August - Riviera Maya

My husband and I took a much needed long weekend to the Mayan Riviera in August. Although it was stinking hot, we had a great time at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya. We arrived early, and had a private transfer with Nexus Tours. Our driver was super friendly, giving us shopping tips as well as getting the party started with music videos for the drive to the resort.

Upon arrival, as our check in was a little later, we were shown to the courtesy rooms, adjacent to the lobby where we changed into our bathing suits. A shuttle took us to our lunch buffet (Best. Guac. Ever.) and then we headed to the ocean to cool off. The resort had free wifi everywhere and our room was spectacular. We had a private pool and butler who booked our dinner reservations for us every night.

The resort also had an indigenous species, called the Coatie (kwa-tie) which were totally adorable - a sort of cross between a racoon and a monkey!

The resort had a lazy river (with great music), a mini-wave pool, many pools and phenomenal à la carte restaurants. The seafood one was my favourite with a delicious surf and turf dinner.

The beach was also very beautiful and so warm, despite the claims of sargassum "seaweed" issues in the area. The staff was lovely and the service at the bars and restaurants was really top notch.  It was a great property for families and people looking for a variety of activities to choose from. One of the coolest features was that there was a shopping complex on the property with lots of clothing, souvenir and jewellery shops as well as a small taco restaurant with was actually part of the all-inclusive offering at the resort.