Riu Palace Jamaica All Inclusive Review: The Honest Truth

I just got back from 5 days at Riu Palace Jamaica in Montego Bay, and I'm breaking down everything you need to know if you're considering this all-inclusive resort. From what's actually included to whether it's worth the money, here's my honest take.

We chose Riu Palace to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday—five of us looking to escape New England winter for some serious relaxation. With only 4 nights, we wanted somewhere close to home (short flight from CT) and close to the airport. Riu Palace checked both boxes at just 10 minutes from Montego Bay's airport.

In this guide, I'll cover what the resort is really like, all the dining options, the beach and pool situation, excursions, and my best tips for making the most of your stay.

Quick stats:

Dates I visited: January 16-20, 2026

Length of stay: 4 nights, 5 days

Room type: Junior Suite with Garden View & Junior Suite Oceanview

Resort vibe: Adults Only

Would I go back? Probably in a similar scenario

WHO IS THIS RESORT BEST FOR?

This is an adults-only resort perfect for anyone seeking a laid-back, chill vibe with solid service. If you're dreaming of crystal-clear water and spending all day in the ocean, though, this might not be your spot.

Perfect for:

- Couples looking for romance

- Girls' spa and beach trips

- Anyone who wants a quiet, adults-only atmosphere

Maybe not ideal for:

- Ocean enthusiasts (the water's pretty, but murky with seagrass)

- Party animals (it's more chill than wild)

THE RESORT PROPERTY

The resort is immaculate—you'll notice it the second you walk into the lobby. Huge windows frame an unrestricted view of turquoise water, pristine grounds, and the pool. The resort itself is quaint, not overwhelmingly large, and even though it shares property with two other Riu resorts, the whole complex doesn't feel crowded.

Step outside the lobby and you'll see a long decorative pool leading to the first of two infinity pools with ocean views lined by palm trees. You're literally steps from the ocean no matter which room you're in. Restaurants and the infinity pool with swim up bar are to the right, and a 24/7 bar to the left.

Riu Palace is one of three resorts on the same property (the others: Riu Montego Bay and Riu Reggae), but staying at Palace gives you access to all three.

Also people want to know how it was post Hurricane Melissa and although I didn't go prior to compare- I couldn't tell there was a hurricane. Everything was immaculate, plenty of staff, and nothing too out of the ordinary.

The Beach: 

Here's the truth: the beach at Riu Palace is gorgeous to look at—it sits in a beautiful cove with perfectly still water and a pretty shade of blue—but the water itself is a little cloudy with seagrass and mud at the bottom. It doesn't feel great to walk on, and you won't want to spend all day in the ocean. The good news? There are plenty of beach chairs, umbrellas, and a few beach beds (first come, first serve). And since you have access to all three resorts, you can check out the beaches at Riu Montego Bay and Riu Reggae too.

Spoiler: they're longer and look slightly clearer, but same seaweed and mud situation.

Bottom line: Beautiful beaches, but not ideal if you're a "live in the ocean" type.

Tip: If you want the beach beds, keep your towels from the night before—the towel hut doesn't open until 8am, and beds go fast.

The Pools: 

Pool lovers, rejoice: Riu Palace has three infinity pools (one with a swim-up bar, another for Elite Club members). You can also use the pools at Riu Montego Bay (5 pools) and Riu Reggae (3 pools). That's 11 pools total.

The pools at Riu Palace are quieter and more chill, though they still had games and entertainment during the day. There are plenty of beach chairs, but prime spots get snagged early. My favorite thing? The view from the infinity pool to the ocean with the Jamaica sign—it was picture-perfect.

The pools at the other two resorts had more daytime activities and a more boisterous vibe (we saw people drinking straight from bottles at the Riu Reggae foam party, lol).

Key perk:

Riu Palace guests get poolside and beachside drink service—the other two resorts don't have this.

The Rooms:

I stayed in a Junior Suite Garden View. The rooms are huge—the only difference between Garden View, Oceanview, and Oceanfront is the view and bed configuration. We had three people, so we went with the Garden View because it was the only one that could accommodate the bed configuration we needed (2 double beds + a pull-out couch). Note: These are true double beds (very small!). The beds were comfortable—a little firm, which I liked—but the pull-out couch was not. We requested a mattress topper multiple times, but it never came.

The bathrooms are spacious: double sinks, a huge jet tub, a separate shower, and a separate toilet room.

Amenities included shampoo, conditioner, soap, hairdryer, iron, safe, fridge stocked with your choice of alcohol/soda/water, and a bottle dispensary with full bottles of rum, gin, vodka, and whisky.

We had a corner unit, so our balcony was extra spacious, but standard balconies are good-sized too. One thing I loved: No matter which room you get, you're close to everything—the pool, the beach, the buffet. The resort is small and intimate.

One quirk:

The AC controls are confusing. Our room was freezing and we couldn't figure out how to adjust it—turns out, opening the balcony door turns the AC off. Not ideal, but I'd rather be too cold than too warm.

The DINING:

One of the biggest perks of all-inclusive is the food. Here's the full breakdown.

The Buffet: Main Restaurant "Montego Bay"

I'll be honest—I'm not usually a buffet fan, but the food here was some of the best all-inclusive buffet food I've had. Large selection (though somewhat repetitive), freshly made, and impeccably clean.

Breakfast (7-10:30am):

Omelet station, Jamaican cuisine, bacon, sausage, fresh toast, pancakes, crepes, fruit, and heartier lunch-type food (beans, rice).

Lunch & Dinner (12-3pm, 6:30-10pm):

Authentic Jamaican cuisine, pasta station, Asian station, grilled meat station (beef, chicken, fish), full salad bar, desserts (including ice cream and fresh-to-order crepes), and fruit.

Tip:

You can take a plate to your pool chair—there are bins throughout the resort for dirty dishes.

My hot take:

Stick to the buffet over the a la carte restaurants (more on that below).

A La Carte Restaurants:

Reservations are required for all a la carte restaurants and can be booked through the app. The catch? You can't book ahead of time—you need a room number, and you can only book 3 days in advance once you arrive. Translation: you're almost guaranteed not to get a reservation your first (and probably second) night.

Another wrinkle: The restaurants are only open certain nights, so on any given night, there might only be two restaurants open with limited seating. We only snagged reservations for two of our four nights.

Tip:

Seatings are usually at 6:30 and 8:00. If you can't get a reservation, show up 10-15 minutes after the seating time and ask if they had any cancellations. Sometimes you'll get lucky.

Seaside - Steakhouse

The Steakhouse restaurant is located outdoors by the pool in a section of the buffet that is closed off from the rest.

We tried the shrimp cocktail, filet mignon and surf and turf. For dessert we tried an ice cream sandwich and lemon cheesecake. It was good, although the desserts were lacking, but probably just as good as what is on the buffet. If they had real menus and a setting other than the regular buffet tables, it might have felt more special. The service was great here though.

L’Aquedotto - Italian

The Italian restaurant is one that can be skipped. Unfortunately, it was the only restaurant we were able to get a reservation for five on the night of my friend’s birthday, but the food was average to below average and the service was just okay. You start by selecting appetizers from a small buffet and then you order a main and a dessert. We tried the fettuccini alfredo, chicken parmesan, and lasagna. For dessert they had affogato, zepolle with chocolate sauce and tiramisu.

They did sing Happy Birthday- one of the chefs came out and sang a song al capella and was amazing! Then several staff sang Happy Birthday so that was a very nice touch.

Other (Zen and Krystal)

The other two restaurants at the Palace were Zen which is an Asian restaurant with a menu that consists of dim sum, noodles, pad Thai, rice dishes, wings and ribs and skewers. Krystal is a fusion restaurant, and I heard good things, but definitely check out their menu prior. It’s a small menu consisting of short rib, red snapper, grilled octopus and chicken tagine. This restaurant is very small and seemed more intimate with smaller tables so big groups would have trouble getting a reservation.

Bars & Snacks:

Aqua Chill Out Bar-

This review would be incomplete without this hidden gem. They have a small buffet with a few hot dishes but also things like pizza, Jamaican beef patties, nachos and more.

Tip- It’s a little confusing if you don’t know but if you sit to the right (facing the bar) there is seated table service where you can order off the menu and they have things like sandwiches, burgers, wings and apps. To the left is where you sit if you want anything from the small buffet

Another tip that a lot of people don’t know is this bar and dining area is open 24X7!!!

Cappuccino Bar-

Another hidden gem is the Cappuccino bar located in the Vogue lobby bar. In the back of the lobby bar is a coffee station but they also have fruit cups, parfaits and pastries in the morning. Throughout the day they also have cakes and other dessert items.

Tip- Order iced coffees perfect for pool and you can thank me later!

Hanover swim up bar – Both the Hanover swim up bar and Vogue lobby bar have top shelf alcohol like Titos, Absolute, Bacardi, Campari, Johnny Walker, Beefeater, and Milagro tequila. Top Shelf is a perk exclusive to Palace guest. (I don’t know about you but even resorts that I’ve been to that offer top shelf - it’s usually not at the pool swim up bar). They also have excellent servers. It’s also important to note that Riu Palace has servers around the pool and beach area where the other two resorts do not.

Other-

Room Service is available 24X7. You can book a private romantic dinner. There is also another restaurant for Elite Club members.

My Dining Strategy:

You can eat at the other resorts' buffets and snack spots, but we only tried the Jamaican grill at Riu Reggae for the famous jerk chicken. It was good, but honestly not better than what we had at the Palace buffet. And heads up—you can't eat at the other resorts' a la carte restaurants, only Palace's.

My two cents:

Stick to dining at Riu Palace unless you're already hanging by one of the other pools. You won't be disappointed.

Tip:

Download the Riu app before you go, click "I'm here," and select Riu Palace Jamaica. Browse the restaurant menus to see what sounds good, then book your a la carte spots as soon as you get your room number.

ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT

Riu Resorts are known for bringing the party, and they delivered. The Riu Palace itself was calm and quiet, but we had access to the other two resorts—perfect setup for us. We got the luxury upgrades at Palace but could still hit the parties a short walk away at Riu Montego Bay.

The Parties:

Most of the nighttime action happens at Riu Montego Bay. While we were there, they had a super fun glow party (it alternates weekly between glow party and white party, so check Facebook groups or Instagram to see what's coming and pack accordingly—but don't stress if you didn't bring neon, everyone's welcome). There was also a beach party, a Michael Jackson tribute show, and a cultural night. Each of the three resorts had different entertainment, so there was always something happening.

Plus, there's a nightclub, lounge bars, and sports bars if you want to keep the night going.

The Shows:

At Riu Palace, they bring in external performers for evening shows. One thing I hadn't seen at other resorts? A synchronized swimming show in the pool—super cool. They also had a circus night. The vibe here felt more about performance and entertainment versus the party atmosphere at Riu Montego Bay.

Daytime Activities:

During the day, there were activities by the pool and beach: Plinko, bingo, water aerobics, beach volleyball, and always some kind of crowd participation game (think water Olympics). And the foam parties—we caught the one at Riu Reggae and it was getting a little wild (in a good way).

The entertainment staff work hard to get guests involved, but you can participate as much or as little as you want.

EXCURSIONS

We did the catamaran snorkel cruise/party boat. Here's what you should know:

• Booked through: Scuba Caribe

• Cost: it was $89 or $99 pp plus tax

• Worth it? It was expensive for a half day snorkling trip but the staff worked hard to make sure everyone was having a good time. Also, if you are like me and just like vibing out on the beach or pool and don’t want to be away too long- this was the just right amount of time (3-4 hours)

Scuba Caribe is an authorized independent vendor and they have staff walking around the beach selling their tours. Don’t worry- It’s legist. You can book it. They even have a little hut on the beach between Riu Reggae and Palace. We booked a half day catamaran snorkel cruise/party boat. The catamaran picks you up right there at the beach. First stop is snorkeling (which was just OK). You are sailing along and all of a sudden the music is turned up, people are twerking and staff are pouring shots into people’s mouths. The second stop is a “private” beach which had chairs you could rent, a restaurant, bar and some shops. They also had aqua cars and some other activities available. All in all it was a fun trip and worth it for anyone that likes boats or snorkeling. The staff did a great job making sure everyone was having fun.

WHAT'S ACTUALLY INCLUDED (THE FINE PRINT)

What's Included:

• Water sports (pedal boats, kayak, stand up boards, sail boats (license required)

• Snorkeling (mask available for snorkeling off the beach)

• 24X7 food and alcohol

• RIU Fun daily activities (Staff are EXCELLENT!)

• Nightly Entertainment (several options as you can go to any of the resorts)

• Riu Parties (Neon night, white party, foam parties)

• Gym

• Fresh cut coconuts on the beach (this was a pleasant surprise as most places charge)

• Jerk huts

• Water slide (located on the Riu Montego Bay property but also available to Riu Palace and Riu Reggae guests.

• Transportation: If you are a Riu Member transportaiton to/from the airport is included but be mindful that it’s a shared transport so you might have to wait for others to get on

What’s Included in Riu Palace versus Riu Reggae and Riu Montego Bay

• Pool and Beach servers

• Better beach/pool chairs (more cushioning)

• Beach Beds

• There have special entertainment events (like circus or aquatic shows) which are outsourced (meaning they hire performers)

• Can use the other two resort’s amenities including beaches, bars, some dining, activities, entertainment, and you can go to their parties.

What Costs Extra:

• Spa treatments

• Romantic Dinner

• Excursions

• Tips – There are a lot of tip jars around the buffet and it is expected to tip the wait staff and housekeeping. The staff do work very hard and are so friendly and appreciative.

MY TOP TIPS FOR Riu Palace

Here's what I learned that'll make your stay better:

1. Book your a la carte restaurants as soon as you can there - they fill up fast!

2. Towel hut doesn’t open until 8am so save a towel from the day before to save your seat.

3. Iced coffee available at the Cappuccino bar hidden at the back of the Vogue lobby

4. Aqua Chill out bar has beef, chicken and veggie patties every day and open for drinks and food 24 X 7

5. Pack a refillable mug to keep your frozen drinks cool in the hot sun

6. Pack towel clips or towel band for beach chair to save your chair

7. Make sure you grab some jerk chicken from either of the jerk huts at the Reggae or Montego Bay or at the buffet at Palace.

8. Daily beef/chicken/veggie patties are a requirement

9. You can bring a plate from the breakfast buffet to your pool chair

10. Check out the spa. Great massages!

IS Riu Palace WORTH IT?

The Good:

• Adults only! And on all three resorts (nuff said!)

• The service. Everyone was so polite and helpful but a special shout out to the pool and beach servers!

• The spa

• The entertainment staff- they work hard day and night and create a fun atmosphere

• The vicinity to the airport makes it perfect for a quick getaway

• It’s super clean

The Not-So-Good:

• Beach. Don’t get me wrong it was beautiful shades of blue and calm water (my fav) but you just couldn’t hang out in it all day with the slimy muddy ocean floor. Note- we went about 11 weeks post Hurricane Melissa so this could have been a contributing factor.

• It’s a little quiet at the Palace. The entertainment and activities are good but everything winds down pretty early. You have to go to Montego Bay for more action (but it’s a quick walk).

• I’m seeing mixed reviews for the Reggae and Montego Bay- my suggestion would be to stay at the Palace for the upgrades and go to the others as needed.

• The restaurant reservation system is not good because it doesn’t allow you to book ahead of time and only allows you to book up to 3 days.

• The quality of the restaurants was not really up to par. The buffet was better- and that’s not something you would hear me say often!

The Bottom Line: 

If you're looking for a quick getaway at a fun, clean resort with an upgraded twist, then yes, Riu Palace Jamaica is absolutely worth it. It's chill, has great entertainment, staff and service, and offers a good value for your money.

Would I recommend it?

 Yes

Would I go back? 

Yes, in similar situation- I'd go back for a girls trip, but if I wanted more of a beach vibe I would say no.

PACKING ESSENTIALS FOR AN ALL-INCLUSIVE

Don't forget these:

• Towel clips or chair bands

• Sunhat

• Sunscreen

• Bug Spray

• Singles (for tips)

• Passport

You know I’m a carry on gal- Here's a couple things I brought that helped me pack that were actually helpful!

• These reef sandals were so comfortable and the champagne color matched all my outfits so I only had to bring one pair of shoes (saving on luggage space)! https://amzn.to/46RmDPm

• This was the perfect Neon shirt to wear to the Neon party and folded up nicely in the luggage. https://amzn.to/3MT41rz

• These towel bands for beach chairs were the perfect way to save chairs when the towel hut wasn’t open yet. Plus they are super cute and easy to pack! https://amzn.to/3ZQHv5u

• These waterproof phone bags are perfect for snorkeling, taking pics in the pool, or just hanging out on the boat. Easy to pack too! https://amzn.to/40l3KAK

Have questions about Riu Palace Jamaica? Drop them in the comments below - I'm happy to help you plan your trip!