There are vacations where you spend the entire week planted beside the pool—and then there are vacations that give you the perfect mix of beach, relaxation, culture, and adventure.

A recent stay at Viva Azteca by Wyndham in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, delivered exactly that. Between the resort's tropical setting, Caribbean beachfront, all-inclusive convenience, and a full-day excursion to one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, Chichén Itzá, this is an itinerary that works especially well for travelers who want more from Mexico than simply staying inside the resort.

Staying at Viva Azteca by Wyndham

Viva Azteca is located in Playacar, a gated resort community just south of downtown Playa del Carmen. One of the first things you'll notice is that this isn't one of those enormous resorts where getting from your room to breakfast feels like you've completed the first leg of a marathon.

The property has a more intimate feel, with tropical landscaping, Mexican-inspired architecture and an inviting pool area that leads toward a beautiful stretch of Caribbean beach.

The resort is all-inclusive, so accommodations, meals, beverages and a variety of activities and entertainment are incorporated into the vacation experience. That makes it particularly easy for couples, families and groups who would rather enjoy the trip than constantly think about what everything costs.

The rooms are comfortable and straightforward rather than over-the-top luxurious. If your priority is a massive suite with a spa-style bathroom and extravagant finishes, there are other resorts built around that experience. Viva Azteca's strength is the overall vacation—the beach, atmosphere, activities, food, location and ability to explore beyond the property.

One particularly nice benefit is Viva's Stay at 1, Play at 2 concept, which allows Azteca guests to also enjoy facilities and services at neighboring Viva Maya.

Food, Drinks & Resort Life

There's enough variety to keep meals interesting throughout a stay, with a combination of buffet dining and specialty restaurants.

That means you can keep things easy during the day—breakfast before heading to the beach, lunch when you're ready—and turn dinner into more of an event at one of the specialty restaurants.

And that's really the rhythm that works well here.

Wake up. Grab breakfast. Find your spot near the Caribbean. Get in the water. Have lunch. Grab a drink. Do absolutely nothing for a while.

You're on vacation. You're allowed. 😂

Then change for dinner, explore the resort and enjoy the evening entertainment.

Then We Left the Beach Behind…

As beautiful as the Riviera Maya is, spending an entire trip without experiencing some of the history beyond the resorts would be missing a huge part of what makes this area special.

So we traded the Caribbean for something completely different:

Chichén Itzá.

Visiting Chichén Itzá

There are places you've seen so many times in photographs that you wonder whether seeing them in person can possibly live up to the image.

Chichén Itzá does.

The ancient Maya city is on the Yucatán Peninsula and was one of the most important centers of Maya civilization. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its most recognizable structure—El Castillo, or the Temple of Kukulcán—has become one of Mexico's defining images.

But standing in front of El Castillo is completely different from seeing it on a screen.

The scale immediately hits you.

And once you start exploring the archaeological site, you realize that Chichén Itzá is much more than that one pyramid. The complex contains temples, columns, platforms, the Great Ball Court and other structures that provide a fascinating glimpse into the sophistication of Maya civilization.

This is one excursion where having a knowledgeable guide can make an enormous difference. Without context, you're looking at extraordinary ruins. With someone explaining what you're seeing, the architecture, astronomy, religion, mathematics and history begin connecting into a much bigger story.

Be Prepared for a Full Day

Here's something travelers should know before booking:

Chichén Itzá isn't right around the corner from Playa del Carmen.

It's an inland excursion that requires a significant amount of travel time, so this should be considered a full-day adventure, not a quick morning sightseeing trip.

Wear comfortable shoes. Bring sun protection. Stay hydrated. And don't schedule an elaborate late-night plan for the same evening unless you're unusually ambitious.

But don't let the travel time discourage you.

You're already on the Yucatán Peninsula. Getting the opportunity to stand inside one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological sites is worth dedicating a day of your vacation to.

Resort Day + Adventure Day = The Sweet Spot

This was probably our favorite part of combining Viva Azteca with Chichén Itzá.

You don't have to choose between a relaxing Caribbean vacation and actually experiencing Mexico.

You can have both.

Spend one day staring at turquoise water with a drink nearby.

Spend another walking through a city built by the Maya centuries ago.

Then come back to Playa del Carmen, have dinner and wake up the next morning with absolutely nothing on your schedule except deciding whether you're going to the beach or the pool.

That's a vacation.