Riu Cancun

This annual lads’ escape took us straight into the belly of the Cancun beast. Riu Cancun. If Bahia Principe Tulum was a chilled tequila on the rocks, this place is a vodka Red Bull funneled through a snorkel directly into your eyeball at 11AM.

Located right in the heart of Cancun, just a short drive from the airport (about 25 minutes tops), this hotel is smack bang next to the nightclubs, bars, shops, and whatever else you fancy at 3AM while wearing sunglasses and questionable morals.

The Room

Let’s keep it real, the rooms are dated. Like “your nan’s guest room in Marbella” dated. But they’re comfortable, clean, and most importantly, they’re a safe space to sleep off the tequila and rehydrate with minibar water. Function over fashion, people.

The Food

Now here’s where Riu Cancun flexes hard. The buffet was genuinely one of the best we’ve had, hot food (rare in all-inclusives), great variety, and not a hint of food poisoning (big W). Honestly, I’d eat here even if I wasn’t staying. Hats off to the chefs for keeping everything tasty and surprisingly gourmet—even when we were eating with sunglasses on indoors.

The Pools

By mid-morning, it’s all floaties and margaritas. By mid-afternoon, it’s Love Island meets UFC. The pools get increasingly chaotic. Warm like a bath you wish you hadn't stepped into, full of British chavs (let’s be clear, I am not a chav), day drinking, almost definitely doing something illegal, and eyeing each other like it's Fight Club: Poolside Edition. It’s hilarious until someone tries to wrestle a palm tree.

The Staff & Restaurants

The staff? Incredible. How they stay smiling through the carnage is beyond me. They're probably eligible for sainthood.
The à la carte restaurants were top-tier. We especially rate the Steakhouse. Pro tip: line your stomach here before venturing into the nightlife madness that awaits.

The Nightlife

There’s even an on-site nightclub, which is essentially a volcano in disguise i.e hotter than the sun, full of sweaty chaos, and weirdly hypnotic after your 5th cocktail. But if you survive that furnace, the beach is your reward.

And let me tell you, the beach is the star of the show. It’s straight out of a postcard: white sands, turquoise water, and zero signs of last night’s decisions. If you're a beach lover, this is your paradise. Honestly, I’ve never seen sand that looked like it had been Photoshopped in real life.

Final Thoughts

Riu Cancun is a full-on party palace. Perfect for groups who want to let loose, turn up, and maybe regret some decisions later.
NOT for families with kids unless your child has ambitions of being the next Geordie Shore cast member. In that case, welcome to training camp.

Did we have a good time? Absolutely. It was messy, sweaty, occasionally terrifying, but undeniably fun. Bring your party shoes, a good sense of humour, and maybe a mouthguard.

Rating: 3 mojitos out of 5, would chaos again.