Mr & Mrs Smith Casa las Tortugas

If there’s one thing to coax you out from under your own cotton conch shell, it’s a warm Caribbean breeze and the sound of waves lapping at the shore just a few metres away. Snap up a sunlounger on the beach or by the pool – either way, you’re all set for a day of smoothies and snoozies. When darkness finally falls, spot bioluminescent plankton in the water, or – if it’s a new moon – join the Mayan cacao ceremony on the beach. Warm, shallow waters and a reliable easterly breeze make Holbox something of a kitesurfer’s paradise – hire the gear and take lessons with Holbox Kiteboarding School. Join a kayak trip (the hotel knows a guy) through the maze-like coastal mangrove forest – you’ll paddle past wild flamingos and, ahem, maybe a crocodile or two basking in the sun. Holidays are always better if you make friends with the locals, and in Holbox, that means getting up-close-and-personal with the resident whale sharks. There are dozens of small-time boatmen who can take you out on a tour – ask the hotel staff for their tips on the most ethical and informative. And if the words “swimming with sharks” are enough to bring on a cold sweat, don’t worry, you’re not on the menu – these guys only eat plankton, and swim at a pedestrian 3mph.