We just returned from celebrating our 18th anniversary in Playa Del Carmen. If you followed along on Instagram, you might have seen my stories while staying at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. If you missed them, they are saved under the highlights tab marked Travel.
Every time we go, I get asked questions about our favorite resorts, places to eat, and things to do. So, I wanted to do a short and sweet post sharing some of our faves and answer a few questions.
You guys travel to Mexico often. Why?
Well, we live in Texas, so it’s very easy to get to. You can get a direct flight and are there in 2 hours. We also like beach destinations and the water in Mexico is much prettier than that on the Texas coast. Plus, we enjoy the easy, relaxed vibe of Mexico.
Do you worry about safety when traveling to Mexico?
Of course we are always very careful. We book private transportation to/from the airport in lieu of taking a taxi. We have also been there enough, we know what areas we feel safe venturing to for off-site meals and activities. We use common sense when traveling, as everyone should and would never go somewhere without doing our research. I will also be honest, unless we are traveling with other couples or a group, many times we never leave our resort because we are content staying there the entire time and most hotels have plenty of dining and activity options on site.
What are some of your favorite resorts in Mexico?
Belmond Maroma– This place is probably my fave! The food is amazing, the beach is quiet and beautiful and it definitely has the authentic Mexico vibe going on. Last time we were here Connie Britton stayed next door, so if it’s good enough for Rayna lol….
Banyan Tree Mayakoba– Good food, good service and I love that each villa has a pool. There’s a beautiful golf course here too.
One and Only Palmilla– We stayed with friends in a villa here and loved it. The entire Palmilla area is top notch whether you book a room or home. This is also in a golf community and the restaurants here are good.
Grand Velas– It’s probably been about 7 years since we stayed here. The beach is nice and they have a ton of room options. We stayed in an oceanfront with a plunge pool, so beach access was super easy.
Esperanza– We stayed here with our children and had a great time. The ocean is not swimmable here but the pools are great and they have plenty of activities to keep everyone happy. We stayed in a poolside villa that was gorgeous but they have everything from casitas to suites to villas.
Unico 20 87 (you can read about our trip here)
Nizuc– I love the design aesthetic of this hotel! They call it a modern take on Mayan style.
Do you stay in all-inclusive hotels?
We have stayed in both. This is just my opinion and I am sure there are all-inclusive hotels with good service and good food, but I have noticed you definitely get far better service and food when it is not all-inclusive. Makes sense though right? I also have said before that coming from a city like Houston has made us food snobs, so I am never surprised when the food doesn’t impress us.
How do you book your private airport transfers?
We reach out to our resort and have them book it. The companies we have used through hotels in the past are MariturDMC and Lomas Travel.
Have you ever done a whale tour in Mexico?
Yes, but my family and friends will tell you I am NOT the one to ask about this. I have fears about stuff like this and only did it once in Mexico. I will not be doing it again. The ONLY way I would ever do a whale tour again would be in a HUGE boat.
Do you stay at adults-only resorts or kid-friendly ones?
We have done both. When we are on vacation without our kids, it does not bother me to stay at a resort that does allow children. With that being said, when traveling sans children, I probably would not stay at a resort geared towards families just out of personal preference.
A few suggestions when in Cabo….
Dining: Hands down Flora Farms. Everything about this place is awesome. Book reservations in advance!
Another fun spot to eat is The Office on the Beach. Great casual beach location. Fun to people watch and a good spot to take pics. Seared is also a super yummy steakhouse and is located at the One & Only Palmilla. It is a great place to dine if you’re celebrating something special or want a nice steak dinner.
ATV Tours: We did this with another couple and had a blast! You will get filthy but it was actually super fun and you stop at some great photo spots during the ride. There are a ton of options like half-day or full-day and different routes you can choose from.
*I have a love for Cabo and that might have to do with some of the places I like to visit when we are there. One thing I will forewarn you about is swimming in Cabo. Many Cabo resorts are located on the Pacific Ocean which has strong riptides. The undertow can be deadly, so many beaches are not swimmable. Make sure to do your research!
Next time, I will be sharing our experience at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba, so be sure to stop back by!