This must-read guide to planning a girls getaway in Cancun includes how to get there, where to stay, things to do, and more!
If you’re looking to plan the ultimate girlfriend getaway to Cancun, Mexico, then you’ve come to the right place. Cancun is the perfect destination to hang with your besties as it’s notoriously sunny, there are a ton of activities, and it’s home to some incredible hotels.
Specifically, the Grand Fiesta Americana is an award-winning all-inclusive resort that’s located on the most pristine stretch of white sand. It’s luxury to the max with multiple levels of experience suited to various types of travelers.
Cancun has everything you need to plan a girlfriend getaway — from great weather and unlimited water activities to adventure and spa relaxation. Read on to learn about the best tips for how to plan a girlfriend getaway in Cancun!
Home to roughly 880,000 people, Cancun is located on the northeast tip of the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. The city and resort area belong to the state of Quintana Roo and face the ever-blue Caribbean sea.
The easiest way to get to Cancun is to fly into Cancun International Airport. You’ll find there are direct flights from many American cities. From there, the easiest way to get to your accommodations is to take a shuttle, provided you book your stay there in advance.
To get downtown, you can either take a private shuttle or hop on the public ADO bus.
Though the Grand Fiesta Americana provides complimentary transportation for many of its offered activities, there are some options if you want to do your own thing. Firstly, taxis are plentiful in Cancun and, provided you don’t go too far out of the core, you’ll have no problem getting around with them (although they can be pricey).
For further trips around the area, you can either rent a car or take the Mexican bus company ADO. The bus is by far the cheapest option, although you’ll be a tad limited in where you can go.
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Without a doubt, the best time to visit Cancun is between December and April. This time of year may be the area’s peak season, but it’s worth braving the crowds for beautiful weather.
Though most Cancun hotels and activities are open year-round, June through November is hurricane season. Further, the temperature and humidity are at their peak this time of year so if you don’t handle stifling heat well, then it’s best to avoid this season.
Take an Isla Mujeres Day Trip
With a name that translates to “Island of Women, ” Isla Mujeres is one of the most beautiful day trips from Cancun. Only 20 minutes away, you can easily book your excursion through Grand Fiesta Americana. Plus, if you upgrade to their Infinite Club tier, then you’ll get access to the exclusive Garrafon Natural Reef Club on the island, complimentary ferry tickets, and more.
You’ll find Isla Mujeres to be much more quaint and laid back than Cancun. On the island, some of the best things to do are to watch baby turtles hatch at the conservation center, rent a golf cart and explore, visit the Ixchel temple, snorkel the pristine waters, shop for souvenirs, and check out the Hacienda Mundaca ruins.
Snorkel at a Nearby Reef
Snorkeling the reef off of the coast of Cancun will surely be a highlight of your girls trip. The water is often a gorgeous shade of blue and the Great Mayan Reef is full of sea life.
Not to mention, there’s an underwater museum to explore called MUSA. Created with materials that help the coral ecosystem, the museum is home to 500 unique sculptures such as statues of notable Mexican figures, artistic scenes, and cars. This museum can also be explored by glass-bottom boat or by scuba diving.
Have a Spa Day
Having a Spa Day at Grand Fiesta Americana is the ultimate way to relax with your friends in Cancun. The spa in the resort is called the Coral Beach Gem Spa — a 40,000 square foot facility with a hydrotherapy circuit, massage treatments, a fitness center, beauty treatments, and more.
Rest assured you and your friends will feel like a million bucks after a few hours in this gorgeous space.
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Swim in Cenotes
Feel like getting out in nature? The Yucatan Peninsula is noted for its cenotes — natural limestone sinkholes filled with fresh water – and there are some great ones near Cancun (but unfortunately none in the city itself). Cenote La Noria, Cenote Azul, Cenote Kin Ha, Cenote Mojarras, Verde Lucero, and Cenote Tajma Ha are a few of the best within a 2-hour radius.
I recommend reading up on each cenote in particular as they each have different rules, but popular activities in them are swimming, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and snorkeling.
Read more: 10 Incredible Things To Do In Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula
Join a Temazcal Ceremony
For a truly unique activity for you and your friends, a Temazcal ritual is a traditional Mayan ceremony led by a local shaman. For the purpose of purifying your body, mind, and soul, the ritual is done in a hut and includes hot rocks and water for a Mexican sauna experience. Definitely wear your bathing suit for this!
The Temazcal ceremony takes place in total darkness and the shaman will chant and use various plants in the process. This is a great way to gain a deeper understanding of Mayan culture and have a meditation session in the process.
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Relax on the Best Cancun Beaches
Granted, the beach outside of Grand Fiesta Americana is one of the best (it’s secluded and just for hotel guests), but there are 13 miles of beautiful soft white sand that the area is famous for.
Some other great beaches in Cancun include Playa Delfines (home to the colorful Cancun sign), Playa Tortugas (perfect for swimming), and Playa Forum (near some great nightlife spots).
Go Shopping at Mercado 28
If you’re looking to venture into downtown Cancun, then you should definitely put Mercado 28 on your list. One of the largest shopping centers in the city, this location is less mall and more flea market — featuring more than 600 unique vendors selling a variety of products and souvenirs.
You’ll be able to grab a bus from the Hotel Zone to Mercado 28, so it makes for an adventurous, yet easy, excursion.
Indulge in the Nightlife
If you’re looking for premium drinks and an unlimited minibar, then booking an all-inclusive stay at the Grand Fiesta Americana is the way to go. In particular, their tequila bar at La Joya is famed and has regular themed nights on offer. They also have entertainment events for all ages.
Of course, if you and your girlfriends are looking to experience more of Cancun, then I have to mention some of the downtown nightlife spots (they do exist outside of spring break stereotypes). In particular, some of the best clubs include Coco Bongo, Amma Club, Ginza Nightclub, and H Roof.
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For our recent stay in Cancun, my friend and I stayed at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach and absolutely loved it. The resort is home to 602 suites with private terraces (the prices range dramatically depending on what level of luxury you’re after), multiple restaurants and dining options, the aforementioned spa, a kids club, activities and entertainment, and more.
I found it to be the perfect place for a girlfriend getaway. We were never bored with all of the options at the hotel and it was extremely easy to plan any excursions — especially with the Isla Mujeres pick up point right in front of the hotel!
The food was incredible — everything from the variety of restaurants on site (nearly all of them included in our stay) to room service with a view from our suite.
Because my girlfriend getaway was at the Grand Fiesta Americana, these are a few of the best restaurants on the property:
AAA Five-Diamond Le Basilic
If you’re looking for an opulent, one-of-a-kind dining experience at Grand Fiesta Americana, then look no further than Le Basilic. This restaurant is one of only a few Mexican locations to have earned the AAA Five Diamond accreditation and features a menu consisting of French-Mediterranean cuisine. Plus, the dining experience is accompanied by a Mexican artist who performs to piano music.
Just keep in mind that because this restaurant is one of the best in the area, it does have a dress code and requires reservations at designated times.
Vina Del Mar
With white-and-gold decor and a delectable menu of international and local cuisine, Vina Del Mar is another upscale option at Grand Fiesta Americana. The restaurant features a split-level dining room, great views of the Caribbean sea, and operatic performers in the evening.
Tuscany Trattoria
I don’t normally eat Italian food in Mexico, but this place was so good that we had to eat here twice. They offer everything from fresh pasta (including the favorite Roman dish Cacio e Pepe), salads risottos and traditional Italian main courses.
La Joya
If you’re looking for more authentic Mexican cuisine, then La Joya is a great choice. Elegant yet fun, this restaurant features traditional fare, nightly entertainment (a little more upbeat than the other options on this list), and tequila tastings.
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Budget For the Area
Though Mexico can be a budget-friendly destination, Cancun is a popular destination and the prices are higher than other places in the country. Definitely budget accordingly and book an all-inclusive stay (such as at the Grand Fiesta Americana) to get the best bang for your buck.
The Water is Safe to Drink
Being such a popular destination, the Hotel Zone in Cancun has safe tap water. Not only is the water filtered regionally, but it usually goes through a second filtration system at the hotels themselves.
Don’t Go Too Wild
Though having a few drinks at your resort is completely fine, having too much to drink while at a nightclub or in town can be a bad idea. Being inebriated in public leaves you more at risk for petty theft or worse, so take it easy on the substances and always keep an eye on your drinks.
Toiletries: On any trip to the Caribbean, reef-safe sunscreen and bug spray are essentials. The water areas in Mexico (both freshwater and ocean) contain fragile ecosystems and making sure you have a sunscreen that won’t harm anything is a must.
Camera Equipment: Your girlfriend getaway needs proper documentation after all! A GoPro Hero 10 and a floatie stick are great for most situations in Cancun.
Water Gear: Assuming that a solid chunk of your vacation will be spent in the water or on the beach, I recommend bringing along 2-3 swimsuits, water shoes, a quick-dry towel, Teva sandals, a rash guard/sun shirt, and a sun hat.
After traveling consistently for over 10 years, we’ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Flights: Momondo is the first place we check when searching for cheap flights. It searches hundreds of sites for the best fare and includes both standard and budget airlines. The calendar feature shows the cheapest days to fly in your preferred month of travel.
Accommodation: Booking.com offers savings on hotels, apartments, and villas in 80,000 destinations worldwide. You can browse hotel reviews and find the guaranteed best price on hotels for all budgets.
Travel Insurance: We never travel without a travel insurance policy because it’s not worth the risk! We use and trust World Nomads, which we’ve used for the past 8 years.
The post How To Plan A Girlfriend Getaway In Cancun, Mexico appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.
