Mexico

Richard Harbourne 06 November 2009
Mexico is simply amazing!

November 2009 was my third visit to Mexico. I stayed in the couple’s only hotel the Secrets Silversands in the Riviera Maya which is around 30 minutes from Cancun and the airport. The previous year I stayed in the sister hotel which had just opened which was the Secrets Maroma Resort in the same area. My first visit was to the Aqua Marina Beach Hotel in the heart of Cancun.

Most people that look to travel to Cancun want to actually stay in Cancun and don't really consider the other parts such as Riviera Maya and Playa Carmen. I recommend the Riviera Maya and Playa Carmen unless you are single and early twenties as this is what Cancun attracts. Cancun has bars and lots of clubs and it is busy and very popular especially during spring break!

The reason I recommend the other two areas is because it's more laid back and more of a mature nature than how Cancun is. The resorts are very Americanised as for people travelling from the U.S it is the same as us travelling to Spain. The Caribbean is on their doorstep. Wherever you stay the beaches are sandy all the way along the coast and are as good as anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Mexico is for all ages and there is a wide choice of hotels to choose from depending on your budget. The two adult only hotels I have stayed at have been the best All Inclusive hotels I have stayed in ever. The service is out of this world let me tell you and if you like good quality and very high modern standards then these places are where you should stay as long as you have no kids of course.

My main reasons are that they are both beach front hotels, adult only, 24 hour room service, plenty of Al La Carte restaurants to choose from including French, Italian, Asian, Grill, Seafood and Chinese. The hotel serves premium branded drinks and cocktails at no extra cost. You will be served all day whether you are by the beach or around the pool. Both hotels also have great evening entertainment so you are never bored.

If you are looking to stay in Cancun and experience all the nightlife then all of the hotels run busses most nights to the various different clubs and bars. Coco Bongo's is the best club in town and has to be visited at least once. You will generally pay a fee of around $50USD to get in and then all the drinks will be free.

Playa Carmen also has a bit of nightlife but is slightly more low key as it is a smaller area, but there are lots of outdoor bars to choose from and some of them have great entertainment and live bands. The Blue parrot was one of my favourites.

If you are looking to take part in any excursions there are many on offer. You can visit the temples or you can go on snorkelling/diving trips or do the jungle tour across the swamps on a jet ski. Now that was my favourite and I highly recommend you do this.

There isn't too much in these resorts for shopping. In-fact I actually thought clothes etc were quite expensive and the best of the shopping I thought was at the airport on the way home.

Mexico is a destination I will go back to again.