Mexico is an easy flight from the U.S. and offer some of our favorite family vacation destinations
If you are dreaming of sunnier days, look no further than Mexico where some of our favorite resorts for families are located. Secluded beaches, themed rooms, kids clubs where they can spend the day, and day trips to historic destinations are all part of the fun. Book an all-inclusive resort in Mexico and you’ll be on your way to pretty much the easiest family vacation you can imagine.
Velas Vallarta | Puerto Vallarta
Whether you are planning a vacation with toddlers or teens (or even your extended family), Velas Vallarta has the massive suite, Kids Club, and activities you are looking for. Add in 24-hour room service and other all-inclusive benefits and you'll be on your way to one of the easiest vacations you've ever taken. Just minutes from the Puerto Vallarta airport, there's nothing we don't love about Velas Vallarta.
Wyndham Alltra Cancun
This 458-room resort is located just 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport. From standard rooms to family junior suites that sleep two adults, three kids, and comes with a hammock on the balcony, there’s ample space to accommodate your crew—including connecting rooms if you decide to make this a multi-generational or multi-family stay. There are three pools on the property—two of them are located on the lagoon side with one attached to the kids club and is a kids' paradise with water slides and water cannons.
Club Med Cancún
Club Med Cancún is located at the tip of the iconic Riviera Maya and has three sand beaches and the world's largest coral reef just waiting to be explored by visitors. Families will love the all-inclusive amenities and top-notch dining establishments but it's the expansive Kids Club program that draws families to the resort year after year.
Spend the day in one of the many pools or swing from the trapeze—it's your choice! When you're ready to head off the property, Club Med can hook you up with excursions like swimming with the dolphins, sailing the lagoon of Cancún and snorkeling with sea turtles.
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
If water play is your family's jam, the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya should be on your must-visit list. With a zero-depth kids' pool, family pool, private beach access, and the Rockaway Bay Water Park, all included in your stay, you'll pretty much be living in your swimsuits. Rockaway Bay has 8 tot-sized slides for the smaller kids, 9 for bigger kids and 6 high-speed slides for teens and adults, and a poolside snack bar. There's also private beach access for when you want a change of scenery.
Make the pages of your kid's textbook come alive with a trip to Tulum for a peek at ruins from Mexico's mysterious Mayan civilization. Tulum is extremely well-preserved and is the only ruins with a gorgeous ocean view, so bring along a swimsuit to take a quick plunge into the sea.
Playa Paraíso Iberostar Resort | Riviera Maya
When it comes to taking a vacation with kids, built-in entertainment is like hitting the parenting lottery. Your kids can play all day long, make new friends, and best of all, you get some chill time (no kids, what?!). Iberostar totally gets that and that's why their Star Camp is one of our favorite kids club programs with a full day of activities to enjoy.
Playa Paraíso Iberostar knows that all you really want is to spend your day in the water so they have a lazy river, a wave pool, a splash zone for kids, and five pools to enjoy. There's also a beautiful stretch of beach with warm, clear water, very little seaweed, and the perfect “concrete sand” for building castles. Grab a seat under a cabana, treat yourself to a soft-serve ice cream or adult beverage, play volleyball, listen to music, and relax.
Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
Nestled between the world’s second-largest barrier reef and an expansive nature preserve lies the tiny fishing village of Puerto Morelos. Home to just 1,200 year-round residents, you’ll find fresh seafood restaurants along the beach and people browsing through colorful shops, enjoying live music on the weekends and admiring the nearly century-old leaning lighthouse. It’s also home to Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, a five-star resort that feels more like a home than a hotel.
All the rooms at Grand Residences Riviera Cancun are suites and you can even book one that sleeps up to 13 if you want to bring the grandparents along. Kids under 12 stay free which is an enormous perk when you're bringing little ones along. Their infinity pool is perfect for lounging or head down to the private beach if waves are more your style.
Read all about our Grand Residences Riviera Cancun visit here.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
Families who stay at the brand-new Nickelodeon Resorts & Hotels Riviera Mayafind that there's so much to do on the property that they don't want to leave. From meet and greets with your kids’ favorite Nick characters (Sponge Bob, Paw Patrol, Dora and Boots, Shimmer and Shine and many more) to Aqua Nick, the six-acre waterpark with every thrill you can envision and the excellent food found throughout the resort, there’s plenty of fun for families to be had. Each room has a swim-up pool and you can request to have kid-friendly amenities like cribs and strollers waiting for you when you arrive.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya
When you enter the gates of the Grand Velas Riviera Maya, it’s immediately apparent that it’s a special place. Imagine a long drive surrounded by the Yucatan jungle and guests running along the trail, riding bikes or heading for the clear water of the Caribbean Sea. Located about 25 minutes away from the Cancun airport and five minutes away from downtown Playa del Carmen, the Grand Velas gives off a remote vibe that feels far away from everyday life.
The Grand Velas has all the things you love about a resort and things you didn’t know you desired on vacation. From the turndown service and the Molton Brown products provided for your exclusive use to the attentive 24-hour concierge and luxury surroundings, this family-owned boutique hotel company doesn’t miss a beat. You'll have a hard time tearing the teens away from the Teen Club with Playstation pods, air hockey, foosball, pool tables and a lounge/club that sets the scene for chill time.
Sensira Resort & Spa Riviera Maya
Opened in early 2021, Sensira Resort & Spa Riviera Maya is set in the beautiful destination of Riviera Maya, an ocean-front resort offering all-inclusive service for every traveler. Guests can enjoy 13 restaurants and bars bringing together great food and lively ambiance to create the perfect setting for dining, drinking and socializing any time of day or night. Designed with families in mind, the “Sapphire” room category offers a separate living space for children with three-level bunk beds and their own television, while parents will enjoy a King bed (some offer an additional Queen) and minibar stocked with drinks and nutritious snacks.
The property also boasts designated areas with drop-off programs on-site such as the “Baby Explorer” (ages 1-3) with certified nannies, an Adventure Club (ages 4-7), and an Emoji center for teens complete with Xbox, climbing wall and zipline.
Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto
Located on the eastern coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, Loreto, Mexico has remained a hidden gem locale. Loreto is best known for its secluded, unspoiled setting on the Loreto Bay National Marine Park, A UNESCO World Heritage site. Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto overlooks the gorgeous Sea of Cortez, complete with four restaurants featuring fresh, local cuisine; 39,000 square foot Sabila Spa; and five sparkling pools. Guests can choose from an array of suites and penthouses, including options that can sleep up to 12 people.
Families can book the all-inclusive package, which includes everything they need for limitless fun, including access to a number of the resort’s facilities, a plethora of onsite activities including paddleboards and kayaks to explore the incredible underwater wildlife the destination is known for, and entrance to various theme nights hosted at the resort. Guests opting for the all-inclusive plan can also splurge on an unlimited selection of food and alcoholic beverages at the resort’s restaurants and bars.