My first trip to Cancun was a present from my father to commemorate my college graduation. My roommates and I chose Club Med for our celebratory vacation, because it was a direct five hour flight from Los Angeles, was all-inclusive and reasonably priced. At the time, alcohol was excluded, but all the meals and activities were part of the package.

Being on a limited budget, we opted for many of their on-site offerings which included snorkeling, windsurfing and sailing lessons.

During that trip, we met a couple of guys from Los Angeles who had previously visited the resort and knew their way around the town. They led us to the bus stop which was accessible by way of the resort next door, and we spent a few nights on the strip, exploring restaurants and the local club scene.

The bar for all future vacations had been set.

Eight years later I returned for my second visit. By then, I was gainfully employed so I was able to afford other outings which were not financially feasible on my initial trip.

There were day trips to Coba and Chichen Itza as well as outings to Tulum and Xcaret.

Of the three Mayan ruins, Coba was the oldest of the archaeological sites built primarily with a network of stone paths and structures.

People moved into the area between 50 BC and 100 AD.

Hundreds of years later, around 600 AD, Chichen Itza was established.

In contrast to Coba, Chichen Itza was quite expansive and very well developed with distinct architectural styles.

The Mayan ruin of Tulum was the newest of the ruins estimated to have been constructed between 1200 and 1450 AD.

It was also the smallest of the three sites but had the best location, jutting above the turquoise seas of the Yucatan Peninsula.

My favorite excursion was my visit to the ecological park, Xcaret, where I was able to explore caves and stalagmites while floating on an underground river.

The park also offered a few cultural shows, giving an insight to the Mayan traditions and historical background.

One of my fondest memories was lounging on one of Xcaret’s beaches, ensconced in a hammock, being lulled to sleep by the warm rays of the sun, the hypnotic rhythm of the waves and the gentle caress of the breeze.

By my next two visits in 2009 and 2014, Club Med Cancun had segued from an adults only resort to a family-oriented destination.

As always, there were theme nights, ranging from White nights which required being garbed in all white attire, to Elegant which ranged from cocktail to formal attire, to “45,” which required guests to buy “45” Club Med t-shirts from the gift shop.

The significance of that number was the celebration of the 45th anniversary of Club Med which was a successful celebration, generating added revenue prompting management to continue the evening theme on a go forward basis.

With the segue from adults-only to families, there was definitely a shift in the entertainment at the resort.

Long gone were the days when dinners made way for heavy imbibing and hedonistic dance parties.

The resort switched gears and focused on comprehensive family entertainment which involved the staff rehearsing for hours, days and weeks at a time, much like for any Broadway or Cirque du Soleil performance.

The nights were replete with choreographed dances and musicals in the indoor theatre, skits at the makeshift outdoor theatre,

trapeze performances and family friendly beachside dance parties.

The resort still had the infamous foam parties, but in lieu of the late night indoor scantily clad adults writhing to the beats of the DJ’s mixes on-site, the party morphed into a daytime, G-rated BBQ party, surrounded by families on beach beds, guests playing beach volleyball and kids building sand castles.

I have visited Club Med Cancun at various stages of my life, but it was the place for many of my “firsts.” It was my first trip out of the country, my first vacation after graduating from college, the place where I learned to snorkel and where I had my first drink.

Of all the places I have been, Club Med Cancun stands out amongst the rest, and its turquoise seas, warm sandy beaches and clear blue skies will always have a special place in my heart.

Club Med Cancun

https://www.clubmed.us/r/Cancun-Yucatan/y?CMCID=SNN82930636056