YOLO Journal: Etéreo Auberge Collection, Riviera Maya

In short… A stylish, beach-spa getaway on the Riviera Maya that’s ideal for families, friend groups and solo travelers alike.

The surroundings… Etéreo is set along a quiet stretch of the Caribbean Sea amidst a protected mangrove forest. It’s difficult to believe that the peaceful property—located inside the gated community of Kanai—is just an easy 30-minute drive from Cancún International Airport. And if you book a transfer with the hotel in advance, you’ll be ushered out of the craze of the airport into a car stocked with water, snacks and an ice bucket of cold Colimita beers to encourage a quick transition from travel to holiday.

The vibe… Each stay begins with a traditional Mayan welcome ceremony, which immediately sets the tone. Standing in the shade of an open-air, natural stone structure set between shallow pools of tranquil water, I closed my eyes as fragrant white copal smoke wafted around me and— as gently instructed—set an intention for my stay. It’s only a three-minute ceremony and yet when I opened my eyes, I felt I had truly arrived.