(Photo: javarman3, Getty Images/iStockphoto) Cancun is a perfect choice for honeymooners looking for action and distraction in a beautiful, beachside setting. Situated on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula in northern Quintana Roo and bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the city has AAA Five Diamond resorts, high end all-inclusive properties and stylish boutique hotels on the nearby islands of Isla Holbox and Isla Mujeres. Choose the right hotel and newlyweds will have a sanctuary from which to venture out to experience Cancun's compelling attractions and frenetic nightlife. Decades ago, this resort town earned a reputation as a Spring Break destination. While it still draws a young crowd, Cancun has chiseled a new profile that attracts sophisticated travelers, families and honeymooners. Lovebirds will find this nest well-served by direct flights from the U.S., making it easy to arrange a carefree escape.
Honeymoon hotels
The lion's share of resorts in Cancun is all-inclusive in nature. This means honeymooners pay one price up front and their accommodations, food and drinks and most activities are paid for in advance. All-inclusive resorts make it possible for guests to leave their cash and credit cards in their hotel room safe and concentrate on enjoying each other. Given the convenience of their resort's restaurants, entertainment and activities, some honeymooners might find themselves reluctant to break away from their resort. This would be a big mistake. There are amazing things awaiting travelers to Cancun — from swimming with whale sharks in season to exploring ancient Maya ruins. Couples will find it easy to arrange guided excursions while the most adventurous will want to rent a vehicle and venture off on their own.
Hard Rock Hotel Cancun is an all-inclusive sporting a spirited rock 'n' roll vibe. The scene is set as soon as a couple arrives, with John Bonham's drum set from Led Zeppelin taking center stage in the lobby. This is just the beginning, since the property is studded throughout with rock memorabilia, while still maintaining a sleek and sophisticated modern design. The 12-story beachfront hotel has a casino, nightclub, spa and a stunning free-form pool. While Hard Rock Hotel Cancun is family-friendly, the atmosphere is still conducive to romance, with a hip ambience that combines a Cancun-meets-Vegas-meets-South-Beach vibe. Rooms have romantic touches like in-room double hydro tubs, top-shelf drinks and 24-hour room service. The resort kicks it up a notch with "Harmony" from its Colin Cowie's Honeymoon Collection. Lovebirds receive a 50-minute couple's massage at the resort's Rock Spa, a romantic dinner for two, chocolate-covered strawberries and breakfast in bed. If that wasn't enough, couples will find their in-room hydro tub maxed out romantic with rose petals.
Roman playwright Plautus put it best, "Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words." If this rings true for couples, they should head for the all-inclusive and adults-only Secrets The Vine Cancun, where they've put wine center stage. The hotel has a wine bar with over 3,000 varieties of the grape. The ultra-sophisticated 28-floor resort towers over the beach. Lovers should request a Preferred Club Junior Suite Ocean View on one of the top floors. Rooms have a minimalist design using lots of wood and natural materials. Once couples absorb their view from their balcony, they'll notice the glass-enclosed rainforest shower in the middle of the room. Secrets The Vine Cancun has a hip feature—a Webcam service providing a live feed from the resort; time it right and couples can wave to the folks at home.
Club Med Cancun Yucatan knows honeymooners choosing an active all-inclusive resort still crave privacy. That's why the resort has created Jade Suites, a boutique resort within the resort. Lovebirds will be steps away from activities, bars and restaurants, while enjoying concierge service in a separate building, with their own exclusive private pool, bar and beach area.
Activities for honeymooners
These run the gamut from adventurous and life-changing to activities that are no more taxing than signing a credit card receipt.
Shopping in Cancun is tempting enough to fill several vacations with dedicated shoppers still only scratching the surface. Luxury Avenue is Cancun's high-end mecca for shoppers, with famous brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Cartier, Salvatore Ferragamo, Carolina Herrera, Coach, and Fendi.
Couples can tee off together at several championship golf courses, including the Riviera Cancun Golf Club and Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort, site of the first Signature Jack Nicklaus course in Cancun.
Most honeymooners will have spas at their resorts. A staple of most spas is the romantic couple's massage, in which couples receive a relaxing massage on adjacent tables. Some resorts, such as the Westin Resort & Spa Cancun, offer a purifying treatment in an authentic temazcal hut (Maya steam bath).The cleansing and purification process is overseen by a Maya shaman.
Those in search of Maya history can travel south to the beautiful beachfront archeological treasure, Tulum; inland to Chichen-itza, the most famous Maya site in Mexico, or content themselves with staying closer to home and visit Cancun's Maya Museum.
The Cancun Underwater Museum provides an extraordinary experience. The museum consists of life-size sculptures installed underwater. These evocative figures provide an enchanting experience for couples to explore via snorkeling or scuba diving.
There may come a time during a Cancun honeymoon when a couple wants to take a vacation from their vacation. This is where the islands of Isla Mujeres and Isla Holbox come in.
Isla Mujeres is a short distance off Cancun's shore and can be reached via a 20-minute ferry ride. Easygoing Isla Mujeres encourages honeymooners to take a deep breath and slow down, with the preferred mode of transportation being the bicycle. Embrace the laid-back pace, snorkel the reefs, shop and stroll the streets of the main town. If you need more than a day away, there are plenty of modest hotels on the island.
Isla Holbox is where the residents of Isla Mujeres come to decompress. This tiny island has a main street of sand. This is barefoot luxury at its finest. Two of the most sophisticated boutique hotels on the island are CasaSandra and Villa Flamingo; both members of Mexico Boutique Hotels. Isla Holbox is also a prime spot to book an excursion during the summer months to swim with 15-ton whale sharks.
