Cancun Paradise Found: Occidental Tucancún's All-Inclusive Luxury Awaits!
Cancun Paradise Found: Occidental Tucancún - Where Luxury Meets (Sometimes Chaotic) Bliss! My Honest Take.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm back from Cancun and ready to spill the beans on the Occidental Tucancún. “Paradise Found”? Hmm, maybe… with a very liberal definition of paradise. Let's get granular, shall we? Grab a margarita, because this is gonna be a long one.
Accessibility:
Wheelchair Accessible: Generally speaking, yes, but… (Here comes the inevitable "but," folks!) The main areas like the lobby, restaurants, and pools were thankfully navigable. However, I did spot some minor ramps that could be a bit dicey depending on the wheelchair. The elevators were thankfully available, and the staff seemed genuinely willing to help… mostly. But some of the pathways could be a tad narrow. This is Cancun, not exactly a city built for effortless accessibility.
Facility for Disabled Guests: Yup, they've got them. I mean, the hotel is pretty well-equipped, but it's still not perfect.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges:
- This is where it got tricky. While the access to restaurants was usually present (ramps, etc.), maneuvering around busy buffets with a wheelchair or a cane during peak times? Let’s just say it could be a recipe for a spilled pineapple-infused cocktail incident. I'm sure they'd try to help, but you could feel the potential for a traffic jam.
- The Poolside Bar was the easiest, with wide open access, but then again… the chaos.
Internet Access (and the Wi-Fi Saga):
- Absolutely Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! YAY! Or… meh. Look, the Wi-Fi was there. Sometimes. It was like a moody teenager that came and went as the mood struck. I'd be mid-sentence in an email back home, and poof – gone. Extremely frustrating. You'd find yourself yelling at a blinking cursor, longing for a decent connection.
- Internet [LAN]: They had it, but honestly, who uses LAN anymore? Seems a bit antiquated unless you need, say, a really good connection for… um… I don't know. Playing a video game?
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yep, patchy and overloaded, just like everywhere. Forget streaming a movie by the pool – unless you like staring at a buffering screen.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Or, Attempt to):
Swimming Pool: Huge and gorgeous, absolutely. The main pool was lively, packed with families and with the occasional over-excited floaty-obsessed tourist. One afternoon, I witnessed a full-blown water balloon fight erupt between two families. Pure chaos, absolute entertainment.
Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, there are multiple pools. It's almost a pool overload, I mean, the amount of chlorine in the air was insane.
Spa/Sauna/Steamroom: The spa… ah, the spa. It was beautiful, it was serene, it tried to be relaxing. I opted for a massage. The actual massage? Wonderful. The serene ambiance? Completely blown by the fact that a particularly loud guest (who I could distinctly hear chatting) was apparently on the phone in the next room. "Yeah, I am here" proceeds with a loud series of giggles. It's like the staff tried to maintain peace, but it's nearly impossible.
Massage: As I said, the massage itself was divine. But the whole experience? Let's just say I'm not sure I'm relaxed.
Steamroom: Yes. Probably worth the money, if you can avoid my mistake and get the room next door.
Fitness Center: They had one. I didn't go. I was on vacation. Judgment free zone here!
Body scrub/Body wrap: Available, for sure. I figured I'd leave that to the more dedicated relaxation enthusiasts, and I just went and ate more nachos.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Good Stuff):
Anti-viral cleaning products & Room sanitization between stays: Thank goodness. This gave me some peace of mind, especially considering the… well, the other guests’ habits.
Daily disinfection in common areas: Appreciated.
Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification: Checks!
Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to be, at least.
Safe dining setup, Individually-wrapped food options & Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Excellent on this front. Food poisoning is never a good vacation souvenir.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Where the Fun Happens… and Sometimes, Doesn’t):
Restaurants: Multiple restaurants, which is great.
- A la carte in restaurant: Pretty decent, but you need to make reservations in advance.
- Buffet in restaurant: This is where the real wild west began. The buffet was… well, it was a buffet. Crowded, noisy, and filled with a fascinating cross-section of humanity. One day, I counted three people piling their plates high with french fries at 7:00 AM at the breakfast buffet. The food quality was what you’d expect for an all-inclusive; sometimes amazing, sometimes… questionable.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant/Western cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant: They tried to offer a variety. The Asian restaurant was pretty good. The international cuisine was… let's just say, hit or miss.
Bar: Well-stocked, service was OK, but could be a bit slow during peak hours.
- Poolside bar: Crowded and chaotic, which is more the bar’s fault, not the staff.
- Happy hours: Always a good thing.
Breakfast [buffet]: See above. The pancakes were good, though. Very good.
Room Service [24-hour]: Amazing, very good.
Snack bar: Solid for quick bites.
Bottle of water: Always available, which is crucial in that heat.
Coffee/tea in restaurant/Coffee shop: Fine, nothing exceptional.
Services and Conveniences (Mixed Bag):
Concierge: Helpful-ish. They definitely tried.
Daily housekeeping: Excellent. My room was always spotless.
Elevator: Key for accessing the upper floors.
Gift/souvenir shop: Standard.
Luggage storage: No problems here.
Laundry/Dry cleaning: Convenient.
Car park [free of charge]/Car park [on-site]: Plenty of parking.
Currency exchange/Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
For the Kids (I saw a lot of kids):
- Family/child-friendly: Absolutely. This place is practically a giant playground for kids.
- Babysitting service: They had it, if you really need it.
- Kids meal: Offered.
- Kids facilities: Plenty! Water slides, kids' clubs, you name it.
Available in All Rooms (The Essentials):
- Air conditioning: Essential. You need it.
- Air conditioning: Actually works.
- Coffee/tea maker: Needed to get going.
- Free bottled water: Absolutely.
- Hair dryer: Standard.
- In-room safe box: Good to have.
- Mini bar: Stocked with the basics.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Very useful.
- Satellite/cable channels: Yeah, if you're into that.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above. The curse of Cancun's connection.
Getting Around (The Transportation Tango):
- Airport transfer: Organized and efficient.
- Taxi service: Available.
- Car park [on-site]: Convenient.
My Overall Verdict:
The Occidental Tucancún? It's a solid choice, but with some caveats. It's perfect if you're looking for a lively, family-friendly, all-inclusive experience and aren't too worried about absolute perfection. The food can be hit-or-miss. The Wi-Fi can be a nightmare. But the pools are fantastic, the staff is generally friendly, and there’s always something going on. You won't find "paradise" here, but you'll find a fun, imperfect, and sometimes chaotic vacation. And hey, isn't that what a good vacation is all about?
Meta-Data:
- Title: Cancun Paradise Found? Occidental Tucancún Review: The Good, The Bad, and The (Sometimes Hilarious) Messy.
- Keywords: Occidental Tucancún, Cancun, all-inclusive, resort review, Mexico, family vacation, swimming pool, spa, Wi-Fi, accessibility, dining, food, spa, beach vacation, Riviera Maya, travel review.
- Description: Honest and detailed review of
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the gloriously chaotic, sun-soaked abyss that is my trip to Occidental Tucancun in Cancun, Mexico. Prepare for it to be raw, real, and probably involve me saying "tequila" approximately 800 times. Here's the itinerary, or at least, my approximation of it, because let's be honest, who actually sticks to a schedule when margaritas are involved?
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Sunburn Debacle (aka, Learning the Hard Way)
- Morning (Chaos Ensues): Landed at Cancun International. The humidity hits you like a damp blanket, and you're instantly sweating like a stressed-out pig. Found the transfer – a tiny, beat-up van that smelled vaguely of desperation and air freshener. Driver was blasting what I think was reggaeton at a volume designed to shatter internal organs. Amused. (More on that later).
- Mid-day (Check-In and Immediate Regret): Checked into Occidental. The lobby is, like, way bigger and flashier in the pictures. But hey, free booze! Dragged my luggage to my room. Immediately dropped my suitcase on my foot. "Ow! This is going to be a long week."
- Afternoon (Sunburn and First Margarita): Thought I was smarter than the sun, which is a rookie mistake in Cancun. Ten minutes on the beach later, I'm resembling a lobster. Slathered on the aloe vera (thank God). The first margarita, at the swim-up bar, was liquid perfection. This will become a recurring and much-loved theme.
- Evening (Buffet Battlefield and Disappointment): Dinner at the buffet. Okay, let's be real. Buffet food is never the culinary highlight of the trip. I was hoping for a romantic evening for the first night, but that was a no-go. The food made me miss the taco stands back home, I kid you not. "Oh well, more tequila."
Day 2: Beach Bliss and the Battle of the Towels
- Morning (Beach Victory!): Got up early (relatively speaking) and snagged a prime spot on the beach. The sand is the color of powdered sugar, the water is turquoise, and my sunburn is starting to peel in a decidedly unattractive fashion. Bliss.
- Mid-day (Poolside Snoozefest and Intrigue): Pool time! Read a book while pretending to be sophisticated. Was interrupted by a flock of overly tanned Brits who seem obsessed with towel placement at 8 am. The tension was palpable.
- Afternoon (Water Sports…Mostly Screaming): Tried stand-up paddleboarding. I spent 90% of the time either wobbling precariously or falling into the ocean. My graceful swan dive? More like the majestic waddle of a beached walrus. Had one of those moments when I felt like I was failing spectacularly, only to be reminded that everyone around me already looks just as awkward. The only thing that made me forget how bad I was, was when I accidentally flipped the paddle to hit the guy near me…
- Evening (Themed Night Disaster and Unexpected Delight): Tonight was Mexican night at the buffet. The food was… well, it was still buffet food. But the live music was actually pretty good! And the tequila? Undisputed champion. Ended up dancing with a random group of Canadians. Turns out, everyone has the same international language after two shots.
Day 3: Chichen Itza and the Ancient Mystery of Why I Didn't Wear More Sunscreen
- Morning (The Early Bird Gets…a Really Long Bus Ride): Booked a tour to Chichen Itza. The bus ride was, well, a bus ride. Filled with sleepy tourists, bad air conditioning, and the lingering aroma of stale coffee. But, you know, the destination is the point.
- Mid-day (Chichen Itza… Just Wow): Holy moly. Chichen Itza is mind-blowing. The pyramid is even more impressive in person, and the history is fascinating. It’s hard to believe people built it with no technology! I actually got a chill, standing in the main plaza. Almost forgot about the tan lines.
- Afternoon (Back to the Grind): More tequila, but also the feeling that I didn't want this day to end. After some searching, found a great local restaurant and ate the best food I have had in a couple of years.
- Evening (Pizza and Regret): Thought I was so smart. Ate pizza back at the hotel. Now I'm regretting it.
Day 4: The Ultimate Tequila Tasting and My Existential Crisis
- Morning (Hangover and Determination): Woke up with what can only be described as a tectonic hangover. Decided to treat myself with more alcohol. Went back to the bar.
- Mid-day (Tequila Tasting… the Dream): The hotel offered a tequila tasting. YES. I am a tequila connoisseur now. Okay, maybe not, but I learned a lot. Learned there's a difference in type, and what to look for. Also, tequila-infused ice cream is a thing and it is a gift from the gods. I still feel like I'm standing.
- Afternoon (Nap Time, Please): I need a nap. Apparently, learning and tasting tequila is HARD WORK.
- Evening (Dinner and Dancing): Ate more food. The dancing was terrible.
Day 5: Relaxation and Re-Entry Anxiety
- Morning (Beach Bum): More beach! Now that I've accepted my impending sunburn, I'm embracing the sun.
- Mid-day (Pool Time and Existential Crisis): Pool time. The water is so clear. I have some deep thoughts about life and how I need to start meditating more. And then i ordered another margarita.
- Afternoon (Last Sunset): Spent the afternoon getting a massage at the spa. It was so great that I almost fell asleep. Then I spent my last hours with the same people, at the same spot with the same drink, and it all felt like it had come full circle.
- Evening (Packing Panic and Final Meal): Had to pack. Always an emotionally fraught experience. Wondering if I'm ready for my next big adventure. Final meal, one last margarita, and a heavy dose of denial about leaving.
Day 6: Departure (and a Vow to Return)
- Morning (Airport Blues): Checked out of the hotel. Back to the dreaded airport. Security was brutal, and I swore I was going to miss everything.
- Flight:
- Arrival Home:
Quirky Observations, Emotional Reactions, and Rambles:
- The All-Inclusive Paradox: You're surrounded by food and drink, which is heaven… until you realize you're consuming about 5,000 calories a day and your bathing suit is starting to feel a little… snug.
- The Constant Sound of the Ocean: Like a gentle, watery whisper, always there to calm you down after a shot of tequila.
- The Staff: Phenomenal. Seriously, the staff at Occidental Tucancun are some of the friendliest, most helpful people I have ever met. They put up with a lot, and they do it with a smile. I'm not sure how they do it, but I applaud them.
- The Tequila: I've already raved about it, but I'll reiterate: The tequila is strong, plentiful, and the reason I'm likely going to need a liver transplant.
- The People: You meet some characters on these trips. The loud Americans, the quiet Europeans, the perpetually tan people. Everyone is just looking for a good time.
- Regrets: Should have brought more sunscreen. Should have learned more Spanish. Should have eaten more of the local food. But hey, there's always next time.
- Overall: This trip was everything I needed. It was chaotic, relaxing, beautiful, and filled with far too much tequila. I'm already planning my return. Cancun, you've stolen a piece of my heart (and possibly my liver).
Cancun Paradise Found: Occidental Tucancún - Because You REALLY Need a Vacation!
Okay, so, is this place *actually* paradise? I'm skeptical. My last "paradise" trip involved a leaky air conditioner and a screaming toddler...
The food situation... I’m a picky eater. And I need my coffee. Tell me the truth!
Drinks, drinks, drinks! Is the bar situation decent, or am I doomed to watered-down cocktails?
Okay, the beach. How's the beach? Is it crowded with chairs and screaming people all day?
Are there activities? Because I can’t just sit on a beach all day. (…well, I *can*, and sometimes I do, but still…)
The rooms...are they clean? Modern? Or should I brace myself for a slightly musty experience?
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