Tired of staying at an all-inclusive resort that requires an hour+ more travel time after landing in Cancun? Check out the brand new family-friendly mega-resort that lies north of Moon Palace, actually just minutes away from the Cancun airport. It’s called AVA Resort Cancun, and here’s a short list of its amenities: Continue reading
Just returned from my trip to the Riviera Maya where I stayed at Wyndham Alltra Playa del Carmen, Secrets Tulum, and Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya. As I mentioned in my last blog post, I purchased my VISITAX prior to leaving for my trip and made a print out to take along with my QR code verifying purchase.
With the closing of the family-friendly Estudio section of Atelier Playa Mujeres, management decided to revamp parts of the resort to make it more in line with the Atelier adults-only atmosphere. (Atelier accepts guests age 16+). As a result, there are a few new room categories which were added including the following: Continue reading
Secrets Playa Blanca now has a firm opening date–Feb. 1, 2024 and is offering some pretty good opening rates. Entry level rooms will start at $245 p/person p/night (that is darn good considering Hyatt’s high pricing since taking over the AMR Collection). The only restriction is that you have to book by Nov. 30, 2023, and take your trip by Dec. 30, 2024.
Bad news for those wanting to stay at Armar House Cancun…For those who don’t know, this used to be ME Cancun, then Melody Maker.
Rebranded Hilton Cancun Mar Caribe, photo courtesy of El Sureste
For those of you looking forward to booking and staying at the reimagined Marriott CasaMagna (now called Marriott Cancun), press releases still stay “open early 2024” with no specific reopening date. According to what I’ve read since March 2023 when the resort closed for renovations, it was originally speculated to be open Feb. 15, 2024, but that date has not been set in stone since the website does not list that date. Also, do not confuse this resort from JW Marriott Cancun–Marriott Cancun is right next door to the south in Cancun’s Hotel Zone
I just found a recent video done by a videographer (formerly Two Expats Mexico, now known as QRoo Paul and Linda) focusing on common Mexico scams. If you are a vacationer who likes to eat or drink at Mexico restaurants and bar, rents a vehicle when in Mexico (scams involving filling up at gas stations), or likes to take taxis to get off a resort property, then take a look at the video posted below. It will give you practical tips on how to recognize scams and what to do if you encounter one.
I got a call from Secrets this morning saying my Dec. reservation for the brand new Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres had been cancelled due to a delay in the resort opening.
Ok, I will admit it, like so many other international tourists I have not been paying Quintana Roo’s VISITAX fee since it was established in 2020. Up to this point there has been no enforcement of paying this tax, so I figured I could get away with not paying it.