Indulgence & Insights: Five Days in Cancun That Led to an Inner Revelation

Mar 14, 2025

When I decided to take a vacation from my vacation in Cancun, I never expected that staying at an all-inclusive resort would become a turning point in my journey.

In these few days, I came to realize that sometimes, you need to step away to get closer to yourself. Between the parties, the people, and the luxury, deeper thoughts began to surface—about my true dream, and the role writing plays in my life.

📍 Cancun, Mexico | October 28, 2022

I Booked a Vacation to Cancun

I took a break from my travels and went to Cancun for three nights. It feels like turning a page in the book of my journey—one chapter ending, with a very specific vibe, and another one about to begin, unknown and different.

Between chapters, I take a pause—like a deep breath before the next part of the story. It’s a chance to rest, but more than that, I love the anticipation of what’s coming next. That curiosity about a new beginning. I trust that life will take me where I need to go—I just can’t wait to find out how.

November is off-season, so hotels are half the price compared to, say, January. Not that it’s cheap—I’m still paying the full price for a double room, despite being just one person. Traveling as a couple would definitely be more cost-effective.

Cancun instantly brings to mind all-inclusive resorts, and that’s exactly why I came. I picked a five-star, all-inclusive hotel right in the heart of the tourist district. Honestly? I’m jealous of myself.

Since I started writing this post, a lot has changed. I decided to leave Selina, thinking I had a plan. Now? I have no idea where I’ll go back to in Playa, or what this next chapter will look like. Excitement has shifted into uncertainty—what now? I reread the post I wrote earlier and remind myself to trust the universe.

Lately, I’ve been asking myself: "Is this what my dream looks like?" Suddenly, now that I’ve achieved my goal, it doesn’t shine quite as bright as I imagined. But maybe—just maybe—starting somewhere and realizing it’s not what I want doesn’t mean the dream itself is wrong.

There are still so many places that might fit the vision better. I’ll keep searching. I have a feeling this little getaway will help.

📍 Cancún, Mexico | October 29, 2022

Well done, Cancún. Well done.

The taxi driver wouldn’t stop talking. "Do you like Mexicans?"—a classic trick question.

If I say yes, he’ll probably try to set me up with his son. If I say no, I’ll offend him. After a few videos of his grandson (adorable, by the way), we arrived.

"Welcome! Your room is on the 13th floor." Always nice to hear. 🙂

First impressions—you know how it is. Those first few seconds when you arrive somewhere new. I feel my stomach flip. Why am I this excited? Maybe because I can’t quite believe I’m here. Which is odd, because I’ve already been in Mexico for a month and a half.

Why does Cancún feel so different from Playa?

There’s a distinct atmosphere here—you can sense it the moment you step into the hotel lobby. I’d say “Imagine a hotel in Eilat”, but that wouldn’t do it justice. This is the real deal. People who book five-star, all-inclusive resorts in Cancún know exactly what they’re doing. And now, for four days, I’m one of them.

Cancún is exceeding expectations. And within an hour? I’m already tipsy—before I even got my room key. Well done, Cancún. Well done.

When I was searching for a hotel and saw the relatively low price—550 USD for four days—everyone kept mentioning it’s off-season. I looked at the photos online and panicked for a second—what if the hotel is empty? What if it’s just me, wandering around a ghost resort? What a weird thought.

Got my room. Now what? The pool seems like a good place to start. The pool party immediately erased any lingering doubts. This is also the first time I’m exposing my new tattoo at the pool. It feels like taking my kid to their first day of school.

How will it do? Will it be okay? I’m cracking myself up.

"Are you here alone?"
"Of course."
"Shut the fuck up!"

God, I love Americans.

Dinner time. I walk into one of the hotel’s eight restaurants—obviously, the Japanese one. The waiter instantly asks: “Where’s your boyfriend?” Yeah, I get it. It’s unusual to show up alone at an all-inclusive resort in Cancún. Everyone here is part of a friend group, couple, or family. But for me? It’s amazing. I love my solitude. And if I want company? All I have to do is choose.

"Treat yourself like someone you love."

I heard this once in a TED Talk. It hit me like a gut punch—so simple, yet I never treated myself that way. I thought about the people I love. About how I treat them. Why was I treating myself any differently? Years passed. Now? I’m my own top priority. And I don’t take that for granted.

📍 Cancún, Mexico | 30/10/2022

The Hotel’s Breakfast

I think I had trouble falling asleep last night because I was so excited about breakfast. Ridiculous, I know. But honestly, breakfast is a meal you can eat at any time of day, and here I am, dedicating a whole post to it. Wagging my imaginary tail all the way to the buffet, I do a quick lap to check out what’s available. There’s everything. I mean, everything. What a dream.

I know my limits pretty well, so I don’t pile my plate with random stuff—I take a little of everything I actually want. Success = finishing my plate. At least the first one. Then it’s time for dessert. I notice the plates here are smaller. Oh, no. You’re not about to tell me what size plate I can load up with pancakes, cakes, cinnamon rolls, French toast, and donuts. I go back for a bigger plate.

It’s kind of funny watching people walk around with multiple drinks in hand, sipping from different cups at the same time—like the drinks are about to run out. Just like how Israelis stack their plates at hotel buffets. Relax. It’s free. It’s not going anywhere.

Being tipsy 24/7 is fun—but four days in? Somewhere between a sprint and a marathon. I remember when I used to fly out to week-long festivals, that’s when I really understood what marathon mode meant. People would party so hard that by day three, they were completely drained. That’s when I learned—pacing is everything. To survive a week of partying, you have to treat it like a marathon and save some energy for the finish line. As for Cancún? Time will tell.

I think if I had come here when I was younger, I would have eaten this place alive. Just kidding—obviously, with salt. I would have gone all in, pulled out the big guns, and laughed at anyone who mentioned sleep schedules.

I remember times when I hesitated about doing something, about going somewhere. Whenever I asked my brother for advice, he always said: "If you want to do it, and you can—do it now. Because one day, either you won’t want to anymore, or you won’t be able to."

The best time to do something was ten years ago. The second-best time? Right now.

📍 Cancún, Mexico | 31/10/2022

Both is good.

It started as a joke. Most of the time, when faced with a decision between two options, I instinctively try to find a way to choose both.

Because why give something up when you can have both?

I’ve thought a lot about what that says about me—always analyzing, always breaking things down. When I struggle with a tough choice, I like to organize my thoughts in writing—listing pros and cons so I can see everything clearly instead of letting random thoughts float around in my head.

Most of the time, it works. I manage to find the perfect arrangement where everything fits together. And when that happens, I feel like I’ve won.

When I said I wanted to leave Selina for another job where I could actually make real money, the bar manager told me he wanted me to stay—and offered me better conditions.

With the new offer, I suddenly felt less eager to leave. But at the same time, the new job still really intrigued me.

After consulting with a few trusted advisors (my dad taught me to listen to others—sometimes people bring up ideas you never considered yourself), someone finally said out loud what had been sitting quietly in my subconscious.

Why not both?

Once I saw that as a possibility, I started mapping out a way to make it happen.

I thought hard about what I wanted and how I wanted it. Then, I went back to both sides with a counter-proposal, hoping they’d agree and we’d move forward.

Unfortunately, they didn’t. My master plan fell apart. Instead of having two jobs, I ended up with zero. Which probably just means something even better is waiting for me—I just don’t know it yet. I decided this is the perfect time to travel.

I’ve been in Mexico for a month and a half and still haven’t seen the places you have to see. So, before peak season hits and everything gets expensive, I’ll explore for a bit—then start looking again.

📍 Cancún, Mexico | 01/11/2022

Cancún is exactly what you think it is

Every stereotype exists here—probably originated here. Americans flashing their cash, a swim-up bar, people drunk at any hour of the day, a massive buffet available at all times, fancy restaurants, VIP service. I don’t think I’ve opened a single door since I arrived. And I definitely haven’t spent a cent.

The girls I spoke to said that’s just how it is here. Aside from the fact that everything is included in the hotel, men always pay for women—restaurants, clubs, whatever. Most people here say they come back every year. Considering it’s only a two-hour flight for them, I’m surprised it’s only once a year.

There’s so much to do outside the hotels—tons of shopping malls, water sports, boat trips to the nearby island, and of course, the insane nightlife. The clubbing district absolutely lives up to its reputation—bars lined up one after another, nightclubs competing over who can blast the loudest music, dancers, strip clubs, and in general, people wearing... very little.

The colors of the ocean here—I just hope my eyes remember them forever. But honestly? I missed Playa. I was excited to go back. I missed the avenue, the familiar faces, even Santino (that infamous tourist club I have a love-hate relationship with). I’ll admit it.

On my last day in Cancún, I threw up again. Not from alcohol—from words. I woke up in the morning, and everything just poured out. I sat at the pool bar with my phone, and the world could have been on fire around me—I was writing. It was an incredible day. I prayed for the journey back to Playa to take as long as possible—because I couldn’t stop. I have so much to say. I wonder if this is what I was meant to do.

Five days in Cancún became a crossroads in my journey. In the midst of all the artificial glamour, on the last day, I found myself "throwing up words"—writing non-stop. It was a moment of clarity: maybe bartending and the nomadic lifestyle were just the path leading me to my true calling—writing.