Some travelers are merely lucky enough to see and/or encounter monkeys while on vacation; others plan their vacation with seeing monkeys in mind as one of their primary reasons for staying at particular areas or resorts.
The Biden administration has decided to temporarily do away with the COVID testing requirement for international travelers wanting to enter the US; this decision was made based on the CDC’s recommendations that this testing was no longer necessary. This directly affects US citizens who are returning to the US from trips to Mexico–no more negative COVID test result 24 hrs. prior to your return. This new directive will be going into effect this Sunday, June 12, 2022.
To tip or not to tip, that is the question…Lots of people decide not to tip when at an all-inclusive resort and that is based on the fact that resorts often state in their website that tipping is included in your all-in-one price.
I like many things about Atelier Playa Mujeres, but perhaps the one thing I appreciate the most is its attempt to keep improving itself and its amenities. While some of those specifics haven’t been cheap, like the reassignment of many suites to the upgraded Inspira room category, here’s something that will help guests to feel a bit better about what they get for their vacation dollar.
Some of you may remember this resort as The Fives Azul Beach Resort when Karisma used to manage it–the resort owners wanted to manage it themselves (actually, all of their own resorts) and took over this task in Oct. 2019. As a result of the change, there have been some changes, some small, some not so small in all their resorts. From my current understanding of how this resort family is set up, the all-inclusive plan may not be a given anymore since some of their properties have options of accommodations only, a breakfast plan only, and an “all senses inclusive plan” which is more like what everyone associates with an all-inclusive plan. So, just a heads up when booking to make sure you have booked an all-inclusive plan (All Senses Inclusive) if that’s the way you want to travel.
I ran across this Tulum documentary and thought it was eye opening in several respects. I did not know that some reportedly “eco-friendly” hotels in Tulum have diesel-run generators in the back of the hotel, but I did become aware of reef-safe sunscreen a while ago and now take some along on vacation to this area in small, TSA approved containers. While Tulum itself does not have many all-inclusive resorts (I think there is one in Tulum proper), there are plenty of “day-trippers” who may want to know how to take it easy on the environment while visiting.
I didn’t follow Mahekal Beach Resort since it originally did not have an all-inclusive option. Much to my surprise I discovered that it now offers an all-inclusive optional meal and beverage plan after reading Travel + Leisure’s listing of “World’s Best” (this resort came in at #5 in the category of top 25 resorts in Mexico). Here’s some info on the resort and what it has to offer: Continue reading
Conde Nast completed their own Reader’s Choice Awards, and here are the winners for Best Resorts in Eastern Mexico (I’ve only listed the ones which are all-inclusive): Continue reading
I am no stranger to packing light. I discovered years ago that packing too much can lead to an exhausting, frustrating trip, and that’s not even considering the expense of checking bags these days–imagine dragging a large, heavy suitcase up hillsides in the Greek islands, it was not a pretty sight. So, I have learned over the years how to continue to pack more economically and wisely to the point that I can now pack a carry on for a 7-10 day vacation. I’ve done it before on various trips and packed this way again on my last trip to Mexico and will continue to do so and keep revising my methods based on continued info and travel materials (packing cubes are supposedly a big thing, but I’ve never used them…yet).
Whenever I do a solo trip, something inevitably weird or rather amusing happens with respect to traveling by myself. I was wondering whether any other females, or males, for that matter, have had their own “experiences” with solo travel–if you do, please feel free to comment below.