ALL-INCLUSIVE HOLIDAYS CANCUN DESTINATIONS T


he colours of Cancun’s beaches are the first thing


that strike you, with mile after mile of powder-white sand lapped by brilliant turquoise waters. It’s the same story along


the coast. From Playa Mujeres to Tulum, the beaches of the Quintana Roo region are so idyllic, they almost look as if they’ve been Photoshopped. One thing’s for sure, you won’t need a filter here. For an all-inclusive beach


holiday, clients can’t really ask for much more. Add in a high level of service, excellent value for money and an exciting range of excursions – from climbing Mayan pyramids and swimming in underground caves, to scuba diving along reefs and snorkelling with turtles – and you’ve got the complete all-inclusive package.


To find out how to sell this


region, Travel Weekly joined an AMResorts mega-fam to Cancun and the Riviera Maya.


wVALUE FOR MONEY Besides the beaches, the big selling point for Cancun’s Hotel Zone – the city’s main resort area – is how much you get for the price you pay. Agents on the trip were impressed by the five- star service, top-shelf drinks and high-quality finish of the rooms and felt they compared very favourably to the Indian Ocean or higher-priced Caribbean islands. Ashling O’Hara, senior travel


consultant for Hayes & Jarvis Ireland, says: “I was extremely impressed with all the resorts we visited – amazing facilities and amazing value for what you get. It is premium, high-end


From Playa Mujeres to Tulum, the beaches are so idyllic, they almost look as if they’ve been Photoshopped


all-inclusive, so it could work out cheaper to come here for a super high-end holiday that you just don’t get in Europe.” What’s more, the weather is near perfect during the peak December-to-April period: expect temperatures in the high 20s, a welcome breeze, low humidity and few rain showers, making it an ideal time for couples looking to avoid school holidays.


wEXCITING EXCURSIONS But it’s not all about lying on the beach, sipping margaritas. Quintana Roo’s history, geology and biodiversity make for some memorable day trips and excursions. The area is strewn with relics and ruins from Mexico’s ancient past, plus an extensive network of cenotes, or underground swimming holes. To sample both, clients can take the trip to Coba, one of the last Mayan pyramids tourists are still able to climb (day trips from £110, with lunch). A steep 138-foot hike will have the thighs burning, but it’s worth it for the sweeping panorama over the surrounding jungle canopy. The full-day excursion involves a stop at a Mayan settlement for ziplining, canoeing and a 30-foot abseil into a cavernous cenote.


10 January 2019travelweekly.co.uk57


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