You can book an excursion to go snorkeling or SCUBA diving in a nearby coral reef.
We started our day at Blended, where you pick your ingredients for a smoothie or acai bowl, take the blender over to a biking station, and literally pedal until your smoothie is ready. It’s exercise with a reward!
Then we rounded the corner to The Beach House, where we had a buffet breakfast of authentic made-to-order omelets, chilaquiles, cranberry tamales, marinated cactus, breaded chicken cutlets, arepas, guava and papaya, and kid-friendly oatmeal, cereal and bagels.
Then it was playtime. The kids had options via the Parakeet Kid’s Club, a dropoff program from 9 am to 5 pm daily for anyone 4 and older (if your kid is younger, you have to stay with them). A variety of indoor and outdoor activities include games, toys, arts and crafts and storytime. Babysitting services are available for an additional fee.
Adults can find some zen with yoga, sit down for a ceviche cooking class, or go to the Compass Bar for a tequila class and tasting.
Other activities include mandala painting, beach or pool volleyball, and Loteria (Mexican Bingo). The activities vary by day and by weather, and using the Margaritaville app is super handy.
Coming to Mexico, tacos are a must, which made lunchtime at Rita’s Taco House an easy highlight. This hotspot has a line of people waiting when it opens at noon. Overlooking the water, it has a colorful outside porch and a beautiful inside dining room.
Mini tacos came stuffed with carnitas, chorizo, shrimp, chicken, beef, and even sweet potato – but the most unexpected item was a cheeseburger, an ode to Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” And of course you need to get the guac – obvi.
We had dinner at The Beach House, where a show presented Mayan culture through authentic dress, instruments, storytelling, and customs. It was a beautiful way to embrace Mexican history.
Then we moved outside to the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar for a Marimba performance, where a musician played pop hits. There was a pop-up market set up along the walkway, selling everything from wooden tiki mask replicas to jewelry to Mexican figurines.
Day 3: Relaxation at the Spa & the ‘Cherry’ on Top
Day 3 kicked off with the kids at their club, and the adults at the spa. The hydrotherapy treatment at St. Somewhere is pure bliss: start with the dry sauna, take a cool shower, go into the steam room, then do a cold plunge before settling into the hot tub with a refreshing lemon spritzer mocktail. You can choose a massage, facial or body scrub – the 25-minute head, neck and shoulder massage was the perfect amount of time to soak in the calm. There is a salon and nail spa, or you can work out in the gym.
Then, it was back to the pool. We took some time to walk along the beach, where you can rent a cabana or stop by a stand to paint Mexican ceramics. The gift shop has Dia de los Muertos souvenirs.
Back at the room, we watched the Jimmy Buffett channel to hear his performances from around the world. We ordered room service, which included kid faves like chicken fingers, mac and cheese, mini sliders and peanut butter and jelly, plus a chocolate brownie that was more like cake.
At night, Frank & Lola’s was the most elevated meal we had, even though the dress code is still “flip-flop friendly” and kids are welcome. We decided to carb load and share ravioli with spinach and ricotta, spicy rigatoni, fusilli with pesto sauce, and lasagna Bolognese.
How could you not top it off with a Mexican cannoli (which tasted more like chocolate than cinnamon)?
The nightcap again was at 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, with a performance by Cherry Lovers Band. There is plenty of comfy seating around the bar so kids can come, too.
Info & Details
Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort by Karisma, Riviera Cancun, is located in the Puerto Morelos section of Cancun. It’s about 25 minutes from the airport. The hotel partners with BRX for shuttle service, which you can book at the same time as your reservation. The airport can be quite overwhelming with the amount of taxi drivers, especially if you’ve never flown into Cancun International, so we recommend this service.
There is a sister Margaritaville property five minutes away in Riviera Maya that is adults-only, so be sure to book the right property, and advise your driver of the correct address.
About 25 minutes away, Karisma operates Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts in Riviera Maya for even more of a kid-friendly experience. At this other all-inclusive family resort, SpongeBob SquarePants, the PAW Patrol and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles join you on your vacation. Cool off in the 6-acre Aqua Nick waterpark, get slimed during a game show, let the kids run loose in the clubhouse-slash-artist’s studio Club Nick, and get a manicure at Naay Spa.
As an added incentive, as part of the Autism Double-Checked program, the staff at Karisma Hotels & Resorts properties are fully certified in “Assisting Guests with Autism,” thanks to an Autism Concierge.
More Fun in Cancún
There’s plenty to do outside your resort of choice. Consider a day trip to the beachy downtown of Playa del Carmen. There are blocks of shops, restaurants, gelato shops, coffee bars and nightclubs.
Another popular place to stroll is Parque de las Palapas, a central plaza in downtown Cancún that’s packed with food vendors, shopping stalls, and a schedule of festivals and events.
For more things to do with the kids:
- Snorkel along the coral reef, or swim with the dolphins at Xcaret Park or Xel-Ha.
- Swimming in natural pools and caves of Cenote Dos Ojos or Gran Cenote offers cooler waters.
- Visit Ventura Park for water slides or ziplining.
- See animals up close at the Interactive Aquarium Cancún.
- Explore 500 life-sized sculptures at the MUSA Underwater Museum of Art.
Isla Mujeres is worth the 30-minute ferry ride: considered to be “eye candy” because of its colorful streets, the area has two scenic promenades along the Malecons, statues of Mexican heroes and Mayan goddesses, murals that capture the essence of the island, a large open square and pedestrian-only street, and gorgeous architecture at Palacia Municipal and the Catholic Church. Plus, from May to September, you can snorkel with whale sharks.
Consider a day trip to Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan, where you will see ancient Mayan ruins, stone carvings and ancient pyramids— especially El Castillo. It’s one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Where to Eat
Señor Frog’s is synonymous with the islands, and has a party vibe plus a Kids Menu that includes burgers, chicken tenders and fettuccine.
Porfirio’s Cancún has tacos al pastor, premium steaks and traditional antojitos (“little cravings”) that match the stunning views of Laguna Nichupte.
Le Chique is a Michelin-starred restaurant that has exceptional entrees, desserts and cocktails using ingredients from the Yucatan Peninsula– but is more for date night than a family adventure.
Get a glimpse of the resort on our Instagram page.
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