Mexico Family Vacation: Riviera Maya Escape

“Mommy mommy mommy, look what I can do, look what I can do!”  Splash!  It’s the fourteenth time this morning that my son has shown me his cannon ball skills in the resort pool, and his face still lights up as though it’s the first.  I sip my coffee, give him a “Good job buddy!” and spray a little more sunblock on my shoulders.  It’s early morning on day two of our Riviera Maya family vacation, a break from school and work and a chance for all of us to let loose a little.  (Yes, even living in Cancun we need a vacation sometimes!).  My munchkin suddenly jumps out of the pool and shrieks “Kid’s club!!!!!”  I look up to see the smiling face of the young woman who wrangles, ahem, entertains the younger guests as she approaches.  She greets my son by name and invites him to join the other children in building sand castles and tells me she’ll have him back to me by lunch time.  I turn to ask if he would like to go, but all I see is his dust as he tears off to the beach.  I take that as a yes, lay back in my lounge chair and settle in with the book I’ve been trying to read for months.

Lunch time rolls around and my five year old beach bum returns, covered in sand from head to foot and full of stories about the kids he has met and the fun he has had.  We rinse off in the outdoor shower and make our way to the pool-side buffet.  (All inclusive is a parent’s dream, always something that even the pickiest kids will eat!)  We fill our plates, chow down and energize ourselves for the afternoon adventures.  Sated and refreshed, we take a stroll through the gardens, greeting the iguanas, smelling the flowers and not missing cartoons or video games one little bit.  The afternoon is spent running between the beach and the pool, playing soccer and frisbee and discovering how to cannon ball for maximum splash.  The sounds of the waves and the laughter of kids, the smell of coconut sunblock, the taste of fresh mango juice and tangy guacamole, the warmth of the sun on the skin, these are the sensations of paradise.

The rest of our vacation is divided between frenzied activity and complete relaxation.  There is so much to do in the Riviera Maya, particularly with kids!  We spend a day at Xcaret, exploring the underground river, oohing and aahing in the aquarium and learning about the Mayan and Mexican cultures.  We spend a few mornings snorkeling, following fishies and getting very pruney fingers.  One day we enjoy an amazing experience swimming with dolphins in Puerto Aventuras (perhaps my son’s favourite part of our vacation).  Since five year olds are not into “chillaxing”, the kids’ club is a treat, he does arts and crafts and a million other activities while my better half and I recharge in our lounge chairs.  It’s really the ideal combination, time together to reconnect as a family and time apart to savor in our own way.  We enjoy meeting and hanging out with families from all over the world and all agree, the Riviera Maya is the ideal place for a family vacation of sun, sea and sand.

The Riviera Maya is located on the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, set on the Caribbean Sea.  With year round tropical temperatures, it’s a hot destination for a family winter break escape.  There are many Riviera Maya resorts to choose from, something for every taste and budget.  Activities in the area include the famous Mayan ruins, some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world on the Meso-American reef, swimming with dolphins, adrenaline-fueled day trips with zip lines, rappeling and ATV’s, eco-parks, cenotes and much much more.  Visitors can fill each day with excitement or simply lounge around the resort enjoying the world-class service of the friendly Mexican people.  Enjoy your family vacation in Mexico and the memories you’ll have for years to come!  Dtraveller and Cancun Travel are locally based companies, experts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, we look forward to assisting with your Riviera Maya family vacation plans!

Love is in the Air- Romance in Cancun

February 14th, a date which inspires great visions of candle light dinners, dewy red roses and faces lit up with joy in reaction to the perfect romantic gift (diamonds anyone?).  Sadly, the reality is often a rushed dinner with the kids throwing nuggets, wilting convenience store flowers and a forced smile as the stuffed teddy bear holding a heart is pulled from the cellophane with the price tag still on.  Why not shake things up this year, start the new decade off right with a magical, spur of the moment jaunt to Cancun with that special someone?

Finding the right hotel for romance is your top priority.  When I am dreaming of a romantic escape, my thoughts turn to the Bel Air Collection in Cancun.  This hip boutique hotel was made for lovers, with sweet details such as private dinners on the beach, couples spa treatments and jacuzzi-suites.  The staff will go out of their way to make your stay extra-special, decorating your room with rose petals, candles and drawing a heavenly scented bubble bath for two or arranging moonlight couples massages on the beach.  Stroll hand in hand down the gorgeous stretch of sand, enjoy a cool glass of champagne by the pool and simply enjoy being with the one you love on a worry-free romantic getaway.

For couples looking for something a little spicier, Temptation Resort and Spa in Cancun will definitely heat up your Valentine’s.   This unique adults-only hotel offers a sensual concept for open-minded couples, with “risque” pool-side games and wild nights in their onsite night club, “Nice Shoes”.  The all-inclusive resort offers deluxe and jacuzzi suites, a variety of dining options and a white sandy beach on the Bay of Mujeres.  A stay at Temptation is sure to light a spark in your love life, add some sizzle to your romance and will certainly be a couples’ vacation you’ll never forget.

This is a romantic vacation and some may not want to leave the suite (wink wink, nudge nudge), but couples with a sense of adventure will find plenty of activities that are ideal for sharing with the better half.  The Lobster Dinner Cruise Cancun is the only “romance” tour in Cancun.  Enjoy a leisurely sail on a wooden galleon, sun setting over the lagoon, stars above, live jazz and a delicious surf and turf dinner.   Garrafon Park on the small island of Isla Mujeres is a great place for a couples day trip, spectacular views of the Caribbean, relaxing hammock gardens, infinity pool on the sea and zip lines, kayaks and snorkeling for the adventurous soul.  Treat your love to the experience of a lifetime with a swim with dolphin program with Dolphin Discovery (though beware, those dolphins are known to kiss even the married ladies!)  Add an extreme adventure to your trip with the adrenaline-filled fun at Hidden Worlds Park.  Ride horses on the beach, snorkel the reef teeming with sea life, or discover history and culture through the Mayan ruins, or do nothing but gaze into each other’s eyes, the possibilities are endless in the Mexican Caribbean.

The most important thing you’ll do on your romantic Cancun vacation is spend quality time with that special person.  No phones ringing, no kids calling your name, no dishes to wash, no laundry to fold.  The time is yours and honey’s alone, leave your worries at home and the smartphones off, “disconnect to reconnect” and return home refreshed, rejuvenated and more in love than when you left.  Trust me men, a surprise trip to Cancun for Valentine’s Day is going to make up for all those forgotten years and lame last minute purchases, book now (before you forget again) and give her something that you’ll both love!