As some locations begin to open back up in the wake of COVID-19, we’re finding that All-Inclusives are a great option for travelers to start booking now! I’d love to share with you one of my favorites: Secrets Aura Resort & Spa. This is a lovely adult-only all-inclusive on the small island of Cozumel, Mexico. The Secrets Resorts are a chain of resorts that have, what they refer to as, Unlimited Luxury.
What does Unlimited Luxury mean? There are no wristbands, no dining reservations needed, and WiFi throughout the property is great! There are even free calls back to the US (to check on the kids… if you want to!).
The Secrets Resorts are adult-only resorts so no children under 18 are allowed within this resort. Directly next to Secrets Aura is the Sunscape, which is a fun family-friendly resort where you might find more pool games and even a pool bubble party going on.
Exchange privileges to any other resorts in the AMResorts brands are possible through the Sip, Savor & See program. Which means that if you are staying at Secrets, you can head over to Sunscape for their bubble party and then come back to Secrets to chill out at the pool in quiet bliss. All restaurants and entertainment between the two properties are also available to you during your stay.
I’ve been to most of the Secrets brand properties and found that, although the location and properties are different, they have superior consistency in the restaurants, bars, service levels and rooms.
We at Adventures by Lori are AMResorts Master Agents which gives us direct access to each property’s General Managers and staff in order to make specific requests and accommodations wherever we can add a little extra luxury to a booking.
This particular Secrets is perfect get-away for the honeymooner, couples, and friends groups winter get-away, anniversary celebration, and even destination wedding. For a destination wedding, guests with families and kids can stay at Sunscape which is less than a 5 minute walk away, and all the adults can stay at Secrets.
Cozumel is located on the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, making this location a prime location for Scuba divers and snorkelers. Non-motorized sports are included at Secrets – Hobie Cats, kayaks, Sunfish sailboats, snorkeling equipment. You can snorkel off shore here, although to find the colorful tropical fish and coral you need to book a snorkeling excursion to bring you out to the richest parts of the reef. We can include your favorite off-resort activities for you in your vacation package.
The food at the restaurants is always good and consistent with all the Secrets resorts. My favorite place to visit is the Coco Cafe and grab a morning coffee or an afternoon frozen coffee concoction – and maybe a pastry while I’m there. Oh! But possibly my second favorite thing are the fish tacos and fresh made guacamole and warm tortilla chips served in Oceana’s outdoor/beachside restaurant for lunch. Everything is included! No upcharge for specialty coffee or snacks.
For Secrets, there is a Preferred Club designated room category. This room category will get you more of a prime location and view, private check-in and check-out, access to the private Preferred Club Lounge, and access to the Preferred Club pool, which is a quieter pool. There are three pools at this Secrets. There is a unique room category here in which you can slide out from your room into the pool below. It’s not a steep slide so you can gently be slid into the pool for ultimate relaxation.
If you want to explore outside of the resort, a taxi will take you to Downtown Cozumel where you can walk around and shop and eat. I highly recommend picking up a hot bag of cinnamon/sugary churros while you are out.
There are other things you can do, too: Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park is located on this island which is a park with zip lining, snorkel and dive tours, sea lion show, manatee and crocodile exhibition, snuba, seatrek tours, and swim with the dolphins, spa, tequila tour, temascal (sweat lodge) and more! If you’re looking for an active vacation, this is a good choice.
If you want to get to mainland Mexico and visit Mayan ruins, you can do that in a day. It’s a long day, but you would take a ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen and ride out to the ruins from there. (Warning: they call this ferry the “vomit comet” for a reason. This is not a gentle ferry, if you tend to get motion sick, take some Non-Drowsy Dramamine before you get on that boat.)
This is a perfect destination for couples, friends group get-aways, honeymoons, anniversaries, scuba divers, snorkelers, and water lovers, adventure seekers, and guests that want to get the authentic Mexico feel.
This is a little piece of paradise offshore of mainland Mexico, and I highly recommend it.
