Our family is off again on another travel adventure! This time, to Cancun, Mexico, at an all inclusive resort. This all inclusive resort includes all meals, drinks, and non-motorized activities. We also had a bit of twist to this vacation, however, because our kids, 10 and 12, had just completed their diver certifications so they can finally join us on SCUBA adventures!
HYATT ZIVA CANCUN
- Day 1 – Southwest offers a direct flight between Denver and Cancun. It is quick (3.5 hours) and affordable! We had hired a private car to pick us up from the airport and they were waiting for us as soon as we made our way through customs! It was an easy 20 minute drive to the Hyatt Ziva Cancun and we were greeted by name at the front door with cold, refreshing towels! October is a low season for Cancun, which makes it is a lovely time to visit. The weather is not too hot and the resort was just 60% full. They were able to upgrade us for free from a resort view room to a dolphin view/ocean view. By dolphin view, I mean a view of their dolphinarium pool! The kids really loved this – it was like having a mini aquatic park right outside your room!
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
Dolphinarium
Next we decided to go ahead and try out their Teppanyaki restaurant, Moongate, which turned out to be one of the best Teppanyaki meals we’ve ever had!
Teppanyaki
As if that wasn’t enough, we had to check out the candy store, Pasteles. This amazing (and included!) candy store includes custom made cotton candy, ice cream, candy, and chocolate fountains. It is a kids paradise and my kids were like like two kids in … um … well a candy store!
Candy store girls
Chocolate fountain and pastries
- Day 2 – We were up bright and early ready to enjoy the day. We first stopped in their coffee shop, the Case Cafe, to get lattes and frappucinos (included!). Hyatt Ziva Cancun doesn’t disappoint with their detail to service. Here is my latte!
Latte art!
Then we headed over to the breakfast buffet. What an amazing spread: fresh juices, custom made teas, omelette station, etc. Now stuffed, we headed over to the beach (visit thecoastalside.com to know how to enjoy beach time to the fullest) to try the kayaks, SUPs, climbing wall, and trampoline!
After a full day at the beach and pool, we decided to try the italian restaurant, Lorenzo’s. This is such a great restaurant for families as it has upscale italian dishes as well as kid favorites, like pizza and pasta! Afterwards, we viewed the nightly entertainment show at 8:30 PM. There were some really talented shows every night including this one with impersonators! Can you guess who?
- Day 3 – Up bright and early again but this time to go SCUBA diving! Hyatt Ziva Cancun has a dive shop onsite called Solo Buceo which makes it all so easy. We have never seen so much aquatic sea life on a dive trip! We saw lobsters and sea turtles! We also went to visit the underwater museum MUSA to see the underwater statues.
SCUBA diving Cancun
- Day 4 – We loved the SCUBA diving so much we decided to book another day!!! On this day, we saw THREE sharks!!! We saw 1 reef shark and 2 nurse sharks!
After diving the reef, we were incredibly hungry and ready to try the diner with burgers and milkshakes, Chevy’s. You can even eat in an old Chevy!
Chevy’s Diner
- Day 5 – On our final day in Cancun, we made sure to visit one of our favorite restaurants at the resort, Habanero’s. This is an incredible outdoor venue with tacos and ceviche. We love everything about this including the swings at the bar!
Habanero’s
As I mentioned before, it is the little touches that make the difference at a resort. We really like these little bicycle snack carts that would pop up randomly with different treats.
Bicycle snack carts
This is one of the tasty treats! Yes that is a whole mango on a stick, with lime and spicy seasoning!
Mango on a stick!
These hammocks over the water were a nice touch, too. They thought of everything!
We can’t wait to come back to this incredible resort! For now, I’m dreaming of a tropical drink by the pool until next time!
