2 weeks in the Mayan Riviera

Best Things Nearby:
The bus cost 60 cents or (6 pesos) and stops right across the street from the resort. You can also walk to the bars and restaurants ,which is just a 10 minute walk to the Rain Forest Cafe, Senor Frogs, and many other night clubs and restaurants.

Best Things About the Resort:
Location, location, location. This resort is in the best part of the Hotel Zone.

Resort Experience:
Very busy, loud, and the resort staff tries to keep things going through out the day with activities by the pool from 11am on. Water volleyball, drinking games, etc. Nice dark blue cushioned lounge chairs that face the pool or ocean. Recommend reserving one with a pool towel early in the morning. Grounds are very well kept. Beach is small due to weather elements but still nice white, sugary sand. Water is warm, clear, and blue. Perfect relaxation. Hint: drinks are very weak, but if you throw them a $1 or $2, you will find they treat you better.

• Unit Type: Studio
• Activities: Very Good
• Amenities: Very Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Very Good
• Service: Excellent

This was the first time my husband and I did an All-inclusive resort. I must say the food was not that great. The same old bland food and some made us both sick. We were not the only people who got sick after talking to several couples. There are a few restaurants to choose from, but they all close down at night and there is one buffet offered outside with a show. There is an italian restaurant, which you need a reservation for and was quite good. Unfortunately limited seating and very hard to get a reservation. On a scale of 1-10 the food at the Royal Sunset was a three.

After a week in Cancun, we rented a car and stayed a week in Akumal, a small town two hours away. We stayed at the Las Villas Akumal, a new privately owned condo which was perfect for unwinding after a crazy week in Cancun. The beaches are big and pretty much deserted. We visited three archaelogical sites - Coba, dating back 200 BC, Tulum (only ruin located on the ocean) and Chichen Itza, 200 BC-800 AD, the best preserved and most dramatic. A must see.

We snorkeled at Xel-ha (shell-ha), a natural lagoon with tropical fish. I saw a Loggerhead Turtle and a barracuda (don't wear shiny jewelry). We took a tour (you can arrange through your resort or go into downtown Tulum) of the Sian Kaan Biosphere, which is a 1.3 million acre reserve of wetlands, mangroves, and ancient ruins. Yes, there were crocodiles but they are nocturnal. Lots to do or nothing at all.

I would highly recommend this area for a honeymoon or just a getaway. But don't tell anyone else about it. We want to keep it a secret for ourselves.