We have just returned from one of our favorite sunny locations. So many of you that had followed along on my Instagram are asking for more information about how to plan a tropical getaway. Here‘s all the tips we have learned over the years.
Do you remember the song… “Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy”? ..well this could literally be my theme song! I’m sure this phrase is true for most of us, but when you happen to live where there’s very little sunshine in the winter months, it becomes more of a desperate need. I often wonder if it’s because I spend my entire days outside in the summer that when winter hits and the grey skies, so does SAD (seasonal affective disorder). It becomes very necessary to get me somewhere that the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming!
Since we have been married, almost 33 years now, we have made it a point to budget in a tropical getaway almost every winter. I not only benefit greatly from a week in the sun but also look so forward to this time away, just the two of us. It’s like a honeymoon once a year! We prioritized it enough when we were younger to budget 40 dollars a week to go right into a vacation fund. We definitely spend more than that now, but initially we saved what we were able to and it worked.
With the emphasis on SUNSHINE and warm weather, we never fail to choose somewhere tropical to visit!
We have done other trips where we rent an Airbnb if we are going to be on the go a lot, but for our winter getaway we almost always book an all-inclusive through www.Applevacations.com . Their website is very easy to navigate and gives all the information you need on each resort.
Some of our favorite resorts include the Riu’s, Dreams, and Secrets. We would love to try the new Excellence resorts as well, maybe next year.
SOME OF THE THINGS WE LOOK FOR IN A RESORT
1. Location
We have been to several different islands as well as the Carribean, and several areas in Mexico. We tend to go back to the Pacific side of Mexico mainly because the weather is so perfect almost without fail. We love Cabo. The whole area, and the whales are there in February. We also love Puerto Vallerta, where we just came from.
Such a fun town, great restaurants right on the beach, same in Cabo!
2. Apples
Apple Vacations rate the resorts by apples. Obviously the more apples the better and if they’re gold apples even better. You can choose to see them in order of price or ratings.
3. The Room
We like to spend time on our patio or deck, in the morning with a cup of coffee and often again in the afternoon or evening. Speaking of coffee, I always check to make sure there’s a coffee pot in the room, so important to us, or we’ve packed our own little 4 cup coffee pot. We like to choose an ocean view, which is even better on the pacific coast to watch the whales from our room and also see amazing sunsets.
We have had it where the ocean waves get pretty loud and have hindered our sleep, if we’re on the first or second floor and close to the beach. Ocean views usually cost more and you find that out at the end when you’re picking your room.
4. Restaurants
Make sure when going through the list of resorts that you look for the “all-inclusive” next to the name, cuz not all of them are. The benefits of this are huge, if you’re like us and plan to mostly relax, you’ll not want to get your wallet out every time you want to eat or drink.
Most of them have a buffet available for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as snack bars, coffee shops and several different restaurants and bars. There’s hardly ever a time where food and drink aren’t available. Each restaurant usually includes a certain cuisine, Mexican, Italian, French, Brazilian, etc. I try and make sure when booking a resort that the restaurants don’t need a reservation.
Most of the Riu’s and Dreams do not. If they do require a reservation it usually seems you’re having to stand in a line early in the morning or in the middle of the afternoon. Not ideal.
People are often concerned with getting sick from the food or water. ..there has only been one time in all our years where my hubby has gotten sick. Still not sure from what but that was way back when we were first married. All the resorts would want to ensure that you would return and not get sick at their resort. I usually brush my teeth with bottled water, but not sure that’s even necessary. When going into town I usually ask for bottled water as well, but even then we’ve always ordered drinks and have been fine.
We do usually reserve at least one night where we go into town to a restaurant that has been recommended, either by the staff or your Apple Representative.
5. Pools and Beaches
I’ve had it before where I’m looking at a resort and it’s gallery of pictures and I never come across any pics of the beach. Likely you’ve come across one that’s not on the beach.
That’s a pretty important detail..maybe that doesn’t matter to you and you’d be fine with a lush landscape that surrounds a pool. Either way you’d want to make sure of this detail. I’m also a fan of resorts that have adult only pools or quiet pools.
Maybe you like the party pool, with a swim up bar, pool aerobics, and lots of pool games and loud music. Maybe you’re bringing the kids and you want lots for them to do, or you’re not and you don’t want to be around splashing kids.
Another key item for us are tiki huts or umbrellas.
I like to be in the sun and my hubby likes the shade, so it’s pretty important that a resort have shade available. Once again if the pictures don’t show them .. you can always try google earth to see from above.
6.Excursions and Entertainment
I’m certain you are able to book excusions at some point in your planning online. However, you will have an Apple representative at your hotel, if you book through them, you can book several excursions right at their desk. They will surely know the reputable companies, and how much you should pay for certain things, even taxi rides. Speaking of that..(long sidebar) Apple provides your transportation to and from the airport, that’s all in the cost of the trip. We always do tip them though. One tip I can tell you.. after getting your bags and getting through customs.. you will be exiting the airport and there will be dozens of people trying to stop you, they want to be the one to take you where you need to go. Just literally ignore them all, even if you say Apple vacations? … they will say yes, come with me. The trick is to not even look at them.. your Apple guy will be outside. He will be wearing a floral Hawain looking shirt, (most likely) either way it will say Apple or Amstar. He will have a clipboard.. he will look up your name and have transportation ready for you. When you arrive at your Resort, he will go through a checkpoint and they will ask your name again. All very safe feeling.
Okay, back to excursions.. we have done so many different ones. All very fun, just personal preference. Once again have never felt unsafe. My favorite a couple years back, skydiving!
There’s always options on the beach at most resorts to go parasailing or jetskiing as well.
Cabo is an amazing place to take a whale watching cruise.
Obviously so important to do some research ahead of time to know what types of things are available to do and the cost.
Entertainment- Before this last trip I wouldn’t have even thought to have you check on nightly entertainment.. but we hardly
had any this time, so you’ll probably want to make sure of that if it’s important to you. Most of the time it’s some sort of dancing act or band. Some even have night clubs that stay open late if you like dancing.
7. Shopping
There will always be lots of opportunities for shopping. Even right on the grounds of your resort. Usually they have a store or two. Clothing sometimes, but for sure a little shop where you can pick up necessities you might have forgotten. Sunscreen, Tylenol, sunglasses, bathing suit..(I hope not)…. etc! They usually have several nights as well where venders will set up to sell local items. Also on the beach.. if you sit there instead of the pool you’ll get lots of opportunities to buy items from the locals. Most resorts try to keep them from coming right up to you by roping off a section, but not always. Sometimes you might see something that sparks your interest and call them over, shopping and sunbathing..multitasking!
Of course there’s lots of shopping in town..or at the local mall. Puerto Vallarta had a brand new mall, it was just beautiful. Cabo has an amazing mall as well. There’s also the old parts of each town, more of the market areas, where people want to sell you stuff “at a good price”, definitely barter, they are planning on it.
If you never do any shopping, you can always pick up a gift or two at the airport before you leave, you’ll have the time.. but it’ll cost ya more for sure. We always stock up on Vanilla while in Mexico!
8. Flowers!
Okay ..so this isn’t something you actually have to research before going. Just wanted you to know how beautifully landscaped most of the resorts are.
If you followed me on Instagram, you know I would secretly snip off a flower everyday to either wear in my hair or bring to my room for a bouquet. I had so many fun comments as well as comments from people worried about me getting in trouble. So, I ended up asking the groundskeeper if he would let me pick flowers for my room and he said “Sure”. I watched the next day as they took a hedge trimmer to all the bushes along the path, I wanted to cry at all the mangled flowers all over the ground. I should have picked a lot more! The next day we ended up finding a flower shop right up the road where I purchased several stems of different tropical plants to add to my bouquet.
As my bouquet grew bigger the maid started to create flowers with the towels on our bed.
I thought that was so cute that she recognized my love of flowers and made this instead of a fish or whatever they usually do.
I was so sad about having to leave them behind that I asked at the Concierge desk if I could gift them to her. They let me write her a nice note and leave them along with her tip. Which she SO deserves! She comes everyday to change the bedding, give you clean towels, stock the fridge with beverages and makes your bed beautiful with towel art.
This pretty much sums up the main reason you come to an all-inclusive.. you literally rest! If the maid service alone isn’t enough, there’s the meals..yes please! No purchasing the food, no preparing the food, no cleaning up after the food! If you don’t like the food you ask for different food. Literally your biggest task for the week is finding the perfect spot to lay! Actually this can take most of the week. The beach is good but too many venders perhaps..kinda windy as well. The pool’s great but maybe no breeze… or the music is too loud? The spot between the two..where the palm trees provide just the right amount of shade.. it’s quiet, and has a slight breeze..Mmmmm, I think we’ve found our spot. Now, where’s the beach server with our drinks?! Lol!
So what are you waiting for? Book a trip! You won’t regret it!
