Cancun

Cancun might be the Las Vegas of Mexico, and we mean that in both the best and worst ways. Much of the experience feels manufactured specifically for tourists. Massive resorts line beaches that look almost too perfect, entertainment is packaged and scheduled, and the Hotel Zone can feel completely disconnected from the Mexico around it. But here's the problem with criticizing Cancun: Cancun is fun.

It is also one of the easiest places to get a lot of vacation for your money. Flights from the U.S. can be surprisingly affordable, resort competition is intense, all-inclusive packages make budgeting simple, and there are options at nearly every price point. Couples trips, birthdays, family vacations, bachelor and bachelorette weekends, and full group trips can all work here without everyone needing the same budget. And if this is your first trip outside the United States, Cancun is international travel on easy mode. The tourism infrastructure is enormous, English is widely spoken throughout the major tourist areas, U.S. travelers are everywhere, transportation and excursions are easy to arrange, and all-inclusive resorts remove a lot of the little decisions that can make someone's first international trip intimidating. You get the passport stamp without immediately being thrown into the deep end.

From BlkTravel’s published hotel rankings