I recently got back from a FAM trip to Mexico – and I can’t wait to send you there! A FAM trip is an opportunity for travel advisors to tour and experience a destination first hand. On this trip, I got to see 10 different resorts in four days. It was…a lot. But I loved every moment of it.

In my time as a travel advisor to date, I’ve sent exactly one family to Mexico. Only one! (Spoiler Alert: They LOVED IT!). After touring the El Dorado family of destinations in the Riviera Maya, along with some additional properties, including Unico 20°87°, Hard Rock Riviera Maya, Xcaret, Secrets Maroma and an overnight stay at Atelier Playa Mujeres, I’m ready to send many more.

A FAM trip is far from a relaxing vacation, but it was a great way to reacquaint myself with Cancun and get to know some of resorts on a deeper level. It had been years since my last trip to the Riviera Maya area, and it was even lovelier than I remembered. It’s hard to choose one moment that stands out for hospitality or beauty. We saw and experienced so much. But, what I can tell you is that Mexican hospitality is some of the best I’ve ever experienced.

I know what some of you are already thinking. “Wait, is Mexico safe?” — I’ll get to that. But more importantly, I want to tell you about the people. It wasn’t just our tour guides at each resort that were amazing – at every meal, no matter where we were, our servers stopped to talk to us. They wanted to know where we were from, how we were enjoying our time and always offered great tips and personal favorites about activities, food and drink, things to see – from the restaurant servers to the concierges and everyone in between, the kindness and pride absolutely radiated. I felt like a guest in someone’s home everywhere we went – not like just another guest in a hotel.

So, here are a few reasons to give Mexico a chance…

It’s so easy to get there

The Cancún/Riviera Maya area is really close. From much of the East Coast it’s only one or two short flights, (and there’s usually nonstop options from the bigger cities). You can leave in the morning and be sitting by the water with a drink in hand before dinner. (I left on a 6 AM flight from Albany, and was at my resort enjoying a margarita by 2pm).

So, if you’ve ever said “I can’t take that much time off work,” this one’s for you. A long weekend can work and a full week feels like a real escape. There’s little to no time change, so no jet lag, and the resort transfer is short.

(And yes, not only do we book that transfer in advance, so the first person you meet after landing is holding a sign with your name on it, but packages often include airport pick up and drop off as a perk of your stay)

All-inclusives are even easier than you think

I say “unpack once and see a lot of places” all the time about cruising. All-inclusive resorts work on a similar idea. You arrive, you unpack, and the big decisions are already made. Food, drinks and activities are part of the stay, so you aren’t doing math at every meal or wondering whether you want to spring for a second round of guacamole. (You do. Always say yes to the guacamole.)

There is so much to do

If you love the water, this is the place for you! With pools, the ocean, and sometimes water parks! If you love food, the resorts have multiple restaurants, so you can try something new each night (Which is the same way I like to work my way through the dining options on a cruise). In terms of activity levels – if you like to stay busy, there’s always something going on and if you’d rather do absolutely nothing, you will be in a gorgeous place to enjoy that.

For my clients who love cruising, but are looking for something a little different – Mexico is a fantastic option!

The spas are incredible

The spa and wellness options at these resorts were one of the biggest surprises of the trip, and the choices go well beyond a basic massage. While I was not able to build in time for an actual treatment on this visit, the spas I toured were incredible. From the moment you step in, the calming scents and soothing music put you immediately at ease. And I really loved that each location had a unique way of tying in the local culture to their spa experiences. At the El Dorado Seaside Palms, they had an entire sequenced experience, including a sweat lodge, that incorporated practices from the local, native culture. 

If your ideal vacation includes lots of spa time, I have quite a few resorts I’d love to share with you!

Yes, all-inclusive works if you don’t drink

I hear this one a lot: “I don’t really drink, so is all-inclusive worth it?” (I get this question with cruising, too!). And it definitely is. The drinks are only one piece – and many of these spots include some pretty incredible alcohol-free cocktails, fresh squeezed juices and N/A beer and wine options as well. Plus, of course, you get the restaurants, the pools and ocean, the activities, and access to those incredible spas. 

We will discuss all of this upfront when we start to plan your getaway. You tell me how you like to travel, and I’ll help you decide whether an all-inclusive is the right fit or if a different setup may make more sense for you.

Now, about that safety question

I get it. Mexico sometimes makes headlines for not-so-great reasons, and when you’re spending real money on a trip, you want to feel good about where you’re going.

So here’s what I saw. I just spent time in the Riviera Maya, one of the biggest tourist regions in the country, and the resorts I toured felt welcoming and well run. There was ample security in the resort areas and at the entrance to resorts, and they were careful about who comes in and out. And, once you’re on property, you will not even give it a second thought. Millions of travelers visit Mexico’s resort areas every year and have a lovely time.

Mexico is also huge. A headline about one region tells you very little about a beach resort a thousand miles away, the same way a headline about one American city doesn’t make me skip the rest of the U.S.

I’d use the same common sense here that I’d use in any large city (or, really anywhere for that matter): pay attention, stick with reputable transportation, and don’t wander off without a plan. I also encourage every client to check the current U.S. State Department travel advisory for their specific destination before booking. It’s free, it’s specific, and it’s the right place to look.

Advice from social media or a friend only goes so far, too. Everyone travels differently and headlines and social media posts often lack a lot of context. I can work with you to plan a trip that is right for you and your family or traveling companions.

Many Mexican destinations also pair well with a sailing. A few nights at a resort before or after a cruise is one of my favorite ways to stretch a trip.

Ready to look at Mexico? Let’s talk!