By Isabel Prontes
The Spanish-speaking nation of
Mexico is a popular tourist destination for many because of its exquisite
beaches, serene seas, luxurious
resorts, Mayan history and culture. If you are planning to visit Mexico with children, there are a lot of excellent family
vacation ideas available as well.
Xcarat Theme Park
Xcaret Theme Park is on the Mayan Riviera about an hour south of the major resort town, Cancun. This island is an eco-archaeological theme park, with attractions that children are sure to enjoy, including tube floats, dolphin interactions, an underground river swim, lagoon for snorkeling, a Mayan historical village and a butterfly garden. The theme park has great dining options. There are guided Mayan cultural tours available as well.
Xcaret Information Center
Blvd. Kukulcan Km 9.5,
Hotel Zone, Cancun, Mexico
011 (+52) 998 8830470
Costa Maya
Costa Maya is part of Quintana Roo, which is the southernmost state in Mexico. This is an excellent family/kids vacation destination because it is not very crowded. This is a hub for recreational activities, like diving and relaxing on serene beaches. The best beaches on Costa Maya are Uvero and Majahual Beaches. Kids will love the Chinchorro Reef Underwater National Park, which is the site of several shipwrecks and is one of the planet's largest barrier reefs. There are also guided tours that combine kayaking and bird watching.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a lovely destination on Mexico's western coast. This locale has been popular since the nineteenth century. This is a good vacation spot for children because of its water park, water activities and vibrant beaches. There are also many family friendly resorts at Puerto Vallarta. Kids will adore the sea lion and dolphin shows, as well as the water slides, at the vast water park, called Splash, which is also home to the swirling body coaster, Torbellino, and the tubing adventure, Los Cuatro.
Puerto Vallarta Highway Km. 155
(Located at the entrance to Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico)
Tel: 011 (+52) 322 2970708
Puerto Morelos
Puerto Morelos is a quaint, smaller town on the Mayan Riviera in the Yucatan. The town has a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere, with a charming town square that has mall dining options and stores. The most notable feature of Puerto Morelos is its beautiful coral reef---there are several guided tours that offer both morning and afternoon excursions to it. Puerto Morelos is a good vacation spot for families with kids, because of its safe, calm waters. There are shallow tide pools in Puerto Morelos that are ideal for kids getting their feet wet in water - and maybe even learning how to swim for the first time.
Cozumel
Cozumel is a lovely island that is a mere ferry ride away from the Riviera Maya's Playa del Carmen. Children will love Cozumel because of its abundance of kid-friendly recreational activities. It is one of the safest locales in Mexico---violent crime is practically nonexistent here. Small kids will adore playing at Chankanaab Park with its shallow pool. They will also have a blast at the tidepools of Chen Rio beach. There are many rock caves at the beach. Older kids will be presented with many fun snorkeling and diving opportunities in Cozumel.
About the Author:
Isabel Prontes is a freelance writer and traveler residing in Manhattan, NY. She has traveled to five continents and counting. Her work has appeared on a number of websites, such as Travels, eHow.com and "Happy Living Magazine." Prontes has a professional background in public relations; she received a bachelor's degree in communication studies from Pace University.
