Paradise in Cancun

Swimming with the dolphins at Xcaret definitely tops the list. My mother, sister, and I all participated. It was everything I had hoped for, and we even got a DVD of our experience to show our relatives. The Underground River at Xcaret was also very memorable.

On our first night at the Moon Palace, we attended the evening theme show. The hosts were great. They got everyone involved. It was a blast.

The huge pools were fabulous, and the bartenders at the swim-up bars were so much fun.

We also went horseback riding at Rancho Loma Bonita. It was fun but rather painful. My sister and I were quite sore after. The horse my mother was riding decided to lie down and roll onto her leg (they do give you fair warning that the horses tend to do that once they reach the beach). Her whole calf swelled up. Next time, if there is one, she'll have to move quicker. Luckily, it happened on one of our last days.

You can also go on an ATV excursion there. I think we'll opt for the motorized transportation if we go there again.

Quick Tips:

At the Moon Palace, they include discounts and money vouchers with their Palace Passports to be used at the spa or golf course. They're tour desk can arrange any excursion, restaurant reservations, and many other services. A tip for Xcaret would be to hit the Underground River first. It starts to get crowded at 12pm or after.

Best Way To Get Around:

To get to the Hotel Zone, you can take the Moon Palace scheduled shuttles or enjoy the freedom of a taxi. Taxi rates to and from the Hotel Zone from the Moon Palace are set at one-way.

Best Things Nearby:
The best things nearby are the Hotel Zone, Xcaret, and Chichen-Itza. The Hotel Zone, which can be reached by a free shuttle provided by Moon Palace or by taxi, is full of things to do. There is plenty of shopping at many indoor/outdoor malls, including La Isla and Forum by the Sea.

If nightlife is your thing, you'll find plenty of it here, with great nightclubs, restaurants, and bars everywhere.

Xcaret is a spectacular ecological park south of Cancun. Most people book an excursion to this site through their hotel or online, which generally includes round-trip transportation and admission. This place is absoluetly amazing. You can relax on the pristine beaches under a palapa, swim with the dolphins, venture through the Underground River (a must-do activity), snorkel with tropical fish, or see many animals, such as pumas and manatees, in their natural habitat. The evening show is unbelievable. Stick around for it.

Chichen-Itza is the spectacular Mayan ruin with the famous Pyramid of Kukulkan. One word describes this place: amazing.

Best Things About the Resort:
The best things about this resort are the all-inclusive plan, the free excursions, the many restaurants and bars, the friendly and accommodating staff, all the activities, the entertainment, and the bar and Jacuzzi in the rooms.

Resort Experience:
This resort is fabulous. The rooms were well appointed and very clean. The shower is awesome. It has a marble bench to sit on, so it kind of doubles as a sauna. My favorite parts of the room included the fully stocked refrigerator full of water, soda, and beer (which is restocked every day), the bar that had four liquor dispensers (all drinks are part of the all-inclusive), and the two-person Jacuzzi. I also enjoyed the hammock on our terrace and the beautiful view of the ocean.

The huge interconnecting pools are incredible. I loved the swim-up bars. The all-inclusive plan covers all recreation, including bicycles, rollerblades, non-motorized water sports, billiards, basketball, tennis, the gyms, miniature golf, nightly theme shows, the club, and all food and drinks from their many bars and restaurants. You can also choose two free excursions, including round-trip transportation and admission to Chichen-Itza, Chichen-Itza Light & Sound, Xpu-Ha/Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Coba, or Ek-Balam/Valladolid. You can golf at the new Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf or pamper yourself at the Moon Spa (extra fee). For those with children, there's a kids club full of activities. You can also paint ceramics or have your hair braided. My family enjoyed lying by the pool painting clay candle holders. Another great thing is that the Palace Resorts have four properties in Cancun. Your all-inclusive plan extends to the other three resorts, so if you’re in the Hotel Cone, you can eat, drink, and play for free in any of Palace Resorts' properties.

The staff is great. We became friends with a diving instructor, some of the bartenders, and a hostess. They were really fun. I loved how they greeted us with champagne when we arrived. This place is just simply incredible.

• Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
• Activities: Excellent
• Amenities: Excellent
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

Xcaret is paradise. It's truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen in my life. And the activities are phenomenal. Where else in the world can you float through an underground river, swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish, relax on the beach, see a variety of animals in their natural habitat, or view an awesome 2-hour show that sends you back 3,000 years to the ancient Mayan times? Nowhere but Xcaret. It is an absolutely magnificent experience that no one should miss.

We took a horseback riding tour at Rancho Loma Bonita. Needless to say, it didn't live up to my expectations. You travel in a caravan of about 50 horses on a dirt road surrounded by tall shrubs for the majority of the trip. The guides speak very little English, so be prepared to remain silent for the 30 minutes after you've mounted your horse. Finally, you reach the beach, which would be quite nice if you didn't have ATVs racing all around you (Rancho Loma Bonita also provides ATV tours).

Here, you can either choose to rest and grab a drink or go galloping on the beach with the other experienced riders. Another neat activity is when they lead your horse into the water with you. Bring a swimsuit. Also, be careful. These horses like to roll over and lie in the sand without warning to cool off (they do warn you about this). My mother's horse did this, and she wasn't able to swing her leg around in time because her foot was caught in the stirrup. The horse landed right on her leg, causing it to really swell. All three of us took an ATV back so we could get back to the hotel. When you return, they have a meal waiting for you.

All in all, it was just a very disappointing experience. Maybe we'll try the ATVs next time.