re: Cancun Trip Recommendations

Sometimes this board gives recs from the perspective of people who travel frequently and visit places multiple times so it easy to say relax here for a week in one city and don't overdue it. Not always a fan of that type of advice, but.....

You are staying at one of the nicest, and more expensive resorts in the Cancun area for 4 days, I would take advantage of that as much as possible, 2.5 beach/pool/spa days and only 1.5 days/trip off the resort, at most. Do Xcaret another time, never done whale sharks but probably fun, Isla is a fun trip, full or have day and easy to get to from Excellence, and definitely recommend a tour that includes cenotes, and maybe ruins but thats a longer drive.

I think the best way to do an active Cancun trip is affordable airbnb/hotel in /close to Tulum for 3 days doing all the stuff, ruins, parks, off-road, cenotes, local food, then finishing up for 3 relaxing days in a nice AI.