Why We Want to Travel: Chasing Adventure and Life Experiences in the Yucatán

Why We Want to Travel

First and foremost, for the life experience. We need a moment to step away from reality and immerse ourselves in the beauty of the unknown. Traveling allows us to explore different cultures, meet and learn from amazing people, see sights we once only dreamed of, and try new experiences. We want to become educated through our own adventures.

What We Expect to Gain
I definitely expect to catch the traveling bug from this trip. Even though this adventure may be different from others, I plan to save every penny when we get back so we can plan the next one. Just thinking about the trip already makes me feel more alive. I hope this experience will build our confidence, help us understand what makes us truly happy, and show us how to carry that feeling into our everyday lives once we return home.

Inspiration Along the Way
I found a blog with some fun and inspiring articles, including one called “Why You Should Quit Your Job and Travel Around the World.” While we aren’t planning a global trip (yet!), it offered great insight and inspiration on how to make big travel dreams a reality. For now, exploring the Yucatán Peninsula is more than enough to get us excited!

And So It Begins: Planning Our Life-Changing Trip to Mexico for Día de los Muertos

And So It Begins…

Yesterday, my boyfriend put in his two-week notice at work! It’s both nerve-racking and thrilling at the same time. He has to leave early because it takes about a month to cash out his 401(k). I’m planning to wait until the end of next month or early October to put in mine, but I am more than ready to take the leap.

I also caught up with a good friend I hadn’t had a chance to fill in, and it was amazing to realize how fast this all came together. At the start of the month, I was just daydreaming about a life-changing move. Now, it’s becoming reality. I am so glad I started this blog! What began as a way to motivate myself to plan a trip has turned into a place to plan, share, and get feedback from everyone.

Please feel free to leave feedback or ask questions, because I know I’ve skipped a few details along the way.

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On Vacation Related Subjects:

One thing I’m especially excited about is being in Mexico for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I first learned about this holiday after moving to Tucson, where it is celebrated with face painting and the All Souls Procession. People honor the deceased, but the skeleton face painting and artistic expression are what catch everyone’s attention—it looks like a lot of fun!

I’m aware that the Tucson celebration is quite different from how it’s observed in Mexico. In Mexico, it is a deeply meaningful holiday devoted to remembering loved ones who have passed. Families and friends gather at graves, bringing favorite foods, gifts, and possessions of the departed.

Día de los Muertos can be traced back 3,000 years. Today, November 1st honors infants and children, while November 2nd is devoted to adults. It’s a beautiful way to celebrate life and remember those who came before us.

Secret Beach - Xcacel

In Cancún, most beaches are calm and peaceful, which is lovely, but sometimes I crave a little more action like body surfing. While doing research, I discovered Xcacel Beach. Unlike many other beaches in the area, it is undeveloped, making it perfect for a relaxing day trip. Even better, there is a cenote on site and access is free of charge.

I found out about the beach on SAC-BE, which had plenty of other great travel finds. I’m sure I’ll be referring back to it again for future planning.

Anticipation - Sharing Our Plans

We are finally starting to share our travel plans with friends and family, and the reactions have been all over the map:

• “What are you doing quitting your jobs and taking out your 401(k)?”

• “Enjoy it while you can. I wish I would have done the same thing.”

• “Take me with you!”

• “Don’t get kidnapped.”

In the end, it comes down to what feels right for us. We are excited, ready, and happy. =)

Underground River Tour - Rio Secreto

Rio Secreto is a spectacular underground river in the Yucatán Peninsula, filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The tour takes you deep inside the cave to experience the natural beauty of this protected reserve. Visitors will walk, swim, and float through the river, making it a truly immersive adventure.

The price is on the higher side, but from what I’ve seen, it might just be worth it for the unique experience.

Recap - Our Yucatán Adventure Plan

Here’s an update to keep everyone in the loop about our upcoming trip:

The Plan
Originally, we were going to drive to Cancun and back, but we decided to fly instead. This means we’re cutting out some stops we wanted to see along the way, but it allows us to spend more time exploring the Yucatán Peninsula and everything it has to offer.

We are aiming to depart from Hermosillo on October 31 and return around November 30, give or take a few days. Our budget is around $3,000, and even after slightly overestimating expenses, we are still within budget with a little to spare.

How Are We Making This Work?
Against some opinions, my boyfriend decided to take early retirement and access his 401(k). Some context: he has worked for the same company for just under 10 years and recently stepped down from his management role because he was unhappy. He owns his home, has a paid-off car, and is financially responsible with minimal bills.

As for me, I’ve been a bit vague about work. I’ve been in management for just about a year and with the company for four years. While I could continue climbing in retail, I feel capable of more and want to truly enjoy life. There’s a career out there that fits me better, and now is the perfect time to explore options.

When we return, we both have backup jobs through friends’ companies, but we also want to explore new opportunities. We aren’t tied to Tucson. If the right position came along elsewhere, we’d consider a change of pace.

A Little Defense
People often criticize taking out a 401(k) early, but we are smart with money and have thought about our futures. We have goals, we are prepared for consequences, and we are young with many options. Right now, we are making choices we can because the timing is right for us.

That’s it for now. Questions?