We are planning a trip to carribean or mexico. If anyone has been anywhere down there would love some advice about great places to stay with kids. My kids are 9 (girl) and boy (15).
hi i have been to cancun mexico,,it is great! all the hotels are on the strip. on the ocean and the downtown shopping and restaurants are great. we stayed at the marriot casa magna.
When I was around your kids' age's My family went to Mexico every year. Cancun, Cozumel, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta. I loved all of our trips there. My favorite resort by far was the Robinson Club Tulum, about 70 mi S of Cancun, however it was a European resort and had a topless beach. By brother 16 at the time loved it, I was a little embarrassed at first. Growing up in the US, I was taught to be a little more modest. Im not sure how great it is now, or what new resorts are out there, but we always found that the most fun resorts were actually off the beaten track, and not right in the cities. As I said though I haven't been to in a little over 10 years.
Ive been to quite a few resorts in the Carribean however none of the resorts I've stayed in have accomodations for children under 16. Aruba was nice, but not at all my favorite. If you're going the Caribbean route, I would say that the best for all inclusive is really a cruise. That way you are not stuck on one island and you get to see many of them and there is a lot to do for the kids as well as for you.
We went Mexico with our 3 year old here and they had a lot going on for kids.
http://www.sunscaperesorts.com/index.html
It was big but not too big.
we loved aruba and puerto vallarta, but aruba much more!
we've been to several resorts in Riviera Maya Mexico, to Barcelo, Club Maeva, Copacabana(different name now, esmeralda something?), and another a long time ago which also not sure what current name is. Only one that we brought a child to was Barcelo. this is very family friendly. there is a waterpark for kiddies. i liked it too - waterslides! only thing was didn't like how there was no good shade at beach. great beach though. calm water great sand. food was ok. when we went inseptember, i got lots of mosquito bites. we stayed in the Caribe/Beach side. It's less $ than the newer tropical/colonial side. mexico is great destinationf or midwesterners b/c flight is only about 3hrs!
I went to both places growing up with my family and I was around 12 - 18 when we went. I always remember there being alot of kid friendly activities (we stayed at all inclusive resorts) I would give a travel agent a call and ask about all inclusives.
We are going to a beaches resort for spring break...it is for families and has wonderful amenities and activities. In fact, my daughter will be celebrating her first birthday with the sesame street characters
