One luxury all-inclusive resort, two best friends, crystal-blue Caribbean water, questionable amounts of alcohol, and a possibly very real shaman’s curse. Leslie and Julianna’s birthday trip to Cancun delivers the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, friendship, and chaos. Julianna is experiencing her first international trip, first visit to Mexico, first all-inclusive resort, and first catamaran adventure, while seasoned Cancun traveler Leslie attempts to balance her instinct to explore everything with Julianna’s dream vacation of reading, swimming, and ordering room service. Together, they spend eight days at Garza Blanca Cancun, where a surprise upgrade, gourmet dining, swim-up-bar cheesecake shots, and a $980-per-person price tag make the case for doing vacation a little differently.You’ll hear about: Whether an all-inclusive resort can truly convert a lifelong beach loungerSnorkeling and sailing to Isla Mujeres, complete with open bars, tequila tasting, turquoise water, and a $110 hat justified by “girl math”The exhausting decision to climb Coba’s 120-foot Mayan pyramid in nearly 100-degree heatHow a missing lip balm, a mysterious bug bite, a soaked car seat, a gnarly bruise, and a post-trip breakup became evidence of the “shaman’s curse”Why traveling with someone who loves itineraries is surprisingly compatible with someone who would rather sleep in and read five books Julianna (Baked for Bushwick, As Sewn by Jules) brings the perspective of a first-time Mexico traveler, Midwest beach expectations, serious relaxation skills, and a newfound appreciation for all-inclusive resort life. Leslie shares her years of Cancun experience, travel-planning instincts, crystal-water standards, and the wisdom of knowing exactly when an excursion is worth leaving paradise for.The trip ultimately becomes more than a vacation recap. It is a lesson in letting yourself slow down, trying something outside your comfort zone, being a tourist in your own neighborhood, and finding your way back to movement, community, and joy after heartbreak.Perfect for anyone who loves travel stories, best-friend chemistry, resort reviews, spiritual detours, tequila, or the occasional cleansing sage ritual. Press play for the Cancun highs, lows, questionables, and whatever energy is still clinging to that Mayan shaman’s blessing. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Garza BlancaCancun Adventures — Isla Mujeres, Coba ToursPlane, Bus, Club, Another Club, No Sleep Cancun Episode 🕯️ Check out my candles and merch at busygallivantingpodcast.com/shop — designed to bring the cozy, intentional vibe of Busy Gallivanting into your everyday space. ✨ Use code BUSYGALLIVANTINGPODCAST for 10% off your first order at Local Eclectic — for unique, high-quality jewelry that fits wherever life takes you. 📍 WHERE TO FIND LESLIE: 📸 Instagram: @busygallivantingpodcast | @lesliemaclang 🎵 TikTok: @lesliemaclang 📺 YouTube: Busy Gallivanting Podcast 📩 Email: busygallivantingpodcast@gmail.com 🌍 Website: busygallivantingpodcast.com
