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My boyfriend and I agreed we needed a vacation getaway to recharge and push us through the next months. Lounging poolside with a cocktail in hand and sinking our feet into warm sand sounded ideal.

We set our sights on the resort area of Cancun, Mexico, a narrow strip of white beach balanced precariously between a lagoon and the ocean.

Four decades ago, only three people occupied this skinny corridor in what was then a forgotten corner of the Caribbean. Now it is home to nearly 150 hotels and 380 restaurants – making it a prime destination spot for travelers looking to throw back a quick shot of luxury and relaxation.

At the Gran Melia Cancun Resort and Spa, we found ourselves quickly in relaxation mode on the balcony of our luxurious hotel room as we watched the sun fall below the horizon. The ocean seemed to come right up to the hotel’s front step and our view included a lovely, beckoning pool area.

We were up early next morning, with books and suntan lotion in hand. First we loaded up on a buffet breakfast  picking from trays of salmon, pastries, local fruits and cheeses. With tummies full, all we wanted was to collapse on a towel on the pool deck.

But the desire to sleep away our long weekend faded quickly as we passed a shelf of colorful brochures in the hotel tourist office. Skimming over the array of offerings our curiosity was piqued.

We knew Cancun’s claim to fame was its resorts. We didn’t know there was much to discover beyond fancy hotels and beach.

So we added to our plans a day of exploring. In a rental car  we did the hour drive to Xcaret, an ecological theme park that combines a network of underground rivers, animal displays and nearly a dozen restaurants, geared toward tourists looking to experience the fruits of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Floating through the underground network of rivers alone was worth the high price of admission (rates start at $69 per person; more if you add meals and snorkeling) but there are also enough activities, swimming holes, animals and cultural offerings to keep you engaged for a day.

Drive 40 minutes farther south and you are at the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum. The ruins are breathtaking, white rock backed by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. But we had squeezed the two visits to Tulum and Xcaret together in one day, and did feel a little rushed.

Cancun itself provides all the modern conveniences of a resort community in the United States, including open-air malls, restaurants catering to tourists and high prices – more than we expected to pay in Mexico. Five-minute taxi rides can easily cost a fixed $10, admission into top clubs can reach $40 per person and dinner for two is easily $60, at a casual place.

But once you reach the shoulder of the Cancun resort arm, the area seems more like a Mexican community, with crowded markets, high-traffic streets and colorful stores. For those who want to peek behind the curtain of luxury to see what Mexico is really like, here’s your chance.

In Cancun, we dined at a Mexican-theme restaurant, Paloma Bonita, a lively, family-friendly place that was also fun sans kids. Another night we retreated to the JW Marriott’s Gustino restaurant, to sample the top-end Italian fare – this place has received many accolades and they are deserved; the chic restaurant wouldn’t be out of place in Manhattan.

Our four-day trip to Cancun proved refreshing and relaxing, accented with a slight taste of adventure and a lot of luxury.

Fuente: www.wickedlocal.com