Christmas In Cancun
Christmas in Cancun at the Hilton All-Inclusive Resort
Who: Our fun blended family included me (Ashley), my husband Cartez, my daughter Desire, my bonus son Cameron, Cameron's mom Karen, Cameron's brother Kiereyon, and Kiereyon's girlfriend Alyssea. We made memories together as a dynamic, loving crew.
Fun Fact: This was Ashley and Desire’s first time out of the country.
Day 1: Arrival
Our trip began with a smooth, three-hour flight. Customs was surprisingly easy, and I couldn't resist grabbing three mini bottles of Patron tequila from Duty Free. I was also amazed at how cheap cigarettes were (my mom’s a smoker!). However, the wait at baggage claim felt like an eternity.
We used USA Transfers’ VIP service, riding in a sleek Chevy Suburban. The drive to the resort took about 10 minutes, and I immediately felt safe as the driver had to stop at a security gate to confirm our entry. Upon arrival, the resort staff's attentiveness blew me away. The bellman handled our luggage and waited for us to check in while we sipped on delicious welcome drinks of cranberry, cinnamon, and (possibly) apple.
Our room had a sunset view, which was still beautiful despite not facing the ocean. After settling in, we explored the resort and discovered a small market near the kids' pool, where I had my hair styled into two French braids. Handmade crafts were available for purchase. Dinner was at the buffet, which offered both indoor and outdoor seating. We enjoyed live performances featuring songs by Whitney Houston and Tina Turner.
Day 2: Christmas Eve
We started the day with breakfast at the buffet before heading to the beach. Unfortunately, all the poolside lounge chairs were "claimed" with towels, even though many remained unoccupied for hours. Desire and I opted for the beach, taking plenty of photos. By the time Karen, Cameron, Kiereyon, and Alyssea joined us, I was already through one mini bottle of Patron—time to turn up for Jesus' birthday!
We wore matching swimsuits: the ladies in "Santa Baby" one-pieces and the guys in Christmas-themed swim trunks. The resort had five restaurants, but most required reservations, which were fully booked for the entire week! We splurged on a private dining experience at Auma (a steakhouse) for $300, splitting the cost between seven of us. I tried octopus for the first time—not bad! The staff even sang Cameron "Happy Birthday," as his special day was just around the corner.
Day 3: Christmas Day
Determined to snag lounge chairs, I roamed the pool area after breakfast, hoping families visiting Santa in the lobby would free up chairs. No luck. Fortunately, Pedro, a resort staff member, saved the day and found three chairs for us after I tipped him generously.
After a relaxing nap by the pool, we dressed for dinner at Maxal, a Mexican restaurant. While Desire was waiting for us in the lobby, she spotted JWoww from "Jersey Shore"! I was thrilled (and nervous) to ask for a photo, but she was so sweet and even wished us a Merry Christmas.
Dinner at Maxal had exceptional service, but the food didn’t quite meet our expectations. We ended the night by taking photos by the Christmas tree in the lobby and playing our family tradition game, Left, Center, Right, using $1 bills.
Day 4: Catamaran Excursion to Isla Mujeres
We booked a catamaran excursion for the seven of us through Cancun Sailing Catamarans via TripAdvisor. The package included round-trip transportation, open bar, snorkeling, and a buffet on the island.
The weather forecast predicted rain, but we didn’t expect it to pour the entire time. Despite the rain, the views were breathtaking, and the others enjoyed snorkeling while my husband and I stayed aboard (we can’t swim!). Upon arriving at Isla Mujeres, we had an hour to shop, though the persistent vendors made it a bit overwhelming. My only purchase was a bag of chips and soda.
The buffet was disappointing—the best item was the jello. The tacos and rice fell short, and even the soda tasted watered down. I was puzzled by the three-hour duration at the buffet with not much to do, especially in the pouring rain. We returned drenched, grateful for the dry van ride back to the resort. I ordered room service en route, and it was hot and ready upon our return.
Day 5: Hello Kitty Cafe Adventure
Desire is a huge Hello Kitty fan (she even has a tattoo!), so we made a reservation at the Hello Kitty Cafe inside the outlet mall. The $24 reservation fee per person included a food credit. Desire had cheeseburger sliders, and I had a delicious grilled chicken dish. We sipped on mocktails—a tropical kiwi margarita for me and a pineapple mojito for her.
Our guacamole and chips were shaped like Hello Kitty, and we indulged in Hello Kitty-themed cookies for dessert. After taking plenty of photos, we shopped at the attached outlet mall. Though we didn’t find a Cancun-specific charm at Pandora, we did pick a charm to commemorate the trip. Other stops included Nike, Coach, and a souvenir shop where I found gifts for my mom and stepdad.
That night, we dined at Sunan, the Asian-themed restaurant. Due to Desire’s severe shellfish allergy, the staff was careful and accommodating. Cartez and Kiereyon shared a tomahawk steak—a favorite of Cartez’s—while we played the drinking card game Buzzed. Needless to say, we were all a little tipsy!
Day 6: Departure
Leaving was bittersweet. I missed my dogs but loved the resort’s luxury. Ironically, the weather was perfect the day we left! The Cancun airport experience was chaotic due to gate changes and a delayed flight, but we found Cancun charms at Pandora, which made up for it.
Tips & Things to Know:
1. American dollars are widely accepted for tips, except on Isla Mujeres, where pesos are preferred for better bargaining.
2. Wake up at 7 a.m. or earlier to snag a poolside lounge chair.
3. Make dining reservations upon check-in to secure spots.
4. Bring your own beach towels—resort towels run out quickly.
5. Washcloths may need to be requested multiple times, but robes are provided.
6. USA Transfers offers reliable, comfortable transportation.
7. The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18.
8. The iPhone’s calculator has a handy currency conversion option.
Despite a few hiccups, our Christmas in Cancun was unforgettable—from festive swimsuits and surprise celebrity sightings to a rainy catamaran adventure and Hello Kitty-themed treats. Hilton's exceptional service made our first international trip as a blended family truly special.
