I’ve been on a cenote binge lately. Here’s a short video of one of the most famous cenotes in the Yucatan Peninsula, Ik-Kil Cenote which is close to Chichen Itza. If you’re doing it independently, be sure to get there early because some Chichen Itza tours plan an afternoon stopover at Ik-Kil.
Cenote La Noria, courtesy Sandra Salvado and Boundlessroads.com
Looking for more affordable all-inclusive resorts in Cancun? Here’s a family-friendly all-inclusive optional resort just north of downtown Cancun on the way to Playa/Costa Mujeres beach areas. It’s the All Ritmo Cancun Resort and Waterpark (which used to be called Sea Adventure Resort and Waterpark); it changed its name two years ago, but most of what the resort has to offer has not differed in any significant manner.
I found a good article on how planning future travel plans or even thinking about travel can improve one’s mental health. The article sites research studies done to support its premise which is one reason why I found it to be interesting. Based on a 2014 Cornell University study, some major mental health benefits involved with planning future travel included the pleasure of anticipating an experience, the pleasure connected with discussing one’s travel plans with others (increased social interaction makes one feel better), and the pleasure involved in a more optimistic outlook on life (I have a future/something to look forward to). If you want to read more about the article and its associated links, click here.
I love drone videos, they give such a great overall picture of an entire resort or area. The video below highlights Tulum, a small but very popular town on the southern edge of the Riviera Maya. There are two all-inclusive resorts in/nearby Tulum–Kore Tulum is approximately three miles south of Tulum proper, while Dreams Tulum is a 10-minute drive north of the Tulum Ruins and the town. The location of these all-inclusives makes it easy for guests to take in both the ruins and enjoy what Tulum has to offer in an easy day trip.
Here’s another suite review of a Cancun resort for those on a budget (the first one I reviewed was a swim-up suite at the Flamingo Cancun Resort Hotel). Few have probably heard of Emporio Cancun; it is an all-inclusive optional, meaning that vacationers who book don’t necessarily have the all-inclusive plan, so be careful if you are booking it yourself using a wholesaler. There are three basic meal plans: room-only (European Plan), bed and breakfast plan, and the all-inclusive plan.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive resort in Cancun’s Hotel Zone which has many restaurant and bar choices, a more lively atmosphere with lots of entertainment possibilities, and the lengthiest pool in Cancun (it’s a quarter-mile long and meanders beachfront), then staying at The Pyramid at Grand Cancun could be your kind of vacation destination.
For those of you curious about or following the upcoming changes in Playa del Carmen, here’s a new video showing some of the initial projects (new and better beach access from 5th, changes to the popular Parque Fundadores, not sure about the larger cleared out construction spaces, however–does anyone know what is being done there?).
Not every traveler can afford a $5k+ vacation for two for a week at a luxury 5-star resort. So I’ve decided to do a series of suite reviews in Cancun/Riviera Maya all-inclusive resorts (or all-inclusive optional resorts) which will give you the most “bang for your buck” (vacation dollar/euro/peso, etc.).
New remodel in PDC, courtesy Riviera Maya News