Travel to Mexico and Fall in Love

I’m not here to provide a comprehensive review of every resort we’ve visited over the years, but I would love to share a bit about our experiences. Over the past decade, we have had the pleasure of traveling to Mexico seven times, and each visit has been uniquely fulfilling. One of the wonderful aspects of Mexico is the incredible variety of resorts available—there truly is something for everyone. 

For those seeking a romantic escape, many adult-only resorts offer a serene atmosphere perfect for couples. Additionally, there are resorts that cater specifically to the LGBT community, allowing guests to feel welcomed and celebrated without hesitation. For families, Mexico also has countless family-friendly resorts where children can run and play freely, enabling their parents to unwind and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation.

While our personal preference has always leaned towards adult-only resorts, we recognize the charm and amenities of kid-friendly options. In fact, we are excited about planning future trips that will allow us to experience these family-oriented resorts. We look forward to discovering new destinations that will create lasting memories for both us and our children.

Mexico is my favorite destination. I love its beautiful, warm, turquoise waters on the East Coast, the wonderful people we’ve met and maintained friendships with, and the lasting memories we’ve created. One of the things I absolutely love about Mexico is the all-inclusive resorts, where I don’t have to worry about meals or unlimited drinks. I enjoy spa treatments, romantic candlelit dinners on the beach, and the ability to relax without a care in the world.

However, one pet peeve I have is the resorts that pressure you about timeshares. They will be waiting for you when you get off the plane and at the resort, trying to convince you to attend a presentation by offering free dinners, massages, or other enticing offers. We now kindly say “no thank you” and focus on enjoying our stay. All-adult inclusive resorts can vary in price.

We’ve stayed for 5-7 days and have spent $1800-$4000 with airfare included. There are many resorts to choose from for any budget. Avoid visiting during Spring Break, when most college students are on vacation, and also check the start date of their winter season. This can put a damper on your trip due to rain. The seven times we visited, it rained only once, but we still enjoyed our day. We traveled in April, May, and June, enjoying perfect weather.

My husband is a beach lover, and I’m the female Indiana Jones. You can relax or go on many adventures, such as snorkeling, visiting the pyramids, taking booze cruises, and checking out great restaurants. 

Cabo San Lucas was our destination, and we set out to go there. Cabo sits on the tip of the Baja California peninsula, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez. We stayed in San Jose del Cabo. We read reviews of different resorts, and I wanted to see real photos of visitors who stayed during their visit. I went to TripAdvisor, where travelers share photos of their rooms, the resort, and see what they had to say about their visit. We both agreed that we did not want a “family-friendly” resort. We were on vacation and didn’t want to see any children while we were away, relaxing. 

When we booked our vacation during the big “Swine Flu” outbreak, officials issued a warning for travelers going out of the country. We figured we could catch something from a local person and headed on our way. We had a beautiful ocean view room with a jacuzzi that sat on the balcony. It was truly a romantic vacation. Due to the Swine Flu scare, the hotel was 50% occupied. We had a great time. There were two pools, an outdoor jacuzzi, three restaurants, and the staff was amazing. They kept us entertained with daily activities and catered to all our needs.

 

 

We took a 30-minute cab ride from our resort to Cabo for a sunset cruise to see Lover’s Arch. As we sailed across the Pacific Ocean, we were excited to spot a family of whales. It was my first time seeing whales up close, and the experience was unforgettable. After watching the sun set, we returned to the resort to enjoy the rest of our vacation.

Next, we traveled to the East Coast of Mexico, where I noticed a clear difference between the two coasts. The Pacific Ocean was rough, and the water felt colder, making swimming impossible. In contrast, the East Coast, along the Caribbean Sea, offered warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters and beautiful, soft white sand beaches.

We have stayed in Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Riviera Maya, and we always take a taxi ride to 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. Since we have visited Mexico so many times, we decided to rent a car for our next trip. This shows just how comfortable we feel while traveling there.

Playa del Carmen offers a lively strip of shopping boutiques, restaurants, nightclubs, and stunning beaches. During our visits, we even witnessed a few beautiful beach weddings, as Mexico is a popular wedding destination. While we considered this, we ultimately spent our honeymoon there instead.

 

 

During our stay at the resorts we visited, we consistently enjoyed excellent staff, engaging daily activities, and a nightclub on the premises, allowing us to have a great time before heading back to our rooms. We always booked rooms with king-size beds and jacuzzis, some of which offered stunning ocean views. I never grew tired of watching the sunrise while sipping coffee. 

Throughout our stay, we made sure to visit the spas for massages, and I always treated myself to my favorite seaweed wrap. Waking up and walking on the beach, soaking up the sun, and being served drinks felt like a royal experience. Additionally, the resorts offered excursions that you could book, which departed from the hotel each morning.

Tip: We found that instead of taking the long bus tours, you can hire a private driver for the day. You won’t end up on a 12-hour tour (something my husband reminds me of all the time), but you will have private time, and it will be the exact cost, if not cheaper, to go with a driver. Speak to the hotel to arrange this.

Chichén Itzá was a spectacular site that is a MUST-SEE. The Mayan architecture was incredible. Chichen Itza means, “at the mouth of the well of Itza”. Every time the History channel play an episode I yell to the TV, “I been there!” I felt like, I stepped back into time of the Mayans the structures were standing there untouched as they did in the past. The Mayans were technically advanced but were quite brutal in their sacrificial offerings. When we toured here, it was hot, and there wasn’t much shade to hide from the sun.

I recommend wearing comfortable shoes, sunblock, a sun hat, and bringing water. Tip: Buy souvenirs while you are here; they are cheaper. During our tour, we were taken to a Cenote a few miles from the ruins. Cenotes were Maya sacred places of life and death, sources of water and gateways to the underworld.

I will continue adding more trips to Mexico in the years to come. There are many places I want to explore, and I’d love to take my children along for the adventure. Here is my BUCKET LIST of Things to see in Mexico: Tulum, Cozumel, Merida, Copper Canyon, Sumidero Canyon, Marieta Islands, Palenque, and the Gran Cenote. Book your next vacation, you won’t forget.