The best things about AVA Cancun is that each upscale room looks out over the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea and it’s located 5 miles from Cancun International Airport. And it’s an all-inclusive resort located right below the hotel zone giving it island-style privacy from noisy neighbors. It’s definitely not a crazy Cancun party spot which I appreciated, especially not really being in a very celebratory mood which I will share that debacle story at a later date. The pool closes pretty early and things settle down shortly after sunset.
However, the pool music “boots and cats” sounding bass kicks on right after sunrise which I was still was acclimated to East Coast timezone so I just went with it, soaking up each morning in a philosophical haze. AVA is huge and shaped like a long snake, winding its way from the North Side where we were to the South Side dotted with shops and restaurants in between. It was almost like an upscale marble mall with food freebies along the way and places to shop or adventure for something fun to do with friends and family. Because that walk can get quite tiresome, I learned randomly there are men waiting nearby exit doors to whisk you away outside to the other side of the hotel in a souped up golf cart. A total lifesaver for weary travelers!
AVA Cancun is mainly meant for families – although ones that can walk a lot or wheel around easily – as the main pools were packed with children playing most of the day. The beach was overwhelmed with the most seaweed (sargassum) ever recorded which was a bummer as normal seaweed seasons in Cancun are April to August, peaking between May and July. This year however a record-breaking amount of sargassum seaweed was washing across Caribbean shores, suffocating beaches Puerto Rico to Cancun. And it smells like a pack of wet, stinky seals… I’m not gonna lie. Think the seal-covered rocks of La Jolla, California scents… But Mother Nature (and global warming) decides the weather so you have to roll the dice when to visit and hope for the best. If I was more spry, a boat excursion and a snorkel would have been amazing in the turquoise sea!
Speaking of rolling dice, they also have a casino which we did not visit. I do not find joy in watching my dollars disappear faster than I can say, “No…”. They also have over 17 bars and restaurants and from what I witnessed, they do not water down their drinks like most places in Cancun, Mexico. With over 66,000 square feet, the Spa at AVA was overwhelmingly full of beauty treatments, services and total body relaxation which I’ll share below. I didn’t even get to see the fitness center with over 11,000 square feet of upscale workout equipment or the Bowling Alley, which would have been fun if I was allowed to play.
After a pretty smooth flight and my chosen aisle seat through American Airlines, we were soon on our way to enjoy this break from real life in less than 15 minutes from landing. Cancun has a pretty fast scan-your-passport and go kiosks that we were lucky to speed right through. Previously, I’ve had bags searched on my way out but this time just a question of what snacks I packed. Make sure to walk past all the timeshare desks and people calling out to you, go outside and look for your ride. Getting an Uber or Lyft here is a pain so having a pre-planned shuttle or car service is the way to go!
Our rep was waiting for us at the airport to go to AVA Resort Cancun from Bonvo DMC.First stop, the gates at AVA Resort Cancun to make sure our names are on the list. Resorts in Cancun are pretty strict about security!After a jungle-like drive up a long driveway, our first view of AVA Resort Cancun.Our driver Wilbert poses for a photo in front of AVA Resort Cancun with cold water bottles inside.Looking out from the entrance to AVA Resort Cancun.As you enter AVA Resort Cancun, this sign awaits as a reminder – life is short!While we checked in and getting our wristbands that also served as room keys, enjoy a refreshing hibiscus tea at AVA Resort Cancun.Walking to our room with our light luggage loaded on a cart, the only cat we saw on this trip at AVA Resort Cancun.First looks of our room at AVA Resort Cancun included the bathroom with all the toiletries and water you may need at AVA Resort Cancun. Don’t drink the water in Mexico and try not to brush your teeth with it either!A shower with bench, refillable shampoo, conditioner and body wash and separate toilet at AVA Resort Cancun.Looking back at the door at AVA Resort Cancun. You hang the little blue anchor outside when you don’t want to be disturbed.The Nespresso tea and coffee station came in clutch at AVA Resort Cancun. There is also a mini fridge right below this.A small dining table and snacks upon arrival at AVA Resort Cancun.Our fluffy marshmallow beds at AVA Resort Cancun were a delight along with the swag bag. We gifted our float to our neighbors.The view from next to the balcony at AVA Resort Cancun. It’s a good setup minus the right side bed needed a night table too.Peaking out the balcony doors at AVA Resort Cancun. If you open either door, the AC shuts off and it’s hella humid!The curious bathtub on the balcony at AVA Resort Cancun. They also offered complimentary bubble bath and sea salts. Yes, it got hot!Looking straight out our balcony at AVA Resort Cancun. We were on level 5 on the North Side.A little seating area on our balcony at AVA Resort Cancun.The view overlooking the balcony at AVA Resort Cancun.Looking straight ahead off the balcony at AVA Resort Cancun.And to the right looking off the balcony at AVA Resort Cancun.A lineup of the goodies we received – and left the bottle of wine and bag behind at AVA Resort Cancun. The lighter the luggage the better!Snuggly and warm robes would be amazing in the cooler weather at AVA Resort Cancun.Snacks available anytime at AVA Resort Cancun with a fridge stocked full of sodas, water, beer and chocolate milks at AVA Resort Cancun. Some of these came home with me!We had the option of the tequila tasting and were eating the fruit first at AVA Resort Cancun. No worm salt here folks! And dipping your tongue in your tasting glass also counts as they will come pour it away for you. I asked what they do with that cup and he laughed.Our host explaining how tequila is made, where it comes from and more at AVA Resort Cancun.The lineup at the tequila tasting at AVA Resort Cancun. I was starving at this point and was most interested in food!Behold the best idea ever, a never ending taco bar at AVA Resort Cancun.We decided three tacos were respectable before a late dinner at AVA Resort Cancun and I inhaled these pork carnitas with corn tacos.Our hostess let us know about this great sunset spot and the thunderstorms were making it extra pretty at AVA Resort Cancun.It was a stunner and the sun sets at the entrance of AVA Resort Cancun.I found the comfiest dress I packed and pulled myself together for this shot at AVA Resort Cancun. Heels will hurt ya’ll so nice sandals or fancy slippers are fine. Listen to the waterfalls below!After a meet and greet with fellow content creators, dinner that night was at Copal at AVA Resort Cancun.Walking straight into the restaurant at AVA Resort Cancun.Views to the right where we were seated at AVA Resort Cancun.Views to the left at AVA Resort Cancun with an open air kitchen. Heads up if you have a picky back like me, opt for these comfy spots.Dinner that night was family style and I was not feeling like drinking so nursed this mezcal cocktail like it was my infant at AVA Resort Cancun.I tried this fancy champagne cocktail but my plus one took care of it for me at AVA Resort Cancun. Notice the wristband!Chef started sending out random plates and it was a foodie feeding frenzy at AVA Resort Cancun.The beef carpaccio was my favorite at AVA Resort Cancun.Everything was beautifully plated at AVA Resort Cancun. I think this was the pate.Chef Abel Hernandez of course knew Chef Chad White who I had met at Overland Expo in Flagstaff. It’s a small chef world!The duck was sheer perfection at AVA Resort Cancun.And this chocolate crepe was divine at AVA Resort Cancun.I got some decaf just to get me back to the room and ready for bed at AVA Resort Cancun. I was pooped! But the coffee is always good.Looking out over the balcony at night at AVA Resort Cancun.And then again for sunrise in the morning at AVA Resort Cancun. I was up early and determined to work each morning to lighten my load upon my return home.So many pastel hues at AVA Resort Cancun.Soon the sun was peaking out and I was on a mission for more caffeine at AVA Resort Cancun. I enjoyed the mornings the most!Our elevator doors were right across from the cocktail bar at AVA Resort Cancun. A totally quiet and peaceful vibe in the morning.The only place open at 6 a.m. at AVA Resort Cancun is Aroma.They have healthy grab and go breakfast items at AVA Resort Cancun and of course, double or triple shot coffee drinks.Looking down the hallway to the far North side at AVA Resort Cancun.Looking down the hallway toward the lobby at AVA Resort Cancun. I also enjoyed all the artwork lining the walls.Even at the crack of dawn, it was toasty outside at AVA Resort Cancun.I decided now was the best time to go see the beach so to the end of the North side I went at AVA Resort Cancun.There are lots of cabana options at AVA Resort Cancun which I soon learned more about. That’s a private bathroom and shower door!The pool first thing in the morning is a whole vibe at AVA Resort Cancun.Soon my homies from New York City were there shooting and grabbing that content at AVA Resort Cancun.The most beautiful flower at AVA Resort Cancun.Lots of lounging options which I mentally clocked for future use at AVA Resort Cancun.For all your beach and swimming needs, a full service store at AVA Resort Cancun.Morning beach views from AVA Resort Cancun. There’s two sets of steps leading down on the North side.I like the rustic look of these steps at AVA Resort Cancun.Walking down the steps onto the beach at AVA Resort Cancun. You can see the city to the left.There’s a barrier they built in to keep the seaweed out at AVA Resort Cancun.Looking back at AVA Resort Cancun.The view to the right at the beach at AVA Resort Cancun.All the way up to the left barrier, the sea of seaweed at AVA Resort Cancun.Teams of employees are here each morning battling Mother Nature to make the beach a bit more inviting at AVA Resort Cancun.Back toward the hotel at AVA Resort Cancun for a morning stretch with a long list of rules. I didn’t see a hot tub which was a bummer!Attempting the morning stretch class but it got a little too intense for me so I wandered off after about 10 minutes at AVA Resort Cancun. But normally this is my jam – maybe not in direct sunlight though.So I walked toward the next spot and fell in love with this fashion store at AVA Resort Cancun.If you’re not on a budget, this is the place to look resort chic at AVA Resort Cancun for men and women – even the kiddos.Some food porn artwork that caught my eye at AVA Resort Cancun.Gotta represent both genders at AVA Resort Cancun!The Digit NFT bar for kids I’m assuming was a bit outdated at AVA Resort Cancun.I saw a couple of kids hanging here at AVA Resort Cancun.There are timeshares here at AVA Resort Cancun and the office will try to snag you with a free massage or other offers. This property is under the Hard Rock umbrella which makes sense once you’re there for a while.A visual representation of what was going on in my head at AVA Resort Cancun.For the family, a fun escape room exists but to me being trapped in a room is my definition of hell at AVA Resort Cancun.Another Pier 27 store in case you forgot sunscreen or souvenirs at AVA Resort Cancun.I had time to kill and was hungry so stopped for a snack at the breakfast buffet at AVA Resort Cancun.Then it was time for adults only Dez Nightclub or during the daytime Dez pool club at AVA Resort Cancun. Down the stairs and out!Our group had 3-4 cabanas reserved and again happy to always be early at AVA Resort Cancun. I claimed the lounge with the bag on it!The best part of the cabana was the private bathroom and shower at AVA Resort Cancun.The adults only pool before everyone arrived at AVA Resort Cancun.Our cabanas at the very end of the beach at AVA Resort Cancun.Fortunately I was able to snag this shot at AVA Resort Cancun. Rocking my scoliosis fusion scar proudly!The view from the cabana was pretty epic too at AVA Resort Cancun. Soon our cabana was the happening spot!Out hostess had this amazing SPF 50 sunscreen which I’m now obsessed with at AVA Resort Cancun.People were starving and ordered early but chef sent out this perfect summer spread of ceviche and guac at AVA Resort Cancun.Our hostess also made sure to get us all some Moet bottles to pop and enjoy at AVA Resort Cancun.Chef then sent the best meat & seafood spread ever at AVA Resort Cancun! I was stuffed and getting tired from the heat.I went to walk back and this great guy grabbed me for a ride. I asked if I looked dead he said yes at AVA Resort Cancun. So grateful!After a juicy nap because no bowling allowed for me, we poked around in this amazing artist sculpture store at AVA Resort Cancun.This is how I feel after coffee at AVA Resort Cancun.Arizonians would love this horse at AVA Resort Cancun.I am obsessed with this butterfly skull at AVA Resort Cancun.And what a majestic lion at AVA Resort Cancun.During my morning meanderings, I found this spot at AVA Resort Cancun.And I knew it would make for a great photoshoot spot with this dress and hair slicked back, away from the humidity at AVA Resort Cancun. If you’re ever not feeling 100% fabulous, stoic poses and photos where you are not the only focus is key!We wanted to see the beach at sunset so headed out to a pretty in pink sky at AVA Resort Cancun at the other entrance far North.I hopped in to test it out but was feeling the marble room most at AVA Resort Cancun.The pool at sunset matched the sky at AVA Resort Cancun.When we walked back inside for dinner, a whole different vibe of musicians roaming the hallways greeted us at AVA Resort Cancun.Dinner that night was at Black Iron steakhouse at AVA Resort Cancun. You check in with the host and sit on the couch until you’re called.The cocktail bar across from it was buzzing not like this photo at all at AVA Resort Cancun.Looking into the right at Black Iron at AVA Resort Cancun. We were seated toward the corner.And to the left at AVA Resort Cancun.Sunset dinner views would be divine here at AVA Resort Cancun.This looks like a chefs table at AVA Resort Cancun.I guess a nap makes you ravenous because I was ready to eat a cow at dinner that night at AVA Resort Cancun. An Argentina wine pairs well.The bread was a little sus at AVA Resort Cancun but we ate it anyway.Momma’s first bone marrow as big as her arm bone at AVA Resort Cancun. It was interesting… I think in a butter format or infused into something else it would be best.And the meat plate.. although the presentation was off it was delicious at AVA Resort Cancun. Carnivore for life!The watermelon salad was not what I expected but also ate it anyway at AVA Resort Cancun.But this New York Strip steak was sheer perfection and legit mouth orgasmic at AVA Resort Cancun. Not one sauce was needed!Paired with truffle fries and some greens for good measure, I was in foodie high heaven at AVA Resort Cancun.My guest got the ribeye and was equally obsessed at AVA Resort Cancun. You cannot take to go boxes back to your room so come hungry and don’t be a quitter! There were also lobster tails and tomahawk available for an extra cost.They offer lighter desserts like the sorbet in many berry flavors at AVA Resort Cancun.But for me, the chocolate pineapple cake was a dream at AVA Resort Cancun with sides of coconut and peanut butter ice cream.Afterwards, we took a stroll outside to enjoy one of the lounges and look at the stars and chat while we digested at AVA Resort Cancun.The next morning after working, I got lost trying to find the spa but did enjoy this lobby scene at AVA Resort Cancun.I literally walked past in on the way to the lobby on the North side at AVA Resort Cancun.With it’s own elevator downstairs, it is huge at AVA Resort Cancun.The communal lounge area before checking in at the Spa at AVA Resort Cancun.More seating available at AVA Resort Cancun.The beauty product shop section at AVA Resort Cancun.My locker at the Spa at AVA Resort Cancun. As part of this media trip, I was signed up for the Signature Massage ($230) and Hydrotherapy experience ($100) at AVA Resort Cancun. You’ll put on the robe and slippers and be on your way.First was the sauna room where we lay down and sweat a while with some cucumber on our eyes and cold compress on our head at AVA Resort Cancun.Then we chose our shower to rinse off and this bucket of water brought me joy and laughter at AVA Resort Cancun.Then we slathered our faces in mud and went into the steam room which none of us could handle for more than a couple minutes at AVA Resort Cancun. It felt like breathing wet fire so we quickly exited and rinsed off again.Into the hydrotherapy zone we went at AVA Resort Cancun. It was more like a water park for adults just playing around in various bubbles. This section in the front was the only hot tub I found but it wasn’t that hot and you had many random people with you.There were some refreshing tea drinks and snacks available at AVA Resort Cancun.This was for your shoulders or maybe scalp too but a little too intense for me at AVA Resort Cancun.This is exactly how I wanted to be floating in the Sea honestly at AVA Resort Cancun. This was the lukewarm water section.What I was looking forward to the most at AVA Resort Cancun, the massage which was just under 60 minutes.This tiny lady just short of 5 feet tall relaxed my aching back and soul at AVA Resort Cancun. Thank you again dear!I then found out about these hot chairs where you could lounge like a lizard and soon settled in for a session at AVA Resort Cancun. It felt amazing on my back.One of our group members was also checking out of the spa so we walked and talked until getting to our next cabana for the day at AVA Resort Cancun. Arriving to this beautiful display was refreshing! I love all the fresh fruit always available in Mexico.Then food started arriving again at AVA Resort Cancun and we were yet again the popular cabana. Notice my sneakers below!The chef was tickled pink by the video I posted with him in it the day before and I was ravenous so ate one of each of everything seen here at AVA Resort Cancun. The shrimp quesadillas were my favorite.Soon a manager shows up with rose Moet for the group which is one of my favorites at AVA Resort Cancun. They were spoiling us!This was so sweet at AVA Resort Cancun, it made me a little sad because real life was coming back soon.Everyone wanted a bottle pop content at AVA Resort Cancun and when there’s a Moet cart, that’s the spot!After a shower and outfit change, we were invited to a wine tasting at AVA Resort Cancun. This had a food pairing aspect which I loved!This was the Mexican wine lineup which was very tasty, we loved the white at AVA Resort Cancun.Our sommelier soon became a new friend at AVA Resort Cancun. He was fun, funny and told us they are not allowed to say “legs” anymore it’s stems. Stupid!We were offered two activities and since I was on restriction, the only thing I could physically do is play some of the games at the arcade at AVA Resort Cancun. My plus one loved this one the most! The seats move and shake so it was off limits for me.And who doesn’t love skeeball at AVA Resort Cancun. A classic!We still have no clue what this bear was all about but we tried to play it at AVA Resort Cancun. Does that make us old?Dinner that night was at Bao, the Asian infusion restaurant at AVA Resort Cancun.The interior of Bao leads out to the outside patio at AVA Resort Cancun.The dumplings were acceptable at AVA Resort Cancun.The bao buns are probably the best thing to order here at AVA Resort Cancun but you would need at least five.The sushi was also good at AVA Resort Cancun.If you get anything here, just stick with the sushi at Bao at AVA Resort Cancun.I tried the pad thai because I was starving for carbs and it was tangy at AVA Resort Cancun.My guest ordered this chunk of rib meat which she seemed to enjoy at AVA Resort Cancun. We had big plans to go to the Dez nightclub that night but I looked at her and said I need to go to bed asap so we hopped a golf cart guy and hightailed it back. She grabbed an ice cream at the many Gelato spots while I just crashed, dead to the world.I woke up just in time for another last sunrise at AVA Resort Cancun. This was literally fresh out of bed, a good way to hide your face!After a delicious buffet breakfast, tasty coffee and fresh made crepe, we went back to the room to prepare to leave at AVA Resort Cancun. I decided it was time to try the bathtub which was an interesting experience trying not to full moon everyone!Perhaps the weirdest thing about this room was this portal window between the bathroom and bedroom areas at AVA Resort Cancun.One of my favorite memories is opening this while my guest was lounging in bed and scaring the crap out of her and only seeing her phone fly up in the air at AVA Resort Cancun. I’m not sure its purpose but it can be fun!Sadly we went down with our luggage to the taco spot to grab our last delicious tacos at AVA Resort Cancun.This time they had all the options like birria and chicken at AVA Resort Cancun. Sooooo good!The drink options at the taco shop at AVA Resort Cancun, lots of Pepsi products.Across the way, a gift shop however at the airport there are so many shops as well at AVA Resort Cancun. We in Phoenix also have this!One last look at the lobby before we left at AVA Resort Cancun. The ride back to the airport was smooth and so was the flight home. We will miss you AVA!
