5 Reasons AVA Resort Cancun Belongs on Your Cancun Shortlist
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I was hosted by AVA Resort Cancun as part of a press trip. Travel, accommodation, and meals were provided at no cost. All opinions are my own. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
I visited AVA Resort Cancun on a hosted press trip earlier this year. All opinions are my own. AVA opened in 2024 along Cancun’s Hotel Zone and has quickly become one of the more talked-about all-inclusives in the area. After spending a few days there, I get why.
Here’s a closer look at what makes AVA Resort stand out.
1. Suites Designed for Real Comfort
The rooms at AVA Resort Cancun are spacious and well-appointed. Every room faces the water. My suite had a private terrace with loungers and a deep soaking tub. The bathroom had double vanities, a rainfall shower, and a separate privacy toilet tucked behind its own door. Robes and sandals were provided, along with a basket of bath amenities, bottled water, and a Nespresso machine.
The living space had a couch, an ottoman, a bench at the foot of the bed, and a small table with seating. Enough room to spread out and not feel like you’re living out of a suitcase. The mini fridge was stocked with snacks and drinks. Families can book connecting rooms, and larger suites add touches like swing chairs and additional seating areas.
2. Outdoor Spaces for Everyone
AVA Resort has a lot of outdoor space. AVA Bay is the centerpiece of the outdoor layout: a manmade saltwater bay designed for swimming, paddleboarding, and floating. It’s tucked among several pools and beach areas, giving guests different ways to enjoy the outdoors.
My visit coincided with Cancun’s sargassum season, so I didn’t spend any time at the beach. The smell was rough, too, even poolside, which is something you deal with at certain times of year. and in certain locales. It’s not just Cancun. The Riviera Maya, including Playa del Carmen and Tulum, deals with the same issue. Sargassum season typically runs from April through August along Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific coast don’t deal with it.
During my stay, I split time between AVA Bay and the adult pool area. That’s also where the Moët & Chandon Summerfest event was hosted, complete with a live DJ and poolside service.
The property offers plenty of loungers, shaded areas, and private cabanas. Even on a busy day, it never felt overcrowded or hard to find a spot.
Dining Worth Talking About
AVA Resort has more than 17 restaurants and bars on site. I thought Marriott Cancun had a lot of dining options, but I think AVA Cancun has it beat. Most don’t require reservations. The range covers sit-down dinners, casual market-style spots, coffee and pastries in the morning, and late-night room service.
Here are the standouts from my visit:
- Aroma Café & Bakery — house-roasted coffee and pastries available throughout the day
- Copal — modern Mexican cuisine; probably my favorite dining experience at AVA Resort
- Livo — Mediterranean-inspired dishes and shareable plates
- Veranda — I caught a tasting menu from two-time Michelin-starred Chef Kiko Moya during a one-night takeover
- Room service — I enjoyed a couple of meals and snacks in my suite thanks to 24/7 room service
- Konos — the gelato spot was a go-to multiple times daily
- Plaza MX — One of the resort’s primary restaurants, with buffet-style and made-to-order stations
- Food District — A global market with buffet-style and made-to-order stations
I didn’t make it to every restaurant, but the ones I didn’t get to all looked worth a visit.
4. Smart Design for Families
AVA Resort is essentially one long building. The main floor runs as a single corridor from one end of the property to the other, so getting around is straightforward once you’ve walked it once.
Every room faces the ocean, which helps with orientation, too. When you check in, you’re given an elevator number closest to your room. Take it to your floor, and your room is a short walk from there. That’s it. No complicated map, no confusing signage to decode.
It’s a setup that works especially well if you’re traveling with older kids who want some independence. Give them the elevator and room numbers, and they can move around the resort on their own without much risk of getting lost. The outdoor areas follow the same logic: pools, beach access, bars, and activity spaces run in a long stretch from one end of the property to the other.
5. Thoughtful Perks and Programming
AVA Resort Cancun has activities, entertainment, and amenities for all ages. There are dedicated areas and programming for both kids and teens. Outside, there are family-friendly pools with water play areas and activity zones. There’s also a kids club and a teens club that each offer age-appropriate activities. The Alley at AVA has bowling lanes, an arcade, an F1 racing simulator, and an escape room. The FIIT fitness center has space for group classes and individual workouts.
ACTO Theater puts on a nightly show, and the one I caught was worth the stop. The show featured an unbelievably talented singer, a mariachi band, dancers, and even a young man showing off his roping skills. The production level was incredible, especially for a resort. There’s also an adults-only nightclub on the property. I toured the space during the day, but didn’t experience it at night.
The Spa at AVA Resort was another highlight. I had a massage and used the full hydrotherapy circuit. I’ve been into cold plunging for a while, so I was excited to find the circuit included a large cold pool. Being able to jump straight in instead of slowly lowering myself into a tub in my garage was awesome. It was definitely my favorite part of the experience.
Final Thoughts on AVA Resort Cancun
AVA Resort is one of the better all-inclusive family resorts I’ve stayed at in Cancun. The rooms are comfortable, the food is genuinely good, and it’s easy to get around. If you’re headed to Cancun, AVA Resort is worth putting on your list.
