Sun, Rum and Drums

It's back! After way too long, the LoveLand & Sea Travel Blog returns with a special guest blogger, Sara Gentry.

Sun, Rum and Drums

“We’re doing this!” My sister Beth and travel agent extraordinaire exclaimed. We had toyed with the idea of taking a trip together and we decided this Summer was the perfect opportunity to get away and reconnect.

Arriving at Sangster International Airport for the first time could have been overwhelming as it seemed like everyone who would be visiting the small island that week arrived at the same time. Tourists walked through the winding airport in unified patterns like schools of fish eagerly looking for customs only to be met with a 2-hour line. Lucky for me, I was with my travel guru sister who knew to book the Club Mobay VIP arrival. We were greeted by a personal guide who whisked us past the schools of fish to a private VIP line; to our elation, there were only five or six people in line ahead of us. Once through the gates we were ushered to the Mobay VIP Club where tea sandwiches, rum punches and a private bathroom awaited us.

Our luggage was collected and we followed it outside to the line of buses waiting to take us to our respective resorts. I was warned ahead of time that the bus ride would be a little nerve racking and looking back, I think that is why you are greeted with complimentary alcohol before boarding the shuttle. Long story short, the bus ride was a bonding experience between all aboard. Goats on the side of the road became mere blurs as we flew down the highway. I found myself strategically sipping my Red Stripe in-between swerves and break checks to try and calm my nerves.

We arrived to Couples Tower Isle to the sound of drums greeting us from the open and breezy lobby. The rum punch was flowing as couples checked in and Beth explained to the inquisitive staff our relationship.  As its name might suggest, Couples Tower Isle or CTI as it is known, is a couples only resort and we were bending the rules in the name of research so Beth could share her personal experiences with her clients.

It took me a couple of days to understand what all-Inclusive really meant. And since our trip I’ve learned it means different things to different people. To my sister it meant a fully stocked mini bar and room service every morning. Beth went through the list of alcohol we would be requesting for our stay. “Do we really need an entire bottle of Appleton Rum?” I asked her with worried eyes as she continued to check off more boxes. Red wine-check. White wine-check. Champagne-check. My more experienced travel buddy looked up from the form and said. “The point of an all-inclusive is to indulge.” And with that, I decided to try it her way for the week.

Beth introduced me to her morning routine which consisted of a first and second breakfast. Each morning room service brought fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, and mimosas. Around 9am we donned our swimsuits and cover ups and headed to second breakfast held at the buffet next to the hotel lobby.  I’ve never been a big breakfast person, lunch is more my speed, so in addition to two breakfasts we were also going to need to fit in two lunches for my sake. One of the best features of CTI is that food is always available, if not at the buffet, at the resort grille which is open all night (second dinner.) A healthy alternative to the grille is a vegetarian café tucked away near one of the two pools. I can still taste the lightly salted seaweed chips and dip. Some of my favorite first lunch snacks came from that café and It was there I was able to achieve my life-long dream of drinking coconut milk straight from the coconut.  I was a true tourist after that and would have no more qualms about over indulging.

 Every day we had a few hours until second lunch so we filled it with drinking at the swim up pool bar, complimentary snorkeling, paddle boarding and my favorite excursion, a catamaran trip around the island. The boat ride itself was memorable but once they dropped the anchor, life vests were distributed and we were able to jump into the ocean and swim while inflatable trays of rum punches made their way around the group. My sisters made me watch Jaws with them at a very young age and because of that I still have a strong inclination to stay out of the ocean, however, this was one of those moments where I would have to indulge, and this time, in adventure. To my surprise and great relief, I was not eaten by a shark after all and would be able to enjoy the dance party on deck all the way back to the hotel.

I was also a fan of laying out on the private beach under the white canopy shade and reading while nearby couples held hands in the sun. Local tents overflowing with souvenirs lined the beach.  “No pressure, no pressure,” they would say, as I looked at tiny wooden cat trinkets and beaded jewelry.  I had my eye on a red coral necklace and would visit it every day after laying out. After heated negotiations the vendor and I decided on a price we were both unhappy with, which is a sign of successful negotiations I’m told. It broke in my luggage on the way home, but I did get to wear it one evening to dinner.

Most evenings began with a quick selfie photoshoot in our ocean view room followed by cocktail hour and dinner. Up until this point in the day, the fact that my sister and I were not a couple was not at all awkward. However, once the sun set and the candles were lit, the intentions of the Island shift and the romance is palpable. Never the less, we always had the amazing cuisine to look forward to.  Walking into Eight Rivers I felt like we were celebrating a special occasion. I couldn’t believe this dinner was included in our vacation package. We each wore the most formal dress we packed and sat down for our romantic dinner; the object of our affection, our entrees. For a seafood lover in Jamaica, the world is your oyster (pun completely intended) and in a true all-inclusive fashion I ate the equivalent of shrimp Forrest Gump and Lieutenant Dan catch after the storm.

I left Jamaica with a tan and a new appreciation for Island life. Although the tan will eventually fade, the memories I made act as a reminder to indulge in life once and while.

Sara Gentry

For Jamaica booking info visit www.lovelandandsea.com

Resort Review - Couples Tower Isle, Ocho Rios Jamaica

Resort Review - Couples Tower Isle, Ocho Rios Jamaica

Last month I had the opportunity to visit one of my top honeymoon resorts in Jamaica. I have always loved the Couples Resorts chain and this visit reminded me why.

From the moment I stepped into the lobby I felt life's stresses melt away. The bellman, Byron, was welcoming and friendly with a smile that never stopped. The front desk staff checked me in quickly and efficiently and was soon escorted to a beautiful room with an incredible ocean view.

The room was bright and simple with a large balcony and typical amenities. What was not typical was the mini bar. This was no "mini" set up. Couples resorts offers full sized bottles of liquors and wine with options to customize based on each guest's preference. Best of all, this is included in the all-inclusive price!

The Food
Couples Tower Isle offers six unique restaurants with delicious food! There will be more about that in the next blog post (written by a special guest blogger). I will mention now that vegetarians need not worry. The buffet always had vegetarian choices in addition to a wonderful salad bar and soup options. The pool grill that is open late night and offers a very tasty veggie burger and the Veggie Bar offers healthy vegetarian food (and food for omnivores) plus smoothies and juices.

The Inclusions
Perhaps the best thing about Couples Resorts is that everything is included. More so than most other all-inclusive resorts. Everything from non-motorized water sports, entertainment, food, drinks, gratuities and even off-property excursions. You can go on a Catamaran Cruise (so much fun!), visit Dunn's River Falls, take a shopping shuttle, shuttle to Margaritaville, glassbottom boat ride and go snorkeling or SCUBA. This is all part of the all-inclusive package!

The Beach
The beach here is much smaller than Couples Negril or Couples Swept Away but it was clean, and has swimmable water. The resort itself is small, so having a small beach was never a problem. There were always some available chairs.

The Pools
The main pool has a quiet atmosphere and waterfall. Perfect for lounging and relaxing. The swim up bar pool has a much more lively atmosphere. If you want to listen to upbeat music, play games and socialize this is the place!

Entertainment
Every night there is something going on at Couples Tower Isle. I loved the martini night on the roof, sing-a-long at the piano bar and live music at the pool and beach.

This is a fantastic resort for romance where you can do everything or do nothing. For booking information visit www.lovelandandsea.com

Tour Review - Xenotes Tour Cancun Mexico

I first experienced a cenote last June when I stayed at Sandos Caracol in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The resort conveniently has one of these natural sink holes on site and allows guests to swim and explore it. I found it intriguing and refreshing and when I returned to Mexico in September I decided to check out some more of the Yucatan cenotes.

A cenote is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath. There are several different types of cenotes. I was able to experience an open cenote, cave cenote and semi open cenote on this tour.

The Xenotes Tour bus arrived at my hotel right on time at 9:00 am. The driver, and our tour guide, Ismael, came out to greet me and my traveling companion. He was friendly and enthusiastic and I could tell that this would be a fun experience.

There were already a few people in the bus and we headed out to pick up a few more. In total we had about 15 people in our group. Ismael named us "The Iguanas" and gave us a quick overview of the day ahead in both English and Spanish.

The bus was air-conditioned and comfortable, until the "Mayan Massage" began. It sounds delightful, but is actually what our guide called the constant and intense bumps we experienced on the back roads that led to the cenotes.  Anyone with back problems or issues with a very rough and bumpy ride would find this quite unpleasant.

As we approached the first cenote, K'áak´, I saw a zip line that ran across. I immediately got excited and wanted to get in. Ismael, and our photographer, Jamie, took us to a shelter area with restrooms, showers and some picnic tables. Its important not to disturb the natural waters so we were all instructed to shower in order to remove any bug sprays, sunscreens, soaps and shampoo residue before getting in.

Next we grabbed our life jackets and formed a circle. It was time to ask the Alux for permission to enter the sacred waters. Once our chant was finished we lined up and took turns zip lining and dropping into the green water of this open cenote. The water was cool and refreshing and after the initial jump I allowed myself to just float quietly and take in my surroundings.

When we got out of the water we were treated to coffee, teas, fruit and snacks before heading to our next stop, the cave cenote guarded by Lu'um. This was bar far the most enchanting. When we arrived we were fitted with our rappelling gear, which included a harness and helmet before climbing up a steep set of stairs to a wooden platform built around the trees.























We were attached to our ropes and led down into the cave. The water here was the coldest. It was also the most beautiful. The water was a deep blue and there was a small amount of sunlight that shone in through the top. To my delight there were bats all over the walls, and there were tree roots that extended from the opening of the cenote all the way down into the water. It was incredible to be immersed in something so natural.

The next cenote was open and river-like. We all got into kayaks and floated down the water, surrounded by high rock formations. It was calm and peaceful. We followed that with snorkeling in another section of the cenote. There's not much to see in the water, but it was still a fun experience.

Lunch was great. As a vegetarian I was a little limited, but there was salad, a vegetable mix, bread and cheese. There was also lunch meat, soup and pasta salad. Wine and beer was provided, along with bottled water.

The final cenote was Lik, the wind cenote. This had two different options for zip lining. You could hang from a bar or use the sling. There was also a fantastic cliff that we were able to jump from into the water (That was my favorite).

This was an incredible introduction to several different types of cenotes in Mexico. I highly recommend the company, Xenotes Oasis Maya. The tour guides were professional and entertaining and I felt completely safe the entire time.

Interested in booking this tour? Visit LoveLandandSea.com for more information.

Table for One - Part 2

Table for One  - Part 2


I guess it's really not fair to say that I would be alone in Mexico for the next seven days, I was meeting up with other travel agents during the middle of my trip. They were however, still strangers and this type of travel was still very new to me.

Since I was staying in the preferred club room at Now Sapphire, I was able to check in at the preferred club lounge. As I sat down to check in the bartender came over and offered to make me a drink. Even though it wasn't quite noon in Mexico, it was in Cincinnati, so I decided to go ahead and have a piña colada.

Check in was easy. I left my bags with the bellhop and decided to explore the resort. I walked around and took pictures for a little while, and I looked at all of the couples, friends, and families enjoying the beach and pools. Still, I didn't feel alone or lonely I was feeling a rush of excitement just being at the resort.

I decided it was time to have some lunch and found a casual beach side grille called Blue Water. I walked up to the hostess and said "table for one." 

I was seated outside at a table overlooking the ocean. There was a gentle breeze and clear sky that day.  The waiter took my order and brought out chips and guacamole. I was never a fan of guacamole before traveling to Mexico and now I will admit I'm a bit obsessed.

As I was sitting at the table waiting for my food I stared out into the ocean. All I could hear was the sound of the waves, and the seagulls flying around. Two blackbirds landed on the table next to me looking for leftover scraps. For a few minutes I watched them fighting over spilled tortilla chips and chasing each other around. I could feel the smile forming on my face. This was awesome. 

It's amazing the things that you notice and the things that you appreciate when you are left with only your thoughts for a while. A few minutes before my food came some of the other tables filled with families and couples. I observed them talking and laughing and sharing stories, but no one was staring out into the ocean, listening to the waves, or watching the birds.

After lunch I met with the sales manager for a tour of the property and checked into my room. I was delighted to find a special Champagne gift in my room, and giggled a little when I saw two champagne glasses for "Mr. and Mrs."

After changing into my swimsuit and cover-up, I walked down to the beach bar. On my way I ran into Steve and Mary from my flight. We chatted for a bit and it felt good to see familiar faces.

I really liked the beach bar. Instead of bar stools there were swings made from rope and wood. Being as short as I am I'm sure it looked somewhat comical to see me trying to get on to the swing. Once I was situated, however, it was so comfortable and relaxing I could've stayed there all night.

There were four guests sitting at the bar who I started a conversation with. There was a husband and wife, their adult daughter and friend. They insisted I do a shot with them, and even though I'm not a shot drinker I obliged. I sat there for a while chatting with them, and tried a couple more drinks they suggested. 

They told me they would be at the nightclub that evening and that I should stop by and party with them. I declined since I was getting up so early the next morning, but it was nice knowing how easily I was connecting with people.

Such a fun group!

They were right, this was delicious! 

That night I dressed up for dinner, and chose the Mediterranean restaurant, Cibu.  I did get a strange look when I told the hostess it was just me, but I didn't let it bother me. As I sat down at my table by the window I looked around the room and saw several couples having romantic dinners and a few groups as well. For a split second I felt lonely, but I brushed it off and decided that I was going to enjoy my dinner. I ordered wine, a bruschetta appetizer and a vegetarian lasagna. All of the food was incredible. I was so glad that I decided to go dine at this restaurant instead of choosing the casual beach grill or room service.

After dinner I was walking through the lobby bar and ran into the group from the beach bar. They introduced me to some of their other friends that they were traveling with. It was nice to have this sense of friendship when I was traveling alone. 

As much as I wanted to continue to socialize I knew I needed to get to sleep. The next morning I would be crossing an item off of my bucket list that I had been looking forward to for years. I would swim with whale sharks. 

The whale shark tour was incredible.  That alone was worth the trip to Mexico. When I returned to the resort I met with my driver who would take me to my next destination. 

Sandos Playacar is a large resort with an amazing beach, but I didn't get to explore it quite yet. I was already running late to meet with the other travel agents for dinner. We were to meet in the lobby area at 6:15 PM. I had no idea who I was looking for or if I was even in the right place. Finally, around 6:25 PM I saw a woman wearing a name badge that identified her as part of the group. We eventually found the others and headed to the Mexican restaurant at the resort. 

The best part about this group was that no one knew each other. I have been to several meetings and dinners before with other agents who all worked together or knew each other already and it was always a little awkward to be the one in the group that no one knows. That night, we were all in the same boat. 

After our group had dinner and attended the Madonna show we went our separate ways. I settled into my room and fell asleep quickly. 

The next morning I woke up early and decided to walk the beach. There's nothing like being one of the first people on the beach in the morning. It's the most peaceful and magical feelings. I took a few pictures of the sun rising and stared into the ocean for a few moments. This was another one of those moments when I was really glad to be alone.

One thing I really like about Sandos Playacar is the long stretch of beach.  I started walking away from the resort with nothing but beach and ocean in sight. I was fortunate enough to pass a morning jogger, who gladly took this photo for me.

On my way to breakfast I passed Jorge,  (a resident iguana that I named the night before), and a couple who I had met briefly while leaving the Madonna show. I had only been at the resort for 12 hours and already felt at home.

Jorge

Breakfast was easy to do solo, and I noticed there were quite a few people eating alone that morning. I got a seat by the window and felt a nice breeze while I enjoyed my coffee.

Amazing latte at Sandos Playacar

Table For One

Solo Travel - Part 1 


I’ve never been the type of person who was comfortable going out solo. Sure, I liked my alone time and had no issues running errands alone, shopping or just spending a quiet evening at home.  But eating at a restaurant by myself, seeing a movie and certainly traveling alone was out of my comfort zone.
I often felt envious of the people who had the confidence to travel alone and I couldn’t have imagined becoming one of those people. In late June this year everything changed.

I received an email about a travel agent opportunity in Mexico. It involved touring three resorts and meeting several contacts at a popular resort chain that I have sent many clients to. It was the perfect opportunity to increase my knowledge, meet face-to-face with the hotel staff and see the new accommodations that one of the resorts recently built.

This was an agent-only trip, which meant no guests allowed. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity so I pushed past my comfort zone and confirmed my participation.

I had some concerns about traveling alone which I think anyone would have. I knew that I needed to be aware of my surroundings at all times. I made sure not to flash money and I didn’t wear expensive jewelry. I learned as much Spanish as I could in the month that I had to prepare and made sure that my transportation and accommodations were pre-arranged and confirmed. 

My stomach filled with butterflies as I wheeled my luggage through the automatic doors of the CVG Airport and down the hall to the Frontier counter. I waited a short time for my turn, then answered matter-of-factly when the agent asked, “Is it just you?”

After checking my luggage it was time for the security line. There’s nothing pleasant about airport security but the process was fast and I didn’t have to wait around for a traveling companion. 

I always arrive to the airport early. I would much rather spend extra time relaxing and reading than panicking and running to the gate. So, just as any other trip, I had a lot of time to spare. I went to Starbucks and ordered a latte, and leisurely walked down to my gate.

When I got there I plugged in my phone to charge and started reading one of the travel magazines I brought with me. There was a group of young travelers nearby and I couldn’t help but overhear their conversations. They were likely in their early twenties and they were all wearing matching T-shirts announcing their “Cancun Summer Vacation 2015.”


Right before boarding I witnessed this group attempting to use a selfie-stick to take a group photo. Even with the stick fully extended they still couldn’t quite fit the whole bunch into the frame so I offered to snap a few photos. As we all boarded the plane together I felt like a temporary member of the “Cancun Summer Vacation 2015 group.”

I love direct flights. Three hours later we were in Cancun. It was sunny and 80 degrees. The airport is was easy to navigate and since we arrived so early in the day it was not yet crowded. I waited a short time in the customs line after grabbing my checked luggage. I was one of the lucky ones and they pulled my bag aside to go through it by hand. Having it organized and having my smaller items all in clear plastic bags was extremely helpful.

Once I got my bag back I headed to the restroom. Typically I would ask my traveling partner to watch my bags while I went in, but this time I was on my own. I fumbled around a bit trying to navigate the small entry way and even smaller amount of space I had to fit my checked bag, carry-on bag and large purse… but I made it work and as strange as it may sound, I felt a sense of accomplishment. I also decided that I should learn to travel lighter. I heeded the sign in at the sink that read, “Water not suitable for drinking,” and opted to use some hand sanitizer after washing my hands just in case.

It was time to meet up with my transfer. I booked with AmStar, www.amstardmc.com  who I highly recommend. I quickly walked past the “Time Share” area of the airport (as I always tell my clients to do) and went straight outside where I found a nice gentleman holding a sign with my name. He called his co-worker over to assist me.

Rafael was a cute twenty-something charmer with a huge smile. He told me not to wait in the transfer line, that he would assist me personally. We talked back and forth and he helped me practice my Spanish for about ten minutes while we waited for my van to come. When the driver came out, Rafael introduced me and sent me on my way, ending our conversation with, “Enjoy Cancun, bonita pelirroja.”

The driver said we had a couple joining us before we headed out to the resort. They arrived a few minutes later and we left the airport. I struck up a friendly conversation with them, learning that they had been on my flight too, were from Cincinnati and their names were Steve and Mary. We had a nice talk and they took my business card to keep in touch after the trip. As we pulled up to my resort, Now Sapphire, it started to sink in. I was in Mexico… alone for the next seven days...

Now Sapphire - Riviera Maya Mexico

Resort Review - Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience

Sandos Cancun

From the moment I stepped into Sandos Cancun I knew there was something special about it. It had the perfect combination of luxury, style and service all in a boutique hotel. The small size allowed for the staff to fully engage with their guests and provide a level of service that went above and beyond. The hotel was charming and had a great spot on the beach.

Although the property is small the outdoor area had plenty going on. There are three pools, all kept at different temperatures with one serving as the activities pool. I saw several guests enjoying the water aerobics while several others were happy to relax in the pool side cabanas.

The beach is soft and sandy and the water is several shades of blue. The waves roll in gently and the beach is very swim-able. The seaweed has been a problem in the entire Cancun area this year and is somewhat unavoidable. Some resorts seem to do better at clearing it than others, and Sandos was great. Workers were out from very early in the morning all through the day cleaning up the beach and keeping it looking great for us.

Dining
The food was some of the best I've had in Cancun. The resort offers a Teppanyaki restaurant with talented cooks and amazing flavors. It's small, intimate and perfect for group of friends or romantic date. My favorite place, however, was Seasons. This Molecular Cuisine was incredible. I'm still dreaming of the Corn Cappuccino soup. Zango, the main dining room had a fantastic buffet for breakfast,  lunch and dinner. The desserts alone were worth multiple visits! St. Trop was a cute outdoor restaurant with a pizza oven and view of the pools and beach.  The margarita pizza was amazing!

Bars & Nightlife
The main bar, Bar One was a modern, upscale piano bar by day and more of a night club by night. I stopped in during Karaoke night which drew in a small crowd but had much left to be desired. I would have liked to have had a bigger selection of songs to choose from and some more enthusiasm from the host. They also offered live music here different nights of the week. It's not a "party hotel" for sure though, so be prepared for more of a mellow evening. The good news is that this is Cancun. Nightlife is all around this area so  party animals can take a quick cab ride into town and find dance clubs nearby.

Accommodations
The rooms here are upscale and spacious. I had a room facing the pools and beach which was nice. The other side of the hotel offers rooms with a Lagoon view. This is great if you want to see some beautiful sunsets. The rooms all offered room service, and I found that they were prompt and the food was fresh and tasty! The bed was comfortable, water pressure and temperature was fine and overall the hotel was quiet at night. My TV wasn't working the first night I tried to use it and a maintenance person came within 5 minutes of my call and fixed it right away.

Spa
I was able to sample some spa treatments when I was there and I was very impressed. The massage I got was great, as was the sauna, steam room and water therapy rooms. It's a little pricey but worth it if you want to truly relax and be pampered.

Weddings
I didn't see a wedding while I was there but I did see the beautiful space they offer for weddings and receptions. They really cater to brides and grooms and I will be recommending this location to my destination wedding clients.

This is a great resort if you want upscale accommodations, fantastic service and incredible food. I do think that if I had been here for a full seven  nights I would have gotten a bit bored and would find the need to venture off the property. The great thing is that you have exchange privileges with the sister properties Sandos Caracol and Sandos Playacar, so check those out if you have a longer stay!

If you want a luxury experience with top-notch service, gourmet food and a boutique style hotel then Sandos Cancun Luxury experience is for you!

For booking details visit www.LoveLandandSea.com 

Resort Review - Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Sandos Caracol, in Playacar, Mexico is a wonderfully unique place. A few weeks ago I was able to stay there and take a tour of this beautiful all-inclusive eco resort. I instantly fell in love.

This is such a multi-dimensional place and each aspect comes together in perfect harmony. The best way to explain what they offer is just breaking it down.

Accommodations

Sandos Caracol offers a Family Section, Adults-Only Select Club and The Royal Elite Section. I stayed in the Select Club and was very happy. My room  was located near the main lobby and also close to the Select Club pool and reception area. The Select Club has a private restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and became one of my favorite spots (more on that later).

The Royal Elite rooms offer a close proximity to the beach and pool, as well as VIP service and a private restaurant.

Family Suites are sprinkled in the middle section so again, be prepared to walk a little bit to reach the beach and main pool. There are golf cart shuttles that come around and will take you across the resort if needed, so it's not a big deal to be further back on the property. Plus, the grounds are so beautiful the walk is enjoyable!

Pools & Beach 

The adults-only pool was quiet, calm and relaxing. Very nice for couples on a honeymoon. The only downside is that these rooms are a little walk from the beach area and the main entertainment plaza.

The main pool was located near the beach and that's where you will find the activities, water sports and nearby dining options.

The beach has gentle waves, not as much seaweed as several other resorts in the area this time of year and is only rocky on one side. If you walk the beach you will find the perfect spot to walk in!

There is an adults only section and Royal Elite section on the beach too, which offers some exclusivity.

Dining 

There were plenty of places to eat at Sandos Caracol. From an international buffet, to Italian and Mexican buffets there were plenty of choices. In addition, the A La Carte options were amazing. My favorite was the vegetarian restaurant, called Salvia. They have recently been discussing more vegan options there too which is very exciting!

Other dining options were with Teppanyaki, Brazilian, Mediterranean, Italian and a Steak & Fish place. I didn't have anything bad to eat the whole time. I will also mention that in the past I have been to all-inclusive resorts where the desserts look beautiful but have no taste.. not true here. They were all amazing. I think it may have to do with everything being made on site.

There is also a snack place open 24 hours so there is always something to eat. I didn't try the food there (except one evening when I grabbed a quick ice cream cone)!

 The bars were all great. They have a list of drinks they can make for you as resort specialties, but they are skilled bartenders and will make any other drink you request as well. I was very impressed with the bar service and quality of the drinks.

Activities/Entertainment

This is where Sandos Caracol really excels. Sure, there are plenty of resorts in the Riviera Maya. They all offer entertainment, water sports, land sports, etc. What you get at Sandos Caracol is that - plus MUCH more. They are called an Eco Resort for a reason.

Wildlife

Walking around you can spot several types of birds, turtles, coatis, iguanas all over, racoons and spider monkeys. The best part of my trip was when I was eating breakfast at the Select Club and four spider monkeys came down from the trees to grab bananas. They were hanging around eating their breakfast while everyone took pictures. They had no fear of us, but kept their distance too. It was such an amazing experience to be so close to nature.

I was very impressed that the resort respects nature and wildlife and leaves the animals alone in their natural habitat.

Nature

This place was built around the jungle. They didn't knock everything down to make room for the resort. Instead, they built around cenotes, trees, Mayan ruins and lagoons.

Our guide showed us different trees and explained the stories that the Mayas told about them. He also showed us the ruins that are on site and did a sensory experience with our group that was really cool.

What makes this place so unique is that you can explore the jungle (on foot or on provided bikes), swim in a cenote, view wildlife, get immersed in Mayan history and culture, yet still have all of the comforts and benefits of an all-inclusive beach resort at the same time.

Culture

The resort has entertainment every night and a huge focus is the Mayan culture. You can watch fire shows and ceremonies and participate in a survival game too. It's great for the whole family. For something romantic, couples can take a private boat ride in the Jade river.

Kids

For kids, there is a nice water park with slides and pools as well as a kids program with a full schedule each day to keep kids busy and happy the whole trip.

I'm already planning my next trip back. I will be recommending Sandos Caracol to my clients for sure! For more photos visit facebook.com/LoveLandandSea

For booking info contact beth@lovelandandsea.com

Resort Review - Sandos Playacar - Mexico

Sandos Playacar Beach Experience -  Mexico


A couple weeks ago I was able to tour and stay at all three of the Sandos resorts in the Cancun area. The first one I stayed at was Sandos Playacar Beach Resort. It's all in the name. this is a true beach experience. This resort had a fantastic long stretch of sandy white beach with clear water and gentle waves rolling in.

Cancun beaches typically have a lot of sea grass this time of year, and this year in particular it's been pretty bad. Sandos was on top of it! They worked hard day and night keeping it cleaned up. What I liked most about this beach is that it was truly walk-able. The resort sits at the end of the strip of hotels in this area,  so I was able to take a very long walk down nothing but beach.

Large Beach Area

Sunrise 

The resort is only a few miles to Playa del Carmen, where you will find fifth avenue, a charming street with shops and restaurants. A short cab ride will take you right there. For those wanting to stay inside the resort for their stay, there's no need to worry about running out of things to do.

Beach at Sandos Playacar

Dining

I arrived at the resort just in time for dinner. Our group met at Riviera Maya, the Mexican restaurant at Sandos Playacar. This restaurant provided authentic Mexican dishes with seafood options. I only had dessert here but everyone at the table seemed very happy with their dishes.

The next night I had an amazing Vegetarian Lasagna from the Italian Restaurant, El Pimonte. I could have eaten 10 more (although the serving size was quite big) it was just that good.

In addition to Italian and Mexican dining options Sandos Playacar offers Asiana, with oriental cuisine, Blue Moon, a casual beach side sandwich shop, El Gaucho (steak house), Fogo de Janeiro (Brazilian), Iztapalapa for Mediterranean specialties, Le Gourmet (French) and the International Buffet. For those staying in the Sandos Select rooms, there is an additional breakfast buffet located in the Select Club. The newest restaurant is Chayita Mexican Grill. I had lunch here on  my second day and it was set up just like Chipotle. I had a burrito bowl and it was fantastic. The hot salsa was a little hotter than Chipotle's so keep that in mind. Sandos Playacar also offers 24 hour room service.

Chayita Mexican Grill

One of my favorite spots at this resort was the Cupcake Cafe. This cute little shop was full of pastries, gourmet cupcakes and coffee drinks. For travelers who need their morning latte or afternoon frap this place is heaven. The best part, of course, is that it's all included. No additional costs for any of the dining here.

There was so much to do here. I would have needed several more days to experience it all. From beach activities like  snorkeling, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing to land sports (Biking, walking, billiards, ping-pong, chess, tennis, mini golf) There was something for everyone. Teens will especially love this place. The teens area offered plenty of activities and the entertainment team here is top notch!

I was able to see the Madonna show and it was fantastic. A tribute to all of her music with fun dancing and great visual effects.

Fantastic Entertainment

If you are traveling as a couple I highly recommend the Select Club. Access to the adults-only pool and beach area is a huge benefit, along with private check in. Families will love this whole property. There is so much to do for kids and teens (not to mention the adults) that everyone will be happy! The Royal Elite Haciendas on this property are ideal for large families who want VIP treatment and a semi-private pool.

I also found this to be a great place for weddings. Brides and grooms are able to choose from a beautiful garden location or a breathtaking beach spot. There are plenty of benefits to having a destination wedding here too, including a current special where you can get a free room when you book 7 rooms.

Garden area for weddings

I will be recommending this resort to my travel clients for sure and I will be back here in the future! For more details or a quote contact beth@lovelandandsea.com. For a full album of photos check out my Facebook page