I actually wanted to find a video of how the new resorts are doing which are planning on opening within the next month, but as is typical of this area and new resort info there is not much out there–it’s like resort companies believe they are selling state secrets by giving away some teaser info.
No, I didn’t already recently post about this AI-optional resort–that was the Krystal Cancun. This is its family-friendly “sister resort” right next door to the north and it’s called Krystal Grand Punta Cancun. It has also been known in the past as Reflect, while some third party wholesalers may currently list this resort as Krystal Grand Cancun, or even “Altitude By Krystal Grand Punta Cancun” which refers to certain upgraded room types (Altitude rooms). It’s all the same resort, but it can be confusing.
If you are staying near Playa del Carmen and just want something different for dinner away from your all-inclusive resort, here’s a very interesting option. It’s called Alux, (pronounced a’loosh), a restaurant outside of Playa del Carmen, and it’s located inside a cave cenote.
I’ve decided my next solo trip will include a stay at Catalonia Royal Tulum which is located an hour drive south of the Cancun airport. It is a bit south of Barcelo Maya Grand resort, if readers know where that mega-resort is located in the Riviera Maya. CRT is a smaller adults-only all-inclusive with a great beach which was the deciding factor for me and my next Mexico vacation. I may do Planet Hollywood Cancun later on in the year, but am still on the fence about that resort since I think it would be a much better resort experience without COVID affecting amenity limits/closures.
I thought this was an unusual amenity, so I decided to post a quick video I found which highlights both the Grotto Bar and the Lazy River at the brand new Planet Hollywood Cancun. I’ve only run across one other resort grotto bar and that was at Dreams Playa Mujeres. This one looks like you can float right up to the bar in your lazy river flotation device! That will come in handy during Cancun’s hot summer months where you literally want to live in the water while on vacation.
I love Playacar Beach, it’s one of my favorites in the Riviera Maya. For those of you who don’t know where it’s located, it’s in a gated community just south of Playa del Carmen (the beach can also be accessed by walking south on the beach from Playa del Carmen). Very swimmable with minor wave action overall, within walking distance to Playa del Carmen (and only a 6-8 min. cab ride from Riu resorts), a smaller shopping area across the road from Riu Palace Mexico/Riu Yucatan, and the gated community makes vacationers feel safer in terms of walking in the area.
Has anyone stayed at this resort? If my Kauai vacation doesn’t work out for May I am thinking of booking Catalonia Royal Tulum for a larger group of individuals. Seems pretty low key but in a great jungle setting with a beautiful beach (Xpu-Ha). Just down the road from Barcelo Riviera Maya mega-resort with nearby cenotes. Anyone been to Coba ruins leaving from this area of the Riviera Maya? I’ve been to Chichen Itza and want to climb a pyramid this time. Juan (my new go-to private driver for vacation excursions from FriendsTravelCancun) tells me he can take my party anywhere in Cancun and the Riviera Maya so I will be using him for transport as needed.
I’ve started to upload some of my resort videos from my latest trip to both Dreams Natura and Dreams Riviera Cancun. This one is a quick look at why people may have been reading some poor resort reviews concerning Dreams Natura. Yes, there is a massive mangrove jungle next to Dreams Natura and the Senator all-inclusive resort next door (the Senator is still under construction); the resorts here are quite a ways off the main road so the mangrove jungle is quite extensive.
Don’t forget to follow my Instagram account, allinclusivegal, as I travel later this week to Atelier Playa Mujeres. Afterwards I will be staying at Riu Palace Peninsula, so it’s a two-fer.
Rio Secreto, courtesy Rio Secreto.com