Which Yucatan Destination Suits You?

Our family travel blogger, Erin Bender, loves Mexico, and after her third trip this year she’s ready to reveal which Yucatan destination will best suit you this winter. Whether you’re looking for food, nightlife, or nature, you’ll be ready to escape.

Winter is coming. So now’s the time to don a swimsuit and find a cheap flight to the warm Caribbean waters of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico. If that’s your plan this winter, then what more do you want in a vacation other than sunshine, swimming pools, and the sea? Are you looking to eat your way through Mexico? Perhaps you are keen to explore Mexico’s abundant nature? Or is it a good night out you are seeking? As a Mexico devotee, let me help you escape the snow, sleet, and drudgery of North America’s winter with these three delightful destinations.

Nightlife > Cancun

If your idea of a vacation includes late breakfasts, lounging by the pool, then heading for a fun night out, Cancun is the place for you. You can find bars and restaurants in the rowdy hotel zone offering an open bar for just $30 cover charge. Or explore the meandering back streets for live music in an authentic Mexican eatery.

Neither of those float your boat? Then consider spending a night at any number of bars or restaurants in an all-inclusive luxury resort. The upside is you’ll never be far from your suite.

Our pick: Live Aqua Cancun, an all-inclusive adults-only luxury hotel. It features modern rooms overlooking a gorgeous beach. And there’s not much better than a day at the beach. Except maybe a day in the pool, with a swim-up bar overlooking the beach. You’ll never have to leave thanks to a plethora of restaurants and bars onsite.

After a long night, take advantage of the on-site spa to assist your recovery. Spend an hour in the hydrotherapy pools before releasing all your tensions with a firm Swedish massage.

Tip: If you have kids, consider trying the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun. Their new kids’ club is going to be the best family hotspot in Cancun!

Foodie > Playa Del Carmen

Looking for the best Mexican cuisine in the region? Then head to Playa Del Carmen. The Live Aqua Boutique Resort serves up the best guacamole you’ll find in the Yucatan. Plus, you can enjoy it from the rooftop dining area, beside the pool. And don’t forget to try the quesadilla or the sushi bar. Watching sunset will never be the same with dinner up here.

This resort is located along the very popular Fifth Avenue, where you can find a wide range of excellent restaurants. For a complete list of places to eat, check out our food guide, but if you just want to know my favorite Mexican joint, then you can’t go past Los Aguachiles—best pork tacos in town! Once your belly is full, wobble over to the nearby shopping mall for a little retail therapy.

To get an even deeper taste of Mexico, consider a local cooking class or take a food tour through the streets of the delicious Playa Del Carmen. Gain insider knowledge and make your vacation last longer as you bring home your new-found recipes and cook up a storm.

Nature > Cozumel

As a popular cruise pit stop, many people don’t give Cozumel more than a few hours, but there is something richer hidden on this island. From the lush Mayan jungle to the abundant Caribbean sea life, you will need at least a few days.

The Explorean offers 56 bungalow rooms that feel immersed deep in the jungle, but are conveniently located on the beach. You can be eating your chilaquiles in the morning beside the pool, with the chirping Mayan jungle surrounding you. And then that afternoon, walk down to the beach to the sister hotel for a cocktail by the ocean.

From this location embark on jungle treks, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkeling, horseback riding, sailing, coral reefs, and hidden lagoons. Cozumel is home to amazing outdoor adventures waiting just for you.

I highly recommend hiring a “Mexican Ferrari” (a beat-up Volkswagen, usually without a roof) to drive your way around the island before hitting up the Caribbean beaches for pretty impressive snorkeling. Choose a snorkel tour that goes to Chankanaab National Park for a real treat at the Chankanaab Lagoon.

Or better yet, try your hand at scuba diving. San Francisco Reef offers the shallowest wall dive, with three separate reef stretches filled with marine life, including rays and sea turtles. Be prepared to crawl to the wall and peek over into the drop of nothingness.

Of course if you are on vacation to snorkel the Caribbean, eat fine food, and party the night away, then head to all three destinations for an extended vacation. After all, that’s how I would do it.

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