Our Personal Experience Staying at Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, Mexico: Q&A Edition

Our Personal Experience Staying at Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, Mexico: Q&A Edition

In August 2024, some of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors went on a trip to Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, Mexico! Read about their incredible experience below:

Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, Mexico

Q: How did you get to your destination? Airline? Transfers? – A:

Airline: We flew Frontier Airlines which can be a part of your complete vacation package. Something very near to our hearts is that Frontier Airlines is “America’s Greenest Airline,” with the lowest (by a significant amount) emissions and carbon footprint. The smaller tray tables are large enough for an iPad or Kindle, beverage, phone, or notepad. It even has a ledge so your device is cradled and doesn’t fall or slip off. The arm rests are also thinner to eliminate aircraft weight which also makes the seats wider. They are more comfortable and give more than enough leg room. The flight attendants were friendly and kind. We had a smooth and pleasant flight!

Transfers: We used Amstar’s roundtrip transfers from the airport to the resort. Amstar is one of our preferred transfer and excursion travel partners. The services provided by Amstar really stand out in terms of quality and reliable services. Our transfers were relaxed and comfortable on every level. You can be assured you will have safe and clean transportation, and a safe and secure experience!

Q: What resort did you stay at and was it all-inclusive and for how long? – A: We stayed at Secrets Playa Blanca, Costa Mujeres. Yes, the resort is all-inclusive with food and beverage. We stayed here for three nights.

Lobby

Q: Where is Costa Mujeres? – A: Costa Mujeres is in Mexico, about 30 minutes north of Cancun. This is a very safe area. It is calm and secluded with pristine beaches, clear water and white, soft sand. The resorts are in a gated community and you need to pass security checkpoints to enter into the resorts. Isla Mujeres sits right across of Costa Mujeres which protects the beach from sargassum – a big plus!

Q: What type of room did you stay in? Tell us about it? – A:  We each stayed in a Preferred Club Jr. Suite Ocean View! The room had everything needed including plenty of seating areas, a fully-stocked mini bar, and bedside adjustable reading lights. Plus, the balcony had a sofa, an outdoor tub, and tables. A huge plus was the fantastic bathroom with a magnifying light-up vanity mirror, a soaking tub for two, and big walk-in shower with a clothing line to hang up wet swimsuits. The room décor was beautiful and the beds were very comfortable – it was one of the best nights’ sleeps!

Preferred Club Jr. Suite Ocean View

Preferred Club Jr. Suite Ocean View

Preferred Club Jr. Suite Ocean View

Preferred Club Jr. Suite Ocean View Balcony

Preferred Club Jr. Suite Ocean View Balcony View

Everything was well kept and extremely clean. We had housekeeping service twice a day and towels were always replaced. Even after visiting the beach and getting sand on the floor, it was cleaned up right away during the next service. Since we stayed in the Preferred Club, we were also able to enjoy the Preferred Club Lounge. The lounge is open-air with a huge bar and plenty of space to relax at night. It also had an infinity pool overlooking the ocean – stunning views!

Preferred Club Lounge

Q: What did you love most about the resort? – A: We loved everything the resort had to offer including the most welcoming staff, excellent service, delicious food/drinks, enjoyable entertainment, gorgeous rooms, incredible pools, a pristine beach, and the nature-inspired beauty of the resort. Secrets Playa Blanca is by far one of the nicest all-inclusive resorts we have stayed at.

Pools

Q: How was the staff at the resort? – A: The staff at the resort were truly was amazing. They were friendly, eager to assist you, and happy to be there. Each employee met you with a smile and pleasant greeting (sometimes even by your name!). You could tell everyone took great pride in their work and cared about guests.

Q: How was the dining? – A: The resort offers many dining options including six al a carte restaurants, a buffet, a grill, and a café! The food was outstanding, the buffet had a great variety, and the staff took care of one traveler who had an allergy every time. The food was truly top-notch and we wish we had more time to explore the options even more!

Market Cafe

Q: What was your favorite restaurant? – A: We all have our own favorite from the resort including:

Bordeaux (French Cuisine) was absolutely delicious!

Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Bordeaux food

Coco Café was the perfect place for a morning person with lattes and breakfast! The choices also changed throughout the day so you could pop in and out if you were hungry or leaving the property for an excursion (to grab a quick snack or caffeine).

El Patio offered delicious authentic Mexican cuisine and they even make their own tortillas!

El Patio

El Patio

ASADO, the fire show, including a BBQ dinner was just WOW! The food was plentiful and delicious, and the fire show was incredible (it felt like Cirque du Soleil)! The entire evening was an amazing and authentic experience.

ASADO

Q: How were the bars? – A: The bars were great! We enjoyed the Sports Bar, Music Bar Lounge, Beach Bar and Swim Up Bar! The resort also offers Desires which is a music bar lounge with a DJ, dance floor, and outdoor fire pit.

Q: What types of activities does the resort have? – A: The resort had a multitude of activities! There were exercise classes, pickleball courts, workshops, a theatre (with different shows each night), sunken fire pits to socialize around, and entertainment like a saxophonist at the pool.

 Pickleball Courts

Theatre

Sunken Fire Pit

Sunken Fire Pit at Night

Q: How was the pool and beach? – A: The pools and beach on property were incredible! The chairs were so comfortable that you did not even need a towel to lay down. In the ocean, the water was the prettiest blue you could imagine where you could see straight down to your toes. We know many clients are concerned about sargassum in Mexico, but we must say, the entire area was gorgeous and perfect for those who love the beach!

Pools

Pools 

Pools

Beach

Beach

Q: Is there anything else we did not discuss that you would like to mention? – A:

This resort does not have any wristbands or towel cards, which is something some clients seek when looking for a resort!

When you enter any enclosed space within Secrets Playa Blanca you get a different scent of aromatherapy. The resort implemented this amazing concept and we are all for it! An example of this is: you enter an elevator to smell lavender, but then walk in the sun with the Caribbean breeze to only enter a lobby in the next building and are greeted with the smell of sandalwood. The concept was so incredible and immersive!

With every meal you are offered sparkling or flat water, and given a choice of lemon, lime, or cucumber for your garnish/ flavor.

The team that built this resort paid attention to detail! From the pretty French dishes in the French restaurant, to the olive tree growing in the Italian restaurant, Portofino… all of the restaurants make you feel as if you are stepping into that culture – fabulous!

Olive Tree in Portofino

Q: Who would you say this resort is most suited for? – A: This resort is the perfect adults-only all-inclusive resort and is perfect for any age 18+. The resort is set for young and old, honeymooners, babymooners, friends, families with adult children, and singles – for all!

Q: Would you stay at Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres again? – A:  Yes! This resort surpassed our wildest dreams. The service was top notch, and the facilities were clean and well-maintained. We recommend this resort to anyone wanting to be spoiled. We also think the Preferred Club is worth if it is in your budget!

Sunrise from Preferred Club Jr. Suite Ocean View Balcony View

Does this incredible experience incline you take a trip to Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit  https://www.applevacations.com/?agentId=39894341#!%2F to learn more.

 

My personal experience at Iberostar Rose Hall Beach Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. Read her incredible experience below.

We traveled to Iberostar Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica at the end of March to early April, 2023 for four nights. We enjoy the fun activities, entertainment, beaches and great views that Montego Bay has to offer.  The weather is beautiful as the temperatures in winter is around a high of 82 degrees and in the summer 87 degrees. The best part? The ocean water is 85 degrees all year round! It truly is a wonderful place to visit!

To make our trip as timely and efficient as possible, we booked a personal meet and greet service for our arrival at the Montego Bay Airport. This service brings someone directly to you to assist you through customs, immigrations, and baggage claim, then to your resort. And Iberostar Rose Hall is only a half hour away from the airport! We stayed in a room on the third floor with stunning partial views of the ocean and pool.

This resort was incredible with daily pool activities, nightly entertainment, stunning views, delicious food and so much more. One of the best parts of the trip is the all-inclusive amenities! Iberostar Rose Hall offers five restaurants and 6 bars, including a pool bar. There was no time wasted with all the great things to do on the property.

When staying in Montego Bay there is a lot you can do with many excursion options to choose from if you want to stray away from your resort. On this trip we took a two and a half hour Braco Stables Private Horseback Ride and Swim excursion. This excursion picked us up at our resort to visit the scenic sugar plantations and countryside, then to the shore to swim and go bareback riding with the horses on a beautiful private beach. I highly recommend this tour while visiting Montego Bay!

We really enjoy vacationing in Montego Bay and I highly recommend going at least once. Montego Bay is a stunning vacation spot for anyone. Since I have a wide range of knowledge on the area and of the resorts, it is important that I qualify my clients to fit them with the right resort and activities for what they expect on their vacations. Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to help you find the perfect fit for your next vacation in Montego Bay,  Jamaica and beyond. Contact us today!

My personal experience at RIU Dunamar Costa Mujeres, Mexico

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Costa Mujeres, Mexico. Read her incredible experience below.

We travel to Mexico two times a year and stay at different resorts each time. We enjoy the beautiful sand, drinks, and food – it’s a great place to go! In the past some of our favorite hotels that we have stayed at are RIU Palace Costa Mujeres, Hard Rock Riveria Maya, Sun Palace and Blue Bay Esmeralda. This April 2022 we stayed at the RIU Dunamar, Costa Mujeres, and all-inclusive beachfront and kid friendly resort. We loved it!

This resort is across the bay on the mainland, just north of Cancun. The beauty is its location. This area feels calm and secluded, but is just thirty minutes away from Cancun’s bustling restaurants and nightlife. Isla Mujeres is visible from the resorts in this area.

Some of the best parts of our trips to Mexico is the all-inclusive amenities! RIU Dunamar offers four specialty dinner restaurants, a lunchtime poolside barbecue grill, six bars, including a 24-hour bar with snacks, and two swim-up bars.  I would highly recommend this resort to families because of the Splash Water Park, RIU Land Kids’ Club and poolside activities during the day which are geared towards families.

When staying in Mexico there is a lot you can do with many excursion options to choose from if you want to stray away from your resort. Every time we take our vacation, we take a day trip from our resort to explore the area. On this trip we took a three-hour snorkeling excursion that picked us up at our resort to visit a coral reef, the MUSA statues which are made of material for coral to grow on, a shipwreck and underwater cenotes. The entirety of the excursion was beautiful, fun and educational. Afterward, we visited El Meco which is a small archaeological Mayan Ruins site, which was stunning.

The Mayan Ruins have eighteen structures located off the beaten path to the North of Cancun en route to Costa Mujeres near the Puerto Juarez ferry dock. It has the tallest pyramid on the Northeast Yucatan Peninsula. From the top of the Castillo Ruins one can see the Caribbean Sea, all of Cancun’s lagoons, and Isla Mujeres. I highly recommend visiting some of the Mayan Ruins on a vacation to Mexico.

Obviously, we love vacationing in Mexico and I highly recommend going at least once. Cancun, Rivera Maya and Costa Mujeres are all great vacation spots for singles, couples and families. Since I have a wide range of knowledge on the area, and with all the lodging options and areas to stay in, it is important that I qualify my clients to fit them with the right resort for what they expect on their vacations. Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to help you find the perfect fit for your next vacation in Mexico and beyond. Contact us today!

 

Favorite Destinations – According to our Experts

As we begin to see light at the end of this pandemic tunnel we have all been in, we thought it would be fun to share some our Boscov’s Travel Advisors’ favorite destinations. We hope some of these spots and best things to see and do will give you ideas for your first “out of the pandemic” vacation plans.

Danube River Cruise

Of all the places in the world, actually 2 of our advisors – Amy Bressler of our Camp Hill office and Kelly Burton from the Neshaminy office – selected an AmaWaterways river cruise from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest, Hungary. Amy loved how up close and personal you stayed when cruising the river, and Kelly enjoyed the varied shore excursion options at each port town. From biking along the river, hiking up to a medieval castle or sampling wines at local vineyards, it was a beautiful trip. While they did not travel together, they both have a common favorite part – touring Salzburg, Austria! As fans of “Sound of Music”, seeing many of the filming sights was a bucket-list experience.

Wachau Valley Austria: Durnstein Castle
Wachau Valley Austria: Durnstein Castle
Salzburg, Austria: Sound of Music Von Trapp family home
Salzburg, Austria: Sound of Music Von Trapp family home

Exotic Tanzania Tour

Sue Blum of our Reading-East office has logged 16 trips to the African continent, so her choice is no surprise. After befriending and entrusting one of her guides from earlier trips, he hosted her in a very remote, authentic safari camp in southern Tanzania. She experienced hippos, crocodiles, zebras, antelopes, right by the camp that was set up amongst huge palm trees on a ridge overlooking the savannah. While remote, accommodations had every luxury in mind – private tents with mesh screening, comfortable bedding, canvas washstand areas, bucket showers and beautiful lantern-lit paths to the common dining area for cold beverages and gourmet foods. Time out in the savannah got her up close to lions and ostrich families, and experiencing the Great Migration of the Wildebeest herds. Truly a sight to see.

Tanzania, Africa: The Great Migration
Tanzania, Africa: The Great Migration

Bermuda Cruise

If you like sand and sun, then Erica Putt of our Lancaster office recommends a Bermuda cruise. The cruise is so relaxing, and once in port, there are so many activities for every interest. She mostly enjoys getting a transportation pass and exploring the island. Immersing yourself in the culture through history and cuisine is wonderful, and the locals are so friendly and happy to have you visit their beautiful island.

Bermuda: Horseshoe Bay
Bermuda: Horseshoe Bay

Banff National Park – Canadian Rockies, Alberta, Canada

When you’re headed into the Canadian Rockies, be sure to visit Banff National Park and treat yourself to a stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. According to Michelle Tymon in our Easton office, the sunrise canoe excursion on Lake Louise is well worth the early hour. And she is NOT a morning person! The colors are spectacular, and the rhythmic sound of the paddle cutting through the water make you instantly relax and immerse yourself in the awesome and majestic views. Once you’ve worked up an appetite paddling, you can enjoy an amazing breakfast at the Fairview Bar & Restaurant. The service and hospitality at the Fairmont Lake Louise will not disappoint.

Banff, Alberta, Canada: Canoes on Lake Louise
Banff, Alberta, Canada: Canoes on Lake Louise

Newport, Rhode Island

Not every getaway needs to be far away. Just ask Larissa Hayward of our Easton office. She fell in love with Newport, Rhode Island, with its lovely beaches, stunning architecture and great shopping and dining. If you love historical architecture, be sure to tour some of the “summer cottages” aka mansions like the Breakers and the Marble House. Her favorite was the Doris Duke Rough Point Mansion, which showcased the dedicated patron of the arts love for the finer things. Rough Point is filled with a truly unique collection of artwork and fine décor. You can get great views of these cottages from a leisurely stroll along the Cliff Walk too.

Newport, Rhode Island: Cliff Walk
Newport, Rhode Island: Cliff Walk

The French Riviera

Paula Heyman of our Moorestown, NJ office likes to say in one place, but still get to experience a number of different areas, and that’s just what she found in the French Riviera. There are so many places close by. She chose Monaco as home base for a single unpacking, but got to see some amazing nearby destinations like Nice, Menton, Eze, La Turbie and St. Tropez in France, as well as San Remo, Italy. It’s just a perfect spot for sight-seeing and as the playground for some of the rich-and-famous, has great people-watching.

France: Port of Monaco
France: Port of Monaco

Aruba

Don’t let this fun-in-the-sun destination fool you. Randy Laub of our Lebanon office says that while Aruba is known for great resorts, superb beaches, friendly people and excellent food and night life, you need to get off the beaten path. Try exploring the battered coast in a Jeep, following the trails made after years of Jeep exploration. But don’t go rogue off the trails…the cliffs can get you! This truly is “One Happy Island!”

Aruba: Island Jeep tours
Aruba: Island Jeep tours

Interlaken, Switzerland

Tracee Eroh of our Selinsgrove office suggests a visit to Switzerland to experience a whole other part of our world. The scenery is gorgeous. One of the best ways to see and do the area is to rent motorized bicycles and ride through the countryside visiting quaint little towns, seeing breathtaking waterfalls. Stop off in Gruyere, home of some of the best cheeses named after this town. More of a traditional swiss cheese fan? Then Emmental is the one for you. Enjoy some of the best cheese fondue you can imagine. Around here cheese is for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to do some shopping for some traditional swiss finds like cuckoo clocks, watches and knives.

Interlaken, Switzerland
Interlaken, Switzerland

Eastern Mediterranean Cruise

If you know Dori, you know she’s always up for an adventure! Her cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean had her trekking to semi-active volcanos, riding a pirate ship around the island, swimming in hot springs, riding mules to the top of Santorini and taking the tram back down, walking through the streets surrounded by white-washed buildings with beautiful blue doors and roofs. The smells of sambuca and olive oil overtake your senses – it’s breathtakingly beautiful. On the other side of the island, she visited Vlichada Beach which is a bit pebbly so bring along some water shoes. Amazing that 15,500 people live on this volcanic caldera. It’s a trip of a lifetime!

Santorini, Greece
Santorini, Greece

Hawaii

Susie Roth is one of our remote advisors, and recommends a trip to Hawaii to explore all the natural wonders of this island chain. While it seems like an exotic foreign destination, it’s still part of the U.S., making travel easy and safe. There is so much to see and do from adventurous outdoor and nature activities to relaxing resorts with some of the world’s best beaches. Every island is unique and offers something for everyone. You can’t beat the scenery, weather, culture and friendly people. Larissa of Easton also loved Maui, and recommends a road trip to Hana to hike to a waterfall, a drive out to see Kahakuloa Head in western Maui, as well as a bike ride down from Haleakala Crater, with spectacular views of the islands and Pacific Ocean from this highest point in Maui.

Maui, Hawaii: Kahakuloa Head
Maui, Hawaii: Kahakuloa Head

These are just some of the great places you can explore when you are ready to travel again. Our travel advisors have many miles and trips under their belts, and are happy to “talk travel” and inspire your next getaway. Meet our Advisors to learn more about their travel experiences.

Find Bliss on Norwegian’s Cruise Line’s Newest Ship

If go-karting at sea seems your speed, get ready to meet the new Norwegian Bliss. Debuting in the summer of 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the 16th in their fleet, will initially spend her summers exploring Alaska and her winters island-hopping in the Carribean and Mexico. Besides offering the largest-at-sea two-level electric go-kart race track where drivers reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, the ship boasts an aqua park with a free-fall slide, a side-by-side racing inner tube slide, and a looping water slide that extends over the sides of the ship. Younger water lovers can splash under tipping water buckets and take aim at their parents with water cannons in the ship’s aqua park. And for those looking for a little less relaxation and a little more adventure can take aim in a competitive open-air laser tag course themed as an abandoned space station.

Foodies will delight at the ship’s southern-inspired cuisine, including the new Texas Smokehouse Q, featuring authentic Texas barbeque against the sounds of live contemporary pop country music, and Los Lobos, which offers upscale Mexican flavors along with guest favorites, like tableside fresh guacamole preparation and handcrafted margaritas. Steak lovers can challenge their stomach capacity with the 20-ounce Angus porterhouse featured at Cagney’s Steakhouse, and enjoy a nightcap at the A-List Bar, serving premium cocktails, wines and spirits. Even those missing their daily latte at sea will be thrilled to hear the ship houses a full-service Starbucks location, in a nod to its home port in Seattle.

Of course, no cruise would be complete without a little relaxation and spa-time, and like the ship’s name implies, bliss can be found in Mandara Spa, which also features a full-service salon and barber shop and fitness center. Due to popularity on its sister ship, Breakaway, Bliss features plenty of outdoor promenades and lounge and bar areas, as well as al fresco dining options to immerse guests in the cruise experience, as well as the beautiful views on board at sea. Custom-built for the Alaskan cruiser, guests will be able to view glaciers and the natural beauty of our northernmost state directly from the ship, or hop off at one of the Alaskan ports for sightseeing and exploring.

After departing from Seattle, the cruise will feature stops in the Alaskan ports of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. Whether exploring the Misty Fjords or zip-lining in Ketchikan, or trekking through glaciers or whale-watching in Juneau, or panning for gold or dog sledding through Skagway, Alaska offers adventure for everyone. Victoria, with its stunning Butchart Gardens and famed Chinatown, as well as Seattle’s Space Needle and historic Pike Place Market rounds out just a taste of shoreside opportunities for cruisers on the Bliss’ inaugural Alaskan voyages.

To learn more about the Bliss’ itineraries and price out your stateroom or suite today, please contact a Boscov’s Travel Specialist at 800-755-8020 or email us at [email protected].

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury). View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com