Alright, let’s be real here. After months of dealing with corporate BS and the same old routine, I desperately needed to get the hell out of town. So I booked a 5-day solo trip to Cancun, Mexico – my first time south of the border, and honestly? Best decision I’ve made all year.
Getting There: LAX to Cancun
Direct flight from LAX on Alaska Airlines, about 4.5 hours. Not too shabby for an international trip. I snagged a Friday afternoon departure that got me there by evening – perfect timing to start the weekend right.
Here’s the first reality check: Uber and Lyft don’t operate at Cancun airport. Yeah, I was annoyed too. Had to pre-book a shuttle, but whatever – when in Rome, right?
Where I Stayed: Two Hotels in Cancun Zona Hotelera
I split my stay between two different resorts in the hotel zone to get the full experience. Spoiler alert: both were adults-only, because let’s face it – I didn’t fly to Mexico to listen to kids screaming by the pool.
Excellence Riviera Cancun (2 nights) – $1,100
Started with two nights at Excellence Riviera Cancun, an all-inclusive adults-only resort about 20 minutes south of the main hotel strip.
The Solo Traveler Reality Check: Here’s something they don’t advertise – you’re paying a “single supplement” even though you’re staying in a double room. Basically, I paid almost the full double occupancy rate. Is it fair? Hell no. But did I enjoy having a huge room to myself? Absolutely.
What I Loved:
- Unlimited food and drinks (goodbye, vacation budget anxiety)
- 24/7 room service
- Multiple restaurants – the French place and steakhouse were legit good
- Both beach and pool access
The Not-So-Great:
- Beach was covered in seaweed. Like, seriously covered. Swimming was pretty much out
- Popular restaurants had waits, even with reservations
The ribeye at “The Grill” steakhouse was phenomenal – easily on par with what I’d get at a solid steakhouse back in NYC. No complaints there.
Hyatt Zilara Cancun (3 nights) – $1,650
For the remaining three nights, I switched to Hyatt Zilara Cancun, right in the heart of zona hotelera. Also adults-only, but more modern and polished. Yeah, I paid the single supplement here too, but the upgraded facilities were worth it.
My Daily Routine (Living My Best Life):
- Morning: Sleep in, order room service breakfast
- Noon: Park myself poolside with a beer and whatever book I was pretending to read
- Afternoon: Beach nap or pool swimming (depending on seaweed situation)
- Evening: Dinner at one of the hotel restaurants
- Night: Cocktails at the hotel bar
The beauty of solo travel? Nobody’s judging you for day-drinking or spending the entire afternoon horizontal. It’s called vacation, people.
Tours and Activities That Were Actually Worth It
Chichen Itza + Cenote Tour
Booked this full-day tour through VELTRA. English-speaking guide who knew his stuff about Mayan history. Educational without being boring.
The cenote (Gran Cenote) was absolutely insane. I’m talking crystal-clear water in these underground cave systems. Snorkeling through them felt like swimming in an alien world. Only downside? 5:30 AM pickup. But hey, early bird gets the cenote or whatever.
Isla Mujeres Dolphin Encounter
Took a ferry to this small island for some dolphin interaction. Yeah, it’s touristy as hell, but it was fun. Plus, more all-inclusive drinking on the boat. Win-win.
Parasailing
Fifteen minutes floating above the Caribbean, taking in the full Cancun coastline. Time flies when you’re literally flying. Definitely worth the splurge.
Food Scene: Hotel vs. Local
The hotel food was solid, but I ventured out a few times for authentic Mexican cuisine. Hit up some local spots for proper tacos and ceviche – the real deal tastes way different from what we get back home.
Nightlife in the hotel zone was pretty decent. Hit a couple clubs, and honestly, being solo wasn’t weird at all. Easy to meet other travelers, and the music was on point.
Shopping and Other Stuff
La Isla Shopping Mall: Cancun’s biggest shopping center. Rode the giant Ferris wheel during sunset – it does two full rotations, so you get plenty of time to watch the sky change colors. Pretty spectacular, actually.
The Real Talk: Costs and Tips
Complete Cost Breakdown:
- Flight: $750 (LAX ↔ CUN, solo traveler)
- Hotels: $2,750 total (includes single supplement fees)
- Excellence Riviera Cancun (2 nights): $1,100
- Hyatt Zilara Cancun (3 nights): $1,650
- Tours: $350
- Misc (shopping, tips, extras): $270
- Grand Total: $4,120
Solo Travel Hotel Reality: That single supplement is brutal – you’re essentially paying close to double occupancy rates. It’s the biggest downside of solo travel, but honestly, the freedom and space make it worth it.
Tipping: Pretty similar to the US. $1-2 for housekeeping, bartenders, waiters. Nothing crazy.
What to Pack (Learn from My Mistakes)
- Serious sunscreen (SPF 50+ minimum – the sun is no joke down there)
- Sunglasses and hat
- Multiple swimsuits
- Light jacket or hoodie (AC is aggressive indoors)
Bottom Line
Five days went by way too fast. I was worried solo travel might be weird or lonely, but it was the complete opposite. Moving at my own pace, making my own schedule, not having to compromise on anything – it was exactly what I needed.
What Made This Trip:
- Adults-only all-inclusive resorts are the way to go
- Cenotes are a must-see (seriously, don’t skip this)
- Hotel pools > beaches (at least when I was there)
- Solo travel in Cancun is totally doable and comfortable
Compared to Hawaii, Cancun’s closer, more affordable, and feels way more exotic. I’m already eyeing dates for next year.
Rating: ★★★★★
This trip completely recharged my batteries. Sure, Monday morning back at the office sucked, but having these memories makes the grind a little more bearable. Sometimes you just need to remind yourself that life’s too short for bad vacations and cheap tequila.
Planning your own trip? Honestly, if you’re looking for cheap hotels in Cancun zona hotelera that don’t suck, both Excellence Riviera and Hyatt Zilara delivered. Just budget for that single supplement if you’re flying solo – it’s annoying but not a deal-breaker.
Ready to book? These hotels fill up fast during peak season, so don’t sleep on it. Your future relaxed self will thank you.