From resort luxury to Mayan traditions – how one trip redefined this former guest’s idea of travel
My guest for the 59th episode of Had To Be There was Urmi Hossain, an Italian-Bengali currently living in Montreal. Urmi shared her experience venturing away from her resort in Cancun and the cultural immersion that followed. I’ve been so grateful to keep up with Urmi even after her episode aired and I’m honored she agreed to pen this guest post.
What Cancun Taught Me About Real Mexico
by Urmi Hossain
In 2022, I traveled to Mexico. It was my first time visiting this part of the world, and I was both excited and curious to see Cancun. Before booking my trip, I already knew that Canadians and Americans often spend their spring breaks in Mexico and always wondered why. However, once I got there, it all made sense. Spending a week at a Mexican resort feels like living your best life — the food, the sea, and the energy are just incredible.
When we booked the trip, the plan was to stay at the resort, enjoy the food, soak up the sun, and relax. But I ended up discovering so much more than I expected!
The warmth of the people stood out the most. Every single morning, we were greeted by the resort staff with warm and lovely smiles — it truly melted our hearts.
The water at the beach was crystal clear and endless. When you take a dip in the sea, you forget all your worries and just enjoy the view.
I also learned about the coati — a typical Mexican animal. We saw them often around the resort. At first, I was a bit scared, but they turned out to be friendly and harmless.
Whenever I travel, my first rule is to see the authentic side of a country. While I had a great experience at the resort, I wanted more. I wanted to know what it felt like to live like a real Mexican.
We booked a one-day guided trip to Chichén Itzá and a Mayan village, and these ended up being my favorite parts of the trip. Visiting Chichén Itzá allowed me to fulfill my dream of seeing one of the 7 Wonders of the World. I didn’t know much about the history of the pyramid beyond what I learned in school, so it was fascinating to hear the stories from our guide and take photos.
As for the Mayan village, I noticed that life outside the resorts is completely different. Unlike the Americanized resort areas, many people live in rural villages, often far away, and don’t speak much English. Visiting and talking with the Mayan people made me feel like I had traveled back in time. Each person has their own language, customs, and traditions. We were lucky enough to enjoy a traditional Mexican meal with rice and beans, and it made me feel like I was one of them.
I could also tell that religion plays an important role in their lives; many people seemed deeply devoted to their faith.
I loved seeing this part of the country; this is what makes a place truly authentic.
I fell in love with Cancun after visiting it, not just because of its beautiful beaches, but because of everything I experienced beyond them. People are genuinely warm with their cheerful “Hola!” It makes you want to learn Spanish and connect even more deeply with the Mexican culture.
What truly stayed with me after this trip was the glimpse into the authentic Mexican life when I visited the Mayan villages. It was a down-to-earth and humbling experience to see how people live and how they hold tightly to their traditions and customs. I felt honored to witness how community, faith, and heritage shape their everyday life.
For anyone traveling to Mexico – or anywhere – if you’re staying at a resort, step outside of it. Mingle with the locals. See how the people of the place truly live. Go and experience the heart of the culture because this is where the real magic lies.
Connect with Urmi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urmihossain/