Cancun

What better way to celebrate a girls' trip than at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico?

My friends and I wanted a getaway that went beyond the typical Cancun party or college spring break. So, we chose Barceló Maya Riviera, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort that was perfect for our needs. We spent five days enjoying fun, relaxation, and new experiences.

Arriving from the airport shuttle, we immediately felt like we were stepping into a scene from White Lotus. The resort greeted us with a massive, airy design that showcased views of shimmering pools, a gorgeous beach just beyond, and palm trees lining the grounds.

There’s no better feeling than lounging by the water, in the sun, with your friends. The drinks were flowing due to the endless complimentary beverages, and it was such a fun time. I also can’t say enough how gorgeous this resort was, with floating pads in the pools to lie on, and fountains to swim under. There were even two different bars in the pool that you could swim up to. The best part was that the pools were infinity-style, overlooking the beach, with a wide walkway between them where you could quickly walk down to the beach. The beachfront was stunning, with lounge chairs all around where you could lie in the shade to escape the strong Mexican sun.

The resort featured four five-star restaurants where we dined nightly, enjoying a variety of cuisines. We tried French, Italian, Mexican, and a Japanese-Peruvian-inspired Hibachi spot, which became my favorite. Every night offered a new, delicious meal.

To enhance relaxation, the resort spa offered everything from facials and massages to seaweed wraps. After relaxing days, at night there would be various events, from karaoke to a DJ to live performances by a talented singer and a jazz band. This resort truly had it all, and the experiences were like no other.

To have some adventure, we booked a couple of excursions through the hotel. We went snorkeling at Yalku Laguna, an incredible inlet with clear blue water, where we saw so many large, colorful fish. They provided all the equipment, and all we had to do was swim around and enjoy ourselves! We also made our way to Maya's Adventure Park, which had several cenotes. It was a magical experience, where we learned about the history of the cenotes, swam in the refreshing natural pools, and even ziplined into the water. The most impressive part to me was the dark underground cave cenote, the Cueva del Puma, where we got to snorkel through the expansive cave with flashlights. The water was frigid, but that didn’t stop us from exploring! Luckily, it was home to nothing but water and the occasional bat on the cave ceiling.

We had a fantastic time in Mexico and left with some great experiences and minor sunburns. A very successful girls' trip!