Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Mazatlan and Phoenix, here we come

There are no new destinations on the list, but there's more frequency and a longer season.

We're talking about the sunspots you can fly to non-stop from Kelowna International Airport this winter.

"To retain and grow a little from last winter is positive for us, it's a good sign," said Kelowna airport director Sam Samaddar.

"Some airports have lost air service to sun destinations, so maintaining the five sun destinations we've had is good for us."

There's more flights for winter 2023-24, especially to Cancun with flights four days a week.

And the season starts earlier this year, in October, compared to November last year.

So, without further ado, here are the five holiday hotspots for winter 2023-24:

Cancun

Three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays with WestJet starting Oct. 27.

One-way flights start at $334 Kelowna-Cancun and $156 for Cancun-Kelowna.

Or, all-inclusive packages, including return flights, transfers to and from the airport to the resort, resort accommodation and all meals and drinks, start at $1,481 per person based on double occupancy.

A good example of an all-inclusive in Cancun is the 4-star Occidental Costa Cancun.

Weekly on Fridays with Sunwing starting Dec. 15.

Return flights start at $835.

Or, all-inclusive packages start at $1,755 per person based on double occupancy.

Example: Grand Sunset Princess Resort.

Puerto Vallarta

Twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays with WestJet starting Oct. 26.

Flights start at $257 one-way Kelowna-Puerto Vallarta and $157 one-way Puerto Vallarta-Kelowna.

Or, all-inclusive packages start at $1,354 per person based on double occupancy at the two-and-a-half-star San Marino Hotel.

Mazatlan

Weekly on Fridays with Sunwing starting Dec. 14.

Return flights start at $915.

Or, all-inclusive packages start at $1,428 per person based on double occupancy at the 5-star Riu Emerald Bay Resort.

Cabo San Lucas

Weekly on Saturdays with WestJet starting Nov. 4.

Flights start at $254 one-way Kelowna-Cabo and $241 for Cabo-Kelowna.

Or, all-inclusive packages start at $1,602 per person based on double occupancy at the Posada Real Los Cabos Resort.

Phoenix

Weekly on Wednesdays with WestJet starting Nov. 15.

One-way flights there and back start at $314.

Or, buy a return flight and hotel-only package at the Residence Inn in Mesa for $1,099 per person based on double occupancy.

Overall, Kelowna airport is served by 10 airlines (WestJet, Air Canada, Flair, Pacific Coastal, Lynx, Central Mountain Air, Air North, Alaska, Sunwing and Scoop) that fly non-stop to 19 destinations -- Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Prince George, Seattle, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Kitchener, Toronto and Montreal -- and the five sun destinations mentioned above (Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Phoenix, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas).