Cancún 2018: with František in Xcaret

The trip Bridgett set up for us

The trip was arranged by Bridgett. She offered to look after all four kids for a long weekend and through a friend she got us a holiday at a huge discount. We went to a resort so posh that we'd never have booked anything like it on our own.

In the end we took František along, because he was still too little to leave at home the whole time. So there were three of us, Hanka, František and me.

Friday 7 December 2018, Los Angeles – Cancún – Hotel Xcaret

Morning departure from Los Angeles. František by the window and Palos Verdes below us.

By evening we were at the hotel: dinner by the pool, František running along the edge of the water and a fire burning on the cliff above the sea.

Hotel Xcaret México
An all-inclusive resort between Playa del Carmen and the Xcaret park. Canals and lagoons in the limestone rocks run through the hotel and guests get free entry to the Xcaret and Xplor parks.

Saturday 8 December 2018, Hotel Xcaret

The whole day at the hotel. A pool with a bar right in the water and a view of the sea, lagoons between the rocks, a suspension bridge, palm trees and canals. A fruit buffet for lunch and a tequila tasting.

In the afternoon we rented a kayak and with František up front we paddled through the lagoon and a cave as well. Hanka then had her photo taken by the waterfall.

In the evening a fancy meal at a Michelin restaurant and after dark a walk around the lit-up hotel and the cave with a bar.

Sunday 9 December 2018, Xcaret park

In the morning the beach with iguanas, then a little boat along the canal around the hotel and the lookout tower above the jungle, from where you could see all the way to the sea.

In the park macaws, flamingos and dolphins by the pier. In the evening coatis and zebu, a boat ride along the canal in the dark and a cocktail.

Xcaret
An ecological and archaeological park on the Riviera Maya coast with underground rivers, animals and an evening show about the history of Mexico.

Monday 10 December 2018, Xplor

A pink bus to Xplor. First the stalactite caves, František in the stroller with a helmet on his head.

Then a zipline over the jungle, from one tower to another, with nothing but green jungle below us.

In the afternoon a ride along an underground canal in the karst caves. All three of us in life jackets and helmets, František on Hanka's or my back, stalactites overhead and the water lit up blue.

In the evening a show at the hotel and late at night a cigar and rum on the balcony.

Xplor
An adventure park next to Xcaret with ziplines over the jungle and swimming and rafting in underground rivers and caves.

Tuesday 11 December 2018, diving and the trip home

In the morning dolphins in the Xcaret park.

Then our first taste of diving. We were supposed to go snorkelling, but it turned out to be a diving trip: the tank stayed on board the boat and we dived with a hose feeding us air.

In the afternoon Cancún airport, a sunset above the clouds as we took off and the lights of Los Angeles in the evening.