Discover what’s billed as an alternative to the typical resort in Cancun, Mexico in this article by Chelle Koster Walton. A sense of playfulness tops the list, along with pampering.

Save this article to Pinterest to help you plan your own stay at the Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres. Photos courtesy of Ocean Allure and Chelle Koster Walton. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Play Like a Kid, Party Like a Grownup at the New Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres

A lazy river pool with a swim-up bar. Silent disco nights at the bowling alley. A crazy foam party at the main pool.

What is this place that can’t seem to decide if it’s a playground or a luxe retreat, my friend and I wondered as we overviewed it from our spacious, ultra-modern room.

A hybrid of all things youthful and sophisticated, Mexico’s Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres all-inclusive, adult-only resort celebrated its grand opening in January 2026.

The newest property along Costa Mujeres, it fits well with the upscale vibe, removed from Cancun’s touristy Hotel Zone 20 miles to the south. Developers intentionally designed Costa Mujeres as a quieter, more natural alternative to the Cancun scene.

Like Isla Mujeres, the island visible offshore from Ocean Allure, the mainland community of Costa Mujeres takes its name from a Maya tradition of worship for goddess Ixchel, deity of fertility, medicine, childbirth, and the moon. Spanish explorers found statues and shrines dedicated to femineity in the region, and thus “mujeres,” the Spanish word for “women.”

Ocean Allure carries on the historical legacy via its modern Latino art and esthetic throughout the vast complex of 599 rooms and suites and wall-free or windowed public spaces that seamlessly transition from contemporary tropical architecture to the great playground outside.

Airy and artful – the lobby at Ocean Allure.

OCEAN ALLURE, A PLAYGROUND BY DAY

Every great playground has a sandbox, and the spread of beach at Ocean Allure is one of the most beautiful in the world. Boardwalks take you over natural, vegetated sea dunes to the clear, gemstone-tinted waters of the Caribbean Sea.

You’re never far from a margarita at Ocean Allure, and a beach bar obliges just steps from the sea. Jump in a kayak to take your beach play on the waves. A scuba shop further caters to watersports needs with snorkeling and diving equipment and motorized vessels, but these are not included under the all-inclusive umbrella.

In the vast U-shaped courtyard bordered by two accommodations buildings and the lobby-area complex of restaurants, bars, and entertainment opportunities, six main water features add keep-cool fun to the playground. Besides that lazy river with its swim-up bar, guests can chill in three pools and test their surfing skills on the Flowrider simulator.

With its own swim-up bar, Ocean Allure’s lazy river gets grown up.

The sixth pool is reserved for guests checked in under the exclusive Privilege plan – but more on that later. For those “grown-up kids” who love to stay all day in the pool until their fingers wrinkle like washboards, there are even swim-up suites on the ground floor, where a manmade canal runs along the patios.

Those looking to revert to recess games can choose from volleyball, tennis, pickleball, video games, virtual golf, and even bowling.

Bowling alleys are part of the fun and games at Ocean Allure.

Hungry for more? Read this article about Cancun beyond the beach.

ADULTING AT OCEAN ALLURE

When the kid in you runs out of juvie-juice and just wants to relax, Ocean Allure’s mature side kicks in. Daylong, you can find bars and lounges throughout the property to assist. The Despacio Spa serves as an alternate source of sanctuary in a luxurious space you’ll never want leave. Spa treatments carry an added price tag but include all the time you want in the jet pool, designed to target whatever ails you in an interactive manner.

Steam and sauna rooms, cold plunge, a jacuzzi, and a fitness center are also included. The full complement of spa services ranges from signature hydrotherapy and deep-tissue massages (highly recommended) to facials, body wraps, and beauty treatments.

Our après-spa routine typically took us to the chic lobby bar overlooking the playground, as I call it, before heading to our suite for pre-dinner prep.

An example of Ocean Allure’s luxuriously casual accommodations.

THE F&B SCENE

My favorite spot for dinner – out of eight restaurants – was Margarita. Because while in Mexico, I’m not about to pass up on my most beloved style of cuisine in favor of the steak, Asian, Italian, and French options for fine dining. Of the eight, five dinner restaurants – Margarita, Blue Moon, La Locanda, Sakura Teppanyaki, and Steak House – require reservations. Some menus offer dishes and drinks with an upcharge from all-inclusivity.

Margarita restaurant serves authentic, regional Mexican.

Don’t expect just tacos and burritos at Margarita – although its taco selections, such as soft-shell crab and vegan chorizo, bring the unexpected. Dishes stem from true regional Mexican specialties. The Oaxacan enmolados, for instance, enrobes chicken in artisanal mole sauce with cream and cheese. Pickled red onion, corn tortilla, rice and beans accompany the deeply savory pork shank Pibil style (a Yucatan slow-cook method). Totoaba fish la Talla style (a grilling preparation originating from coastal Guerrero), marinated in adobo spices, plates with bean tamal and black corn ash mayonnaise.

Pork shank Pibil style at Margarita restaurant. Credit: Chelle Koster Walton.

My love of Mexican cuisine confessed, the buffets at Los Corales topped my list for breakfast and lunch. If you’ve never tried a Mexican buffet before, drop all your preconceptions. Here’s your opportunity to sample an endless layout of regional folk foods or, if you’re not that adventuresome, baked goods, made-to-order omelets, fresh-squeezed juices, and other American and global specialties.

Ocean Allure also offers various grab-and-go options, from ice cream and coffee to pastries and margaritas.

When we were in the mood for sit-down lunch, Pez Dama was it. Either we’d nosh on shrimp ceviche and pulled-pork nachos or dig into a hardy whole fried fish with tostones or a Mexican chicken wrap. For leisurely breakfast, my favorite spot was Privilege Lounge with its tableside bread service and delightful takes on pancakes, eggs benedict, and other morning classics.

PRIVILEGED

Breakfast or drinks (try the bourbon-based Mango Cobbler-Cobbler) at the Privilege Lounge requires the Privilege-level accommodations plan. This is Ocean Allure’s answer to concierge or club accommodations, where guests are privy to special amenities, services, and even their own swimming pool and private beach.

The resort dedicates 40 percent of its rooms to the Privilege experience, which begins at check-in at a private reception area where servers bring you drinks, and the view overlooking the pools coaxes out childhood yearnings.

In your room, bathrobes, a bottle of wine and minibar, a menu of pillows, turndown service, and a butler build in the perks. We found the butler service a bit of an overstatement, but otherwise I highly recommend this upgrade for a next-level grownup experience.

On property, our favorite Privilege spot was the rooftop bar and cool infinity pool with its underwater window overlooking the resort courtyard. Balinese beds and food service further remove guests from – well, let’s face it – the mob scene that “all-inclusive” sometimes implies.

Those same comfy, rattan, sun-blocking Balinese beds set apart the private beach and pool, where concierges see to your playtime needs.

The private, exclusive Privilege Beach Credit: Chelle Koster Walton.

In addition to exclusive seating in the Privilege Lounge, the program provides preferential treatment for those restaurants requiring reservations, one special dinner per stay, and 24-hour room service.

At certain bars, your stylish Privilege wristband will get you complimentary premium drinks such as call and top-shelf brands. It also affords a discount and special access in the spa, plus the courtesy of late check-out or use of a courtesy room.

Hungry for more? Explore Xcaret Playa del Carmen.

ENTERTAINING

We kind of felt like teenagers at the Silent Disco Party, where we wore headphones, we could tune to a few different channels. I almost passed on the experience, tired from a day of kidding around. But it wasn’t long before I was singing along with everyone else to “Sweet Caroline” and dancing with wild abandon. That was one pleasant surprise.

The other came our last night at the resort in Ocean Allure’s theater for a performance billed as simply “Mexican Show.” I expected the usual Mexican hat dance and mariachi bands, but this was energizing and engaging beyond belief. The cast was fun, funny, and interactive with the audience in a way that broke down all language and cultural barriers – even teaching the audience small bits of local folklore and tradition.

I wanted to cry and throw a tantrum when it came time to leave Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres. But instead, I did the adult thing: bought bags full of jewelry and crafty chotchkes in the resort shops and a pop-up market one evening to remember a truly well-rounded getaway equal parts whimsical and enriching.

For more information about Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres, visit their website. Use the Real Food Traveler affiliate links to book your flight and your stay. 

-Story and photos where mentioned, by Chelle Koster Walton. All other photos are courtesy of Ocean Allure Costa Mujeres

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