Words & Photos Susan Beiderwieden
Despite the early hour, the waiting area at YYJ was packed with some excited travellers ready to start their spring break in Mexico.
Most, like us, had been up before dawn and were bleary eyed and silent. The departure gate was full of people of all ages, from retirees to families loaded down with toddler gear and parents herding their plugged-in teenagers. We dressed for the chilly March weather knowing we had time to change at the Cancun Airport. We were unable upon arrival to get to Merida, a UNESCO World Safe City and fastest growing city in Mexico, three hours to the northwest, that night. But the thought of stepping into 35°C weather appealed on that dark, chilly morning. Excited chatter escalated as we boarded the direct flight into Cancun, but it was only a fraction of the volume to greet us later at one of the busiest international airport hubs in the world. A group of late-comers stuffed chips and junk food into their carry-ons, already in full party mode, brightly dressed and wearing flip flops.
Like many Canadians, spring break promised an escape from routine, much-needed rest and sunshine to recharge and rekindle family time. Our entire family would join us in Akumal for a week, so I read stories and articles celebrating the art of family travel and shared them with family. We could daydream about the Yucatan Peninsula on dreary January days. When talking about our spring break plans it seemed like half of Victoria had similar trips scheduled to Mexico.
Well, not quite. According to journalist Micheal Pihach, at PAX News, a travel newsletter, Canadians, rather than Americans, are now the leading international visitors to Mexico. During 2025, visitors flocked to the top tourist regions along the Caribbean Coast with a total of 2.8 million Canadians visiting Mexico. The Mexico News Daily reported most tourists arrive by air, but there has been a surge in land border crossings (+15.6 %) and cruise passengers (6%) during the 2024-2025 season. The most sought-out areas are Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Los Cabos. The Cancun Sun reported that 1,280 flights landed the first week of Spring Break.
Some of the highlights of our trip include a deep-sea expedition that resulted in some fine fish tacos; a guided walking tour of Mayan ruins in Tulum; and up-close visits by local wildlife – agouties, coatis and iguanians; but I have a confession to make.
Akumal, a beautiful area that seems to exists to serve tourists, with palm trees dotting white sandy beaches, was not my first choice for this family holiday. As I no longer sunbathe or am into beach activities, I didn’t pack a swimsuit for the trip. So what was I doing, booking a vacation rental that boasted a beautiful pool, numerous outdoor patios and private access to the Akumal Lagoon, famous for swimming and snorkelling in the clear water? According to the advertisement, swimming in a lagoon full of brightly-coloured fish was like being in an aquarium.
What would I do while there?
I love walking, exploring new places, cooking and learning about a different part of the world. Like many, I enjoy longer-stay holidays that allow me to settle in the area. My preferred way of travelling is doing house exchanges, or other ways to colour outside the lines.
What exactly would a non-beachy person do in Akumal?
Well, it’s a magical place to spend quality time with kids and grandkids, watch them deepen bonds with each other and create memories to share on some cold winter’s day. It was a chance to linger beneath rustling palm trees, drinking in the ambiance of a tropical paradise, to read, sip and talk with whoever wandered by. It was, in short, a privilege to learn about and experience a new environment and culture, a little bit of paradise.
