In our first trip to Cancun, we quickly learned that Cancun offers something for every traveler, whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure.
Beaches are paradise
We spent our first full day in Cancun lounging on the beach. I’ll never forget stepping on the soft, white sand and listening to the gentle waves. We sat under a cabana and sipped icy margaritas for hours, only venturing into the crystal clear water every now and then. Watching my husband impress our beach chair neighbors with his sandcastle creation while I read a novel in the shade was heaven.
Incredible snorkeling opportunities
Neither my husband nor I are very good snorkelers, but we still took a tour of the MUSA Underwater Museum. Floating above vibrant coral reefs, we marveled at tropical fish and whimsical statues that seemed surreal until they moved. I heard him laugh out loud underwater once when a school of fish darted right between us! It felt like we had discovered something secret; snorkeling was one of our favorite activities in the whole trip.
Luxurious spa treatments
We treated ourselves to a couples massage after three days in the sun. Our masseuses used ancient Mayan traditions and worked hot oil and aromatic herbal packs into our skin. As I lay listening to the waves, I almost fell asleep. We soaked up the sunset in the spa’s garden afterward, sipping hibiscus tea and feeling rejuvenated.
Adventure at Xcaret Park
We spent a whole day at Xcaret, a mega eco-theme park. Tubing through underground river caves was magical; surrounded by towering stalactites with aqua-blue water flowing beneath us. My husband was obsessed with jumping off of things on the rock-climbing course, while I fell in love with the butterfly sanctuary. The night show was full of lights, music, dancing and history that had us cheering for ages.
Delicious Mexican cuisine
We ventured outside of the resort zone one night and found this quaint restaurant in the heart of downtown. It was a tiny place, with colorful walls and the smell of homemade tortillas hanging in the air. My husband ordered cochinita pibil and tacos al pastor, while I opted for that mound of guacamole we both ended up putting on our plates. There was this sweet older lady that came out from the kitchen to say hello to us. When we told her the food was delicious, she beamed at us like we made her day.
Day trips to Cenotes
Swimming in a cenote had been a dream of mine for years. When we finally took the plunge, it was better than I could have imagined. We drove to Cenote Ik Kil, which is a giant sinkhole surrounded by jungle. My husband isn’t great with jumping off of cliffs, so he hung back timidly before taking the leap. Once he sank underwater, his face was the picture of happiness when he resurfaced. The cenotes are so clear and we spent hours swimming and playing in the water.
Sunset Catamaran Cruise
On our last night there, we booked a sunset catamaran cruise. As soon as we departed from shore and headed into the ocean, the sky transformed into pinks and oranges I’ve never seen. We clinked champagne glasses together and watched as the sun dipped below the water, listening to instrumental tunes. We sat there together in comfortable silence, taking in the beauty and thanking the universe for our wonderful trip.
