The best all-inclusive destinations from Los Angeles are Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta for short flights, Cancun and the Riviera Maya for the widest resort choice, and Punta Cana or Jamaica for a classic Caribbean week. The right one depends on how long you want to fly, when you can travel and who is coming with you.
As a Burbank travel agency that has booked these trips since 2004, we find most people ask the wrong first question. They ask which resort is best. A better first question is what kind of week you want.
Cabo San Lucas: the shortest trip
Cabo is one of the easiest international escapes from Southern California, at roughly two and a half hours by air. The scenery is dramatic, with desert meeting the Sea of Cortez, and the resorts are polished. One thing to know is that many Cabo beaches are not safe for swimming because of strong currents, so check before you book if a swimmable beach matters to you. Your resort pool may end up doing most of the work.
Puerto Vallarta: relaxed and real
Puerto Vallarta sits on the Pacific in Banderas Bay, with calmer water and a real Mexican town at its center. Flights are short, and it suits travelers who like to leave the resort for a good dinner. Nearby Nuevo Vallarta has many larger family resorts.
Cancun: choice and convenience
Cancun has the broadest range of resorts in Mexico, plus the white sand and turquoise water people picture. It is a longer flight from LAX, usually four to five hours, but well worth it. If you want something quieter, the Riviera Maya stretches south along the same coast, closer to cenotes and Mayan ruins.
Punta Cana: long beaches and value
Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic offers long palm-lined beaches and large resorts. From Los Angeles you will usually connect, so it works best on a trip of at least a week.
Jamaica: personality
Montego Bay and Negril offer music, food and a strong sense of place. Jamaica is a favorite with couples and returning travelers, and it also usually means a connection from LAX.
How to choose
If you have four or five days, stay on the Pacific side. If you have a full week, Cancun and the Caribbean open up. If you are traveling with children, choose for the kids’ club and pool first, and the destination second. Hurricane season in the Atlantic runs from June through November, so we talk through timing and travel protection for any trip in those months.
Our all-inclusive vacation team knows which resorts suit families, which suit couples and which room category is worth the upgrade. Our work with leading resort partners has also earned us a number of industry awards.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest all-inclusive destination to Los Angeles?
Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta are among the closest, with flights of around two and a half to three hours from Southern California.
Is Cancun or Cabo better for an all-inclusive vacation?
Cabo is closer and more dramatic, while Cancun offers calmer swimming and far more resort choice. Families and beach lovers often prefer Cancun.
