(Mexico Adults-Only All-Inclusive)

I spent a long weekend at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya, and I wanted to share my experience so you can decide if it might be a good fit for your next adults-only Mexico trip.

Arrival & First Impressions

I arrived on a Friday afternoon with really no idea what to expect. As soon as I stepped out of the car, someone helped with my luggage and guided me to the front desk. While I was checking in, they offered me a margarita popsicle — very fitting for “Margaritaville.”

My room wasn’t ready yet (I arrived early and didn’t expect it to be), so my friend and I went to grab tacos at the poolside restaurant. Our server offered us dessert and brought out fruit tarts. It's not a dessert I would typically order but they were really good and I’m glad he offered.

By the time we finished eating, my room was ready. A staff member walked me there, pointed out a few locations along the way, and showed me how some things in the room worked — like the lightswitches that show a red/green “service or no service” light outside the door. My luggage arrived shortly after. It was a super easy check-in overall.

My Room

My room was on the 5th floor with a balcony overlooking the pool area and the ocean. It felt fresh, spacious, and comfortable. Inside the room I had:

• a king bed


• a desk


• a couch and small table


• a closet with robes


• an in-room fridge (restocked daily with water)


• an espresso machine


• a large shower and private toilet room

Frank & Lola's Italian Trattoria

The Boathouse (Buffet)

LandShark Brewery & Grill

Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions

JWB Steakhouse

Quiet Pools

Oceanfront Pool

Floating Taco Bar

Silent Disco

Salted Rim Margarita Bar

• a full fitness center


• pickleball courts


• cornhole and other lawn games


• a complete spa with hydrotherapy (my friend had a massage and said it was wonderful)

• relaxed


• friendly


• casual


• not loud


• not boring


• easygoing

• ocean views


• the sound of waves


• palm trees


• loungers by the pools

• long beach walks


• ocean swimming


• a wide sandy shoreline

• a weekend with my husband


• a girls’ trip


• a birthday weekend


• a relaxed adults-only getaway where I don’t want to think too hard about anything