Another All-Inclusive Optional–The Fives Oceanfront

Here’s a newcomer to the Puerto Morelos hotel market–The Fives Oceanfront is an all-inclusive optional, family-friendly luxury boutique hotel located on the outskirts of Puerto Morelos in the Riviera Maya.  There are several “The Fives” resorts, so be careful if you decide to book since you may wind up staying at the wrong hotel/resort.  It became kind of confusing when Karisma removed their name brand from Azul Fives Resort a couple of years ago (that resort is now rebranded as a “The Fives” resort), but that’s a different blog post.

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Secrets Silversands to Become…….

Finally got official word that Secrets Silversands will open as Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun sometime in 2021.  There is no specific date set yet, however.  I double checked the old SS address with the new Hyatt address and they are both the same, so there’s no doubt this is the replacement.

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Another All-Inclusive Optional–The Viceroy

Vacationers used to the “best” while traveling typically consider the Viceroy brand as a potential contender in places to stay.  Well, the Riviera Maya has its own Viceroy which is an adults-only all-inclusive optional resort located just north of Playa del Carmen.  The Viceroy Riviera Maya offers one and two-story villas, some of which are very private, in a jungle setting.  Vacationers wanting to be closer to the beach have the option of booking a villa which has an ocean view.  Villas have heated plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers, Bose radios, hammocks, and upgraded in-room amenities from Italian-made robes to handmade artisanal soaps–once you are checked-in you will be receiving a visit from the soap concierge in order to pick out your favorite bar of soap from their collection.  This resort also has its own resident Shaman who performs smoke blessings for new guests.

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Airlines Most Likely to Lose Your Luggage….

According to a recent study, here’s where US airlines rank in most likely to lose your bags to least likely to lose your bags: Continue reading

All-Inclusive Optional–Villa del Palmar Cancun

I’ve decided to do a series on all-inclusive optional resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya–not too many people know all the options in this category and may be interested in trying out one or two to see how they compare to resorts which are totally all-inclusive.

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Don’t Forget the New Tourist Tax…

Tomorrow, April 1, 2021, a new tourist tax will be implemented for international tourists who visit Cancun.  The tax amount is $224 Mexican Pesos which is approximately $11 USD; the new tax must be paid for each foreign/international visitor over age 15 (Brazil and some other select countries will pay less).  This new tax can be paid before you leave, while you are vacationing in Cancun, or paid in cash at various Cancun airport terminals before you fly home.

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Looking For Dinner Ideas Away From Your Resort?

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.

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Watch Out For Fake PH Website!

If you are going to book or have already booked the new Planet Hollywood Cancun, please be aware that there is a fake website out there taking money from vacationers but not really reserving any rooms…the fake one ends with -cancun.com; the REAL website ends with hotels.com.  (The first part of the web address is, of course, planethollywood).  The company is doing everything it can to remove the bogus website from the internet.

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New Video of Catalonia Costa Mujeres

If you’re interested in how CCM looks these days now that it’s been open for a bit, take a look at the video below.  Meanwhile, here’s a few facts about this resort: Continue reading

Interested in Ocean Photography?

Just one of Aaron Chang’s exquisite photos

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