To keep my days in the U.S. under 35 in 2024 for tax purposes, I spent a week in Cancun before flying back to visit my brother for Thanksgiving. I went fully “basic” — two different all-inclusive resorts, sun, sand, and cocktails. And honestly? It was awesome.
There’s a certain crowd of travelers who dismiss all-inclusive resorts, seeing them as soulless vacation factories where people lounge around instead of exploring local culture or history. I get that perspective but this trip gave me a newfound appreciation for destinations designed purely for fun.
When I arrived in Cancun, I hadn’t taken real time off work since my trip to the Seychelles two years earlier. Working for myself means every day off is a day without income, so I kept working a bit during the trip. But when I wasn’t working, it felt like a vacation in the best sense. The resort food was exceptional, the beaches in Cancun’s hotel zone far exceeded expectations (genuinely fantastic), and perhaps most surprising of all was the value. I can’t think of another international spot with such high quality at such a bargain.
I did manage a day trip to Chichén Itzá, the famous Mayan city. While the ruins themselves are incredible, I can’t recommend the style of tour I took. Being herded alongside dozens of other tourists, listening to a guide through a crackling microphone for hours, and making obligatory stops at souvenir traps felt… grim. That said, the payoff, standing before Chichén Itzá, made the captive drudgery worth it. My last two sojourns through Mexico with a rental were minor fiascos and it was nice to avoid that aspect of self-sufficiency. On the way back, we cooled off with a swim in a cenote, which was a perfect ending.
I think Americans often overlook Mexico because it’s “too close,” and all-inclusive resorts because they seem unadventurous compared to European or Asian destinations. There’s room in travel for comfort, happiness, and simple pleasures alongside cultural immersion and adventure.
