Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is the best resort in Mexico on our basis: it is the only pick that holds a Forbes Travel Guide 2026 Five-Star rating, two MICHELIN Keys and a top-three place among Mexico’s resorts in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards. Rosewood Mayakoba is #2 and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, with its tenth consecutive Forbes Five-Star rating, is #3.
K.M. 7.5 Carretera Federal 200, Barra de Navidad, La Huerta, Jalisco, Mexico
A quieter Pacific-coast stay on the Costalegre with cliffside suites and a golf course
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Best on the Riviera Maya
Rosewood Mayakoba
Best for golf
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Best all-inclusive
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Best in Cancun
Nizuc Resort & Spa
Readers’ No. 1
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
The ranking
1
Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Answrs VerdictThe only pick that holds all three recognitions we ranked on.
Where: Boulevard Mar de Cortez, San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, MexicoForbes Travel Guide: Five-Star hotel in the 2026 Star AwardsMICHELIN Guide: Two MICHELIN KeysTravel + Leisure: No. 3 among Mexico’s resorts in the 2026 World’s Best Awards, after Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo and Susurros del CorazónRooms: 115 rooms in the MICHELIN Guide listing; the Ritz-Carlton page counts 113 rooms, suites and villas
Zadún Los Cabos sits on Boulevard Mar de Cortez in San José del Cabo. It is a Five-Star hotel in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Star Awards, holds two MICHELIN Keys, and Travel + Leisure readers placed it third among Mexico’s resorts in 2026. The MICHELIN Guide lists 115 rooms; the Ritz-Carlton page counts 113 rooms, suites and villas.
Go ifTravelers who want a modern, open-air Los Cabos resort that holds a Forbes Five-Star rating, two MICHELIN Keys and a Travel + Leisure place
Skip ifYou want a resort with a published nightly rate before you search dates
Why #1 over #2: It is the only pick that holds a Forbes Five-Star rating, two MICHELIN Keys and a Travel + Leisure place.
2
Rosewood Mayakoba
Answrs VerdictLagoon suites with their own plunge pools and a Forbes Five-Star streak of over ten years.
Where: Ctra. Federal Cancun-Playa del Carmen KM. 298, Playa del Carmen, MexicoForbes Travel Guide: Five-Star hotel in the 2026 Star Awards; the resort says it has held Five-Star status for over ten consecutive yearsMICHELIN Guide: Two MICHELIN KeysRooms: 128 rooms in the MICHELIN Guide listing; the resort describes 129 private suites, each with a plunge pool and butler serviceSetting: Suites sit among lagoons, jungle and beachfront, and guests arrive at their suite by electric boat
Rosewood Mayakoba is on the Cancun-Playa del Carmen highway at KM. 298. It is a Forbes Five-Star hotel for 2026, the resort says it has held that status for over ten consecutive years, and it holds two MICHELIN Keys. Its suites sit among lagoons, jungle and beachfront, and guests arrive at their suite by electric boat. The MICHELIN Guide lists 128 rooms, while the resort describes 129 private suites with a plunge pool and butler service.
Go ifHoneymooners and milestone trips that want a private suite with a plunge pool and butler service on the Riviera Maya
Skip ifYou want a resort with a published nightly rate before you search dates
Why #2 over #3: The resort reports over ten straight years of Forbes Five-Star status, longer than the tenth consecutive rating Four Seasons Punta Mita reports.
3
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Answrs VerdictTwo Nicklaus courses and a tenth straight Forbes Five-Star on a private peninsula.
Where: Punta Mita, Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, Mexico, on a 52-acre private peninsula in a double-gated community a short drive from Puerto VallartaForbes Travel Guide: Five-Star hotel in 2026, its tenth consecutive Five-Star ratingMICHELIN Guide: Two MICHELIN KeysRooms: 177 rooms in the MICHELIN Guide listingGolf: Exclusive access to Pacifico and Bahia, two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses; Pacifico has Tail of the Whale, called the world’s only natural island green, playable only at low tide
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita covers a 52-acre private peninsula in Nayarit, a short drive from Puerto Vallarta. Forbes Travel Guide named it a Five-Star hotel in 2026, its tenth consecutive Five-Star rating, and the MICHELIN Guide gives it two Keys and lists 177 rooms. Guests get exclusive access to Pacifico and Bahia, two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses.
Go ifPacific-coast trips that add golf, beaches and plunge-pool casitas near Puerto Vallarta
Skip ifYou want a small resort; the MICHELIN Guide lists 177 rooms
Why #3 over #4: Guests get exclusive access to two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses, including the Tail of the Whale island green.
4
One&Only Palmilla
Answrs VerdictA Los Cabos classic with butler service to every room.
Where: Carr. Transpeninsular, Los Cabos, Mexico, built on a promontory above the ocean at the tip of Baja CaliforniaForbes Travel Guide: Five-Star hotel in the 2026 Star AwardsMICHELIN Guide: Two MICHELIN KeysRooms: 173 rooms in the MICHELIN Guide listingService: Personal butler service to all rooms
One&Only Palmilla is built on a promontory above the ocean at the tip of Baja California, on Carr. Transpeninsular in Los Cabos. It is a Forbes Five-Star hotel for 2026 and holds two MICHELIN Keys. The MICHELIN Guide lists 173 rooms and notes personal butler service to all rooms.
Go ifClassic Los Cabos luxury with a butler for every room and easy beach access below the promontory
Skip ifYou want an intimate resort; the MICHELIN Guide lists 173 rooms
Why #4 over #5: Personal butler service goes to all 173 rooms.
5
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel
Answrs VerdictA small Riviera Maya beach resort redesigned by Tara Bernerd in 2023.
Where: Carretera Cancún-Tulum, Km 51, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, MexicoForbes Travel Guide: Five-Star hotel in the 2026 Star AwardsMICHELIN Guide: Two MICHELIN KeysRooms: The MICHELIN Guide lists 63 rooms; Belmond’s page lists 19 rooms, 50 suites and 3 villasSpa and dining: Maroma Spa by Guerlain, described as Guerlain’s first spa in Latin America; Woodend by Curtis Stone is an open-fire grill
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel is at Km 51 of the Cancún-Tulum highway on the Riviera Maya. It is a Forbes Five-Star hotel for 2026 and holds two MICHELIN Keys. Belmond’s page lists 19 rooms, 50 suites and 3 villas, while the MICHELIN Guide lists 63 rooms. Maroma Spa by Guerlain is described as Guerlain’s first spa in Latin America, and in 2023 interior architect Tara Bernerd redesigned the property.
Go ifA smaller Riviera Maya beach resort with a Guerlain spa and a redesigned interior
Skip ifYou want a large resort with many pools
Why #5 over #6: It pairs Forbes Five-Star and two MICHELIN Keys with a Guerlain spa and the Woodend open-fire grill by Curtis Stone.
6
Esperanza, Auberge Collection
Answrs VerdictThe smallest resort here by MICHELIN room count, with the Forbes and Condé Nast recognition to match.
Where: Carretera Transpeninsular KM 7 Manzana 10, Punta Ballena, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, MexicoForbes Travel Guide: Forbes Travel Guide 2026 5-Star HotelMICHELIN Guide: Two Key distinction in 2025Rooms: 56 rooms in the MICHELIN Guide listingReaders’ choice: Top 5 Resort in Western Mexico, Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025
Esperanza, Auberge Collection is at Punta Ballena near Cabo San Lucas and calls itself the only private beach resort in Los Cabos. Its site lists a Forbes Travel Guide 2026 5-Star rating, a two MICHELIN Key distinction in 2025 and a place as a Top 5 Resort in Western Mexico in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025. The MICHELIN Guide lists 56 rooms.
Go ifTravelers who want a small, private Cabo resort on the water
Skip ifYou want a big resort with lots of activities
Why #6 over #7: It adds a Forbes Five-Star rating for 2026 to the two MICHELIN Keys that Susurros del Corazón also holds.
7
Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Collection
Answrs VerdictTravel + Leisure readers ranked it the No. 2 resort in Mexico.
Where: Desarrollo El Banco, Carretera a La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Km 14, Punta de Mita, Nayarit, MexicoTravel + Leisure: No. 2 resort in Mexico and No. 37 in the world in the 2026 World’s Best AwardsMICHELIN Guide: Two MICHELIN Keys in 2025Rooms: 159 rooms in the MICHELIN Guide listingStyle: Contemporary architecture inspired by the Pacific landscape; private oceanfront residences and casas are available for stays and ownership
Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Collection is in Punta de Mita, Nayarit, with contemporary architecture inspired by the Pacific landscape. Travel + Leisure readers ranked it No. 2 in Mexico and No. 37 in the world in 2026, and it holds two MICHELIN Keys from 2025. The MICHELIN Guide lists 159 rooms, and private oceanfront residences and casas are available for stays and ownership.
Go ifA barefoot, surf-minded Punta de Mita stay with modern oceanfront design
Skip ifYou need a Forbes star rating; it is not on the 2026 Mexico Five-Star list we read
Why #7 over #8: It holds two MICHELIN Keys to Nizuc’s one, and Travel + Leisure readers ranked it No. 2 in Mexico.
8
Nizuc Resort & Spa
Answrs VerdictThe Cancun pick, with Forbes Five-Star ratings for the resort and its spa.
Where: Blvd. Kukulcan, 03 Km 21.26, Punta Nizuc, Cancun, MexicoForbes Travel Guide: Five-Star rating for 2026 for both the resort and NIZUC Spa by ESPAMICHELIN Guide: One MICHELIN Key in 2026Rooms: 274 rooms in the MICHELIN Guide listingDining: Named “Gastronomic Hotel of the Year 2026” by Guía México Gastronómico
Nizuc Resort & Spa is on Blvd. Kukulcan in Punta Nizuc, Cancun. Forbes Travel Guide gave the resort and NIZUC Spa by ESPA Five-Star ratings for 2026, the MICHELIN Guide awarded it one Key in 2026 and lists 274 rooms, and Guía México Gastronómico named it “Gastronomic Hotel of the Year 2026”.
Go ifCancun stays that want a Forbes Five-Star resort and a spa on the Punta Nizuc shore
Skip ifYou want a small hideaway; the MICHELIN Guide lists 274 rooms
Why #8 over #9: It adds one MICHELIN Key in 2026 to a Forbes Five-Star rating, and its spa is rated Five-Star too.
9
Grand Velas Los Cabos
Answrs VerdictThe only all-inclusive among the ten.
Where: Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 17, San José del Cabo, Corredor Turístico, Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, MexicoForbes Travel Guide: Five-Star hotel in the 2026 Star AwardsDining: Cocina de Autor upholds its Michelin StarFormat: All-inclusive beach resort with three infinity pools; awarded 5 Diamonds by AAA
Grand Velas Los Cabos is an all-inclusive beach resort at Km. 17 of the Carretera Transpeninsular in San José del Cabo. It is a Forbes Five-Star hotel in 2026 and AAA awarded it 5 Diamonds. Its restaurant Cocina de Autor upholds a Michelin Star, and the resort has three infinity pools.
Go ifAll-inclusive stays that want a Forbes Five-Star hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant
Skip ifYou want an à la carte resort
Why #9 over #10: It holds a Forbes Five-Star rating for 2026, a tier above the Four-Star rating of Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo.
10
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo
Answrs VerdictTravel + Leisure readers ranked it the No. 1 resort in Mexico, but Forbes rates it Four-Star.
Where: K.M. 7.5 Carretera Federal 200, Barra de Navidad, La Huerta, Jalisco, MexicoTravel + Leisure: No. 1 resort in Mexico and No. 31 in the world in the 2026 World’s Best AwardsForbes Travel Guide: Four-Star hotel in the 2026 Star AwardsRooms: 157 rooms including 63 suites along the Costalegre coastlineGolf: El Tamarindo, an 18-hole links-style course designed by David Fleming
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo is on Carretera Federal 200 in La Huerta, Jalisco, along the Costalegre coast. Travel + Leisure readers ranked it the No. 1 resort in Mexico and No. 31 in the world in 2026, while Forbes Travel Guide rates it Four-Star. It has 157 rooms including 63 suites, and El Tamarindo is an 18-hole links-style course designed by David Fleming.
Go ifA quieter Pacific-coast stay on the Costalegre with cliffside suites and a golf course
Skip ifYou want a Forbes Five-Star rating; it holds Four-Star
How we ranked these
We ranked these resorts on three named recognitions: Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Star Awards (Five-Star above Four-Star, from its award-winners page), the MICHELIN Guide’s Keys (read on each resort’s MICHELIN Guide page or its own site) and Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards for Mexico (as reported by Mexico News Daily on July 7, 2026). A resort that holds more of these ranks higher; ties are in our editorial order. Zadún holds all three, and Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, ranked No. 1 in Mexico by Travel + Leisure readers, sits last because Forbes rates it Four-Star. We spread the list across Los Cabos, the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Riviera Nayarit and the Costalegre coast. Room counts in the chart come from each MICHELIN Guide listing (Tamarindo’s from Four Seasons), and they can differ from a resort’s own count, as noted on each pick. None of the resorts’ own pages we read publishes a fixed nightly rate, so no rates are listed. We kept six of the ten resorts from the old Pulse list and replaced Naviva, Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos and Chablé Yucatán, none of which is Five-Star on the Forbes list we read, with Zadún Los Cabos, Susurros del Corazón, Nizuc and Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Which resort in Mexico is the best in 2027?
Zadún Los Cabos, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is #1 on this list. It is the only pick that holds a Forbes Travel Guide 2026 Five-Star rating, two MICHELIN Keys and a top-three place among Mexico’s resorts in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards.
Which Mexican resorts hold a Forbes Five-Star rating for 2026?
In Los Cabos: Esperanza, Grand Velas Los Cabos, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Montage Los Cabos, Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, One&Only Palmilla, Las Ventanas al Paraíso and Zadún. In the Riviera Maya: Rosewood Mayakoba, Maroma, Hotel Esencia and La Casa de la Playa. Also Nizuc in Cancun and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in Nayarit.
Which resort did Travel + Leisure readers rank No. 1 in Mexico?
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo, in Jalisco’s Costalegre region, ranked No. 1 among Mexico’s resorts and No. 31 in the world in the 2026 World’s Best Awards. Susurros del Corazón was No. 2 and Zadún Los Cabos No. 3.
Is any resort on this list all-inclusive?
Grand Velas Los Cabos describes itself as an all-inclusive beach resort. Check each other resort’s own page for what its rate includes.
Rooms per listing at a glance
Esperanza56 rooms
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel63 rooms
Zadún Los Cabos115 rooms
Rosewood Mayakoba128 rooms
Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo157 rooms
Susurros del Corazón159 rooms
One&Only Palmilla173 rooms
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita177 rooms
Nizuc Resort & Spa274 rooms
Rooms per listing, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
