- Palapas. On the beach, on the resort grounds. Those thatched-roof umbrellas are all over.
- The infinity pool at the resort
- The colorful fish I saw snorkeling on the reef. They weren’t timid and would swim right up to you.
- The swim up bar at the resort
- Boating through the mangroves
- Spotting a brown pelican perched on a stump
- The Ekinox – a rooftop bar with cool vibe and great views
- Margaritas on the rocks
- Our tour of Mercado 28, a local market in downtown Cancun
- The lovely view from my room
- Seeing a manta ray fly out of the ocean right in front of our boat
- Sampling local Yucatanian dishes like panuchos, conchinita pibil, salbutae and horchada
- Laying in a soul-sucking cabana bed as the gauzy white canopy and curtains billowed in the breeze. Heaven.
- The tastiest guacamole and chips at the buffet
- Hammocks. Lots of hammocks.
- Exploring a small Mayan temple ruin perched high above the ocean
- Everyone smiles and says hola.
- The spa massage lotion that made me smell like an orange grove and my skin feel like a baby’s bottom.
- Palm trees with clusters of green coconuts.
- The ceviche.
- The shower in my room with three, count ’em, three powerful shower heads.
- Aloe plants in every room. The perfect treatment for sunburn.
- Hospitality galore. The staff was lovely, friendly, and happy to please you.
And what I didn’t like so much:
- The squawking bird that sounded like a dying women’s call for help. It woke some guests during the night.
- How built up and touristy the Hotel Zone in Cancun is. I’m coining it the ‘Las Vegas of Mexico’.
- The sea of hawkers at the airport, trying to sell you rides and excursions.
- Having to wear two arm bands to distinguish me as an all-inclusive guest. Wish there was a better (less annoying and unattractive) way.
Note: My stay at the Cancun Caribe Park Royal Grand was part of a press trip hosted by Royal Holiday resorts and New Media Strategies, which means all of my expenses were covered. The opinions expressed here are my own.