4 Dog-Friendly Mexican Caribbean Resorts Your Pup Will Thank You for Booking

I love taking my dog, Poppy, on vacation to a luxury resort, and Mexico is our favorite international locale to book a mom-and-pup getaway. As such, we’ve made dozens of trips to this popular vacation destination in the last few years for several reasons. Poppy is a Chihuahua mix, and I admit, I find it ridiculously cute when we go through customs and the agent tells her, “Welcome home” after clearing her for entry. Even better is how straightforward it is for American pet owners to bring their jet-setting pups to Mexico. Unlike most countries, which require international health certificates, Mexico only requires a current rabies vaccine for dogs from the U.S. This simple process allows us to focus on the fun and relaxation that awaits us at the dog-friendly luxury resorts in Mexico.

A Doggie Menu and a Sandy Swimming Beach Make Nizuc Resort Perfect for Active Woofers

Situated on a tranquil stretch of Punta Nizuc's pristine white sand beach, far from the bustling Cancun hotel zone, Nizuc Resort & Spa is a paradise for active woofers and their parents. Its sprawling grounds are a haven for walking enthusiasts, while golf carts are on standby to whisk you to and from the resort amenities in a flash, should your furry friend prefer a more leisurely mode of transport. The impeccable service at Nizuc is a testament to its luxury status, with a golf cart ready to transport you the moment you step out of your room.

Upon our arrival, Poppy was delighted by the giant homemade, monogrammed biscuit that awaited her in our room. I was equally thrilled by the thoughtful service, such as a framed photo of Poppy and me from my social media account, placed on the bedside table. The room was a spacious retreat, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that opened onto a large balcony. Poppy, a sun-loving pup, was in her element on the balcony’s sun-loungers, overlooking a generously-sized plunge pool with a view of the sea.

The beach at Nizuc was a hit with us. While swimming isn’t Poppy’s favorite pastime as a Chihuahua, she does enjoy dipping her paws in the sea. The beach, with its soft, white sand and calm, clear, warm water, was a perfect spot for small dogs like Poppy to conquer their water fears. We even took a kayak out, which Poppy enjoyed. After our adventure, she had a blast running zoomies on the beach for an hour before settling on a comfy beach chair under an umbrella for a well-deserved nap.

Posh Pups Pick the Waldorf Astoria Cancun for Photoshoots

If your pup is posh, they’ll dig the Waldorf Astoria Cancun for extra special canine pampering. The most luxurious brand in the Hilton portfolio, the Waldorf, is extremely small dog friendly, and Poppy was treated like royalty for her entire stay. The resort even has a house photographer and can schedule a photo or video shoot with pups looking to up their social media games

Upon checking into our deluxe oceanfront king room, we discovered a handwritten welcome note, homemade treat amenity, size-appropriate toys, and a dog bed so comfortable Poppy promptly burrowed into it for a nap. When she woke, Pops was a little hungry. So, she ordered from the doggie room service menu, which had four options: chicken nuggets, yellowfin tuna, beef and veggies, and meatballs. Poppy picked the meatballs and devoured them in minutes.

The Waldorf is a sophisticated resort with impeccable style. The lobby dazzles with the brand’s signature clock, elegant lighting, and a bold gold, silver, and blue color scheme. My room featured a furnished balcony that Poppy enjoyed sunbathing on while I chilled in the private plunge pool, accessible directly from my shower.

Property amenities include two angular swimming pools, three Jacuzzis, and more chairs on the resort’s narrow beachfront. Dogs can sit by the pools; they can’t jump in. There are also three restaurants and a spa. Malpeque is the signature restaurant and serves a seafood-focused menu. Chaya serves international and Mexican fare three meals a day.

Hotel Xcaret Arte Boasts Butler Service and Privacy Teepee Beds for Your Best Friend

If your dog demands butler service, you’ll want to book the Hotel Xcaraet Arte, where guests (and their VIPs) are assigned a personal butler at check-in. An adults-only, all-inclusive resort, Hotel Xcaret Arte is a stunning property that pays homage to Mexican artists in its public spaces and all-suite accommodations. Although this resort is technically huge, with 900 suites in five different “casas,” this resort near Playa del Carmen feels personal. The attention to detail in everything, from the food to the design, is also impressive. I loved the cenote-inspired spa, the lagoon area fronting the turquoise and white sand beach where you can take a SUP board or kayak, and the ten restaurants serving high-quality, global fare.

The suites are also gorgeous. I loved the unique art on the walls and the high ceilings. Hotel Xcaret Arte also had the coolest dog bed amenity I’ve ever seen. We were greeted with a small dog-sized teepee, which had a comfy pillow bed and a toy inside. Poppy loved running into the teepee and kicking up the bed before laying on it.

A stay at Hotel Xcaret Arte also includes free access to all the Grupo Xcaret theme parks. Xel-Ha and Xplor are my favorites as they are not geared toward kids and have fun activities like cliff jumps and zip lines. You won’t have to feel guilty leaving your pup when you head to these parks, as you can ask your butler to check in on them when you are gone. Mine sent photos of Poppy via WhatsApp, which set my mind at ease.

Secrets Moxche is Perfect for Including Your Dog on Your Honeymoon

If you want to include your canine kid on your honeymoon, inclusive Secrets Moxché Playa del Carmen Resort is a perfect choice. The luxe, adults-only property is about 10 minutes away from Playa del Carmen’s bustling downtown but feels worlds away. It is a gorgeous property that is also popular for destination weddings. The resort has a romantic vibe, excellent food, and an elegant design.

The swimming pools here are especially endearing. Whether you want to relax by a deep blue cenote-inspired waterhole, a lagoon-style pool with zero-entry and a sand beach, or a black hammock facing an infinity pool made for mermaid swim moves, Secrets indulges. There’s no need to leave your dog in the room while you head to the pool, either—the pool concierge set up a chair for Poppy next to mine, complete with a towel. We ordered drinks and a snack: mezcal and soda for me with a cheese quesadilla, water for Pops, and a side of beef. Her meal was delivered in a cardboard carryout box for sanitary reasons, but she didn’t care.

Secrets is an all-inclusive property, which means your Chihuahua can chow down on as much carnitas as she can swallow, although if you want her to fit in the carrier for the flight home, you might want to limit her intake somewhat! Pup food aside, however, the meals at the a la carte restaurants were also excellent for humans. Ranging from French to modern Mexican to wood grill restaurant, along with the requisite buffets, I didn’t get bored during my three-night stay.

And then there are the rooms. I stayed in an ocean-view junior suite on the Club Level, giving me access to premium services like a rooftop lounge with a restaurant and infinity pool. It had a balcony with views across the pools to the Caribbean Sea, a deep soaking tub, and a shaded chaise-lounger that Poppy spent a lot of time relaxing on.

If you want to venture off-property, Secrets can set up all sorts of activities (with or without your pup). Have them book a taxi to downtown Playa del Carmen to include your dog. Stroll along the famed 5th Ave, and you’ll find shops like Somos Perros that cater exclusively to furry friends. All the profits from sales go to help homeless street dogs. Poppy found a sombrero and a fetching, colorful bandana here.

How to Travel to Mexico from the United States with a Dog

Traveling to Mexico with your dog from the U.S. is super easy. To enter, you only need a valid rabies vaccine. There is no need to get an international health certificate. You must bring the original, signed paperwork for a current rabies vaccine (don’t just show up with the rabies dog tag) to the agriculture inspector at customs upon arrival. Your pet will then be subjected to a very quick wellness exam where ears, teeth, and paws are checked for fleas and signs of disease. This usually takes less than five minutes and is free. Once it’s done, you will be waved through the airport exit gate. You may get an extra special welcome greeting if your dog is a Chihuahua.

Are you planning to fly to Mexico with your dog? Rest assured, it's a straightforward process. Except for task-trained service animals assisting a disabled person, dogs must be on the smaller side to fly in the cabin with you. If your dog is under 25 lbs and fits into an airline-approved carrier that can slide underneath the seat in front of you, most airlines allow them to fly for a pet fee. Inform your airline before departure and be prepared to pay between $100 and $200 in fees for each direction. Remember, there are a limited number of designated seats for pets on each flight, so it's best to notify your airline as soon as possible to secure a spot for your furry companion.

Mexican resorts also cater almost exclusively to small dogs, with most Riviera Maya properties requiring pups to weigh less than 20 pounds to stay. This size requirement is waived for service animals, and most Mexican resorts allow these working dogs to visit. However, visitors with disabilities should check in advance, as resorts are not mandated to accept service animals.