Hotel Riu Palace Las Americas
Riu Palace Las Americas sits at Punta Cancun, the bend in the Hotel Zone where you can see both the lagoon and the Caribbean. Riu reopened it in 2016 after a US$12 million renovation as its first adults-only hotel in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, and the red and gold decor, the dress code at dinner and the 18+ policy still give it a more grown-up feel than the party resorts around it. Couples and travelers in their 30s and older tend to enjoy it most, especially for anniversaries and honeymoons. The flip side is age: the building dates from 2004, that 2016 refresh was the last one Riu lists, and as of October 2026 no new renovation has been announced.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Prime Punta Cancun location in the heart of the Hotel Zone puts you within a short walk of shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife and the ferry to Isla Mujeres
- +Adults-only (18+) policy creates a quieter, couples-focused atmosphere that travelers describe as a refreshing contrast to the spring break scene at nearby resorts
- +Three pools, including one with a swim-up bar and a hydromassage area, and they rarely feel as crowded as the pools at family resorts down the strip
- +Six restaurants for a mid-size hotel: Don Roberto (international buffet), Los Arcos (Italian), Krystal (fusion), Sakura (Japanese), Fiesta Mexicana and Black & White (steakhouse), with live cooking stations at breakfast singled out for praise
- +Six bars, including Lounge 24 and the Capuchino pastry bar, plus the Pacha nightclub on site, so late nights do not require leaving the property
- +Renova Spa with sauna and whirlpools, and the gym is included rather than charged as an extra
- +Free transfers to the nearby Riu Caribe for the RIU Party nights, which is the one cross-hotel perk Riu actually commits to on its own site
- +Regal red and gold common areas, and most rooms have balconies, many with Caribbean views; the sea-view Jacuzzi suites are the pick for anniversaries
Cons
- −The hotel opened in 2004 and Riu's own page says it was last refurbished in 2016, so rooms and fixtures are a decade old and recent reviews say so bluntly
- −Riu had not announced a new refurbishment for this hotel as of October 2026, so do not book expecting a renovated product
- −A musty or damp smell in some rooms and hallways is one of the most frequently mentioned complaints, and a few guests also mention sulfur-smelling bath water
- −Rooms are short on modern conveniences; only 2 electrical outlets per room is a specific and commonly mentioned frustration
- −The a la carte restaurants fill up fast at peak dinner hours, and guests report waits or being turned away; ask at check-in how seating works that week
- −Some bars close as early as 6pm, which leaves an awkward gap in the evening before the nightclub opens
- −Rocks at the water's edge in front of the hotel make beach entry and swimming less pleasant than the sandy stretches further down the Hotel Zone
- −Timeshare pitches at check-in and breakfast invitations to sister properties are a recurring annoyance
Food is solid if not exceptional. Don Roberto handles the buffet, and the five a la carte venues cover Italian, Japanese, fusion, Mexican and a steakhouse, which is a good spread for a hotel this size, though the popular ones fill up early in the evening. The swim-up bar pool gets the social energy during the day, while the other two pools suit people who want to read in peace, and the Renova Spa, sauna and gym round things out. The recurring complaints are a musty smell in some rooms and corridors, dated rooms with too few outlets, and a beach with rocky water entry that sends most guests back to the pools.
This is a good fit for adults who want a convenient Cancun base with a calmer atmosphere and plan to get out and explore. You can walk to restaurants, malls and nightlife, catch the short ferry to Isla Mujeres, or ride the free transfer to the RIU Party at Riu Caribe. Dollar for dollar it sits in the mid-range: a step up from the budget Rius, but newer Cancun adults-only options like Atelier or Riu's own newer Palaces deliver fresher rooms for similar money.
Common Questions
Is this a good resort for a honeymoon or anniversary trip?
How close is the ferry to Isla Mujeres, and is a day trip worth it?
What is the smell issue people keep mentioning in reviews?
Can I use other Riu resorts with my wristband?
Is the beach swimmable in front of the resort?
Has Riu Palace Las Americas been renovated recently?
Restaurants (6)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Don Roberto |
| Mexican | Fiesta Mexicana |
| Italian | Los Arcos |
| Japanese & sushi | Sakura |
| Steakhouse | Black & White |
| International & fusion | Krystal |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
20 min drive · 7.8 mi
Playa Delfines20 min drive · 7.0 mi
20 min drive · 7.8 mi
Playa Tortugas4 min drive · 1.5 mi
Museo Maya de Cancún14 min drive · 5.3 mi
25 min drive · 9.8 mi
More things to do (24)
- Catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres · excursion4 min drive · 1.5 mi
- Downtown Cancún (Parque Las Palapas) · town15 min drive · 6.6 mi
- Xoxi Cancún · adventure park35 min drive · 16 mi
- Whale shark swim (June to September) · excursion20 min drive · 7.8 mi
- Playa Las Perlas · beach9 min drive · 3.8 mi
- Garrafón Park day trip (Isla Mujeres) · excursion5 min drive · 2.3 mi
- Croco Cun Zoo · wildlife45 min drive · 25 mi
- Playa Caracol · beach3 min drive · 0.6 mi
- Riviera Cancún Golf · golf30 min drive · 13 mi
- Playa Ballenas · beach12 min drive · 4.2 mi
- Puerto Cancún Golf Course · golf13 min drive · 5.7 mi
- Iberostar Cancún Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 6.3 mi
- Playa Coral · beach25 min drive · 11 mi
- Puerto Morelos reef snorkel trip · excursion50 min drive · 27 mi
- Playa Gaviota Azul · beach4 min drive · 1.0 mi
- Playa Langosta · beach5 min drive · 2.3 mi
- Torre Escénica de Cancún · viewpoint6 min drive · 2.8 mi
- Playa Chac Mool · beach7 min drive · 2.2 mi
- Yamil Lu'um · ruins10 min drive · 2.9 mi
- Marina Puerto Cancún · marina10 min drive · 4.6 mi
- Playa San Miguelito · beach12 min drive · 3.8 mi
- Playa Marlín · beach12 min drive · 3.6 mi
- El Rey Ruins · ruins15 min drive · 6.3 mi
- Ka'Yok' Planetarium · museum20 min drive · 6.8 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Seaweed & sargassum
Cancun gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.6 · 5,986 reviews
“This hotel was one of the best all inclusive stays I have been to. The staff are what makes this place exceptional. Miguel was always fun and energetic with poolside activities and Fidel and Abu were top notch servers at the lobby bar. We made so man...”
“This was our first trip to an all inclusive in Cancun and RPLA was everything we hoped it would be. The room was lovely and well-appointed. I loved the large shower and the huge walk-in closet. The service at the restaurants and bars was excellent an...”
“This hotel resort was really perfect for my recent vacation. I had originally booked at their sister resort, Riu Cancun, but quickly realized the vibe was not what I was looking for. I walked next door to the Palace Las Americas and they were able to...”
