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Great Destinations – Less Crowds
Cancun is set for one of its biggest winter seasons in history. Combining the beauty of the Mexican Caribbean with the comfort of restriction-free travel, Quintana Roo has effectively become the center of the tourism industry. And although it may not be the capital of Quintana Roo, it’s without a doubt the travel capital for the country, and even for the Caribbean.
But with its success, comes the strong expectation of overcrowding.
So, if you’re craving a sun drenched getaway as the winter draws in, but don’t fancy fighting your way to the front of the all-inclusive bar, here are some nearby alternatives to Cancun for you to check out.
Playa Mujeres
Playa Mujeres is only 30 minutes from Cancun Airport, allowing visitors to avoid the crowds when they want some peace and quiet, but venture forth into the chaos of Cancun when they’re feeling brave enough. It’s ground zero for a host of brand new luxury hotels for travelers to relax in.
Where to stay – The Garza Blanca
The Garza Blanca Resort is a brand new 400+ room luxury hotel with the perfect location in Playa Mujeres, featuring ocean views to the front and sprawling mangrove views to the back. Even though there are many oversized suites to choose from, the hotel has a smaller boutique feel to it because of the smart design, so guests don’t have to worry about shuttling to different areas.
Everything is just steps away, including a variety of heated pools, on-beach food truck with vegan options, and the world-class spa. The hotel is currently in ’soft-launch’ phase with excellent promotions on right now, with the grand opening happening February 2022.
Playa Del Carmen
From humble beginnings as a fishing town, Playa Del Carmen only began growing as a tourist destination when it began ferrying scuba divers to Cozumel. Nowadays, it’s owning its reputation as a fashionable euro-chic destination filled with quaint boutique hotels and restaurants. Of course, outside the city there’s the all inclusive resorts, and it’s only an hour from Cancun airport.
Where To Stay – Grand Velas Riviera Maya
Grand Velas Riviera Maya just outside of Playa Del Carman is the very definition of luxury and gets an almost perfect 5/5 score from over 3,000 reviews on google. The massive property offers guests choices of huge ocean front suites for breathtaking sunrise views over the water, or more tropical vibes with their Zen rooms tucked away into the Mayan jungle.
It has some of the highest rated restaurants in all of Mexico, which is why it earns it’s AAA 5-Star Diamond rating with flying colors. The resort is especially recommended for couples or honeymooners because of the romantic and intimate feel of the property and access to their world-class spa.
Tulum
You’re likely to have spotted Tulum on your instagram feed in recent months. This trendy hotspot has enjoyed significant growth in recent years, with its dominant clientele prompting suggestions of it being a Caribbean answer to Bali. Filled with a generally younger crowd, and also a hub for digital nomads, it’s about 2 hours from Cancun airport.
Where To Stay – Ma’xanab Hotel
Ma’xanab hotel is every minimalists dream. It’s an exclusive boutique hotel on beach road, with relaxing ocean view cabanas, a salt water pool, seaside restaurant, and eco-friendly, nature-inspired rooms.
While the hotel itself is extremely laid back and chill, guests seeking a fiesta won’t have to look far. Many top rated beach clubs and interactive restaurants are walking distance from the hotel, which serves as a quiet retreat once the party is over.
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