Photo by Tonya Sutfin
Cancun, Mexico, has long been a top destination for Minnesotans looking for some sun and fun in the middle of winter, with travel starting as early as October and tending to taper off around mid-April. The easternmost tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula means visitors can enjoy water activities mainly on the Caribbean Sea, but some venture into the Gulf of Mexico, too. Beyond the beaches, Cancun offers an interesting mix of historic, culinary, and adventurous excursions nearby or a day trip away.
While the safety of Americans traveling to Mexico has been touch-and-go lately with government warnings and alarming headlines, upscale resorts and all-inclusive properties offer peace of mind with their security measures and personalized services.
Photo by Tonya Sutfin
One option in the Cancun area north of the traditional hotel zone is Garza Blanca Resort & Spa, technically located in Playa Mujeres. A part of the Tafer hotel chain, the property was built in 2019, just before the pandemic. It celebrated its grand opening a year ago and already ranks as one of Cancun’s top hotels in U.S. News & World Report. Families with toddlers mingle with retirees as well as college-aged guests here. There is a kids’ club but also an adults-only area on the stunning rooftop pool and deck area. Celebrities such as Floyd Mayweather and Simone Biles have posted photos of themselves exploring the expansive grounds, with more than 450 suites, and enjoying the made-for-Instagram, see-through plexiglass pool decks on their social media channels. The resort also invites journalists for hosted stays, which we did earlier this year.
It’s already expanding, and construction workers were busy adding to the resort’s beach-facing wing when we visited in February. They were building a new adults-only section, as well as stand-alone shops, a coffeeshop, and covered gathering spots perfect for weddings and other celebrations near the front entrance’s remarkable white merry-go-round. Everywhere we went, we were greeted by employees displaying the Garza Blanca signature sign—their right hand over their heart, plus a quick nod.
Photo by Tonya Sutfin
Guests have the option of an all-inclusive stay with gourmet meals and other expenses included, or traditional lodging with access to the hotel’s four upscale restaurants. One night, we dined on sushi rolls and tropical cocktails at the Japanese-themed Hiroshi restaurant; another, we dodged a rainstorm on the rooftop to arrive at the Chinese restaurant DAO. But we didn’t come to Mexico for Asian cuisine. Our favorite dining experience was a private tasting of surprisingly balanced Mexican wines followed by a six-course meal of traditional Oaxacan dishes, including an ice cream dessert infused with smoke flavors that came after the server ignited a wick and covered it with glass.
For some, relaxing by the pool or walking along the shore during the day and enjoying a well-prepared gourmet meal at night is all they need for a beach vacation. But the second half of Garza Blanca’s name is “spa,” and this property delivers. We splurged on massages and a hydrotherapy service one afternoon after a sweaty morning excursion with other resort guests to the nearby Mayan historical site, El Meco. It was a buggy, hot, 2.5-hour roundtrip walk, and we were surprised to learn there wasn’t a resort van or safer transportation when we gathered in the lobby that morning. Some of the details of the activities listed on the resort’s app we used to plan our days were unclear, as during the trip to El Meco. Others were canceled without warning, which I discovered our final morning when I showed up for a group yoga class.
These small quibbles aside, the pools are pristine, the spa is spectacular, and the food is fantastic at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa in Cancun.
