Sun, Sand & Scooby Doo? 🇲🇽

There are a few things in life that I've seen only through pictures or a tv screen that will never do justice until you finally see it in person.

For me that was a sandy beach covered in palm trees. I know, such a simple little thing yet made me so incredibly happy to finally be able to see at 25. After two fully loaded trips in 2019 & 2022 it was time to lie by the pool, watch the sunrise on the beach and enjoy unlimited margaritas with your closest friends in the world.

No we did not run into Scooby Doo on our vacation to Cancun. We did in fact try everything on the drink menu.

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In the summer of 2022 I was talking with my best friend Katja about how we were thinking of finally making it to an all inclusive for a much needed relaxing vacation. She mentioned that her family was planning on going to Cancun, Mexico in early 2023 and said we should join. I of course was excited because her family is always so welcoming and fun to be around. A few short weeks later we booked our trip and the countdown began.

We arrived at the airport and off we went to our resort, Royalton Riviera Cancun. We went straight to the pool to enjoy our first day as a group. The main pool was the busiest but we quite enjoyed the bartenders and all the activities that were held as our first few days came along. Josh and I also took a stroll down to the beach which we absolutely loved as well. It was tough to find a chair at times but we still enjoyed going for a swim and hanging out by the beach bar.

Resort Events

We loved that our resort had some kind of event throughout the day and evening. A few of our favourites include Mexico night which allowed lots of vendors to sell art and souvenirs. Everything was so beautiful and handmade which was nice to have as an option to buy rather than the gift shop. This night also included delicious margaritas and a bull ride, we all took a turn and tried to stay on as long as possible... didn't quite happen as planned.

Each day we also found that there were events in the pool such as a foam party, water exercises, and games. We typically watched from afar but was nice to see some fun each day.

On our last night the resort hosted a karaoke night in which a few of our friends went up and sang some great songs. A great laugh and great way to end the trip.

Food & Drinks

At Royalton Cancun in Mexico, you've got a bunch of great food options to explore. They've got everything from casual spots with a laid-back vibe to fancier places for a more upscale dining experience. You can grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the buffet-style restaurant, where they've got a mix of international dishes. If you're into gourmet stuff, they've got specialty restaurants serving up Italian, Mexican, Indian and Asian cuisine. Basically, you've got a variety of tasty options to choose from that capture flavors from around the world.

Now, you are probably wondering what does Scooby Doo have to do with our trip to Cancun. Well, a good friend of ours, Gage decided it would be fun to order a bunch of rounds of "scooby doo shots"each and everyday. Many were not a fan but I have to say they were pretty yummy. They consist of coconut rum, melon liqueur, pineapple juice and heavy cream. After day two I think most of us were done with Scooby doo shots except for Gage...

Day trip to Tulum

Josh and I decided to book one day trip while on our vacation so we could explore another part of Mexico. There were lots of options to choose from but we decided on this trip because it included three things we were very interested in.

First up, we took a tour bus into Tulum, a coastal paradise with these ancient Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It was beautiful to see the views and how blue the water really is. It was super humid and hot this day so we couldn't wait to go swimming after our tour.

Next we drove to the cenotes, crystal-clear, freshwater sinkholes that are basically nature's swimming pools. We swam around for a good hour enjoying the refreshing water. I also took several jumps off this tiny ledge which was quite exhilarating.

And, of course, the cherry on top: snorkeling with turtles. We swam out into the ocean with our guide, swimming alongside these majestic creatures like it's a scene from a nature documentary. We saw several turtles, stingrays, puffer fish and a few other fish. I won't ever forget and hope to snorkel on our next trip as well. The whole day is a mix of history, nature, and straight-up awe. Definitely a must-do if you're up for a day filled with adventure. We also got to stop for lunch and dinner which was great to be able to eat something other than resort food for a few meals. 😉

On our last full day the boys went deep sea fishing while the girls had a relaxing day by the pool and spa. We enjoyed our last drinks, and prepared to head home the following day.

This trip was so much fun and we are so happy we got to enjoy an all inclusive with so many great friends!