Story and Photos by Carol Canter.
Feature image: A peaceful moment at one of Margaritaville’s seaside pools with jacuzzi.
As I walked past one of the large turquoise pools at the all-inclusive Margaritaville Resort, people of every age were swimming, sunbathing or simply lazing about as Jimmy Buffett’s signature song was playing. The chorus began: “Wasted away again in Margaritaville. Searchin’ for my long lost shaker of salt; Salt, salt, salt; Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame; But I know, it’s my own damn fault.”
And wouldn’t ya know — almost everyone at the pool sang along. To be honest, the most boisterous participants were people of a certain age — my age!! The late Jimmy Buffett’s age!
The most rewarding surprise at Margaritaville was how much fun we had every day and night there. Our stay was the finale of a two-week trip to the Yucatan, the meeting point where my husband and I flew from California to hook up with our daughter, Nicole, our son-in-law, and grandson from New York for a winter vacation.
I had to laugh at the incongruity. I was heading over to meet my 4-year-old grandson following my morning yoga class, yet I couldn’t help singing along. I’d never been a huge Jimmy Buffett fan, yet he was certainly part of the zeitgeist of the times — late 70s — and I couldn’t resist joining in the fun. I laughed at thinking of how I’d explain the song to little Aleko, and then knew I wouldn’t.
The lovely surprise at Margaritaville was how much fun we had every day and night there. Our stay was the finale of a two-week trip to the Yucatan, the meeting point where my husband and I flew from California to hook up with our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson from New York for a winter vacation.
Cultural travel was the impetus for the trip which began in the white colonial city of Merida. We reconnected with friends, immersed ourselves in nature viewing hundreds of pink flamingos in Celestun, then delved into Mayan history and archeology at the elegantly harmonious ruins of Uxmal. It was a magical time. Click here to learn more.
But there’s something about travels with a 4-year-old that calls up a certain longing in the soul of parents with at least part of the trip dedicated to pure R&R, few-to-no decisions, meals with infinite choices, and certainly, no driving. Throw in a kid’s program like the Parakeet Club, and bingo!
Rituals were begun. Nicole and I met each morning before breakfast for yoga orPilates class, where we stretched and flexed and focused on our breathing, guided by our wonderful teacher Landy. The class was small, the attention personalized.
Following yoga, we’d stop at the fresh fruit stand next to the Beach House Restaurant to order an iced Matcha Latte for Nicole, a Last Mango in Paris for me. We skipped pedaling the bicycle to fuel our drinks at the Blended Health Bar but it was fun watching others “pedal for their palate.” At the breakfast buffet, I loved introducing Aleko to new fruits — he knew papaya but not mamey, whose rich orange color was similar, but the taste unique.
While lots of kids his age and older enjoyed the many activities of the Parakeet Club, he also enjoyed hours on the beach where he would build sand castles with kids a few years older. Whenever he was ready to cool down, I lured him into one of the pools to swim on my back under a bridge, or to order a lemonade at the swim-up bar. He also tried his climbing skills on a nearby coconut palm, with the support of his Poppy Jack, but he might have to stick to chess for now.
The first night we danced to a reggae band before he went off to bed, then continued. It felt like too long since my husband and I got to cut loose on the dance floor. Lyrics from Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” were just the balm a good vacation can provide. Other nights featured a solo guitarist, karaoke, and a marimba player.
Activities ranged from petanque to paddle boarding to the essential margarita class. I tried mine with passion fruit and it worked like a charm.
Because the crowd was surprisingly international, we found ourselves in conversation or on the dance floor with folks from Brazil to France, Nigeria to Japan, Mexico to the U.S. We “dressed up,” casual style, for dinners that required reservations at both Latino and Frank and Lola’s, where the fish was fresh, the beef tender and the cuisine creative. Somehow, I only remembered to photograph three delicious dessert items.
Two nights were casual beach parties featuring feet-in-the-sand dinner buffets followed by theatrical extravaganzas that thrilled the kids and adults alike. Pictured below are some gymnastic pyrotechnics from the Caribbean show.
And pictured below is a look at the show tracing Mexico’s indigenous history at the “Salt and Lime” Mexican Party and Dinner.
And what is the important takeaway message from a resort immortalized by the spirit of Jimmy Buffet? It can be read below in the name of one of the bars. “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere…”
IF YOU GO: For more information, visit: https://www.karismahotels.com/margaritaville/margaritaville-island-reserve-riviera-cancun
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