Kayaks, Dinner Shows, and Kids' Program at All-Inclusive Hotel on the Caribbean

“All-inclusive” means much more at Sunset Royal Beach Resort than unlimited breakfast buffets and umbrella drinks. With the all-inclusive plan, guests can rent complimentary kayaks to venture into the Caribbean Sea or take a yoga class in a beachside hut. At night, traditional Mexican dances, acrobat routines, and other performances delight the crowds at the hotel's outdoor theater. Kids stay active with face painting, hula lessons, and paper-airplane contests organized from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Situated on one of Cancun’s white sand beaches with easy access to family-friendly watersports, Sunset Royal Beach Resort offers visitors a luxurious stay in the middle of one of Mexico’s most-popular destinations.

Thousands of turquoise tiles line a large pool at the heart of the property. Nearby, a teak-wood deck hangs over the beach, offering views of the pristine shoreline. Situated near the second-largest reef system in the world, the waters along Cancun teem with kaleidoscopic sea creatures, making the city the No. 1 spot in the world for new scuba certifications. For a change of scenery, head over to the resort's sister property, Sunset Lagoon Resort, to sign up for a guided bike tour. At night, visitors relax inside a deluxe room, where outdoor balconies or terraces provide views of the lagoon or the ocean.

All meals and drinks are included, meaning guests can dine for free at any of the property's five restaurants and bars. Savor Caribbean seafood during a lobster dinner, which includes a glass of wine. Located beachside, Aqua Grill serves hamburgers tropical drinks all day, and the Moonlight Theater restaurant hosts dinner shows and an international buffet on selected nights throughout the week.

Cancun, Mexico: Cool White Sands and Mayan Relics

Located on a barrier island shaped like the number seven, Cancun juts into the Caribbean Sea at the northeast tip of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. With the sea on one side and freshwater lagoons on the other, it's a popular spot for sailing and snorkeling. Although the beaches and barrier reefs are a major draw, the geography is equally enticing inland, where you can dive into an underground cave or speedboat through a mangrove jungle.

Cancun pulls in more than four million visitors each year, so escaping the crowds and the party atmosphere isn't always easy. For an afternoon of relatively secluded sunbathing, visit Playa Delfines, located about 12 miles (19.2 km) from the hotel. Resorts have yet to encroach upon this stretch of sand, making it especially popular with surfers.

The stone columns of El Rey Ruins, an ancient Mayan site dating back to the third and second centuries BC, lie at the southern end of the Hotel Zone. Believed to be a royal burial ground, the archaeological site is also home to wild iguanas that lounge in the sun and read Tom Clancy novels. For a Mayan-themed day trip, take a 1.5-hour drive down the coast to Tulum, a pre-Columbian walled city located on a bluff overlooking the sea. The Mayan city of Chichén Itzá, chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, is only a 2.5-hour drive from Cancun.

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