A Relaxing Stay at the Iberostar Quetzal

The first week of January, we took the kids and my mother-in-law to an all-inclusive resort just outside of Playa del Carmen called Iberostar Quetzal. Less than a 5-minute walk from the room is one of the most glorious stretches of beach in Mexico, a wide swath of spanking white sand that goes on and on and on. We would take long walks to the remote stretches of the shoreline to watch large lizards hide in the rocks, then take a dip in the heavenly ocean waters. Unlike other all-inclusive properties I’ve stayed at on the Riviera Maya, it was a short walk to both beach and the restaurants, including the ones we could venture to on the neighboring property, Iberostar Tucan.

The jungle-like interior, replete with boardwalks over cenotes past waterfalls, was just as much a joy as walking on the beach. We would spot wonderful wildlife and birdlife including cute little agoutis, howler monkeys, the racoon-like coatis, flamingos, peacocks, cranes, large tortoises, and egrets. What a treat! We would spend most of the day down by the beach, grabbing our paella or tacos for lunch, while often listening to a live band. Then wander back to the room later in the afternoon to read on the balcony, cerveza in hand, while watching monkeys jump from branch to branch. We took a taxi into Playa del Carmen to have dinner one night, another half-day tour to the ruins of Tulum, but we were very pleased to spend most of our time under an umbrella, reading our stack of books, before another beach walk and ocean swim. A perfect warm-weather escape.
If interested in an all-inclusive stay in Mexico or the Caribbean, please let ActiveTravels know and we’ll send you a list of our favorite properties.