Surf and City Recommendations in Mexico

Mexico has always been on my list of places to visit but I never had much urgency about visiting. Now, having experienced both the sand and city aspects of the country I would strongly urge you to put it at the TOP of your travel list.
Our trip started with a short 3.5 hour flight from PHL to CUN. Once we arrived in Cancun we took a 20-minute drive down the highway and quickly found ourselves at Nizuc Resort & Spa. Now, having never been to Cancun and hearing all about the crazy night life, packed beaches, etc. I was pleasantly surprised when we pulled up to the entrance of the resort and it was quiet with almost no other guests in sight!

The entrance of the resort is unbelievable. It is open and airy, modern with a Mayan influence. The whole aura of the resort instantly relaxes you without having to step into the spa. The same is true for the rooms. The beautiful oversized Deluxe Double Room had the same neutral tones as the lobby creating a wonderful calming feeling. For two travelers, this room has more than enough space. The bathroom with its large soaking tub, separate rain shower, and a double vanity was more than we could have asked for!
I can’t say it enough: the property is truly stunning! There are two beach and pool areas one for families and one for adults only; both equally exceptional. The water is swimmable, crystal clear, and calm which made it perfect for non-motorized sports. The non-motorized watersports are complimentary so we were able to paddle board, snorkel, and kayak. PSA: paddle boarding is NOT as easy as it looks even if the water is calm…
We spent two nights at Nizuc which gave us enough time to explore the property and enjoy the delicious food and cocktails at the restaurants and Cuban bar. The service experience was top notch and we still reminisce about it today. The employees of the hotel are genuinely sweet and happy to lend a helping hand whenever they can.

Our next stop on our Mexican adventure was a 15-minute drive from Nizuc to The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun. Unlike Nizuc, the Ritz-Carlton is right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Cancun. If you are looking for more of an upbeat, lively area this is definitely where you want to be!
This hotel has years and years of history and has made its mark in the Cancun area. One of the defining features of this hotel is the undeniably beautiful beach. The water is a light turquoise with large playful waves. There is an abundance of beach chairs for lounging and the pool areas have more than enough room to accommodate all guests.

Our Deluxe Room was warm and welcoming with light colors of blues and grey perfectly in sync with the colors of the sea. It had a cute little balcony that looked out over the pool area and beach. An overarching theme of this property is the focus on the beach and we were more than happy to be constantly reminded.
One of our favorite features of the hotel was the Club Level. The Ritz-Carlton did a fabulous job of providing different coffee and drink options and food spreads. If you didn’t see something you wanted, the waiters were more than happy to find it, especially if it meant whipping up a custom tequila cocktail.
After four days of soaking up the Cancun sun we were ready to experience city life in Mexico. With the recent opening of the Azul Talavera Hotel we knew we had to add not only the destination but the hotel to our trip. The flight from Cancun to Puebla is short and sweet, only about 1.5 hours. Before we could even blink our eyes we were out of the tourist-centric Cancun and into an authentic Mexican city.
The beauty of the city of Puebla is that it is still very untouched by tourism. It is a true gem and a draw to travelers who are looking to immerse themselves in Mexican culture. Puebla is full of life; the people, the colorful buildings, the little markets, the un-countable number of churches, and the delicious food…This became the perfect contrast to our prior sand, sun, and ocean breeze filled days.

This boutique property has 78 residential style rooms and 4 dining outlets and is truly representative of the city and its history. Guests catch a glimpse of the hotel’s past through the exposed brick walls from its previous life as an apartment building, the reclaimed talavera tiles on the rooftop lounge, and the bar with a restored lavadero.
We spent a large portion of our time by the pool at the rooftop bar,
sipping cocktails and taking in the incredible 365-degree views of the city. From this spot you have views of downtown, pedestrians going to and from work, volcanoes, churches, the Cinco de Mayo Museum; all the things that make Puebla…Puebla.

Besides the unbeatable views and location of the hotel, the design and detail set this place apart. Every single detail was well thought out and is perfectly appointed without being over the top or excessive. The modernity mixed with a healthy respect of history is something you truly can’t appreciate unless you experience it for yourself.
My first experience in Mexico left me wanting more. The welcoming nature of the people we encountered, the delicious flavors of the foods, and the vibrancy of the landscape tell a story and capture your imagination.
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Edit: 5/4/2020 This article was originally published as referencing the Rosewood Puebla which is now the Azul Talavera Hotel.
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