Body Scrub Benefits: Coffee, Salt, Sugar Scrubs
Body scrub has been around for years but what does it do? Are there any benefits to using body scrub? How often should you use a gentle body scrub? Is it OK to scrub your body everyday? Do you use body scrub before or after soap/body wash? Learn the benefits of sugar scrubs and different types of scrubs. I also share some popular brands and products currently on the market.
There are so many many skincare products out there that claim to make your skin look beautiful or healthy. There are actually quite a few kinds of body scrubs on the market. You can pick from coffee scrubs to sugar scrubs to a salt scrub to sensitive scrubs without any fragrance or essential oil. And yes there are plenty of body scrub benefits or sugar scrub benefits. There's always something new popping up too.
Benefits of body scrub can include exfoliating dead skin cells can potentially unclog pores, make your natural skin look healthy, improve circulation, help with razor bumps, and more. You don't have to leave the product on your skin, just gently rub it on, then wash it off. You just have to find a product that works for you. There are natural, cruelty-free exfoliating body scrubs, hydrating vegan scrubs, it all depends on what you want for your soft skin!
Best body scrubs available online:
First Aid Beauty Body Scrub - KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub Exfoliant for Keratosis Pilaris with 10% AHA
Botanic Hearth Himalayan Body Scrub - Natural Exfoliating Salt Scrub with Authentic Himalayan Salt
O Naturals Anti-Cellulite Exfoliating Organic Coffee Arabica + Dead Sea Salt Scrub
Popular body scrub brands include Tree Hut. You might have heard of them on TikTok!
How Often Should You Use a Body Scrub? Is it OK to Scrub Your Body Everyday?
It helps to read the directions on the body scrub you're using since the ingredients can range. Sometimes it tells you that you can use it for your every day routine, a couple times a week, once a week. Body scrub works best when you use it in the shower or bath. It might feel like a home spa day!
Be gentle. Don't forget that skin is your body's defense mechanism. Your skin keeps bacteria & other bad guys out. Exfoliate gently & with care, don't aggressively rub your skin so hard and be all rough. Keep in mind is that skin weakens as you get older. There isn't as much elasticity so it is the best way to take care of your skin, lips. & face. Apply a moisturizer after you get out of the shower. You can also find gentle lip scrubs for your lips.
Do You Use Body Scrub Before or After Body Wash?
To be honest, I've seen conflicting advice so my take is this: use what you got. Either way will work, especially if you don't have everything on hand. You can use your body wash or soap first to wash away any dirt or whatnot. Then you can apply the body scrub to really get rid of dead skin and exfoliate. Others suggest using body scrubs first to give the skin a good buffing prior to lathering up with soap. Just roll with it. After the shower, apply a moisturizer.
Related Reading: DIY Cinnamon Sugar Body Scrub Recipe
Remove Dead Skin & Exfoliation
Glow skin glow! First and foremost, the most common use of a body scrub is to remove dead skin cells by exfoliation. A good body scrub will give your skin a smoother surface, exfoliating dead or dry skin or lips. Depending on the ingredients, exfoliating can help smooth skin, from elbows and knees to just getting rid of those dead skin cells. The benefits of a body scrub can also exfoliating seasonal dryness to reveal healthy skin underneath.
Prevents Ingrown Hairs
Exfoliating can help get rid of old, dead skin to reveal younger, smoother, beautiful skin underneath. One of the benefits of body scrub includes helping the exfoliation process by reducing the appearance of ingrown hairs. One can use it for the hair removal easier by smoothing out the skin. Starting out by placing scrub into your hands & rubbing it while you're in the bath or shower. For best results, follow the instructions on the body scrub packaging itself.
Coffee Scrub
Coffee body scrubs are especially popular as many say that they smooth cellulite, stretch marks, or acne, even increase body circulation. As with any beauty product claim, take it with a grain of salt. The great news is that there are many proven benefits to drinking coffee. But does a coffee body scrub do the same thing? This article by Johns Hopkins Medicine dives into the health benefits of coffee. Popular coffee scrub brands include Brooklyn Botany, Frank Body, OGX, Bare Botanics, & more.
Shop coffee scrubs online:
Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub
Brooklyn Botany Arabica Coffee Body Scrub
O Naturals Anti-Cellulite Exfoliating Organic Coffee Arabica + Dead Sea Salt Scrub
Sugar Scrubs and Sugar Scrub Benefits
Much like the coffee scrubs with coffee as the main ingredient, sugar scrubs have sugar as one of the main ingredients, whether that's brown, cane, white, it depends on the brand. Might find whipped sugar scrubs or you can even make it at home. When using a sugar scrub, it's important to think about the size of the sugar granules. You don't want huge lumpy giant crystals to poke & rip your skin when you use a sugar scrub. Brown sugar is one of the least abrasive choices if you want to use a body scrub. Popular sugar scrub brands include Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub Tropical Mango, Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub, Bella and Bear Goddess Vegan Sugar Scrub, & so much more.
Keep your skin moist. Sugar is a natural humectant, meaning that it retains or preserves moisture. Sugar scrub benefits include exfoliation for smoother skin, locking in moisture, good option for sensitive skin.
Shop sugar scrubs online:
Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub Tropical Mango - I've seen this brand all over TikTok shower self-care videos!
Brooklyn Botany Brown Sugar Body Scrub
Bella and Bear Goddess Sugar Scrub
Salt Scrubs
Salt body scrubs can help with body skin care to get rid of dead skin cells on your body or lips. The salt scrub works the same as the other types of scrubs, rub it in & leave it on your skin for the warm water to wash it off. Popular salt scrub brands include: First Botany 100% Natural Tea Tree Oil Body & Foot Scrub, even Trader Joe's has a lavender salt scrub.
Shop salt scrubs online:
Himalayan Salt Scrub - Full Body Scrub with Collagen, Almond & Lychee Oil
First Botany Body & Foot Scrub with Dead Sea Salt
White Naturals Dead Sea Salt Aromatherapy Exfoliator
Use a Face Scrub for Your Face
Yes, there are benefits of a body scrub, but don't use any old body scrub on your face. For natural soft smooth healthy skin, use skin care products designed specifically for the face. It must be less abrasive. Your face is made of very sensitive skin, it is susceptible to rips & tears that harsh ingredients produce. Make sure to use a face scrub that's designed specifically for your face. There's no need to exfoliate your face with the same rigor as you would really dry cracked elbow.
Keep these scrub benefits in mind the next time your skin needs some love! The benefits of body scrubs include removing dead skin & exfoliation for soft skin, boost circulation, drain lymph nodes, preventing ingrown hairs, removing excess residue from pores, & a lot more. You can find a product that helps your skin care appearance; there are so many spa products out there.
Try something new. Did these scrub benefits surprise you or do they sound about right? What's your favorite body scrub to use? Leave a comment or send me an email if you have questions!
San Diego Influencer: What is Influencer Marketing? What Do Social Media Influencers Do?
I'm a blogger.
I'm an influencer.
I'm a social media manager.
I'm a blogging coach.
I'm a freelance writer.
I'm all of the above!
There are so many buzzwords these days - blogger, influencer, influencer marketing, engagement - but what does it all mean? Well, some have different meanings, some are similar, & some are industry words much like you'd view on a resume. I don't go around introducing myself as a San Diego influencer in all instances.
I've written over 500 blog posts & hundreds of posts on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, over the years. I've had a blog since 2011, long before I ever had an Instagram page. I majored in journalism & decided I didn't want to spend my life at a newspaper, the next best thing was a lifestyle blog. In 2011, it wasn't about followers, it was about finding a place on the internet where you felt at home. What a different time! In 2017, I quit my corporate job to find the next step for me: freelancing, remote work, writing, social media management.
Read my yearly freelancing anniversary updates from Years 1, 2, & 3!
Hanging out & hiking in Julian, California. |
When I do social media management for small local businesses & other clients, I'm a social media manager. What does a social media manager do in a day? Read here. When I'm completing contracted writing for magazines, I'm a freelance writer. If I'm invited to a restaurant opening in San Diego, it's probably because of my blog or social media accounts, so in that case, I'd call myself a San Diego influencer.
I remember attending a press trip for Visit El Paso in 2018 & talking to a man in his 50s. He was on the press trip too, but more on the event planning side, I was on the blogger side. He asked me about the term "influencer" & asked if that's what young people refer to themselves as these days. It was a good question.
Click here to contact me. I'd love to learn more about you & your top business needs.
Related reading: Life in Quarantine as a San Diego Blogger + Social Media Manager from April 2020
What Are Influencers vs. Bloggers?
Influencer marketing isn't just in San Diego or the United States, it's all across the world. There are influencers everywhere, from San Francisco & Los Angeles to New York & Paris & Warsaw, Poland. Overall, being a top blogger, influencer, etc. really depends on the person & what they want to be called. Generally, a blogger has a literal blog. Whether on WordPress, Wix, BlogSpot, SquareSpace, what have you, a blogger is a blogger because of a blog.
Someone who blogs is a blogger; someone who knits is a knitter; someone who plays basketball is a basketball player. It's more about the action, not about semantics.
Read this post for a whole exercise on how to find blogging inspiration & blog ideas.
An influencer might not have a blog but instead has a social media presence, such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, the list goes on. PS, read this blog post for tips to increase your Facebook reach. So because an influencer could be on any/all social channels, the term influencer is a general description of what we do. Social media influencers have influence because of the followers & online presence they've created, similar to a blog, but in a different capacity.
For example, at one point in May 2020, I had up to 2.2 million monthly viewers on my Pinterest profile. Is Pinterest social media?
A blogger might also have an active social media presence, & an influencer could have a blog. Because there isn't a magical exact preciseness to it all, each person might refer to themselves as something different! You can view examples of what a person calls themselves on their blog or social media channels, sometimes in their email signature.
Have questions about influencer marketing in the city of San Diego? Click here to contact me.
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What is Influencer Marketing?
Both the top influencers & bloggers create content, write (whether it's captions or blog posts), take photos, negotiate, & so much more. Whether you are a therapist, beauty brand, or a beach towel company, there are ways to improve engagement, get a follow or two, increase visits, increase page views to your contact page, & more.
Influencer marketing is basically like user-generated marketing for the brand; they essentially hire the influencer to do work, ie. content or photos & then share it with their family, friends, audience that they personally developed.
Sometimes I'm a lifestyle blogger, travel influencer, travel writer, social media consultant, the names change because I'm all of them. It depends on who I'm speaking to or what I'm doing! When I went on that press trip in Texas, it makes sense that I'm a California blogger/San Diego influencer since I'm coming in with a California perspective & California viewers make up one of my biggest percentage of followers.
Want to contact me? Click here.
What Do Social Media Influencers Do?
Lifestyle influencer marketing revolves around things people use, eat, or experience on a regular basis, such as tea or a toothbrush or a short trip with family. After the Texas press trip, I created content on my blog. I found a particular aspect about El Paso that I loved & felt my followers & Google searchers would be interested in or would search for later. I wrote a blog post about Franklin Mountains State Park & then shared that content on my social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TripAdvisor).
Going on the press trip gave me content to write about; it gave me experiences, memories, & furthered my own blogging/influencing career by being part of a full-on fly me out, pay for my hotel room type of press trip! In return, the influencers/bloggers create content, take photos, or tag the brand, link to the website, generate interest, views, website clicks, or bookings, etc.
A lot of times a top influencer becomes an influencer by being themselves. For example, I wrote a post about rainbow eucalyptus trees in Balboa Park, San Diego (which you can read here) & it started getting organic search traffic from people Googling fun things in San Diego or where to see rainbow eucalyptus in San Diego.
As an influencer or blogger, you don't work for someone else, it's your platform to use as you wish. As an influencer, it becomes a business that the person chooses what's best. They can choose if they want to work with fashion & style, news, beauty, travel, food.
And remember: it's not always about the number of followers, how much reach do they get? How much engagement?
For example, I had a campaign with Del Taco to promote the Beyond Meat range of burritos & tacos. As someone who has been meat-free for 15 years, I was already buying this product. It made sense to me when the email popped in my inbox about doing a sponsored post on Instagram to talk about it. Make money talking about something I already used, ate, tried? Yes, please. Take a look at my Instagram post!
If you'd like to contact me, click here.
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Examples of San Diego Influencer Marketing Events I've Attended
- I went to an event at Home & Away Encinitas for Thorn Beer. They invited foodie influencers to attend. These are regular people. Most of them have a day job, a life other than influencing. These are people who love food & probably post about it frequently, perhaps they use certain hashtags to find new followers. Take a look at my Instagram post about the event & experience here.
Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town
- I was invited to the opening of the Scripps Ranch location of Juneshine. View my Instagram post from that event. This event was a bit younger, more modern, & fresh. Most influencers were young, under 40. It's all about the brand, Juneshine is a hard kombucha, which might have a fun, fresh young audience compared to a craft beer brand. The influencers you invite to your event should reflect your brand!
- I attended a mindfulness app launch party in San Diego a few years back at the start of influencer marketing. There was a range of professionals - not just bloggers. Each professional might have a different niche & audience, whether influencer or other local business representatives.
Is Influencer Marketing Free? What Does it Cost?
I've been invited to events across San Diego County. Sometimes a public relations company contacts me via email or sometimes you get a quick Instagram message about something from a brand itself. Each company or event is different. Sometimes there are no requirements for a particular event, they just invite you to feel free to post or not post. Sometimes they want you to post a couple Instagram Stories & other times it's more involved. This is where certain influencers have the leverage to have sponsored posts, posting fees, or other requirements, especially if a lifestyle influencer has a large following/reach. And yes, sometimes there is payment, depending on the campaign or type of sponsored collaboration.
Contact me or see about Coaching, Consulting, & Management for your small business.
On a press trip in Lompoc, California with Explore Lompoc. I wrote Fun Things to Do in the City of Lompoc, California on my blog. |
Finding an Influencer for Your Business
From La Jolla, Balboa Park, Del Mar, all the way up to Julian, there are events, restaurant openings, local businesses all around San Diego that could use lifestyle influencer marketing. It's all about finding the correct person for your brand. One influencer might offer daily posting on Instagram about local eateries to try in San Diego County while another might share home decor tips. Follow a few to get a feel for who's out there.
Related reading: How to Set Effective Personal & Business Goals So You Actually Get Things Done
You made it all the way to the bottom so what's the next step? Sometimes you have to take a leap & see what happens. If you need some help, I work with businesses on their engagement, blog writing, social media content, & more.
Whether you live in the city of San Diego or somewhere else, your business might benefit from influencer marketing. Have a question about social media influencers or small business influencer marketing? Contact me. Interested in social media management, help, or consulting? Fill out my Discovery Questionnaire & I'll get in touch with you within 48 hours.
Testimonials
“Very good job going above and beyond my request for stats. Appreciate you putting your critical thinking hat on when looking at the data and extrapolating actionable insights. This is excellent as we continue to test and tweak.” - R.W.
"Carmen helped me prioritize my goals for my brand as a whole. She provided me with skills to improve my decision-making in everything from blog topics, gauging my audience, and making my personality really shine through in my work." -K.S.
"I have so much more clarity about the direction we are headed in--and we are already seeing results! I implemented her SEO strategy a few weeks ago and in the past week we have started to see more referrals through Google. Most importantly, these are quality referrals that have booked with us right away and been eager to pay our full fee. Carmen keeps me accountable to my goals and also provides feedback on my marketing. I send her 90% of our content before it goes out, and she always thinks of ways to make it better." - C.A.
Want to hire me for social media management, consulting, or something else? Fill out my Discovery Questionnaire & I'll get in touch with you within 48 hours.
Carlsbad Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Carlsbad, California
Carlsbad's beachy vibes make it an ideal spot to sip on a comforting cuppa coffee - or an Earl Grey tea with a glug of oat milk. From Carlsbad breakfast joints to buzzing coffee spots, I'll break down some of the best coffee shops in Carlsbad. North County San Diego has plenty of local joints to choose from. There are vegan and gluten-free options too.
If you are searching for operating Carlsbad coffee shops near me, you've come to the right place!
*Updated as of September 2022.
Best Coffee Shops Near Me in Carlsbad
As a precaution, search online or call ahead to check if these coffee shops in Carlsbad are open or closed. You never know these days. I've done the work & put the address, phone number, & website all in one place for you. No need to do an extensive search, it's right here. Dine in or takeout. You'll have a flavorful experience. California. Coffee? Tea? What'll it be? There are quite a lot of things to do in North County San Diego, California. These are the best coffee shops in Carlsbad, so take a sip and enjoy.
Baba Coffee
I've used Baba Coffee as my office away from office multiple times. They have it all. They have solid Wi-Fi, ample seating, & a full menu of goodies. They actually have one of the most impressive food & drink menus out of the Carlsbad coffee shops. Dine in or takeout. With options like avocado toast, breakfast sandwich, açai bowl, lox bagel sandwich, smoothies, & salads, you won't go hungry here. Don't worry though their beverage menu is even more extensive with a slew of coffees, cold brews, lattes, cold brew tea, hot black teas, herbal teas. Secret menu item: Order the whipped latte or whipped espresso. Ask about it the next time you're there!
Address: 2727 State St #100, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 994-0666
Website: Baba Coffee
Bird Rock Coffee Roasters Carlsbad
You might've heard of Bird Rock Coffee Roasters as they have 6 locations: La Jolla, Bressi Ranch, Little Italy, Torrey Pines, Morena, & Pacific Beach. They're committed to direct trade & sustainability. You can buy their roasted coffee online or head to a brick & mortar location for a different experience. Their menu includes cold brews, pour overs, iced espresso drinks, & hot drinks. Find their Bressi Ranch location near Trader Joe's, Sprouts, & popular grocery stores. Their shop inside the Square at Bressi Ranch has outdoor seating. You'll always find people chatting, sipping coffee, & occasionally someone working on their laptop.
Address: 2656 Gateway Rd #150, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone: (619) 272-0203
Website: Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
Cafe Elysa Coffee Shop
This cute cafe in Carlsbad serves breakfast, lunch, & coffee with open patio dining so you can spread out & get out of the house. Dine in or takeout. They have a full menu of breakfast plates, omelets, eggs Benedict, even burgers. Cafe Elysa spreads out tables & staggers line to encourage social distancing. They even have Wi-Fi. Cool space, nice place.
Address: 3076 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 434-4100
Website: Cafe Elysa Coffee Shop
Cafe Ground Up
The owner is Gaetano Cicciotti, also the owner of the Italian Restaurant, Cicciotti’s right across the street (they also have a location in Cardiff-by-the-Sea). This coffee shop has a menu which includes cafe caldo (hot coffees) such as espresso, hazelnut mocha, & event an affogato al caffe (espresso, vanilla gelato, & cocoa powder). They have frappes, smoothies, & a food menu with a range of sandwiches, fresh pastries, muffins, & more. Inside you'll spot bold green pops of color & an Italian-inspired collage wall with a young Sophia Loren & Italian news headline clippings.
Address: 550 Grand Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 637-5077
Website: Cafe Ground Up
Cafe Topes
Fun fact: Cafe Topes & The Goods are family-owned & operated. One brother & his wife runs Cafe Topes while another brother & his wife runs The Goods. Their top items include the dirty cinnamon roll (house made cinnamon roll with extra frosting) or their “double header” Benedict where you can choose twp types of Benedicts on the same plate. As for drinks, the Hawaiian Express is the star of the show with its coconut milk latte, hazelnut syrup, & Ghirardelli chocolate. If you order all three items, you pretty much hit their top-seller list.
Address: 3091 Roosevelt St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 434-8673
Website: Cafe Topes
INVITA
INVITA is another family-owned coffee shop in Carlsbad. Once COVID-19 hit & San Diego faced its lockdown, INVITA was afraid of losing the shop. Ten of the women cousins banded together & saved the cafe by working as a team to keep the business afloat. Customers love their lattes & quality Italian ingredients. INVITA imports its coffee beans straight from Italy. Try their crema cafe, a signature drink that's kind of like a whipped creamy coffee. The outdoor space is open & airy, so you don't have to search for a place to sit.
Address: 6806 Embarcadero Ln, Carlsbad, CA 92011
Phone: (760) 685-0411
Website: INVITA Cafe
La Costa Coffee Roasting
The no fuss, no muss ambiance at La Costa Coffee Roasting feels comforting. You can tell by the diverse influx of people that this place is popular amongst locals. The casual coffee shop smells like you're floating in a coffee cloud. The roasting coffee radiates through the air & into your hair similar to the lingering scent of smoke from after a campfire. La Costa Coffee Roasting ethically sources its international array of coffee beans.
Address: 2965 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 994-0458
Website: La Costa Coffee Roasting
Leap Coffee Roasters - Temporarily Closed
I've been to Leap more times than I can count. I spent hours at the communal table with the other laptoppers, typing away & working remotely. My go-to is a pot of tea, but they have so many delicious options. Although unintentional, Leap is staffed by all women-owned, managed, roasted, you name it. Men have certainly been a part of the team, but none ever stuck around, so that's how Leap became accidentally fully-female run. Top orders include the Vanilla Bean Latte, Caramel Latte, & the Bee Sting (cortado, half & half, & a drippy drop of honey). Their syrups are housemade. Vegetarian, vegan options are available too.
Address: 5611 Palmer Way Suite D, Carlsbad, CA 92010
Phone Number: (760) 448-6167
Website: Leap Coffee Roasters
Related reading: Encinitas Coffee Shops: Searching for the Best Coffee in Town (Solana Beach is nearby)
Lofty Coffee La Costa
Lofty Coffee is an Encinitas staple. I included it in my Things to Do in Encinitas, California guide. They also have Little Italy & Solana Beach cafes, so it's no surprise their La Costa location in Carlsbad launched without a hitch. Lofty Coffee allows fans throughout San Diego County to have access to their fine coffees. The Aztec Mocha with dark cacao, cinnamon, & cayenne tastes like a hot chocolate with a spicy kick in the palate. They also have a collection of loose leaf teas available for purchase on their website (along with coffee beans) such as black lavender or hibiscus lemongrass.
Address: 7740 El Camino Real Unit A, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone Number: (760) 230-6747
Website: Lofty Coffee La Costa
Peet's Coffee Carlsbad
Although not on the same level as Starbucks, Peet's is a relatively popular chain of coffee with about 200 locations total. Peet's Coffee has a range of espresso drinks, brewed coffees, cold brews, as well as teas. The Espresso Forte stands as the foundation for their signature espresso beverages. All espresso drinks can be made hot or iced. Peet's Coffee has a breakfast menu with offerings such as breakfast burritos or roasted tomato & kale quiche.
Address: 2641 Gateway Rd #103, Carlsbad, CA 92009
Phone Number: (760) 448-1835
Website: Peet's Coffee Carlsbad
Sleeping Tiger Coffees
Located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, Sleeping Tiger Coffees offers a large space to enjoy your drinks. Beverages range from espressos, macchiatos, & cortados to their local favorites such as the vanilla bean latte or hibiscus lemonade. They include plant-based milk on the menu: almond, coconut, soy, macadamia, oat. This is one of the best places to work on your laptop with open seating. Stay long enough & it shifts to a winery, Witch Creek Winery that is. Take pictures of the cute, cool, colorful mural of sleeping tigers.
Address: 2906 Carlsbad Blvd, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone Number: (760) 720-7499
Website: Sleeping Tiger Coffees
Steady State Roasting Co.
Sip the world of coffee right at Steady State Roasting Co, tucked in an unassuming corner of Carlsbad. They have more than 12 kinds of coffee from around the globe. The Indian Summer, a chai latte, is of their fan-favorite beverages. In addition to the chai, customers love the pour over coffees. Their shopfront includes a black accent wall with a minimalist mural of an astronaut driving a van along with indoor seating. Things are different with COVID, so you can now you can get caffeinated under an umbrella in their outdoor seating.
Address: 2562 State St Suite G, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone Number: (760) 994-0001
Website: Steady State Roasting Co.
The Goods Doughnuts
Breakfast in Carlsbad is a remarkable experience with a couple outdoor seating options so you can people watch & social distance. Head over to the Visit Carlsbad website for all about the city. The interior feels minimal, modern, with an eye toward design. Munch on delectable donuts that'll make your tastebuds explode at The Goods Doughnuts. Vegan & gluten-free options are available too. There is always the chance they'll sell out, so grab a couple donuts while you can. They have monthly flavors that come & go, like the Banana Almond Cream, a doughnut in a banana almond glaze filled with a banana dulce cream topped with a French macaron. What good is an artisanal donut without coffee? They have house drip, flat white, & all the essentials.
Address: 2965 State St, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 994-0458
Website: The Goods Doughnuts
Succulent Cafe
The Succulent Cafe feels like a plant oasis amongst coffee shop Carlsbad options. Breakfast Carlsbad choices just got better. Succulent Cafe has coffee, tea, bagels, & other items to nosh on as you're surrounded by a potpourri of succulents & plants. It feels like you're in a garden or a corner of the a gardening store rather than a cafe.
Address: 505 Oak Ave, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Website: Succulent Cafe
Vinaka Cafe
Carlsbad Village has a thumping life of its own. There are so many food & drink options but Vinaka Cafe remains a staple. It's one of those places in town where you might run into an old neighbor or schoolmate. They have organic coffee, tea, espresso, pastries, sandwiches, & the golden ticket: outdoor seating. Their vegan sandwich tastes scrumptious & fills you up. Vinaka Cafe is not a new trendy place with funky merch & fun designs, it's a Carlsbad staple with hundreds of online reviews dating back to 2014.
Address: 300 Carlsbad Village Dr #211, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Phone: (760) 720-7890
Website: Vinaka Cafe
Related reading: The San Diego County Fair Tradition
Carlsbad Village
If you're in downtown Carlsbad Village area, you'll find Vinaka Cafe & Sleeping Tiger Coffees very close to each other. Succulent Cafe, Cafe Ground Up, Baba Coffee, & Steady State Roasting around Carlsbad Village as well. Drink in the Carlsbad Village coffee shops, restaurants, fresh seafood, Pacific Ocean air, & sunny days.
Unless something new opened up (or one of these is closed), these are the best Carlsbad coffee shops!
Coffee, tea, blended frappes, & every type of delicious caffeine awaits you in the city of Carlsbad. North County San Diego has plenty of coffee, tea, & other drinks, whether you're in Oceanside or Escondido.
Search coffee near me online or order ahead to check if a coffee shop is open or closed before heading over directly. There's nothing more disappointing for remote workers than packing up your laptop & everything you need for the afternoon, heading to the coffee shop only to find that it's closed or completely packed. If that happens, now you have pretty much all coffee shops in Carlsbad area right here in this blog post at your fingertips. Visit the downtown Carlsbad Village website for more insight. What's your favorite coffee shop in North County San Diego? Please leave a comment!
What do you think? From cold brew, coffee, tea, and more, these are the best Carlsbad coffee shops.
Related reading: Things to Do in Oceanside, California: Restaurants, Coffee Shops, What to See
The Xcaret Underground River Experience: Things to Do in Xcaret Park, Cancun
Picture yourself floating magnificently down an underground river created by nature, enjoying the view as you swim. Imagine the utter thrill of releasing all control and trusting mother nature to guide you through dark crevices in a natural underground cave.
Experience the wonderful attractions at X C A R E T park, a world full of adventure hidden in the tropical paradise of Cancun Quintana Roo, Mexico. You and your family are bound to have fun and memories to last for years to come.
Xcaret Park is basically the Disneyland of Mexico. There's food, attractions, entertainment, remarkable views, but there's also an underground river, zip-lining, & so much more. Xcaret Cancún Park is popular amongst Riviera Maya locals, citizens from Mexico, as well as tourists from all over the world. This is one of those one-stop-shops. People dedicate days here or just a day, depending on your energy level.
Related reading: El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Mexico
Floating the Natural Xcaret Underground River Cancun
Xcaret Park has underground rivers allowing guests to swim in the waters through dark caves & into the tropical world of Xcaret. The names of the underground rivers include the Blue River, the Mayan River, and the Manatee River. Xcaret is located in Cancun in the Riviera Maya (Maya River Mexico), near Playa del Carmen, giving it a natural vibe that's unlike any other theme park. You can unknowingly trek through a jungle, only realizing it when you see it from about. The pure expanse of trees as far as the eye can see. You have a feeling like you're just one fraction, a tiny leaf or bug in an enormous jungle.
You'll find something great to explore in every corner. Xcaret is a popular trip destination for a reason. It's one of those places you must travel to at least once. Xcaret's Cancun Eco Park in Playa del Carmen offers the Mayan Village, the Aviary, the Coral Reef Aquarium, & the Butterfly Pavilion. Get your grub on with fresh food at one of their many restaurants. I only spent one day at Xcaret & feel like I missed out on a lot; there was so much more I could have done, seen, experienced, & of course, eaten. A vacation isn't a just chance to rest but an opportunity to learn more about the world around you.
Underground Rivers
The Xcaret river experience is easily one of the most popular things to do in Xcaret Park. The underground rivers flow about 16.4 feet below the ground. Xcaret Park gives you a life vest & flippers for the river experience. I went with my family, a group ranging from a 50-something-year-old who couldn't swim to kids who could kind of swim to myself, an Olympic gold medalist. Oh wait, that's not me. I'm not an Olympic medalist but I know how to swim more or less. The swimming experience is easy. Simply hold on the road as a guide & the lifejacket helps keep you buoyant.
For snorkeling, guests can rent snorkel gear for a cost as well as a refundable deposit. However, if you have an Xcaret Plus ticket, you only need to pay the refundable deposit. Take a look at the Xcaret website for information about the underground rivers.
Related reading: Things to Do in Queretaro Centro, Mexico Top Attractions
Paradise River allows you to witness the beauty of the underground rivers without having to dive into the water. Paradise River runs along stretches of the Tropical Jungle Trail as you waft a raft. If you're not a swimmer or don't want to get wet, this is a superb option. Whether you swim through it or float through it, don't miss the experience of the Xcaret underground river in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Due to the whole underwater aspect, I didn't bring a phone or a camera so I made sure to utilize the photo-taking capabilities of my wristband. I took some photos throughout Xcaret Park but not at all during the underground river exploration. I love photos & being able to fondly look back on memories but sometimes you just have to completely absorb without any distractions.
How Long is the Underground River at Xcaret Park?
The river has an extension of 656 yards & an average depth of 5 ft. The underground rivers aren't for practicing laps, you can't just swim willy nilly wherever you want. Parts of the underground river are literally pitch black & you'll want to follow the rope lead like it's nobody's business. Other parts enable you to revel in the natural light of the sun. If you ever feel over your head, scared, or as though you've had enough, you can leave at one of the designated exits along the way.
Life jacket use is mandatory & it helps you float throughout the course. There are no waves so you don't have to stress about being overpowered. That said, everyone must wear a lifejacket. Why wouldn't you want to? Like I said, it gets dark in certain areas so you'll appreciate those safety precautions when you're in the water.
Related reading: Things to Do in Roma Mexico City Neighborhood
How Cold is the Water in Xcaret?
I visited in December & parts of the Xcaret underground river waters were cold-ish but nothing frigid. If you visit in summer, I imagine the temperature of the water is refreshing or warm! Even throughout that December day, the air felt warm against your skin, the sun shone brightly, drop of sweat rolls down your cheek after tracking all afternoon. The underground river sounds refreshing right now.
Tickets & Admission
There's Food and Beverage tickets, Photopass tickets, adult options, child options, so choose what works for your family, depending on what attractions you want to see. Beautiful Xcaret Park offers experiences you won't forget. They even have fun, educational, exiciting performances! Google it and read a review or two to see what others say.
Xcaret Plus admission includes a number of convenient, fun perks such as:
- One lunch buffet
- Tours in three underground rivers
- Xcaret México Espectacular presentation
- Access to the beach, inlet, & natural pools
- Visits to the Butterfly Pavilion, Coral Reef Aquarium and the Aviary
- Children’s World, a place of fun exclusively for the little ones
- Horse Exhibition, Papantla Flying Men and Pre-Hispanic Dances
- Tropical jungle trail
Xcaret Mexico Espectacular Show
Xcaret Mexico Espectacular Show is fantastic, showstopping, acrobatic, cinematic, & entertaining as hell. The costumes alone were a masterpiece with bobbing flamingos & jellyfish dancing their way across the stage. Hundreds of cast members make their appearance throughout the show, somewhere around 300 to be presence. You'll experience the history of Mexico through song & dance. You'll watch a terrifying match of the Mayan fireball game. Learn more about the Expectacular Show on their website and check the hours.
Address: Carretera Chetúmal Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Q.R., Mexico
Where Can We Stay Nearby?
It also includes the use of snorkeling gear, lounge chairs, hammocks rest areas, free parking, & more. Read about the Plus admission features on the Xcaret website. If you plan to stay more than a whole day, it certainly helps to spend the night in a nearby hotel. If you have money to spend, the Hotel Xcaret Mexico is the most convenient choice. They have 900 rooms ready for you & your family.
The Hotel Xcaret Mexico has an ALL-FUN INCLUSIVE® vacation option which includes unlimited access to the parks Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco & Xenses, tours to Xenotes & Xichen, transportation between parks, airport shuttle, food & drink.
If you have a car or rental car you can drive in from your own hotel, Airbnb, or wherever you're staying. That's what we did. We drove in for the day. Had fun. Swam in an underground river. Ate tacos with an ocean view. Saw flamingos.
I positively enjoyed my time at Xcaret eco park in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo with a range of family members. Kids, adults, & elders can revel in the diverse entertainment, good food, & fun. I definitely could've stayed longer; I'm sure it would have been fun & I would've tried out more of the features. Hope you have a chance to enjoy it yourself!
Visiting Mexico
Mexico is a large country with so much to offer, making it the perfect spot for a fun trip. Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya is an incredible place to explore. Take a look at the Visit Mexico website for more information on tourism. Did you know Mexico has 32 states? Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur , Campeche, Coahuila, Colima, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Durango, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, Yucatán, & Zacatecas.
Cancun, located in the state of Quintana Roo, is certainly one of the more popular locations but it not for nothing. With crystal clear warm water & absolutely intoxicating food like huitlacoche tacos. What is huitlacoche you ask? What does it taste like? Read this post. Search for a place to eat, there are plenty of options in Cancun. You'll have a great trip!
Read my other blog posts about Mexico:
A Mini Guide to Tijuana's Breweries, Craft Beer, & Tasting Rooms
Things To Do at Playas de Tijuana, Mexico
Things to Do in Queretaro Centro, Mexico Top Attractions
El Cielo Winery Resort on Ruta del Vino Valle de Guadalupe, Ensenada, Mexico