There are moments in life when you look around and think, “Alright, this can’t be real.” For Sarah and me, that moment came somewhere between a moonlit pool, a cold LandShark in hand, and the sweet country vocals of Caroline Jones filling the air at Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Riviera Maya.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t familiar with Caroline Jones before this trip. Which, as a self-proclaimed country music fan who tries to make it to Nashville at least once a year (Opry tickets are basically a line item in the budget), feels like a minor offense.
But a few songs into her set, with the ocean breeze drifting in and a crowd of happy, sun-soaked fans singing along, I was officially on the bandwagon.
FROM NASHVILLE TO RIVIERA MAYA: AN INVITE WE COULDN’T PASS UP
The invite came through and it was one of those “stop everything, check the calendar, and text the babysitter” kinds of opportunities. Margaritaville’s Summer of Music series was hosting an exclusive album preview concert with Caroline Jones, who country music fans will recognize as the first female member of the Zac Brown Band. I later learned that she’s shared the stage with legends like Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, The Eagles, and basically every artist you’d want on your ultimate road trip playlist.
This wasn’t your standard concert. We’re talking a full vacation-concert mashup: all-inclusive eats, a microbrewery on site, and a concert stage set up… wait for it… right in the main pool area.
I’m not saying you should show up in swim trunks with a margarita in hand, but I’m also not not saying that. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure situation, and everyone’s a winner.
THE RESORT: WHERE EVERY DAY FEELS LIKE SATURDAY
I’ve seen my share of all-inclusives, but Margaritaville Island Reserve Resort Riviera Maya is a different beast. For starters, it’s adults-only and still feels brand new, with 355 spacious suites, nine restaurants and bars, and a vibe that’s equal parts laid-back and just-this-side-of-luxury. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live inside a Jimmy Buffett song, this is probably as close as you’ll get without picking up a ukulele.
The main pool is the beating heart of the place—huge, sparkling, and lined with plenty of loungers. But during the Summer of Music, they take things up a notch. There’s just something about listening to live music under the stars, the water reflecting all those colored lights, that makes you forget about your email inbox back home.
CAROLINE JONES: COUNTRY MEETS CARIBBEAN
Caroline’s concert was the main event, and it delivered. She played new tracks (including a sneak peek at her upcoming album), mixed in some Zac Brown Band favorites, and even threw in a story or two about playing with Jimmy Buffett. There’s this easy confidence about her on stage. She’s one part Nashville pro, another part beachside storyteller, and it just fits the Margaritaville vibe perfectly.
One thing that stood out for me is that this wasn’t anything like a typical concert. Caroline’s presence on stage made it feel like an event just for friends. She shared the personal stories behind the music on her upcoming album and showed off her talents as an instrumentalist while we got to enjoy it from a poolside seat.
MORE THAN JUST MUSIC: BREWERY TO PICKLEBALL
Of course, we didn’t spend the whole trip poolside (okay, almost the whole trip). Margaritaville Riviera Maya is home to the first oceanfront LandShark Brewery in the world, complete with a legit brewmaster and some seriously tasty craft beers.
We took the brewery tour, a must-do for any beer nerd, and sampled everything from the classic LandShark lager to a locally-inspired fruit ale that, if I’m honest, might’ve ruined me for the grocery store six-pack forever.
When you need to work off a few tacos, there’s glow-in-the-dark rooftop pickleball. If there’s anything more fun than chasing a neon ball around after dark, I haven’t found it yet. Sarah and I aren’t exactly pickleball pros, but we had a blast and worked up quite a sweat.
THE ULTIMATE VACATION-CONCERT MASHUP
I’ve never really done a vacation/concert combo before, but I’m telling you, after this experience, I’m hooked. There’s just something about hearing an amazing artist like Caroline Jones while you’re on vacation that hits different.
If you ever get the chance to catch a live show at Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Maya, don’t think, just go. Whether you’re a diehard country fan, a Jimmy Buffett devotee, or just someone who likes their sunsets with a side of live music, it’s a one-of-a-kind experience.
