All-inclusive resorts and sunny beaches are just a short, nonstop flight away.

When was the last time you turned off your phone, closed your laptop, and spent some quality time lounging on the beach?

If it’s been a minute, let’s chat about why you should consider Cancun and Riviera Maya as your next vacation destination.

Soak up the sun in Cancun.

The hotel and resort options are endless.

Cancun and Riviera Maya (including areas like Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, and the island of Cozumel) are among the most visited tourist regions in Mexico and boast over 120,000 hotel rooms. Whether you’re interested in simple overnight accommodations or want to splurge on a massive, luxury all-inclusive resort on the beach, you’ll find it.

Pork tacos, anyone?

It can be overwhelming to decide where to go and where to stay. One thing I’d recommend as you begin your trip planning is to hop on TripAdvisor and check out the things you’d like to see and do. Save them as you go, and then view them all on a map. If the majority of things you’d like to see are near Tulum, stay there.

These boats are ready to head out from the beach in Cancun.

If you don’t want to spend much time exploring and plan to be at a resort for most of your stay, skip right to the hotels page on TripAdvisor and explore the amenities of each property. You can also enter your desired travel dates and compare prices.

Punta Sur Eco Beach in Cozumel is picture perfect.

Remember you’ll need to factor in travel time from the Cancun airport to your resort. Tulum and areas to the south will take about an hour to reach from the Cancun airport. Cozumel requires a ferry, which will add another 45+ minutes to your journey.

Cancun is in sight…ready for landing!

It has never been easier to get to Cancun!

CVG has several nonstop airline choices to get to and from Cancun easily. Four carriers at CVG offer year-round or seasonal service to the sunny shores of Mexico.

• Frontier (departs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays year-round)
• Viva Aerobus (departs Sundays year-round)
• American (seasonal winter service)
• Delta (seasonal winter service)

Service days and routes are subject to change at any time.

Keep in mind you will need a valid passport to travel to Cancun. Be sure to apply or renew your passport well before you travel and stay up to date on the current processing times here.

Playa Delfines is gorgeous.

The beach looks great; what else is there to do?

Cancun is home to famous beaches like Playa Delfines, and many of my friends can lie out by a pool or in a beach chair for seven days and love every minute of it. And that’s totally cool! I love visiting beautiful beaches and spending some time relaxing, but I usually get a little antsy and want to see what else is happening in a new destination.

There are many shopping and dining options in Playa del Carmen.

Cancun, Riviera Maya, and the surrounding areas have a lot to offer.

Xoximilco Cancun

There’s music…with food…and drinks…on a boat with friends! What could be better? Check out Xoximilco, and enjoy a ride on a trajinera through canals with live entertainment and games paying homage to the famous Xoximilco lagoon. Consider booking your ticket in advance during peak season.

Taking control of a monster truck? Yes!

Xavage

At this thrill park, you can drive your own monster truck and get muddy, take on a ropes course, or hop aboard a jet boat. Xavage offers a variety of adrenaline filled activities and includes meals throughout the day. The coolest part is that all activities are unlimited, as is the food. Book in advance for cheaper tickets.

Cenotes Dos Ojos

Cenotes’ naturally occurring sinkholes filled with water are beautiful to see in person. Many of them, including Cenotes Dos Ojos, located about one hour south of Cancun, offer relaxing swimming, snorkeling, or diving opportunities.

The area surrounding the Tulum Ruins adds to the experience.

Tulum Archaeological Site

The ruins of this Mayan city sit along a beautiful coastline, which makes for a perfect day trip from Cancun. Situated about 90 minutes south of the Cancun tourist area, the Tulum Archaeological Site or Tulum Ruins offers the chance to see temples, palaces, and watch towers.

Historic Chichen Itza awaits.

Chichen Itza

Take a daytrip to one of the most important cultural heritage sites in Mexico, Chichen Itza. Over two million people come through this 1,500-year-old site every year. To visit one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World,” you can book a reputable guide service or check with your hotel to help arrange a tour.

Mayan Museum of Cancun

This highly rated modern museum features many artifacts and displays the history of the Mayan people and archaeology of Quintana Roo. With an entry fee around $5, the Mayan Museum of Cancun is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Tulum Ruins

Book a vacation package and leave the planning to the pros.

Don’t feel like sifting through hotel reviews or figuring out how to get to and from the airport in Cancun? Vacation Express and Apple Vacations offer complete packages, many of which feature all-inclusive resorts.

Check out the lighthouse overlooking the beach in Cozumel.

What to know about sargassum?

Like many Caribbean, Mexican, and Central American destinations, Cancun beaches have to deal with a build- up of grass called sargassum. It’s not harmful, but it stinks if it sits on shore for a while. Large-scale efforts are in place to reduce the amount of sargassum that washes ashore, and many hours are spent by workers removing the grass if it does reach the shoreline.

The “sargassum season” runs from around late January to September. It won’t ruin a trip (we dealt with heavy sargassum on a trip to Belize), but it’s something to be aware of.

Taakk Bi Ha Cenote near Playa del Carmen

I’m always on the lookout for low fares and post them on the Jay’s Deals page. I’d love to hear about your Cancun trip! You can reach me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter) at @JayKruzOfficial.

I’ll see you in a lounge chair by the pool!

-Jay