When couples reach out to us to plan their destination wedding in Mexico, one of the first questions that comes up is cost – not just for themselves but for the friends and family they are inviting. One of the most frequent questions we get is this:
→ Which is less expensive: an all-inclusive resort or a traditional (non-all-inclusive) resort with a la carte pricing for meals, activities, transportation, and more.
To find out, we recently stayed at three luxury resorts in the Riviera Maya and tracked every dollar we spent to see how the actual costs compare.
How Much Was The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai? (Traditional Resort)
We spent two days at The Riviera Maya EDITION at Kanai, where we stayed for two nights in a slightly upgraded room with a plunge pool on the patio, so our room was a little bit more.
We enjoyed phenomenal food while there, but did not have any alcoholic beverages, so the costs below are for food and activities only.
Room Rate:
-
- The upgraded plunge pool room we stayed in: $1,036/night × 2 nights = $2,072
- Standard room (for reference): $785.33/night × 2 nights = $1,570.66
Per-person cost (our upgraded room): $518/night
Food, Hydrotherapy, and Transportation at Edition:
- Kitchen dinner = $142.70
- Kitchen breakfast = $75.93
- Pool Bar lunch = $54.56
- KI’IS dinner = $122.93
- Room service tea = $15.58
- Kitchen breakfast = $69.35
- Total = $560.62
- Minus free breakfast that was included with our reservation = $415.34
- Transportation $240
Total: $2,727.34 for 2 nights = $681.84 per person, per night
How Much Was The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya? (Traditional Resort)
We spent two days at The St. Regis Kanai Resort, Riviera Maya, another stunning resort property in Mexico.
At the St. Regis, our room was the lowest room category offered and we enjoyed exquisite food while there, and only had one total alcoholic beverage.
Room Rate:
- $1,022.34/night × 2 nights = $2,044.68
Per-person cost: $511/night
Food, Hydrotherapy, and Transportation at the St. Regis:
- Riviera lunch = $86.89
- Tea to our room = $43.15
- Chaya pizza = $30.99
- Chaya breakfast = $120.40
- Hydrotherapy = $79.57
- High tea = $84.90
- Toro dinner (includes one alcoholic drink) = $222.84
- Chaya breakfast = $121.91
- Total = $790.65
- Minus free breakfast that was included with our reservation = $670.65
- Transportation $240
Total: $2,955.33 for 2 nights = $738.83 per person, per night
How Much Was Hotel Xcaret Mexico (All-inclusive Resort)
We have stayed at the Hotel Xcaret Mexico all-inclusive property over 30 times (yes, you read that right!) over the years, and there’s a reason this is one of our favorite all-inclusives. For this trip, we stayed in a Garden Suite, which is the lowest priced room at the resort.
Room Rate:
- $880/night × 2 nights = $1,760
Per-person cost: $440/night
Included in the rate:
✅ All meals at any of the resort’s restaurants
✅ Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages
✅ 24/7 room service
✅ Round-trip airport transportation
✅ Access to all Xcaret parks and tours
Total: $1,760 for 2 nights = $440 per person, per night
No surprise charges. No adding up every bottle of water or extra snack. Just pure vaca bliss.
| Expense | Riviera Maya EDITION at Kai | EDITION at Kai (lower room rate) | St. Regis | HXM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room for Two Nights | $2,072.00 | $1,570.66 | $2,044.68 | $1,760.00 |
| Kitchen Dinner | $142.70 | $142.70 | – | – |
| Kitchen Breakfast | $75.93 | $75.93 | – | – |
| Hydrotherapy | $79.57 | $79.57 | $79.57 | – |
| Pool Bar Lunch | $54.56 | $54.56 | – | – |
| K’IIS Dinner | $122.93 | $122.93 | – | – |
| Room Service Tea | $15.58 | $15.58 | $43.15 | – |
| Extra Breakfast | $69.35 | $69.35 | $121.91 | – |
| Transportation | $240.00 | $240.00 | $240.00 | – |
| Riviera Lunch | – | – | $86.89 | – |
| Chaya Pizza | – | – | $30.99 | – |
| Chaya Breakfast | – | – | $120.40 | – |
| High Tea | – | – | $84.90 | – |
| Toro Dinner (with drink) | – | – | $222.84 | – |
| Breakfast Credit | –$145.28 | –$145.28 | –$120.00 | – |
| Total Estimated Cost | $2,727.34 | $2,225.29 | $2,934.33 | $1,760.00 |
| Cost per Person per Night | $681.84 | $556.32 | $733.58 | $440.00 |
The Bottom Line
- Traditional resort: $682–$739 per person, per night
- All-inclusive resort: $440 per person, per night
That’s a savings of $242–$299 per person, per night! Staying at a 5 star all-inclusive resort in Mexico, such as Hotel Xcaret Mexico, will save you and your guests a significant amount of money throughout your trip. With the 5 star non-all-inclusives, every single purchase is à la carte, which can add up very quickly, especially when purchasing alcohol and adding excursions and activities over several days. So instead of worrying about a giant bill at checkout, you and your guests can simply relax, sip all the cocktails you want, try all the tasting menus, and make all the memories – without pulling out your wallet every few hours.
Yellow Umbrella Events is Here to Help
Are you ready to plan your dream destination wedding or event in Mexico? We’re here to help guide you in the right direction, and to show you the ins and outs of various properties so you can select the best fit (and price point) for you and your guests. Please contact the Yellow Umbrella Events team to get started.
