Cancun. Cozumel, etc. that's kid-friendly?
Question:
We are planning a short (four day, three night) vacation to Mexico with our nine-year-old son. Here are our few requirements… A resort directly on a very beautiful beach that’s good for swimming. A beautiful swimming pool. A suite room in a medium/large resort that FEELS Mexican. A little character would be fine. I cant’ stand those bland resorts that could be in nearly any large city. Good restaurants nearby (or within). We want this to be a real get-away from American life, not in the center of the tourist-y areas. We’d be willing to rent a car and drive about an hour south, so the Riviera Maya is also a possibility. We will not be snorkeling (at least I don’t think we will) nor diving; only swimming and eating and getting away for a few days. No nightlife this trip, and we won’t be availing ourselves of any kids programs or babysitting, although I know they abound at the nicer resorts. All-inclusive is only good if the restaurants are really good. Any suggestions? And when would be the best month between June and December to go? No rough water, storms, jellyfish or yucky seaweed, please—- we have plenty of that at home. (Cancellation insurance should keep us OK as far as a hurricane goes, I hope.) I have found a few that look promising…. Bahia Principe Tulum, Le Meriden Cancun, Presidente Inter-Continental Cancun, Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort (even though we won’t be diving, this place looked beautiful). However, having never been there, I have no idea what the areas are like near these resorts, and for all I know, they’re right in the middle of Tourist-Central. If it were really the perfect resort, though, and the beach were perfect, maybe we wouldn’t care? A lot of our friends love Cozumel, but they’re all divers, and perhaps if we’re just going to be swimming and lazing around the beach and pool, then maybe that’s not the ideal place? As far as our son goes, a topless beach nearby wouldn’t freak him out at all, but it might freak ME out. :-) We might even be willing to drive to a ruin, do some historical sight-seeing, trek through a jungle. Not sure what DH or DS would like to do beyond swim. OR—-what about any place else in Mexico? We just need a beach. We’re flying in from Houston, so a fairly short direct flight with no connections would be a real plus. (Cancun and Cozumel come in at about 2 hours, we’d be willing to fly for 4, with maybe ONE connect, but I’m not a good flyer on those little puddle-jumper planes, so maybe that’s out?) Anything else pop in your heads? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. — Jennie
Response:
> We want this to be a real get-away from American life, not in the center of > the tourist-y areas.
Then you certainly don’t want to go to Cancun. —
Response:
If you like Cancun, try the Camino Real Hotel. Beautiful beach, nice swimming pool, good food. If you want to get away from touristy areas, try Playa Del Carmen. Best of luck to you. Becca
Response:
> If you like Cancun, try the Camino Real Hotel. Beautiful beach, nice > swimming pool, good food. > If you want to get away from touristy areas, try Playa Del Carmen.
Not anymore 
Response:
I have only been to one resort in Cancun, the Royal Solaris (all-inclusive). I’m not sure how high your sandards are, but we had a great time. It is on the "touristy" strip of Cancun, but at the end. We went in July. The weather was great, the beach wasn’t crowded. The water was clear and beautiful. There are two pools, a kid-friendly pool with a small waterfall-type area and an adult area pool. The food was really good with plenty of variety to choose from. The dining ranges from a more formal dining restaurant with a dress code (and more formal entrees) to an open area buffet-style restaurant. There’s a restaurant right over the beach over looking the ocean and an Italian restaurant. They offer nightly buffet dinner shows that are really enjoyable (8 restaurants total)and a snack bar right by the pool. I know they have a kids program, but it’s not by any means the focal point of the resort. I was surprised they have a small put-put golf area that is a nice way to ease into the vacation. The rooms are nothing fancy, but definitely have a Mexican feel with satillo tile and adobe-type decor. There may be other resorts in the area with a more "upscale" setting, but all-in-all I would reccomend this resort to anyone wanting to have a nice vacation with lots of great service (the staff is wonderful) and a nice family environment.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We are planning a short (four day, three night) vacation to Mexico with our > nine-year-old son. Here are our few requirements… > A resort directly on a very beautiful beach that’s good for swimming. > A beautiful swimming pool. > A suite room in a medium/large resort that FEELS Mexican. A little > character would be fine. I cant’ stand those bland resorts that could be in > nearly any large city. > Good restaurants nearby (or within). > We want this to be a real get-away from American life, not in the center of > the tourist-y areas. We’d be willing to rent a car and drive about an hour > south, so the Riviera Maya is also a possibility. We will not be snorkeling > (at least I don’t think we will) nor diving; only swimming and eating and > getting away for a few days. No nightlife this trip, and we won’t be > availing ourselves of any kids programs or babysitting, although I know they > abound at the nicer resorts. All-inclusive is only good if the restaurants > are really good. > Any suggestions? And when would be the best month between June and December > to go? No rough water, storms, jellyfish or yucky seaweed, please—- we > have plenty of that at home. (Cancellation insurance should keep us OK as > far as a hurricane goes, I hope.) I have found a few that look > promising…. Bahia Principe Tulum, Le Meriden Cancun, Presidente > Inter-Continental Cancun, Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort (even though > we won’t be diving, this place looked beautiful). However, having never > been there, I have no idea what the areas are like near these resorts, and > for all I know, they’re right in the middle of Tourist-Central. If it were > really the perfect resort, though, and the beach were perfect, maybe we > wouldn’t care? A lot of our friends love Cozumel, but they’re all divers, > and perhaps if we’re just going to be swimming and lazing around the beach > and pool, then maybe that’s not the ideal place? As far as our son goes, a > topless beach nearby wouldn’t freak him out at all, but it might freak ME > out. :-) We might even be willing to drive to a ruin, do some historical > sight-seeing, trek through a jungle. Not sure what DH or DS would like to > do beyond swim. > OR—-what about any place else in Mexico? We just need a beach. We’re > flying in from Houston, so a fairly short direct flight with no connections > would be a real plus. (Cancun and Cozumel come in at about 2 hours, we’d be > willing to fly for 4, with maybe ONE connect, but I’m not a good flyer on > those little puddle-jumper planes, so maybe that’s out?) Anything else pop > in your heads? > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. > — > Jennie
Response:
> If you want to get away from touristy areas, try Playa Del Carmen.
…or Isla Mujeres. Cancun is totally touristy, Coz less so but now seems to cater more to the cruise ship trade. It used to be great for a really laid back vacation
Response:
>> If you want to get away from touristy areas, try Playa Del Carmen. >…or Isla Mujeres. Cancun is totally touristy, Coz less so but now seems to >cater more to the cruise ship trade. It used to be great for a really laid >back vacation
Mexicans are pretty kid friendly. I think Coz might be ok if you stayed at a hotel out of town – like El Presidente or somewhere north of town. You would be out of the cruise ship path then. grandma Rosalie
Response:
I have been to both of the Iberstar resorts at Riviera Maya. I think that they were both exceptioinal places. I am a younger person myself, and although old enough to enjoy the night life, we enjoyed the fact that we weren’t bombarded with some of the things that you find in Cancun or the other big towns. The Iberostar in Playa Del Carmen was especially nice because it was within walking distance of small shops that we spent some time in. Each of the resorts have several restaraunts that are exceptional. Hope this helps. Brett
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> We are planning a short (four day, three night) vacation to Mexico with our > nine-year-old son. Here are our few requirements… > A resort directly on a very beautiful beach that’s good for swimming. > A beautiful swimming pool. > A suite room in a medium/large resort that FEELS Mexican. A little > character would be fine. I cant’ stand those bland resorts that could be in > nearly any large city. > Good restaurants nearby (or within). > We want this to be a real get-away from American life, not in the center of > the tourist-y areas. We’d be willing to rent a car and drive about an hour > south, so the Riviera Maya is also a possibility. We will not be snorkeling > (at least I don’t think we will) nor diving; only swimming and eating and > getting away for a few days. No nightlife this trip, and we won’t be > availing ourselves of any kids programs or babysitting, although I know they > abound at the nicer resorts. All-inclusive is only good if the restaurants > are really good. > Any suggestions? And when would be the best month between June and December > to go? No rough water, storms, jellyfish or yucky seaweed, please—- we > have plenty of that at home. (Cancellation insurance should keep us OK as > far as a hurricane goes, I hope.) I have found a few that look > promising…. Bahia Principe Tulum, Le Meriden Cancun, Presidente > Inter-Continental Cancun, Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort (even though > we won’t be diving, this place looked beautiful). However, having never > been there, I have no idea what the areas are like near these resorts, and > for all I know, they’re right in the middle of Tourist-Central. If it were > really the perfect resort, though, and the beach were perfect, maybe we > wouldn’t care? A lot of our friends love Cozumel, but they’re all divers, > and perhaps if we’re just going to be swimming and lazing around the beach > and pool, then maybe that’s not the ideal place? As far as our son goes, a > topless beach nearby wouldn’t freak him out at all, but it might freak ME > out. :-) We might even be willing to drive to a ruin, do some historical > sight-seeing, trek through a jungle. Not sure what DH or DS would like to > do beyond swim. > OR—-what about any place else in Mexico? We just need a beach. We’re > flying in from Houston, so a fairly short direct flight with no connections > would be a real plus. (Cancun and Cozumel come in at about 2 hours, we’d be > willing to fly for 4, with maybe ONE connect, but I’m not a good flyer on > those little puddle-jumper planes, so maybe that’s out?) Anything else pop > in your heads? > Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. > — > Jennie
Response:
Thanks very much for all the suggestions! All taken into consideration… — Jennie
Response:
We’re considering the Xpu-Ha Palace or the Moon Palace for next summer. The OP might look into these, especially the Xpu-Ha, as it is in the area of the eco-resorts. Anyone have experience with either of these two? Sheila
Response:
I totally agree about Playa. I remember going there for the first time about 10 years ago and it was totally different. The first sign that Playa had become touristy was when they installed that stop light at the main highway before you turn left to the main drag that takes you to Playa. As for Cancun, it’s just like being in Miami Beach. They have the requisite Mickey D’s, KFC, Burger King, etc. All the signs are in English and the Almighty Dollar is accepted everywhere. In fact, if you stay in the Cancun Hotel Zone, Zona Hotelera, you couldn’t even tell you’re in Mexico. You might as well be in Miami Beach. There may be a few places south of Playa del Carmen that may not be as touristy, places like Tulum or Akumal, though I have not been there in years and they may have suffered the same fate as Playa.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> If you like Cancun, try the Camino Real Hotel. Beautiful beach, nice > swimming pool, good food. > If you want to get away from touristy areas, try Playa Del Carmen. > Not anymore
Response:
> Thanks very much for all the suggestions! All taken into consideration…
Hello Jennie! Hope this is not too late. I was just reading your posting, and your requirements are very similar to the requirements I sent to my travel agent last month when I was looking for a place to stay in Mexico/mayan riviera. We don’t want any nightlife in this trip either..it’s been a really hectic year and we just want to relax by a wonderful beach and eat good food 
Anyway, my travel agent highly recommended the Bahia Principe Tulum for what I was looking for. This resort is quite isolated form the noise and parties of Cancun, but is quite big and has a
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