A Desert Dream Deferred and a Splash into Luxury: Hurghada and El Gouna March 12-17, 2025
Originally, our plan had been to head to Siwa, a remote desert oasis near the Libyan border known for its hot springs and starry skies. But Siwa came with logistical baggage—a 10-hour bus ride back to Cairo, then another 9-hour journey west just to get there. With our 30-day tourist visa ticking down and four days of travel required just to soak in some mineral springs, the math just didn’t add up.
So, we pivoted eastward and set our sights on Hurghada, a beach resort town on the Red Sea. Just a five-hour bus ride from where we were, it felt manageable, exciting, and most importantly, relaxing. Hurghada is a sun-soaked favorite among European vacationers, kind of like the Cancún of Europe, and after weeks of temple-hopping and desert dust, we were ready for something indulgent.
All-In on All-Inclusive
We hopped aboard a GoBus again—this time choosing the regular Elite class, which was perfectly fine for the shorter journey. The seats were standard bus fare, a modest recline and just enough legroom to get by. By mid-afternoon we arrived and used a new ride-hailing app, InDrive, to get a car to the resort.
We were staying at the Pickalbatros Jungle Aqua Park Resort, a sprawling, high-energy, all-inclusive mega-resort, picked by Olivia after some deep research. At US$200 a night, it was definitely a splurge, but when you factor in that it covered all food, drinks, and activities, it actually felt like a good deal—cheaper than many similar resorts in Mexico or the Caribbean.
As soon as we walked into the brightly lit lobby, we were greeted by a giant lollipop bar—a whimsical detail that set the tone for the entire experience. Hungry after the bus ride, we dropped our bags and set out in search of something savory. A short walk led us past towering waterslides and a snack bar serving burgers and pizza, but we were craving vegetables and something a bit more “real.” Unfortunately, we discovered that all the main restaurants were closed from 3:00 to 5:30 PM, leaving us with limited options. We settled for pastries and headed back to our room to change into swimsuits and hit the slides.
A Kid’s Fantasy World Brought to Life
Pickalbatros Jungle feels like it was designed by children with no budget restrictions and unlimited imagination. Picture this:
- 45 swimming pools
- 81 waterslides
- A VR arcade, rollerblading rink, bumper boats, crazy river, and even bumper cars
- A FlowRider surf simulator, a kids’ club, a carnival-style midway with cotton candy stands, twirling rides, a pirate ship swing, and mechanical bull rides
It was less a hotel and more a small theme park with 1,000 rooms. Food-wise, there were around a dozen restaurants and snack bars, though no matter the theme—Italian, Indian, Mediterranean, Asian—they all served similar buffet-style food. Chicken nuggets, burgers, pizza, and pasta were constants, seemingly beloved by both kids and the chefs.
For four days, we completely unplugged from sightseeing, history, and haggling. After so much cultural intensity, it was refreshing to just be somewhere where everything was included, no one was trying to upsell or overcharge, and the only decision we had to make was which waterslide to do next. Sometimes, even for seasoned travelers, you need a vacation from your vacation.
A Resort of Many Things—Except Fine Details
Despite all the bells and whistles, there was a distinctly budget feel to the resort. It had the bones of a luxury destination but not the finesse. Every restaurant aside from the burger bar was a buffet, and the food across different cuisines often tasted like it had come from the same kitchen. Drink options were basic and the same everywhere—beer, wine, soda, and juice. No cocktails. No variations. Just rinse and repeat.
Schedules were tightly controlled.
- Breakfast: 7–10 AM
- Waterslides: 10–12:30, then 2–4:30 PM
- Lunch: 12:30–2 PM
- Dinner: 5:30–8:30 PM
- Evening activities: after dinner
Each day followed the same script, and while it kept things organized, it also made it feel a bit like being in family-friendly summer camp.
Still, four days was the sweet spot. Long enough to try everything, short enough not to get bored.
A Peek Beyond the Walls: El Gouna
Staying within the resort bubble always feels a little artificial, so we planned a brief escape to the real world. For our final two nights, Holly found an Airbnb in El Gouna, a nearby town just 30 minutes away. We stretched our resort stay to the last minute, leaving after dinner, and caught a ride to our next home base.
El Gouna turned out to be an expat enclave, a gated development that looked and felt like it had been transplanted straight from southern California or Arizona. Getting through the security checkpoint took ten minutes, and then we had to hunt for our Airbnb, wandering around with our luggage in tow thanks to a wrong GPS pin. Eventually, we found it—and wow, was it worth the trouble.
The apartment was modern, sleek, and spacious, with two bedrooms, a large living room, and a balcony overlooking a resort-style pool. After the chaos of Cairo and the cartoonish energy of Pickalbatros, it felt like we had arrived in a stylish European beach condo.
A Taste of the Red Sea
The next morning, we wandered down to the local beach club, which looked like something out of a luxury travel magazine—palapas, cushioned loungers, an upscale restaurant, and crystal-clear water. But paradise has a price: US$16 per person just to use the chairs. We politely declined.
Instead, we explored the town center, which was clean, quiet, and weirdly familiar. It felt more like Santa Fe or Scottsdale than Egypt. Lunch prices were Western-level, but the food was good, and it was nice to browse a modern grocery store before heading back to the condo.
Holly took one last swim in the Red Sea, and we packed up, ready to return to Cairo for our final farewell to the pyramids.
In Reflection
While Siwa remains a dream for another trip, Hurghada and El Gouna gave us a completely different side of Egypt—one of sun, sea, and stress-free days. The contrast between ancient temples and waterslides, chaotic cities and resort regimentation, really encapsulates what makes Egypt so fascinating.
It’s a country of layers and opposites—and after our whirlwind month, a few days of unlearning, unplugging, and un-haggling was exactly what we needed.
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