Riu Palace Las Americas All-Inclusive Review: Is It Worth Booking?
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, all-inclusive, adults-only resort in Cancun that still feels like a treat, Riu Palace Las Américas is one of those rare places that truly delivers. We stayed for six days and five nights in May 2024, booked a suite for $2,200 total, and already know we’ll be going back. The entire trip felt easy, comfortable, and honestly, kind of perfect for the price.
After hours and hours of research ahead of arriving at the resort, we had some pretty solid expectations, but this place quietly exceeded them. Everything from check-in to the food to the overall vibe made us feel like we were on vacation in the best way (because vacation should be stress-free every time!).
If you’re considering this resort and wondering whether it’s worth your time and money, this full review will walk you through what we experienced and why we’d recommend it.
Getting to the Resort
We used USA Transfers to get from the Cancun airport to Riu Palace Las Américas, and it made the whole arrival process super easy. They were waiting for us right outside the airport, holding a sign with our name, and got us to the resort in about 25 minutes without any unnecessary stops.
The car was clean and air-conditioned, and the driver was friendly and professional. We booked round-trip service ahead of time online, which gave us one less thing to worry about after landing. If you’re looking for a reliable, no-stress option for airport transportation, we’d definitely recommend them.
TallSavvy Tip: We HIGHLY recommend booking a private shuttle service. Booking directly through RIU’s website does include a free shuttle, but there is often a long wait to ensure the shuttles are full with other guests. You could wait at the airport for over an hour after you receive your bag. It’s worth it to get your bags, walk through the “shark tank”, and head straight to your shuttle to start your vacation!
Check-In, Rooms, and What We Paid
From the moment we arrived at Riu Palace Las Americas, the service from everyone was warm and relaxed. We were promtly checked in, with a welcome mimosa compliments of the front desk for both of us, which we appreciated after a long morning of travel.
Upon chatting with the front desk, we asked if a corner suite was available, and they were kind enough to accommodate the request. It’s worth mentioning that if the resort isn’t fully booked, they seem flexible about room locations. Our suite ended up having a stunning ocean view, and we really appreciated having the extra space.
We paid around $2,200 total for a 6-day, 5-night stay in May, which felt like a solid deal. For a beachfront all-inclusive with a suite, unlimited food and drinks, and private beach access, it was a win in our book. If you’re someone who likes the ease of one price covering everything, this is a great value.
Drinks, Bartenders, and the Bar Scene
The drink service was one of our favorite parts of the trip. We never had to wait long at the bar, and every cocktail or shot we tried was consistently good. The bartenders kept the energy light and fun without ever making it feel overwhelming. A big shoutout to Eduardo, who made some of the best shots and kept everyone laughing.
If you’re into trying new things, the bar team loves making Scooby Snacks, fruit punch-style shots, and colorful frozen shots and drinks. They were happy to mix things up and kept the vibe going throughout the day and night. The bars never felt too crowded, and the service always felt personal. They all pretty much knew us by name, especially since Preston is 6’7, so he’s a little hard to miss in a crowd. 🙂
Beach Access, Pools, and Overall Atmosphere
The private beach area is one of the best parts of Riu Palace Las Américas. We had no problem finding a spot each day, and the water was clear and inviting. When we visited in May, there were no seaweed issues at all, but that can vary by season in Cancun. Seaweed is most common between April and October, but it depends on the weather and ocean currents. We lucked out with perfect beach days the entire trip.
There are two larger pools and a few smaller ones, including a quieter option and a more lively pool (activity pool) with a swim-up bar and daily activities. The balance worked well for us. Majority of the days we were happy to join in and hang out by the action, but other days, we just wanted to relax, so the mix of the pool options was perfectly balanced.
Who Stays Here and What the Crowd Is Like
One thing that surprised us was how mixed the guest crowd was. There were couples, friend groups, solo travelers, and people of all ages. We met a few other travelers close to our age (mid to late twenties), and we ended up spending a lot of time with them throughout the week.
This is not a party-hard resort (the real parties are at a different RIU location), but it also doesn’t feel boring. There’s enough going on to keep things fun without the pressure of needing to participate. It felt easy to connect with others if you wanted to, and just as easy to have a quieter day if that was your plan.
RIU Parties at Riu Caribe
As I mentioned, if you are looking for more of a party atmosphere, the RIU Party events at RIU Caribe are included when you stay at any of the RIU properties in Cancun. We went to three of the four parties during our stay and had a TIME, yall! Each night has a different theme: Jungle Party, White Party, Neon Party, and Pink Party. All of them are held in a pool party setting, complete with music, lights, drinks, and foam.
The resort provides a free shuttle to and from the parties, which is convenient, but you’ll want to keep an eye on the schedule because there are set times they depart your resort to take you to the parties and vice versa. Drinks, shots, and snacks are included, and hookah is available for an additional charge. Most of the people attending were in their twenties and thirties, and it felt like a great place to let loose for a night without going too far.
Final Thoughts on Our Riu Palace Las Américas Stay
This trip hit all the right notes for us. Riu Palace Las Américas felt like a great mix of comfort, value, and flexibility. It was easy to plan, affordable without feeling cheap, and full of little details that made the whole experience smooth. From the suite to the beach to the people we met, everything made it feel like the kind of trip we’d happily take again.
If you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly resort in Cancun that still offers great views, great service, and plenty of ways to unwind, we’d absolutely recommend Riu Palace Las Américas. We’re already looking at dates to come back.
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