DESTINATIONS MEXICO | WINTER SUN
TRIED & TESTED
The Fives Beach Hotel A 45-minute transfer from
Cancun airport, the property aims to tingle all five of its
guests’ senses, not least with its
ceremonies in a traditional Maya temazcal or ‘sweat lodge’. The family-friendly resort has 662 suites in one, two and three-
bedroom layouts, kids’ and teens’ clubs and a children’s spa suite. All-inclusive à la carte dining is spread across 14 restaurants – from Tuscan classics at Arezzo and homely Mexican favourites at Cantina 1910 to the Natura Day Club and Grill, which showcases the scents and sounds of the jungle. Facilities include eight
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Bats in Sistema Sac Actun; Xplor Park’s Toboganxote; a cenote
also spot some bats in their natural habitat, which adds to the experience as they fly over our heads chirping away.
Cenote swimming will appeal to clients ranging from thrill-seekers, who can navigate intricate gaps where the stalactites drop down just above the water, to less confident swimmers, who can stick to the open cavern with its impressive views of the spiky scenery.
PARKS AND RIDE The cenotes are such a beloved local feature that a water park has been built among them. I am struck by how tastefully Xplor Park – part of the wider Xcaret theme park (commissionable tickets available through Attraction World from £109 per person) – blends into the landscape. Even the gift shop is housed in a long and winding cave. The park is home to two zipline circuits with seven lines in each. Clients can soar 18 metres above the treetops for a bird’s-eye view of Cozumel island, before swooping down into the rivers to finish with a refreshing splash. For a more relaxed option, the hammock slide lets visitors sit in a woven hammock and enjoy a slower-paced zipline journey into a pool. At the opposite end of the scale, adrenaline seekers can test their nerve with a run down Toboganxote, a 41-metre slide that takes an inflatable raft holding up to four people through a series of tight bends and steep
The cenotes are such a
beloved local feature that a water park has been built among them
drops, up a giant halfpipe and down a huge plughole. It’s not for the faint of heart, but our group is in fits of laughter (and screams) on the way down. Xplor also features a three-mile self-drive amphibious
vehicle track, a rafting experience where guests paddle through water illuminated from below, plus an underground expedition that involves wading through a series of large cenotes with – you guessed it – seemingly endless views of those amazing stalactites.
TW GETTING THERE
Virgin Atlantic began direct flights from Heathrow to Cancun on October 19, running three times per week on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The exclusive route offers onward connections to other destinations in Mexico, South America and the US through partner airlines Aéromexico, Delta Air Lines and Latam Airlines. Return economy fares start at £574.
vaflightstore.com
swimming pools, three swim-up bars, three speciality bars, a spa, fitness centre and a running circuit. A night’s all-inclusive starts at £79 per person.
thefiveshotels.com
TRS Yucatan Hotel
Luxury meets nature at this adult-only all-inclusive hotel, which has a stunning infinity pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea. It’s part of the Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts complex, so guests enjoy access to 35
restaurants and bars. Ten bars and five à la carte restaurants, including Italian, French and
Argentine options, are exclusive to TRS Yucatan. The Ibiza- inspired Helios Beach Club offers an impressive buffet, with dishes including lobster. Its 454 suites are integrated into the landscape, along with three pools reserved for TRS guests and a private beach. A night’s all-inclusive in a Junior Poolside Suite starts at £104 per person.
palladiumhotelgroup.com
travelweekly.co.uk
13 NOVEMBER 2025
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PICTURES: Xplor; Ocean Tours
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