Expert POV: There's value in a Sunwing girls getaway

Build the excitement before you take off

Studies have shown that people are often happiest in the build up before a vacation – so revel in that anticipation! As a group, our first to-do was setting a budget for an all inclusive vacation. Sunwing works with some of the top resort brands in the tropics to broker the best deals at the best hotels, so we had our pick of resorts that fit within our budget; this made finding the right package super easy. Once we landed on our hotel, the next step was starting a savings circle, where every month we committed to putting a certain amount into savings. Then each month, we celebrated getting one step closer to our goals which kept the momentum and vacation vibes going.

We created a WhatsApp group (we named ours “Tropic Like It’s Hot”) where we swapped itinerary recos, vacation outfit inspirations and counted down the days to a glorious week with Sunwing in Puerto Vallarta.

Prioritize ‘me’ time (yes, really!)

You might be travelling as a group, but that doesn’t mean you can’t carve out time for yourself. My girls and I are very different, so on our first day at Iberostar Selection Playa Mita, we found ourselves doing our own thing – there was so much to do and experience at the resort.

Uresha played beach volleyball while Roopa relaxed in the steam room and sauna at the beautiful resort spa. Kerry lounged by the pool while I explored the lush grounds and ate tacos from the beachside snack bar. Then we met at one of the resort’s four exceptional à la carte restaurants to plan our next adventure. That’s the beauty of an all inclusive package – an abundance of choice when it comes to experiences, with no added or hidden costs. And because you saved more upfront, you may have room to splurge on upgraded experiences, such as a massage, for the ultimate ‘me time’.

Say yes to upgrades and unique experiences

Make your girls getaway extra special by treating yourselves to experiences that elevate your all inclusive vacation. As a part of our savings goals, we built in some funds for additional experiences. We rented boogie boards to surf the waves and indulged in tasting menus like the one curated by Peruvian Executive Chef Christian Valencia who designed an unbelievable Nikkei-style dining experience that combined Japanese and Peruvian elements; it was one of the highlights of our stays.

We also arranged for local experiences through Sunwing Vacations’ trusted partner in destination, NexusTours.com. We took turns driving the Polaris RZR, explored Sayulita, a must-visit nearby fishing and surfing village, and sailed on a catamaran at sunset, spotting humpback whales, dolphins and sea turtles. These moments of nature, exploration and adventure together were worth every penny.

Create your own traditions

Vacations with your friends aren’t just about the destination – they’re about the inside jokes, the traditions and the little rituals that you share together. This vacation was even more meaningful because we celebrated two birthdays while in paradise. At the resort, the talented pastry chefs Miguel Castillo and Fabiola Trujillo helped us honour our friends by making incredible dessert creations at dinner, including a chocolate purse and a stiletto filled with macarons and truffles. We came up with our own signature drink at the bar (a spicy mango margarita with a secret twist), chanted our vacation slogan #BestBirthdayEver, and ended every night with tea and deep conversation at the Star Café.