If you are a frequent traveler to the Mexican Caribbean, chances are high that you’ve stayed at—or at least partied at—a RIU. They are the reliable giants of the all-inclusive world. You know exactly what you are going to get: that distinct purple lighting, the 24/7 sports bar, and a solid beach day. In a …
Playa Del Carmen
Let’s cut through the noise. Every year, someone on a forum claims “Cancun Spring Break is dead.” They are wrong. If you are looking for the classic 2005 energy—the foam parties, the bass-thumping beach clubs, and the sheer, unadulterated chaos—it is absolutely still here. The Grand Oasis is still the “Grand Oasis.” The Party Center …
Between dozens of conflicting news stories, viral social media posts, and traveler gossip, you never quite know what the truth is regarding Sargassum on the beaches in Cancun. Headlines will tell you the beach is buried; Instagram influencers will show you pristine white sand. Who do you trust? There is one thing that can’t lie, …
If you’ve ever scrolled through vacation rentals in Playa del Carmen, you know the drill. You find a place that looks incredible in the photos (rooftop pool, ocean view, the works) but there is always that tiny voice in the back of your head asking, “Is the plumbing actually going to work? Is this place …
You book a flight to “Cancun,” but here is the reality check: you might end up two hours away in the jungle, or isolated on a stretch of coast where the only place to eat is the hotel buffet. For first-timers, the map of the Mexican Caribbean is confusing. You have the “Hotel Zone” (the …
Planning a trip to Cancun in 2026 can feel less like a vacation and more like a part-time job. You have 20 tabs open. One says to book direct for the points. Another says use a travel agent for safety. Then your neighbor tells you that if you don’t book through Costco, you are throwing …
For the last decade, the deal between travelers and the Caribbean has been simple: You pay a premium to visit in the winter, and in exchange, you get flawless, seaweed-free water. That deal might be expiring. Travelers who booked a January 2026 trip to the Riviera Maya expecting guaranteed crystal-clear water were hit with a …
If you have 50 tabs open on your browser right now and feel like you want to throw your laptop out the window, we have good news: You are not alone. One of the most frequent emails we get at The Cancun Sun is the simple, yet impossible question: “Where should I stay?” While we …
Let’s be honest: doing Cancun solo is hard work. While the Hotel Zone is paradise for honeymooners and massive family reunions, for a solo traveler, it can feel like a golden cage. The resorts are designed to keep you inside, the nightlife is dominated by groups with reserved tables, and everything is very spread out. …
Let’s be honest: the biggest downside of the typical all-inclusive vacation is the “golden cage” effect. You pay for the luxury of unlimited tacos and swim-up bars, but the moment you want to leave the property, you are stranded in the jungle or facing a $40 taxi ride just to see a different human face. …