The Early Bird's Guide to Cancun Resorts
Since childhood I have been wired to wake up early. Today- 4:15am. Not for any good reason - I’m not busy, I’m not stressed. I’m on vacation at an all-inclusive resort. And yet, as I began my day I saw others just finishing theirs. Being an early riser at a resort is a strange, somewhat lonely, experience.
Most mornings I see a few others spooking around - parents vainly hoping to lull their babies back to sleep, people with early flights checking out, and of course, staff getting the resort ready for the morning rush.
Vacation Really is the Opposite of Work
My early rising tendencies have always been an advantage in my work life. Client’s tend to enjoy getting a detailed email at 5:30am. Oh, they don’t read it then, but it gives the impression that their consultant is industrious! Of course, they will never get a response from me at 10pm, but somehow that is never an issue.
In my past corporate life it was the same thing. Being one of the first ones in the office was always well received. Oh, the worker who stayed late was also valued, but it was not an equal exchange. My arriving at the office 1 hour before most everyone else was somehow viewed as even better than staying 3 hours past the time most left for home. It might not be fair, but it is true; the business world values morning people more.
Empty Chairs, because most people are sleeping at this hour. Silly them.
Early Mornings in Paradise
But here’s the funny thing: at a resort, all those early morning habits that made me feel ahead of the game back home don’t really give you an edge. No one’s handing out gold stars for catching the sunrise. There’s no race to beat traffic, no emails to answer, no conference calls to prep for.
At 5 a.m. in Cancun, the only thing you’ll beat is the humidity—and maybe a couple of iguanas crossing the path before the pool chairs fill up. Most guests are still tucked in, sleeping off late dinners and a few too many poolside margaritas. The exception is oddly enough parents with baby’s and toddlers. It seems every early morning at a resort I see dads pushing strollers, hoping the little one drifts back to sleep.
If you’re like me—an genetic early bird—you’ll find yourself exploring a nearly empty paradise. The beach is quiet except for a handful of runners and a few determined photographers trying to catch the perfect sunrise shot. Staff move quietly, tending to pool chairs, raking sand, prepping for the rush to come. It feels like the resort belongs to you, if only for an hour or two.
What Do Early Risers Actually Do at a Resort?
I’ve learned to make the most of this quiet time. Here are some of my favorite morning rituals:
Sunrise walks on the beach: Before the crowds and the heat, the world feels calm and new. Some of my favorite travel memories are from these silent strolls, tea in hand, listening to the waves and watching the sky change colors.
Exploring the grounds: Without distractions, you notice the little things: the scent of the gardens, the sound of birds waking up, the tiny lizards darting across the path. Sometimes I find a resort amenity I didn’t know about. The first resort I ever stayed at I discovered a hidden hot tub near the spa that was almost unheard of. Once in two weeks I found someone else enjoying a soak.
Early workout: If you’re so inclined, the gym is all yours. Or do some stretching by the pool—no one to watch but the staff setting out towels.
First pick of the breakfast buffet: For the true resort pro, being first in line for the freshest pastries or the best fruit is a tiny victory. And if you are the only early riser in your family, later you can enjoy ‘second breakfast’!
The Lonely Side of Early Rising
There’s a flip side, of course. Some might find being up before everyone else can feel a bit lonely. I’m not one of them - the quiet time is sort of perfect. But, resort life is designed for night owls—the evening shows, late dinners, endless rounds at the lobby bar. The schedule is upside down from the world I’m used to. Sometimes, I’m sipping tea at sunrise while the last stragglers from the nightclub shuffle past me, sunglasses already on. They are great fun to run into around noon when they eventually stagger out of their room, looking for coffee, and then some quiet.
But I don’t mind. Those peaceful, golden hours before the resort wakes up are mine alone. It’s the time I get to reflect, to be truly present, and to watch the world go from quiet to buzzing with life. I have some of my most creative moments in the early morning resort. I bring my tablet or laptop, and read and journal and create.
Tips for Fellow Early Birds
If you’re naturally up with the sun, don’t fight it—embrace it. Here are a few ways to make the most of your mornings at a resort:
Bring a book or journal. Enjoy some solo time on the balcony or by the pool while it’s still peaceful.
Take photos. Early light makes for the best vacation pictures—and you won’t have crowds in the background.
Scout out excursions. Use the quiet time to plan your day, grab a coffee, and chat with the early-shift staff for local tips. Some resorts have a 24 hour venue where you can get drinks and snacks. Most buffets open at 7am. By that time I am on my 3rd tea latte if the resort has somewhere I can get one.
Enjoy the stillness. Sometimes the best part of vacation is just sitting quietly, feeling grateful that you have nowhere else to be.
Vacation really is the opposite of work. Here, being up early isn’t about beating someone else to the punch—it’s about having a little bit of paradise to yourself, even if just for a while.
