11/06/2026
"I don't want to go to Cancun"
Lots of people don't go to Cancun, even if they fly into the Cancun airport. In fact, the bookings I do in Cancun probably makes up about 1/8 of the resort bookings I do in this region. The majority of the time, I book resorts in the Riviera Maya, anywhere within a roughly 90 mile stretch, just south of Cancun.
When you think of the city beaches of "Cancun," a lot of times, that is what's known as The Hotel Zone. It's a beautiful stretch of beach, but the resorts are mostly high rise. There are a lot of party resorts here, but there are a lot that aren't. Some of my prettiest pictures of the water come from this area.
As we head further south, though, we get into the more lush, tropical destinations. It's very common for those resorts to have tons of wildlife like monkeys, coati, and iguana roaming the property. Some of these regions are more rocky or prone to seaweed depending on the time of year. A number of resorts will operate off of undeveloped beaches to preserve their natural beauty. You'll be able to visit cenotes and wildlife preserves in this area. There are also a number of Mayan Ruins around.
This is a large and varied destination that shouldn't be skipped because of one city out of a number of towns dotting the coast line. That's like avoiding a region the size of the drive between Lake Charles and Baytown because of a preconceived notion of Houston. Flights from Houston to Cancun are short, and it's often more affordable to travel to an all inclusive in this region than it is to go to a beach resort in the US.
Ready to travel to an all-inclusive resort? Start here: tinyurl.com/tripinquirymarkie
Want to travel WITH me to the Riviera Maya? Join my trip planning group for details about my guided trip in November: Making Memories with Markie