Who: Jerry and Carol Huller of Centennial, Colorado
Where: Occidental Grand Cozumel Hotel & Resort, Mexico
Out and about: We loved this all-inclusive resort. Except for snorkeling and scuba trips, we stayed at the resort for our entire vacation. The resort offered organized activities at the pool and beach: snorkel and scuba lessons, aqua aerobics, pool volleyball, water polo, ping pong, beach volleyball, dance lessons, language lessons. There was also a “kids club” for the young ones. Most nights, there were Las-Vegas-style music and dance shows under the stars.
Travel tip: Talk to other guests and get the inside scoop on things to do and be aware of. The hotel had 2 buffet restaurants, 1 pizza restaurant (with a view), and 3 specialty restaurants (steak, Mediterranean, Mexican/seafood themes). By talking to some of the guests at the pool, we learned to show up early in the morning to make dinner reservations for the specialty restaurants (you can only reserve 1 night in advance). During the busy months of February through April, have one member in your group get up early each day to place some personal items on the lounge chairs to “reserve” your spot by the pool or beach. If you have no early risers in your group you will be out of luck by 8 am. Remember to bring your bug spray if you walk on the beach at night. The sand fleas became active halfway through our stay.
