Mexico’s Caribbean Mixes History, Culture, and Adventure

Secrets of Moxche view from rooftop pool

Before 2025, my trips to Mexico involved hopping across the border to Juarez when I lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Duty-free tequila, lunch at a local restaurant, and browsing the stalls at an artisan crafts market made for a fine afternoon.

In 2025, I discovered the pleasures of Rivera Maya and Caribbean travel beyond Mexico’s border with reasons to go back. One was an all-inclusive, adults-only resort; the other was a Margaritaville at Sea cruise.

Secrets of Moxche

Playa Del Carmen and a five-night stay at the adults-only Secrets Moxche resort, a World of Hyatt Property, was my first foray into the Riviera Maya region. Here, luxury, relaxation, great food, and gorgeous views are turned up several notches. Over the five days, I took in Italian at Allora, elevated Mexican at a private event, seafood at Seasoul, Pan-Asian offerings at Suki, and headed to Bisou for French cuisine. No matter what I ordered, courses arrived beautifully plated and delicious.

Most mornings I grabbed a quick bite of fruit and a croissant for breakfast at Coco Café but on the last morning, I headed to Market Cafe. This is the resort’s buffet-style restaurant for every meal. The array of options made choosing a predicament. Still, I managed to assemble a splendid plate of a tamale, a street taco, and fried plantains. Along with the help yourself options, there are stations where chefs cook up made-to-order offerings.

secrets of Moxche spa treatment

During my stay, a session of tequila tasting including margarita making, a spa treatment—so splendid, karaoke at the Dark Horse Bar chased by an impromptu card trick demo by one of the friendly staff, and a silent dance party on the beach where Chapell Roan’s Pink Pony Club brought folks wearing light-up headphones together in joyous fun.

Dancing at the nightclub and going to the signature show rounded off my entertainment.

Although I am not fond of swimming, I did head to the rooftop pool with friends, where I hung out on a floating chaise lounge while we chatted. The view from here takes in several of the resort’s pools and landscaping, and the Caribbean Sea.

Guest rooms at Secrets are a lovely mix of contemporary furnishings, warm wood, and earth-toned décor. Each room has a balcony with a soaking tub and is equipped with snacks and drinks, including beer that is replenished as it’s used. At an all-inclusive resort, drinks are also included at restaurants.

Tequila tasting at Secrets

If you do go to an all-inclusive resort, don’t spend all your time on the property. Head out. Otherwise, the only thing that may seem like you’ve traveled to Mexico is the staff.

Ruins at Tulum

There are several guided tours where you’ll be picked up and dropped off at the resort. I headed to Tulum on the half-day tour with Amstar, the company that serves the resort.

An air-conditioned bus took us to Tulum’s archeological site, where the Mayan Empire flourished in this walled city overlooking the sea. Our guide pointed out the various structures, including the Temple of the Descending God andthe  Temple of Paintings. Along the way, we learned about Mayan history and culture. Tulum was a significant trading center in the 6^th century and one of the last cities the Mayans built. It mostly served as a religious center, with most people living outside the center. The views from the ruins’ edge overlooking the sea are magnificent. This is one of the first places the sun hits in the morning.

The tour included a short walk through the Yucatan jungle before we reached the ruins’ entrance. The guide identified various foliage and explained the significance of the plants to the Mayans.

At the end of the tour, we had a bit of time in the gift shop with a wide range of souvenir items, ranging from kitschy to traditionally crafted.

I highly recommend taking a Tulum ½ day tour. Check out Secrets Moxche’s website for more Amstar tours that range from snorkeling to ATV riding, swimming in cenotes (sinkholes caused by a collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater), dolphin encounters, and nighttime entertainment. There are several half-day and whole-day options.

To explore a bit on your own, take a taxi for the short drive into the town of Playa Del Carmen. I was lucky enough to spend a few hours with Erick Huicochea, a local photographer who took a friend and me to a couple of local restaurants on a food photography session, followed by time to shop. The food at La Cueva Del Chango is excellent, plus the restaurant is an eclectic mix of indoor and patio seating with lush foliage and art, creating intimate, aesthetically pleasing spaces.

We also headed to Los Aguachiles, an eatery known for its empanadas and street tacos. Super food and quite affordable. Both places are local favorites with authentic flavors.

If you want a food photography session or any type of travel photography, contact Erick via his Instagram page: www.instagram.com/erickhdphoto. He picked us up and dropped us off at the resort.

Along with great food, Playa del Carmen’s boutique shops, in the mix of tourist-type stores filled with T-shirts, hats, key chains, beach-themed items, and refrigerator magnets, are worth exploring. There are several places to buy colorful wrestling masks and macrame hanging planters.

Throughout Playa del Carmen, public art includes a lively collection of art cars, murals, and sculptures—also, photo session worthy.

After five days at Secrets, I headed to Playa Del Carmen’s bus station in a taxi from the resort for a bus to Valladolid, a town rich in history in the Yucatan. Valladolid is a perfect hub for visiting the World Heritage site, Chichen Itza, a significant Mayan ruin, and other cool spots in this part of the Yucatan. There is a Chichen Itza day tour that includes lunch and a stop at a cenote that you can book from Secrets Moxche if you want that option.

Two friends and I booked our ADO bus line tickets online. While booking a ticket, you choose your seats. The bus is air-conditioned and comfortable.

Margaritaville at Sea Cruise

My 2^nd foray to Mexico’s Caribbean offerings was thanks to two shore excursions on each of our port stops on a Margaritaville at Sea cruise. A cruise ship shore excursion is a satisfying bite, a teaser, of what this part of Mexico offers. My son and friends of mine came along for this five-day cruise.

We opted for the shore excursions at Cozumel and Progresso booked through the Margaritaville at Sea website. An advantage of booking tours through a cruise partner’s onshore excursions is that you are guaranteed to be back on the ship on time, and the excursions are vetted. The disadvantage is that you could pay more than if you take your chance with finding your own experience once you get to shore.

The cruise’s first port stop was Progresso, where our adventure and history tour combo started with a bus ride to a19th-century Spanish hacienda. The hacienda flourished at one time due to its agave plantation.

Agave, also known as “Green Gold,” had economic importance because of its use for tequila and rope production. The agave at this plantation was used for its fibers to make rope called sisal. Our guide demonstrated the traditional techniques for making rope, still practiced here in the same way.

Agave rope-making tools

The adventure part of the tour combined ATV riding through the Yucatán jungle and agave fields, followed by a swim in a gorgeous, crystal-clear cenote within a cave on the property. My son drove the ATV, which gave me time to take in the scenery as we bumped along the trails at various speeds. I appreciated the safety talk and the care staff took to ensure everyone had the hang of starting and stopping at various points along the way.

Our tour of the hacienda, filled with antiques and memorabilia of the former owners, followed a tasty and filling Mayan lunch of empanadas or tacos. Women made the tortillas in an open kitchen at the back of the restaurant.

There is another version of this tour with horseback riding instead of ATV riding.

El Cielo looking for stingrays

The 2^nd port stop of our cruise was Cozumel, where we signed up for the excursion to Kuza Beach Club. We added a private boat excursion to El Cielo, a prime snorkeling spot in the Caribbean.

Unfortunately, because of our time snorkeling, we could not take in the beach club offerings of paddleboarding, bicycling, or lounging at our private cabana due to the short time on shore. However, the beach club is beautiful, and if you’re looking for a place to kick back for a few hours, this is a worthwhile place. Although we had a rushed beach stay, we did have time to walk along the raised wooden walkway that cut through a bit of the Yucatan jungle.

Friends of mine ordered a quick bite at their cabana before we went off to snorkel. After snorkeling, the club’s restaurant offered a robust selection of food and drinks. Our status as VIPs made certain alcoholic drinks like beer, margheritas and pina coladas free. Also included were beach towels and bottles of water.

Kuza beach club

About El Cielo. This Caribbean treat is a snorkeling paradise that includes the Columbia and Palancar Reefs. The boat trip we booked at Kuza Club included snorkeling equipment, bottled water, a driver, and a wonderful guide. During our snorkeling stops, we saw a sea turtle, sting rays, gorgeous coral, and tropical fish.

The guide pulled a floating ring by a rope for those of us who needed some swimming support.

One option for an El Cielo trip is to book just that tour on your own. We saw El Cielo trip signups on the shore once we arrived at the port. This probably would have saved us money by cutting out Kuza Beach Club.

Progresso ATV ride through Yucatan and agave fields

When you go on shore excursions, tips for the driver and the tour guide are appreciated.

Whether heading to an all-inclusive resort in or taking a Caribbean cruise, do take the time to head off-site or on shore to take in a bit of Mexico’s offerings. People are friendly and helpful, and you won’t be disappointed. History, natural wonders, and cultural offerings are well worth the money and effort.

For other Caribbean travel insights, check out first-hand Caribbean travel insights. This site has loads of reviews of places to stay, places to go, plus travel advice and tips.