A Private Chichen Itza Tour That Was More Sweaty Than Spiritual 🏛️☀️
When you think of visiting Chichen Itza, you probably imagine some profound, spiritual connection with ancient ruins and cosmic Mayan energy. And honestly? I thought I’d feel that too.
But nope.
It was 100% more sweaty than spiritual—though still absolutely worth it.
We booked a Chichen Itza private tour as a day trip from our resort in the Riviera Maya. And this wasn’t just any family vacation pit stop—my kids had just wrapped up a unit on Mayan history and culture in our homeschool curriculum. So this tour? Basically their final exam.
Private Tour Perks: No Herding, Just Learning 🚐
Booking a private tour was the best decision ever. We got picked up directly from the resort in an air-conditioned van (blessed), skipped the big tour group chaos, and got personalized insight from our guide. He was knowledgeable, super friendly, and had a deep love for Mayan history—which worked out perfectly, because my kids were ready to flex their knowledge.
Like seriously… halfway through the tour, the guide turned to me and said, “How do they know all this?”
Homeschool, baby. It works.
A Quick History Refresher 🗿
Chichen Itza was one of the largest and most powerful Mayan cities, thriving from around 600 to 1200 A.D. It’s best known for El Castillo (aka the Temple of Kukulkan), which is not just a stunning pyramid—but also a massive calendar, observatory, and acoustics playground rolled into one.
Yes, it’s true: if you clap in front of the steps, the echo sounds like a chirping quetzal bird. We tried it. It works. It’s weirdly magical.
The Heat Is No Joke 🔥
Let me be brutally honest: it was hot. Like, sunburn-through-your-sunscreen hot. Even with hats, sunglasses, and plenty of bottled water, we were melting.
I was ready for some spiritual awakening. What I got was a full-body detox via sweat. And I still wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Pro tip: Wear breathable clothing, pack sunscreen, and bring more water than you think you need. Or just pretend you’re at a Mayan sauna. Same vibes.
What the Kids Thought 🤓
Shockingly, they loved it. Between quizzing the tour guide and taking a hundred photos of every angle of the ruins, they were fully into it. Even the history they didn’t learn at home came to life as they walked through the temples, the observatory, and the sacred cenote.
They may have learned more in two hours here than in two weeks of textbooks. I call that a parenting win.
A Cenote Surprise & Lunch Break 🌮💦
Before heading back to the resort, our private tour included a stop for lunch and a visit to a nearby cenote. If you’ve never been to one, it’s basically nature’s swimming pool—cool, clear, and surrounded by jungle vibes.
I didn’t snap any pics (because, let’s be real, I was too busy enjoying the dip), but trust me—it was the refresher we needed after sweating our faces off at Chichen Itza. The water felt like hitting the reset button, and the simple lunch served afterward? Total perfection. Nothing fancy—just delicious local food that hit the spot.
If you’re booking a tour, make sure this stop is included. Your body will thank you. 💧🌮
If this sweaty little history adventure made you laugh, inspired your next family trip, or just gave you a good idea for your bucket list—share it! Pin it, post it, or text it to your travel buddy. Every share helps support this blog and keep new adventures coming. 🙌
Let’s be real; there’s always some illness lurking around the corner, trying to attack our immune system. It’s like, can we catch a damn break?! If only everyone would stay home when they’re sick, and germs didn’t exist, amirite? But, unfortunately, we can’t control what other people do. We can, however, control ourselves, and that’s what my family and I do to stay safe.
#1 We Like Our Supplements
Okay, listen up, people. We don’t mess around when it comes to our supplements. We load up on Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc to boost our immune system. Let’s face it: it’s nearly impossible to get all the vitamins and nutrients we need from our messed up food supply. Most of the crap we eat today in the western world has zero nutritional value. So, we gotta give our bodies what they need to survive, or we’re screwed.
And get this, researchers from Spain found that COVID-19 patients with low levels of zinc in their blood didn’t do as well as those with healthier levels. So, we have that in the cabinet too! More info here.
I am not a doctor. Talk to your doctor before starting a supplement.
#2 We Limit Sugar
Look, I know sugar is debatable when it comes to being an immunosuppressant, but we do know that eating too much of that sweet stuff can screw up your body’s nutrient balance. And, if you mess that up, you’ll have some inflammation and metabolic disruption, which nobody wants.
So, at my house, we don’t keep sweets or sugary drinks in the house. If we don’t buy it, we don’t eat it (often). It’s that simple.
#3 We Get Outside & Move
Seriously, get your butt outside and move around. It’s a no-brainer. According to Dr. Stephen Chen, exercise can mobilize millions of immune cells, which is like an army of soldiers ready to fight off illness. And they’re all primed and ready to go when you exercise.
Oh, and by the way, if you’re outside and you’re alone, take off that damn mask! There’s no scientific reason to wear it when you’re by yourself in the fresh air. Give your lungs a break, for heaven’s sake.
#4 We Drink Water, A lot of it.
Hydration, hydration, hydration. It’s key to a healthy life, especially when your body’s facing a potential threat. Our immune system relies on the nutrients in our blood system, and over half of our blood is made up of water! So, drink up, buttercup.
#5 We Eat Our Greens! I know, I know, some veggies can be gross. But, listen to me, these greens are your friends. They contain antiviral agents that can help boost your immune system. We’re talking arugula, beet greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, radishes, red cabbage, turnip greens, and watercress.
If you want to get nerdy and learn more about how these veggies impact your immune system, look into isothiocyanates (ITCs) and their immune-boosting capabilities. Trust me, your body will thank you.
#6 Essential Oils
Okay, okay, I can already hear some of you rolling your eyes, but hear me out. Essential oils are the bomb .com. And, yes, some of them can help boost your immune system and prevent the spread of illness. We use Lemon Oil to clean surfaces in our home. Lemon has some kick-ass antibacterial properties for cleaning, and it smells damn good too. Plus, it has anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties, so it’s a win-win situation. We also love Eucalyptus oil, which has decongestant and expectorant properties that support a healthy respiratory system. It’s like a breath of fresh air, y’all! We diffuse that bad boy at least once a week to keep our home smelling fresh and feeling healthy.
Want More Immune-Boosting Tips Like This?
This post is just the beginning. If you’re ready to clean up your diet and boost your energy naturally, my 21-day real food cleanse, Eat Clean 21, is packed with immune-supporting recipes, clean eating plans, and practical tips to get your body functioning at its best. (No calorie counting, no weird diet rules, just real food and real results.)
💪 Think of it as the ultimate reset button for your body—and your immune system.
💌 Please Share This Post
If this list gave you ideas (or maybe just a little guilt trip to eat your greens), don’t keep it to yourself! 📌 Pin it, post it, or text it to someone who needs a wellness wake-up call. Every share helps my little blog grow—and helps spread the word that we do have control over how we care for our bodies.
During a brief stint working as a 911 dispatcher, my co-workers and I would take turns bringing in different gourmet coffee. In the midst of an intense discussion about what coffee tastes better, one of the deputies recommended butter coffee and another co-worker agreed.
Assuming butter coffee was simply a slab of butter melted into my coffee, I scooped out some of our salted margarine from the bin and dropped it into my coffee. “Gross!” I said to myself as I poured it down the drain.
Almost a year later, and after losing approximately 30 lbs from cutting sugar, I set out on a journey to heal my ADD symptoms. It was then, that I stumbled upon “Butter Coffee” in a different light.
Bulletproof Coffee: The worldwide coffee phenomenon.
During an interview with Regina Meridith, Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof coffee, explained the cognitive benefits of adding butter and brain octane oil to your coffee, only this time I learned that it needs to be unsalted, grass fed, butter (not margarine) as well as to blend it all together to create a foamy latte-textured drink.
After hunting down some Kerry Gold Unsalted butter and purchasing Brain Octane Oil from Bulletproof, my life changed forever!
The enlightening benefits I received from consuming one cup of “Bulletproof” style coffee each morning:
Consuming healthy fats in the beginning of my day, provided me with increased energy & cognitive function.
Motivation
Decreased appetite in the morning – allowed for a longer intermittent fast.
Decreased sugar cravings.
I loved bulletproof coffee so much, that we introduced it at our coffee shop as the “Invincible Joe” Our butter and oil coffee is made from our single origin beans brewed and blended with grass-fed unsalted butter and coconut oil. We make this coffee at Carrier Coffee Company because it tastes great and has amazing health benefits.
If buttered coffee isn’t your thing, you can still get plenty of benefits from MCT or coconut oil. Try drinking your coffee black alongside a scrambled egg cooked in coconut oil, which is naturally rich in MCTs. You can also add it to your favorite smoothies. Just remember to stick with the all-natural (i.e., trans fat-free) varieties.
It’s an extra 200-300 calories, so it has to replace some food or another caloric beverage, Otherwise, you would gain an extra 20 to 30 pounds each year by having a cup per day. If you’re trying to cut calories or saturated fat, Bulletproof probably isn’t the brew for you. But it does have a whole lot more health benefits than many of the other blended whipped cream-on-top beverages you could be sipping.
If you try bulletproof coffee or any other kind of blended coffee at home, use caution when blending hot liquids. Please consult with your physician before starting a new diet or consuming increased amounts of fat & MCT oil as part of a health plan.
Jess Carrier’s Pool Care 101…. You ready? You would not believe how many compliments I get on my pool water. I’ve heard everything from “It looks like a resort!” to “What’s your secret?!” And listen—I love a good ego boost, but those compliments are always followed by a flood of questions about how I keep it so clean.
So here it is: the no-gatekeeping, real-life, not-a-professional guide to my crystal clear water (And no, it’s not magic… just maintenance.)
🏊♀️ Pool Opening Day: AKA The Annual Spring Workout
Every spring, I yank that safety cover off, reconnect the hoses, and change the sand in the filter. Then I fill the whole thing with fresh city water from the garden hose. Once it’s full and running, I take a sample to my local pool store for testing.
Because here’s the thing: my city water changes every year. I don’t trust test strips. I don’t love guessing. And I definitely don’t love wasting money on chemicals that don’t work.
Every year, I add a bottle of Metal Out and some liquid pool shock, and honestly, that’s usually enough to clear things up. On rare occasions, I’ve had to add Muriatic Acid—but that stuff is no joke, so handle it like you’re disarming a bomb.
And the most important step? Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum.
I do it three times during opening week:
Once to suck up all the leaves, algae, and mystery debris
Again 24 hours later after filtration runs
And one more time for good measure—this clears out any leftover metals or funk that settled in
🧽 Weekly Pool Care Maintenance: The Routine That Saves Me
Let’s just get the disclaimer out of the way: I’m not a pool professional. Just a tired mom who likes her water clean and her kids busy.
💊 Chlorine Tablets 24/7
I keep 2–3 tablets in the skimmer basket at all times. I check every few days, clean out the debris, and top off the chlorine as needed. Once the water warms up, those tablets melt like butter on a hot grill, so I stay on top of it.
One giant bucket lasts me the whole season (usually).
🌀 Vacuuming & Backwashing
I vacuum once a week and also after every major storm. I originally snagged a Pool Blaster vacuum at a garage sale for $15 (best $15 ever). It was so easy the kids actually wanted to use it. Of course, that didn’t last long—my son flooded the electronics. So I replaced it with this one on Amazon, and it’s even better. Same vacuum, upgraded design, and waterproof electronics. Bless.
I do occasionally hook up the pool’s vacuum that connects to the filter, but the one above is way easier to manage for light cleaning. It has also probably saved my filter from an early death.
Even though I don’t vacuum through the filter much, I do still backwash once a week. Maybe overkill, maybe muscle memory. Either way—it’s part of the pool care ritual now.
💥 Pool Shock: When & Why I Use It
I shock the pool:
After a big storm
After a party
Once a week in August, because that’s Algae Season!
I’ve switched to liquid shock this year because the powdered stuff never wanted to dissolve. Liquid works faster, easier, and doesn’t leave me angrily stirring like I’m making pool soup.
💚 The Algae Battle (End-of-Summer Edition)
Around late July (hello, Iowa humidity), I’ll usually start to see algae creeping into the corners. It’s either because I got lazy with maintenance or we just didn’t swim much for a few days. Either way—it happens.
I swear—just letting the kids cannonball all day keeps the pH balanced better than anything else. We swim a lot, splash often, and just keep things moving. It works.
🧽 Hidden Chores Disguised as Games
Parenting hack: after a storm, I challenge my kids to “see who can get the most debris from the bottom of the pool.”
They go full competition mode and don’t even realize I’ve tricked them into cleaning. #momwin
🗓 My Weekly Pool Care Schedule
Thursday Evening (10–15 min)
Backwash
Check chlorine tablets
Remove debris from pool floor
Saturday Night (5 min)
Pool shock
Sunday Morning (1 hour)
Check chlorine
Vacuum
Tuesday (2 min)
Quick chlorine check
🚫 Dirt, Feet & Deck Rules
I have a giant deck and a rock path leading up to the pool, which means we rarely deal with dirt getting tracked in. If we didn’t? I’d be that mom yelling about foot-washing rules. Grassy feet are the fastest way to ruin a pool.
🔁 When Things Get Out of Control…
Let me say this louder for the people in the back: When I struggle with my pool care, I take a water sample to the pool store.
Yes, it might cost $30–$100 in chemicals. Yes, it’s annoying. But you know what’s worse? A green swamp in your backyard that nobody wants to swim in.
Do the test. Spend the money. Treat it right. That’s just pool ownership, baby.
🛒 My Favorite Pool Products
If you’re curious what else I use, I’ve linked a few things here:
The Best Winter / Safety Cover I have ever had! (Water flows through it so you’re not left with a huge puddle of gross water sitting on top of your cover. Its like a strong, sturdy, strainer!)
My Pool Heater – I’m in Iowa, this baby gives us two extra months of swimming time! (It ain’t cheap being bougie!)
(affiliate links included, because if I’m going to help you keep your water clean, I might as well earn a dollar doing it)
☀️ Pool Time = Wellness Time
Yes, the pool is fun, but it’s also part of my wellness routine—sunshine, movement, stress relief, and family time all rolled into one (bonus points for cannonballs). If you’re into living your best life—whether it’s clean eating, mindset shifts, or feel-good routines—you’ll love these posts too: 👉 Check out more of my wellness and lifestyle content here
💬 Please Share!
If you found this pool care post helpful, funny, or even mildly relatable—do me a favor and share it!
📌 Pin it to your summer checklist 📤 Post it to your stories 📎 Send it to that friend who just bought a house with a pool and looks overwhelmed
It helps me more than you know, and keeps this blog floating right alongside your crystal-clear water.
Get the scoop on Royalton Riviera food, drinks, and nightlife—from poolside snacks to steakhouse dinners and the can’t-miss All-In White Party.
They say you don’t go to all-inclusive resorts for the food. But they clearly haven’t been to Royalton Riviera on a good day. I’ve stayed here four times now—Hideaway, Diamond Club, with and without kids—and I’ve tried nearly every restaurant, snack station, and “sure, I’ll try one” cocktail on the property.
This is your no-fluff, tell-it-like-it-is guide to the best food and drink at Royalton Riviera Cancun—and where to go if your taste buds demand more than buffet tacos and watery piña coladas.
🍽️ The Buffet That Surprised Me (in a Good Way)
Let’s start with the Gourmet Marche—Royalton’s main international buffet. I know, I know. Buffets don’t exactly scream “fine dining,” but hear me out.
Always clean
Always well-stocked
Food actually tastes fresh
Even has a kid section with picky-eater options
You can get eggs made-to-order in the morning, tons of variety for lunch, and full dinner options that don’t feel like leftovers. It’s one of the few buffets I don’t roll my eyes at.
🍕 Snack Stations = Hidden Gems
Some of my favorite bites didn’t come from a sit-down dinner—they came from poolside snacks and surprise grills:
Hideaway Pool Sushi Bar – Opens at 11am and serves up rolls that hit harder than expected
Main Pool Food Truck – Nachos, ceviche, and other rotating poolside goodies
Diamond Club Grill Station – Pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers—all of it better than it should be
Beach Waitstaff Hack – Ask for a food menu and they’ll bring food from these snack stations straight to your lounger
🥩 Sit-Down Dinners: Hits, Misses & Everything In Between
Grazie (Italian)
Surprisingly solid. Pasta, pizza, and salads were all better than average.
Appetizer portions are small, so order multiple.
We loved walking around the pool while waiting for our table.
Caribbean Grill
Simple and tasty. I had grilled chicken tacos, my teen devoured a pile of nachos.
Casual and fast, perfect for a lunch spot when you don’t want to change out of your swimsuit.
Zen (Japanese)
The hibachi-style dinner show is a fun experience—good energy and entertainment.
BUT: you don’t get to choose your sushi or main dish.
Want good sushi? Go a second night and request a table not at the hibachi grill.
Taj (Indian)
We gave it a go, but the flavor wasn’t our vibe.
If you love Indian food, you might have better luck—but it was a skip for us.
Hunter Steakhouse
Decent… but if you’re from the Midwest like me, you’ve had better.
Tiny portions, long wait even with reservations.
Honestly? Save your steak cravings for somewhere else.
🍹 Let’s Talk Drinks: Cold, Strong & Worth the Calories
I’ve tested just about every drink station this resort has to offer (tough job, I know). Here’s where to go for what:
Lobby Bar: Best spot for a strong, cold drink every time. Start your day here.
Martini Mix: Super cute, but chaotic at night. Get there early.
SCORE Sports Bar: Coldest beer at the resort. Period.
Diamond Club Pool Bar: Can be hit or miss depending on the crowd and bartender.
Room Fridge: Don’t expect cold drinks. It’s a cooler—not a fridge. Best tip? Grab drinks right after they restock.
Pro Tip: Bring your own Yeti or insulated tumbler. Ask the bartender to pour it straight into your cup. You’ll thank yourself around 2pm when your friends are sipping melted margaritas.
🧊 Straws, Cups & Weird Beverage Surprises
The resort doesn’t use plastic straws (good for the planet, weird for your mojito).
You can bring your own metal straw, or buy one at the gift shop.
And… they don’t serve Corona. In Mexico. I know.
Ask for Dos Equis instead, and let go of the dream.
🥂 Room Service + Coffee Situation
Room Service: Pretty solid. Definitely worth trying breakfast in bed at least once.
Coffee: Room service delivers early, but if you’re a coffee snob like me, bring your own.
The lobby café uses syrupy latte mixes that taste more like melted dessert than caffeine.
The club sandwich room service at night is only good after several drinks, ya know what I mean?
💃 Nightlife, Entertainment & the All-In White Party
If you think the fun ends at dinner, think again—Royalton Riviera Cancun knows how to throw a party.
Every night, there’s some kind of entertainment happening, from live shows with performers, dancers, and musicians to DJ sets on the main stage.
One of the biggest events of the week is the All-In White Party—and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like:
Everyone wears white (you don’t have to, but it’s more fun if you do)
There’s a full DJ setup, lights, dancing, and cocktails
It’s Instagram-worthy and surprisingly high energy for a resort event
Bonus: Great excuse to shop for that breezy little white outfit —-> Snag Mine HERE!
Other shows we’ve seen over the years include:
A full Michael Jackson tribute
Fire & light shows
Mariachi bands and Mexican market nights
A few surprisingly good cover artists (Shout out to “Resort Beyoncé”)
Pro Tip: If you want to enjoy the nightlife without being a zombie by 9pm—schedule a nap. Seriously. You’ll thank yourself later.
Just so you know—Royalton Riviera Cancun didn’t sponsor this post about the pool and beach, I’m just sharing the real-deal scoop from experience. But hey, if you feel inspired to book something through this Expedia link or shop through the affiliate links in this post, I’ll earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) and it helps keep the blog going. Win-win!
📲 Share This Post With Your Travel Crew
Planning your Royalton trip with friends? Share this so nobody ends up sad and hungry on night two.
📌 Pin this to your “Resort Reviews” board
💬 Drop it in the group chat (especially for the picky eater)
🥂 Or send it to that one friend who needs to pack their own straw
➡️ Up Next: Royalton Riviera Presidential Suite + Traveling with Teens
Now you know about Royalton Riviera Food, but have you ever wondered what it’s like to stay in a Presidential Suite with teens in tow? Spoiler: it’s not as relaxing as adults-only… but it was unforgettable. 👉 Read about the Royalton Riviera Presidential Suite experience.
