My husband and I have been happily married for four years now. Every year, we take aweek-long trip for our wedding anniversary because alone time as a couple is always a MUST!
Our honeymoon in St. Lucia was so incredible, even during COVID, that it’s been hard to decide on new destinations ever since. I’m always highly indecisive, so that doesn’t help. For the first two years, we went to Jupiter, Florida, and, last year, Sarasota. While I love those places, we wanted to explore outside our state this year.
Full disclosure here: my husband always wants to explore outside our state, and my indecisiveness is what usually holds us back… I am working on that!
Anyways, that’s how we ended up in Mexico—well, sort of. Because I can never decide on anything, we use a spin wheel app for everything from vacations to dinner and date nights. It keeps things spontaneous and fun! So, we put a bunch of destinations we want to visit on the app and let it choose for us. Mexico won out… twice!
Here’s a little bit of our trip with some tips along the way.
Navigating Cancun Airport
Okay, so I’ve never been to Mexico, and naturally, I had no idea what to expect. Here are a few pointers for those traveling to Cancun airport for the first time.
When you arrive at the airport, follow the arrow to baggage claim, which is after customs. You have two options: stand in the long customs line to get your passport stamped or use the digital kiosk. The kiosk won’t stamp your passport, but it moves a lot faster. It will give you a receipt that you might need when departing, so keep it safe.
My passport would not scan, and I was sent to a separate line that is specifically for those whose kiosk will not scan their passports, so basically, I barely made a line and still got my Mexico stamp!
Tip: The kiosks are only for adults. If you’re traveling with kids, you must go through the customs line. A quick tip for parents: make sure the little ones use the restroom beforehand, as the line can be long and slow-moving.
Once you have your luggage, start walking out of the airport without looking to the sides. People will try to grab your attention for timeshares or taxis, which can be overwhelming. Thanks to a few videos my hubby showed me, we were prepared and politely declined.
Navigating the airport can be overwhelming, but with these tips, we managed smoothly. Now, let’s move on to how we handled transportation once we landed.
Transportation
Pre-book your transportation. We booked everything through Expedia and got a bundle deal. Before you depart, make sure to call ahead for clear instructions.
Ours said to look for someone in a blue and yellow shirt from XYZ Travel, but many people were wearing those colors—except our transportation! This caused me some anxiety, but luckily, my husband asked an employee who directed us to the right spot. They have numbered stations, which should be mentioned in the instructions, but of course, they aren’t.
Once we found them, the wait wasn’t long. We had private transportation, so the ride from the airport to the hotel was smooth and stress-free.
Hilton Playa Del Carmen: Our Unforgettable Stay
Choosing a resort took the most time. After reading countless reviews, we finally settled on the Hilton Playa del Carmen—and it didn’t disappoint! The Hilton, known for its reliable service, once again exceeded our expectations.
This Hilton is an adults-only resort, which was exactly what we needed for an adult-only week away. The resort was stunning and impeccably clean. Our ocean-view room with a balcony was spacious, featuring a comfortable bed and soft, fluffy pillows. The room itself was spotless, offering a true retreat from everyday life. We loved it there!
The amazing, friendly staff went above and beyond, making our stay even more enjoyable than we imagined.
Resort Highlights:
- 8 Restaurants: A culinary delight with diverse dining options.
- 5 Bars & Lounges: Perfect for unwinding and socializing.
- In-Suite Service: Enjoy meals in the comfort of your room.
- Oceanfront Dining: Dine with breathtaking views.
- Daily Activities: Engage in fun and exciting activities every day.
- Fitness Center: Stay active even on vacation.
- Live Entertainment: Enjoy performances and shows nightly.
- Amazing Pools and Beaches: Relax by stunning pools and pristine beaches.
Gourmet Experiences
The food at the resort was surprisingly good. As foodies, my husband and I love trying new restaurants back home in Miami, so good food was necessary. While our first meal didn’t wow us, things quickly improved. If you visit this beautiful resort, here are some of our favorite dining spots you should try:
- Asiana: We enjoyed amazing Asian cuisine. Everything we tried was delicious. Our server recommended the best dishes and drinks. We loved it so much that we ate here twice during our six-night stay. A must-try is the lychee mango martini. 10/10.
- Spice: Great breakfast and lunch buffets. We had breakfast here several times and even tried lunch. The variety of food was impressive, with options for most dietary needs, from vegan to gluten-free. 8/10.
- Rincón Mexicano: Pretty good food with excellent chips and salsa. Sitting near the ocean with a nice breeze was very enjoyable. 6/10.
- Chef’s Plate: This is the only non-inclusive restaurant, but it is worth the extra cost. The food and drinks were amazing, and the service was top-notch. 10/10
Tip: Make reservations in advance. For example, Asiana was fully booked throughout our stay.
Ultimate Entertainment
The resort’s entertainment was impressive. The hotel hosted something new in its lobby every night, from silent parties and masquerade shows to live music and dancing. You can relax in the seating areas or opt for a dinner show, which costs extra but is worth it. We truly enjoyed the nighttime entertainment.
They also had daytime activities like foam parties by the pool. We were there during Pride Month and experienced the Rainbow Party. The hotel is very inclusive, and the high-energy show was fantastic.
Our favorite experience was the Masquerade Show, featuring an incredible blend of dancing, music, and astonishing aerial stunts. We decided to book our dinner show during this performance (It is not part of the all-inclusive package and costs $149 per couple). The evening was nothing short of spectacular and truly exceeded our expectations.
Pampering Paradise
One of my favorite parts was the spa! We booked our couples’ spa day for the only rainy day that week, which luckily was the day before we departed—our scheduled relaxation day. The couples’ massage was excellent and one of the most relaxing experiences ever. I think I fell asleep at one point, and my husband for sure did.
We also tried their hydrotherapy, which was free and unlimited during our stay. I particularly loved the sauna, steam room, and hot tub. The cold plunge, not so much—I only got as far as my hips! My husband was braver, staying in for a full minute; I don’t know how he did that because brrr.
Exciting Day Trips
One of the things I loved was that you can book any excursion you want right there in the hotel lobby. I am not sure if this was the most money-saving option compared to other tour sites, but it was definitely the most convenient. We booked a full-day excursion, which included ATV riding, a visit to a stunning cenote, and exploring the ancient ruins of Tulum. Our second adventure took us to Xcaret Park.
Tip: For our first excursion, booking through the resort and having a tour guide was definitely worth the extra cost. It included convenient transportation, knowledgeable guides at each location, a delicious lunch, and refreshing drinks. However, for Xcaret, we decided on a last-minute adventure and used our trusty spin wheel app to choose. Buying tickets directly at the park would have saved us about $25 per person compared to purchasing them through the hotel.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where I’ll dive deeper into our thrilling ATV escapades, the magical cenotes we discovered, and our awe-inspiring journey through the Tulum ruins. I’ll also share our favorite local finds in Playa del Carmen, from charming shops and cafes to hidden gems just steps from our hotel. I’ll spill all the details on booking excursions, budgeting tips, and everything you need to know to create your own unforgettable adventure in paradise.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you! Have you been to Cancun? Are there any hidden gems or must-try experiences? Share your tips and stories in the comments below—I’m always looking for new inspiration for our next spin of the wheel!
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