by Brian Major
Last updated: 2:11 PM ET, Tue June 5, 2018
Mexico's Costa Mujeres resort region offers travelers a lush sliver of naturally beautiful tropical landscape between the Caribbean Sea and Chac Moc Chuc lagoon.
Now, following its December opening, vacationers can appreciate the district from Costa Mujeres, Riu Hotels & Resorts' new all-inclusive Riu Dunamar resort.
Located only 18 miles from Cancun's hotel zone, visible from in the distance from the Riu Dunamar beach, Costa Mujeres offers a pleasantly secluded alternative to Cancun's busy Zona Hotelera district, while also offering easy access to those for whom a downtown visit is a must-do.
While there, guests will find many good reasons not to leave the resort too quickly, if at all. The meticulous beachfront property is an eye-pleaser in every aspect, with white-walled structures that emphasize the natural landscape and interiors highlighted by bright accents with sleek mid-century modern furnishings.
Guest will also find an array of gourmet dining options, four beachfront pools, a Renova Spa and fitness facility, a kid's pool as well as a "Riu Land" kids' water park, and Splash Water World, a water park for the young-at-heart.
The deluxe facilities, amenities, and services target a wide range of guests from couples and honeymooners to families to active vacationers seeking a fun, relaxing and stress-free warm-weather getaway. Here are five things to love about the new Riu Dunamar:
- It's all-inclusive
Despite being among the most significant trend in upscale hotel and resorts for nearly a generation, the all-inclusive format's tremendous value and convenience is in some respects under-appreciated. In addition to the convenience of having meals, accommodations and entertainment included in the vacation price, the diversity and quality of the amenities, facilities, and services available to guests at the best all-inclusive resorts has only grown as the category has expanded to include upscale and luxury properties.
So without spending anything extra or even carrying a wallet, guests can wake up to sunrise in an ocean-facing terraced suite, head to the beach for a morning run or opt for a quick workout in the fitness center, and later enjoy a full breakfast.
After that, it's on to a lounge chair around one of the resort's five swimming pools or perhaps a short walk down to the beach for some watersports or a snooze in a comfy lounge chair. Resort-wide WiFi access (also included) allows guests to scan the web or post social media images of their vacation. What's not to like?
-It offers great food options
Isla Mujeres is the resort's buffet restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Dinner features buffets and dishes prepared live and thrice-weekly special evenings feature themed buffets. Lunch features hot and cold buffets, live cooking stations plus pizzas, pasta, salads and assorted desserts. Breakfast features a full American breakfast buffet with live cooking stations, continental breakfast, and snacks.
Guests at the resort also have a choice of four distinct cuisine options: Las Brasas, a poolside steakhouse restaurant; Bamboo, an Asian restaurant, Pompeya which serves Italian fare and Kulinarium, a contemporary restaurant and the only on the resort for which reservations are required. The Sports Bar serves a variety of comfort foods and snacks in addition to drinks and remains open 24 hours a day.
Visitors will also find a wide selection of favorite Caribbean drinks at any of six bars: Mezcal, a swim-up bar; Tequila, another poolside bar with a swim-up bar; the Bolero lounge bar; El Jardín, a lobby bar; plus the resort's Plaza bar and Sports bar.
-It's situated on Costa Mujeres Beach
Like virtually all Caribbean Sea destinations, Mexico is filled with great beaches. Costa Mujeres Beach, which adjoins the length of the Riu Dunamar property, offers guests a palm-tree lined stretch of powdery white sand just steps from the resort's pool complex.
Lounge chairs are present along the palms, which provide natural shade for who prefer to avoid full sun exposure. The picturesque beach features a panoramic view of the Cancun resort district. While the surf is active, it's fine for swimming and wading.
- There are off-property activities
Riu's partner firm Scuba Caribe offers surprisingly well-rounded excursions that highlight Costa Mujeres' fascinating natural environment, as well as the Cancun hotel and shopping district.
The company's Rio Manati tour to lagoon Chac Moc Chuc begins with a purification ceremony performed by a shaman followed by the blessings of a Mayan descendant who ensures visitors leave the natural environment intact. The riverboat tour explores the lagoon's thriving mangroves, which feature wildlife including alligators and frigate birds.
-It's a Great value
Riu Dunamar offers travelers an exceptional value. Promotional rates offered across the year feature rates as low as $103 per night; the resort's lead rate averages about $170 per person, per night. A check of July rates on Riu's website listed a double standard room at 1,663.20 per person for a five-night stay in standard accommodations; a suite was listed at $2,240.76.
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