An Honest Review of a Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Experience

Paradisus La Perla is an all-inclusive resort located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It was around a 40-minute drive from Cancun International Airport. La Perla is the adult-only side of the resort, providing a tranquil and sophisticated environment for guests seeking relaxation and luxury. There is a connected family side that offers even more restaurants, ensuring a diverse culinary experience for all visitors. The resort boasts a variety of amenities, including multiple swimming pools, a world-class spa, and access to pristine beaches. Guests can enjoy a range of activities, from water sports to entertainment shows, making it an ideal destination for both relaxation and adventure. The elegant accommodations and attentive service further enhance the guest experience, ensuring a memorable stay at this tropical paradise.

Luxurious swim-up rooms with private terraces leading directly into a sparkling pool, surrounded by tropical landscaping and lounge chairs

The Resort

I have to say first off; the resort is beautiful! The property is absolutely stunning. There is an indoor/outdoor feel to the resort. The staff do an excellent job of making you feel welcomed and spoiled. They do luxury well! The amenities are top-notch, offering everything from a relaxing spa to exciting water sports. Dining options are diverse and delicious, catering to all tastes with exquisite cuisine. The rooms are spacious and elegantly designed, providing the perfect retreat at the end of the day. Whether lounging by the pool or exploring the lush surroundings, every moment feels like a slice of paradise.

Illuminated walkway at night, trees adorned with colorful lanterns.

Modern resort lobby with egg chair and sculpture.

Resort grounds featuring elegant water pillars surrounded by lush greenery and ambient lighting, creating a tranquil and luxurious atmosphere.

Elegant restaurant entrances on resort grounds, featuring lush landscaping, inviting guests to dine in style.

Koi pond on resort grounds featuring colorful koi fish swimming, surrounded by lush greenery and rocks.

Resort at night with palm trees illuminated by soft lighting, creating a tropical and serene atmosphere.

The Food

The food is phenomenal! The buffet is not like any other buffet I have eaten at. It was like eating at a nice restaurant. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared, with a focus on quality and presentation that elevates the dining experience beyond typical buffet standards. The variety is impressive, catering to diverse tastes with both local and international cuisines. The restaurants (you do need reservations) are akin to eating at a 4–5-star restaurant. The ambiance is elegant, with attentive service and a menu that showcases gourmet dishes crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Every meal feels like a special occasion, offering a memorable culinary journey.

There are plenty of restaurants for every taste. Traditional Mexican, Japanese, Italian, seafood, taqueria, burgers, ice cream, coffee shops, you name it! You can go to any restaurant on the adults’ only and the family side. The families do only stay on the family side. There are restaurants available to only reserve guests. You can upgrade to reserve and get special amenities like a concierge. There are also several bars and a swim-up bar.

A refreshing piña colada served in a tall glass, topped with a sprig of mint.

Close-up of a beautifully plated smoked octopus dish, garnished with fresh herbs and vegetables.

A dessert plate featuring crispy banana egg rolls drizzled with chocolate sauce and garnished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh mint leaves.

A lavish dessert buffet at an all-inclusive resort, featuring an array of cakes, pastries, and fresh fruit, elegantly displayed on a long table

Chilaquiles station at a resort buffet featuring a variety of toppings and sauces, with a chef preparing fresh plates for guests.

Bakery section in a resort buffet showcasing an array of freshly baked pastries, breads, and desserts displayed on a rustic wooden counter.

The Room

When you first arrive at the resort, you are greeted with chilled hand towels to wipe your face, neck or hands. The bellman will keep your luggage while you check in. After checking in, the bellman will drive you in an extra-large golf cart to your room and carry your luggage to your room. Recommended $5-$20 tip, based on how much luggage you have.

The room was very spacious and very nice. We stayed in the Nature View Junior Suite. The room has a king-sized bed, shower with two rain shower heads, large jacuzzi, sitting area with table and chairs plus a couch. The balcony has a second jacuzzi! There is a small refrigerator with drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) as well as small snacks. The minibar is stocked daily. The housekeeping and snack bar stocker are separate and will need to be tipped separately. Recommended $5/day for housekeeping, that can be paid at the beginning, end or daily; minibar $1/day. If you look closely, you can see some wear on the room, but it is still lovely and didn’t bother us a bit! There are also swim-up rooms available.

Luxurious room featuring a bed, jacuzzi, and sitting area with a view of the balcony and beyond.

Jacuzzi on a resort balcony overlooking a scenic view, surrounded by elegant wooden decking and plush seating for relaxation.

Coatis and Cats

There are coatis that stay mostly on the family side. They are from the raccoon family and are the Trash Pandas of Mexico. They will get into people’s bags and take whatever food they can find! They are really fun to watch though. On the adult’s only side, there are cats out and about. All-inclusive resorts keep cats intentionally to keep rodent populations at bay. These feline residents are often friendly and accustomed to human presence, adding a charming and cozy element to the resort experience. Guests can often spot them lounging in sunny spots or gracefully patrolling the grounds. Both the coatis and cats contribute to the unique and lively atmosphere of the resort, providing guests with delightful encounters and memorable photo opportunities.

Curious coatis with a long ringed tail and pointed snout exploring the forest floor, surrounded by fallen leaves and dappled sunlight.

Close-up of an iguana basking in the sun on a rocky surface, showcasing its textured scales and vibrant green coloration.

¿Hablás Español?

Everyone speaks English but will ask you first if you speak Spanish. ¿Hablás Español? I do a little bit, un poquito. It was fun practicing my Spanish. Everyone was patient and encouraging as I fumbled through it a bit. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with locals on a deeper level, and their warmth made the experience even more rewarding.

Tip: learn Spanish phrases like thank you - gracias, hello - hola, good morning - buenos días

Family Side

Though we were on the Adults only side, we ventured over to the family side to see what there was to offer. On the family side, there is an aquatic center that has slides, pools, etc., in addition to a large family pool with a pirate ship. There is a game room for teens and tweens and a kids club so parents can enjoy some free time. You can also find the gelato hut on the family side. There are many dining options for just family, ensuring everyone in the family has a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Family pool area featuring a large pirate ship play structure surrounded by clear blue water, with children playing and parents relaxing nearby.

Entrance to a family-friendly beach area marked by a wooden archway and colorful signs, with sandy paths leading to the ocean and beach umbrellas visible in the distance.

The Beach

The beach stretches along the coastline that felt safe environment for everyone to enjoy. It was well-maintained, with plenty of beach chairs and luxurious Bali beds available for relaxation under the sun. A conveniently located bar served a variety of cold drinks and tasty snacks, enhancing the beachside experience. The diligent staff ensured that the sargassum was cleaned up daily, and the sand was meticulously combed through, maintaining its inviting appearance. We also noticed regular beach patrols, contributing to the overall sense of safety and security for all beachgoers.

A wooden boardwalk winding through a dense forest, surrounded by tall trees and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.

Wooden boardwalk leading to a pristine ocean view, with clear blue skies and gentle waves in the distance.

A pristine beach with soft white sand, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and gently swaying palm trees under a bright blue sky.

A picturesque beach scene featuring a tall palm tree leaning towards the ocean, with a clear blue sky, golden sand, and gentle waves in the background.

A straw hat resting on pristine white sand with the ocean waves gently lapping in the background on a sunny beach day.

The Meh

My husband and I went in August. It was a good and a bad month to go. The good: hardly anyone around, which we really enjoyed as it was very low key. The bad: it was HOT! The temperature was actually lower than in Kansas, but the humidity was so awful! I do not like heat, but if you don’t mind it, August would be a good time to go. The resort did an amazing job keeping the beach clear of the sargassum seaweed which can be an issue in August.

I did have some food at the restaurants that was just ok, not great. It could have been that I just didn’t like what I ordered, others may find it just fine and to their liking.

If you want to sit at the pool or beach and eat/drink whenever you want, then this is the right property for you. If you want more activities to do, I recommend going elsewhere. There are some activities to do: yoga, water aerobics, spin class, margarita making classes. There are also nightly shows to go see either on the adults’ only or the family side. The shows were really well done! If you want to pamper yourself a bit more, visit the spa at extra cost.

We found the communication at the resort subpar. For example: there are tables with staff sitting at them all throughout the resort. I never felt brave enough to ask, Why are you here? The resort APP did not have all the places to eat nor the times listed correctly. When checking in, they don’t tell you what all is on the property. For example, we found out on our last day there that there is water activities located on the family side of the beach. Which at check-in they told us we were not allowed to go over to the family side of the beach. We found out from a Facebook group, that they had paddle boards and kayaks available to use. I am not sure what else they had as it was the last day at the resort and didn’t have time to go over there.

Recommended!

If you want luxury and like to sit by the pool or on the beach with a drink in hand, I highly recommend this resort! The attentive service, stunning views, and exquisite amenities make it a perfect getaway for relaxation and indulgence. Whether you're lounging in a cabana or taking a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, every moment is designed to offer a sense of serenity and pleasure. Plus, the all-inclusive options ensure that your every need is met, allowing you to unwind and enjoy your vacation to the fullest.