Spring is the time of year when young adults head south in a mass migration known as spring break. But families with children also make good use of the season’s vacation days, and they’re looking for a calmer experience. Fortunately, Mexico excels at offering enticing options for parents looking for kid-friendly options that are far removed from rowdy spring breakers.
Here are a few strategies for finding the best family vacation options in Mexico during the spring break travel period.
Ask About Spring Break Policies
Sometimes a little research can go a long way to assure a peaceful, family-oriented spring break vacation. Some Mexico hotels, in fact, have strict policies that keep groups away, so asking a hotel about its approach to spring break is a good idea.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun is among the Mexico hotels that do not accept reservations from spring break groups. The all-inclusive property’s KidZ Club has a dedicated children’s pool and water play area and offers supervised activities such as water volleyball, arts and crafts and live entertainment.
Other hotels are, by nature, less likely to attract party crowds. Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, for example, closes all its bars and restaurants by 10 p.m., assuring blissfully quiet evenings. The property’s children’s club, meanwhile, offers activities including sand art and mask design.
Go Upscale
Budget-conscious spring breakers are likely to pass on Mexico’s more upscale resorts and hotels, so choosing to splurge a bit can help assure a more tranquil vacation experience.
The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, for example, combines an upscale Mexico beach vacation ambiance with a family-friendly approach. Its children’s club offers language and cooking classes, as well as a teen club equipped with billiard tables, Xbox, karaoke and “mini disco” facilities. In addition, the property recently introduced new kite crafting classes, which take place every Monday and Saturday, with plenty of time for families to fly their newly made kites in the garden.
Go for the European Plan
Party-hearty spring breakers like things in excess. So, going for the European Plan — rather than the all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink, all-inclusive resort concept — can be an effective way to avoid throngs of thirsty crowds.
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun, for example, is one of the few upscale European Plan properties in Mexico’s top vacation destination. In addition to a beautiful pool and award-winning restaurants, the property is home to the expansive Coral Kidz Club, designed for kids age three to 12, which includes a large outdoor pool, many high-tech games and rewarding activities such as cooking classes, movie screenings and art lessons.
Look for Kid-Friendly Facilities and Activities
A hotel property with extensive children’s clubs and family-oriented activities is often less likely to attract large spring break parties. Paying close attention to exactly what’s available for children on-site is a good idea for families looking to get away from it all.
Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa in Los Cabos is home to a festive, treehouse-themed Kids Club, with engaging activities such as pinata design, kite making and weekly theme nights that include campfire stories and “neon pajama parties.”
Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun is especially well-positioned to handle families with children of varying ages, since the property has lots of dedicated space and activities for younger children as well as a Club Teens for teenagers, complete with pool tables, video games and sports equipment.
Family-friendly pampering is a focus at the all-inclusive Barcelo Maya Grand Resort, which is home to a U-Kids Spa where little ones can get pampered while their parents enjoy grown-up treatments. This large-scale property — which includes five separate Barcelo hotels — also has Barcy Kids Club facilities.
Families looking for more active sporting adventures may want to check into Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, which recently debuted what it calls the “first-ever action sport facility in Mexico.” Woodward Riviera Maya offers guided programs focused on an array of activities, including skateboarding, scooters, parkour, gymnastics and cheerleading.
