Shimmer Garage

Dreams Riviera May, Puerto Morelos, Cancun, Mexico May 2023

Every year my husband and I try to take a trip to a tropical place. This year, we went back to the Cancun, Mexico area for a week long blissful anniversary trip. This year we were able to take my step-daughter and one of her friends and double the trip as an anniversary and college graduation gift.

The Dreams Riviera was a great resort! Impeccable gardens, friendly staff and good food. I often find “good” food at all-inclusive resort difficult to find because I understand that amount of mass production they are doing. To me, it is similar to cruise ships. Victor, our server by the pool was so professional, friendly and attentive.

While I am no travel expert, I often get asked what do you need to take to resort? Most want to travel with the least amount of bags possible. I don’t disagree and have found that I could *almost* make it without a checked bag. I tend to say the liquids get me for beach trips because I need so much sunscreen. You could buy it once you get to where you are going but for our ease of travel, I just like to prepare and take it all with me.

Here is a list to get you started and what I have found to be helpful while traveling to an all-inclusive.

1. Sunscreen (We take about a bottle a day for both of us, 10 hours a day in the sun and you will go through it!)
2. Collapsable beach/pool bag (easier for travel when you can roll it or lay flat)
3. Chapstick
4. Reusable cup for drinks by the pool
5. Small dish soap and sponge (clean the cup! or some resorts will do for you)
6. Small Speaker (we use this while in hot tub on balcony or in private pools)
7. Small Bills for Cash Tips
8. Small clutch or wallet for cash tips, lipstick, hand sanitizer etc.
9. All meds that you might need (Tums, Ibuprofen, bug spray, aloe etc.)
10. Any personal items (feminine products, prescription medicines)
11. Hat for the pool/beach area
12. Sunglasses
13. Water Shoes (a must for some excursions-I have only taken 1x because we typically don’t do excursions but great to have)
14. Shoes: Be mindful, take one for the pool, a dresser pair for dinner and an tennis shoes for either working out or a possible excursion)
15. We found we wore our beach coverups to breakfast and lunch and only needed outfits for dinner, which helped eliminate too many clothes
16. Lounge Outfit (good for after the pool and before dinner while getting ready in the room or in case you need to hit the lobby for anything)
17. Portable Charger
18. I take a carbon monoxide travel alarm. Most rooms and resorts have them–but I like to play it safe.
19. Straws-I take my owns as not all resorts have them
20. Pool Float
21. Electronic Chargers
22. Books, Magazines etc. for lounging by pool
23. Pump Hand Soap-We actually take this anywhere we travel that is more than just a couple days. I HATE bar soap and this is a personal preference. We just grab a cheap pump soap and throw it in our checked bag.
24. Trash-bags or plastic bags incase you have wet clothes in on the return home
25. Leave a copy of your passports at home

Most importantly, relax and have fun! We have never been to a resort that didn’t have helpful or friendly people. We had a GREAT experience at Dreams.

Let me know what you can not travel without!

-XOXO

Dreams Riviera Cancun, May 2023 Sunset