Turn your TV on for 5 seconds and you’ll want to escape the country with all the doom n’ gloom talk spewing from the so-called “experts”.

Well, what better place to run off to than our Southern neighbor?

We at Travel Off Path love visiting Mexico as often as we can, no matter if it’s myself crossing the border for cheap eats, impromptu vacations to the lesser known, or 5-star stays in Americans’ favorite international getaway, Cancun.

Speaking of Cancun, have you had a chance to hop aboard the highly anticipated Maya Train yet? To be honest, it’s been a mixed bag of reviews.

There’s no better time to plan your trip than right now, whether it’s your first time or you’re willing to give it another go after possible hiccups you may have experienced.

According to the Cancun Sun, The Maya Train is launching the “Maya Pass“, giving adventurous travelers unlimited rides to some of Mexico’s most stunning beaches.

What Does The Maya Pass Entail?

Summer is the perfect time to flip your boss the bird (metaphorically, of course) and cash in your well-earned PTO.

So, how about a week in Mexico? Airlines may be pulling flights to Tulum off the market, but Cancun remains one of the most connected international destinations for Americans (Merida is also an option).

Flying here is super easy, so you won’t waste much of your valuable PTO in the air. Upon arrival, snagging a new Maya Pass is practically a must for those who get a little stir crazy remaining on resort grounds their whole trip.

The Maya Pass gives travelers what’s essentially an all-access pass to the Maya Train (referred to as Tren Maya in Mexico).

This digital permit allows travelers to take advantage of unlimited rides for 7 consecutive days within a specific area, which just so happens to be textbook paradise.

Get on and off as much as you see fit. Want to check out a town you’ve never heard of? Go for it! Or you can opt for the mainstays we all know and love.

Hidden Gems & Household Names: Where Can Maya Pass Users Go?

If you’ve been trying to score travel deals the last few years, you’ve likely come across numerous flight subscriptions and so-called “unlimited train passes” that come with a laundry list of requirements to make them worth your while.

The Maya Pass is relatively straightforward. No, you can’t go to every single stop on Tren Maya’s impressive route map, but you can travel endlessly within a week’s span to some of the prettiest shores and under-hyped hidden gems this side of Mexico.

To be exact, you’ll have access to 11 total stops:

• Teya-Mérida
• Tixkokob
• Izamal (known as the “Yellow City”)
• Chichén-Itzá
• Valladolid (avoid Tulum’s crowds and sky-high prices with underrated cenotes)
• Nuevo Xcán
• Leona Vicario
• Cancún Aeropuerto
• Puerto Morelos
• Playa del Carmen
• Tulum

To my disappointment, I recently discovered on my first trip to Cancun that the Maya Train skips Akumal, a jaw-dropping beach town where you can swim and snorkel with sea turtles.

But, there’s plenty more to see. Hypothetically, you can start your day in Mexico’s safest city (Merida) and end your day living your best the Boho life in Tulum exploring awesome beach and timeless ruins.

The Big Question: What’s The Cost?

The good news is the Maya Pass won’t break the bank, but it’s not necessarily cheap either. The pass offers a great value given how many amazing destinations you can visit over and over again if you want.

It practically pays for itself as long as you plan as hopping around. Breaking it down, 3 or 4 trips makes it worth a splurge.

Use my favorite currency exchange app XE to see up-to-date conversion rates. Right now, it’s roughly $270 U.S. dollars for international tourists.

How To Purchase The Pass

It’s important to know you can;’t by the Maya Pass in person; it’s only in digital form on the “Tren Maya” mobile app.

Follow these steps:

1. Download the official “Tren Maya” app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
2. Create an account
3. Select the option to purchase
4. Choose the 7-day period for activation
5. Complete payment

Be prepared to show your pass when boarding, and then it’s go time!

Share The Article

You know Palm Springs, Joshua Tree, and Coachella, but do you know Palm Desert?

Those looking for a SoCal vacation might overlook all of the above in favor of a beach vacation, but why skip out on what feels like a tropical oasis lined with rows of regal palm trees and even front-row seats to a pond of flamingos, adding an unexpected touch of exotic appeal?

As a recent guest of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, I’m here to tell you running from the summer sun should be the last thing on your mind with JW’s sprawl of glistening pools, a world-class spa, and canopied boat rides to escape desert scorchers.

Relax poolside with a handcrafted cocktail like their signature Blackberry Bourbon Smash, book the spa’s Sanctuary Retreat with its own private cabana and jacuzzi, or wake up with an iced coffee at the on-site Starbucks and hit the links for a round of complimentary mini-golf under the shade of palms.

Don’t let the words “desert” and “summer” force you to miss out on one of Southern California’s premier resorts.

The pros certainly outweigh the cons, but let’s dive in for a thorough review of the best aspects of JW Marriott Palm Desert Springs & Spa, and a few areas for improvement.

Cool Off In Style! SoCal’s Best Alternative To Crowded Beaches

Have you been to San Diego, Laguna Beach, or Santa Monica in the summer? If you have, then you surely know half of Arizona and their mother flocked there too.

Despite the Golden State’s dipping visitor numbers, California’s beaches are still buzzing from June to Labor Day as neighboring state’s residents escape the desert heat.

Ironically, the JW is a loophole. No, there are no waves to surf or beachside carnival rides, but there are numerous ways to stay cool while enjoying some of California’s most underrated scenery.

One of my favorite aspects was that even though JW is family-friendly, it didn’t feel like it on a couples retreat. Rarely did you hear a peep from any crying rugrats or kiddos yelling “cannonball!”.

Did I just date myself?

There are 5 outdoor pools — 3 in the center essentially serving as an island for the boat route, 1 hidden pool behind the ballrooms, and a separate saltwater pool only for spa guests with the friendliest cocktail server you’ll ever meet. That dude was on it!

Beating the heat is no issue. I stayed in late May and temps were already hitting 90. Between the bathwater pools, ample spa services, covered boat rides, and waterfront patios, don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re booking a pricey vacation you’ll regret.

As a San Diego native, I can truly say I would choose JW Marriott Desert Springs over Mission Beach’s maddening crowds any day this summer.

For further context, my beloved Nana is no longer with us (God rest her soul), but even she wouldn’t pull out her signature summer move of putting ice in her bra.

“You Have To Ride The Boats!”

Before my trip, no matter how many people I told where I was going for the weekend, the response was all some variation of the same — “you have to ride the boats!”.

To be honest, before JW was brought to my attention, I had no idea the boat rides existed, but it’s certainly the resort’s claim to fame.

While it’s definitely not Venice, it’s a fun excursion to enjoy the desert scenery backdrop of staggering mountains, the hotel’s calm, reflective waters, and quite frankly, to get your bearings straight on a vast 450-acre property (though much of it is a golf course).

I paid $10 per person for the ride and it was well worth it. There are multiple drop-off points, including the aforementioned central pools, but I chose to stay on board for the full loop because the scenery was so vibrant and enjoyable.

Plus, the nice breeze had me forgetting I was in the desert for 20 minutes or so.

As I said, don’t expect a Venice-esque gondola experience as these are small, electric boats, but JW does offer a new Sailing Into Love proposal package if you’re looking for the perfect romantic getaway to pop the question.

It has a nice *ring* to it if you ask me.

The Pinnacle Of Pampering: Unwind, Recharge & Be Treated Like Royalty

The JW is draw for everyone, including the rich and famous. I was told during my stay Mark Davis, the owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, frequents the resort as does Doja Cat, and probably many others who keep a low profile with their check-in aliases, even though Hugh Jass isn’t fooling anyone…

It’s no surprise why A-listers opt for opulence here. JW Palm Desert is categorized as a 4-star resort, but I believe it should be 5-star based on the spa alone.

Upon walking in, you’re welcomed by a warm, knowledgeable staff who were able to answer a laundry list of questions since ya boy has a hard time being fancy.

Everything from the plush robes, co-ed lounge, Finnish sauna, and Turkish steam room exceeded all expectations, but there’s no doubt the spa’s biggest surprise was the Sanctuary Suite, which you can book online here.

This spacious suite was so posh and private, I didn’t want to go back to our actual room no matter how comfortable the bed and amazing the mountains views were.

You’re provided with a robe upgrade, cozy fireplace (not that you’ll need it during summer), cable tv, a rainfall shower, and private courtyard including a jacuzzi with a cascading waterfall to balance out the heat.

Not to mention, you’re assigned your own personal butler, so you don’t have to leave the comforts of the suite to order from the savory Spa Bistro, which I highly recommend the Seared Ahi Poke Bowl.

Room For Improvement

As swanky as the JW Marriott brand is known to be, guests expect the best since they’re paying premium prices.

Food issues:

For clarity, food was incredible across the board. Even something as simple as a chicken sandwich managed to have me tempted to order a second round.

The one meal that missed the mark was at Mikado, the on-site Japanese Steakhouse, which requires a reservation.

Would I recommend it? Yes, but more for the overall Teppanyaki experience with highly-trained chefs showing off impressive knife skills, obligatory onion volcanos and what’s supposed to be perfectly (or near perfect) entrees.

If you’ve never been to a Japanese Steakhouse, it’s all but guaranteed at least one patron will be singled out for a game with no official name, so we’ll just call it Shrimp Toss.

It was my lucky day, and I was a good sport about it, but toss after toss, the chef had to wait for me to finish chewing, and he seemed surprised—probably because shrimp isn’t supposed to have the consistency of boot leather. Overall, the experience was fun, but for a high-priced menu, nobody wants to leave disappointed.

For the hotel’s best Asian food, hit up the lobby’s JW Sushi Bar. I would eat there every meal if I’m fortunate to visit again.

Room issues:

My girlfriend and I were given a standard King room with an epic mountain view, but there were some housekeeping issues. Let’s just say no guest wants to play yet another game with no official name, but we’ll call this one, “Is That Blood or Makeup On My Towel?”.

Late-night noise was also an issue. I would request a room away from the floor’s ice machine, as the resort’s 1987-built walls showed their age.

Overall, we loved our stay despite a few hiccups. Staff were contagiously friendly, resort grounds are immaculately clean (minus one red-stained towel), and the world-class spa is a destination unto itself.

_{**Travel Off Path was a guest of JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa Review, who helped with the creation of this itinerary by hosting some of our accommodations and attractions. Our opinions, recommendations, and suggestions remain our own.**}

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.