Getting to the Hyatt Ziva Cancun All-Inclusive Resort
My ideal vacation right now would consist of a dark room, a comfortable bed, a white noise machine, unlimited sleep, and no responsibilities for a few days (or even a few hours?!). However, since that is still unattainable, the next best thing is a trip to a quality resort with fun pools for kids, good food, yummy drinks, and on-site child care that is available using points. In other words, the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun was as close to perfect as we are currently going to get.
Hyatt has two types of all-inclusive properties, the Zilara brand that is for adults, and the Ziva brand that is for families. We visited the adults-only Hyatt Zilara in Jamaica last year and you can check out those posts here, but this time we brought the kiddos along for the ride and embraced the family all-inclusive concept at the new Hyatt Ziva Cancun. This property is located on the Punta Cancun with blue water and white sands on three sides!
Using Points or Free Nights to Stay at Hyatt Ziva Cancun
You can book the Hyatt all-inclusive properties using points, but it gets tricky once you go over double occupancy because the number of points required goes up per person after double occupancy other than for children under 3 years of age. The Hyatt Ziva Cancun specifically is 25,000 points per night for double occupancy, but children 3 and up will increase that price 12,500 points per night per child. In other words, for a family of four with two kids ages 3 and up you will be paying the same price per night to stay in one room as you would for two rooms. If you don't have enough Hyatt points to make that happen, remember you can transfer points to Hyatt from Chase Ultimate Rewards and cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred at a 1:1 ratio.
Because of that we instead used our Hyatt Credit Card sign-up bonus nights for two of the nights at the Hyatt Ziva. This means our credit card sign-up bonus not only covered our hotel for two nights, but also all of our food, drinks, activities, and more!
Now I have to point out that technically the terms of the credit card sign-up bonus state the nights are only valid for single or double occupancy at the all-inclusive resorts, so I can't promise that they will continue to be useful for staying at these all-inclusive properties when you have more than two people on the reservation. However, it has worked for us and many I know, so we got huge value out of those two nights since the going rate was around $500/night during our spring break visit.
For the third night of our long-weekend stay we paid cash for a base room and then applied a Diamond confirmed suite upgrade to the reservation to secure a two-story Pyramid suite. We then crossed our fingers (and emailed the hotel and asked nicely) if it would be possible to stay in the suite for all three nights. I was willing to pay a co-pay to make that happen, but in the end we were pleasantly surprised at check-in that our entire stay would be in the 1,300 square foot Pyramid suite. Of course, I wouldn't count on that always being the case, but I was thrilled it worked out this time since our baby is not the world's best sleeper...to put it lightly.
Getting from the Cancun Airport to the Hyatt Ziva Cancun
The property is about a 20-25 minute ride from the airport, and to keep things as simple as possible, I had the resort arrange our transportation to/from the property even though that meant we were likely spending a little more than if we searched out the most cost effective transportation on our own. The price for a private transfer for four using the hotel's contracted service with Best Day was $110 round trip. We had our own car seats available for our kiddos, but they did have car seats available in different sizes if you needed one for your little ones.
Regardless of how you get to the resort, I recommend setting it up ahead of time as the Cancun airport is a bit insane once you clear customs and immigration with lots of people competing for your attention and dollars (or pesos). It is much nicer to know what company you are looking for once you land so you can tune out the rest of the noise.
Our ride to the resort was very comfortable and worth the price in my mind for the ease, but our ride back to the airport wasn't quite as nice in a large passenger van instead of the SUV we had on the way to the hotel. It was still very convenient, clean, and on-time, just not as comfortable for someone who gets car sick. Good Day has a desk within the Ziva property, so you can confirm your return transportation or other excursions with staff on-site.
Checking in at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun
After the 25 minute ride to the hotel we pulled in to the property, were greeted by hotel staff, had our bags taken by a bellman, walked up a few stairs, and viewed out the open-air lobby down to the fun that awaited us!
Of course there were still the check-in formalities to complete in the adjacent check-in area before we could grab our swimsuits and head to the pool. Fortunately, there were comfortable seating areas and cool fresh juices waiting in the check-in area to help the time go even faster.
About ten minutes later we had the keys to our Pyramid Suite in hand and we headed off to start our vacation... Stay tuned for tons of more details on our Hyatt Ziva Cancun suite, food, activities, Kid's Club experience, and more!
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.