5 Fun Things to Do with Your Kids on a Mexico Family Vacation

It’s easy to see why so many people flock to Mexico for their family vacations. With its all-inclusive resorts, stunning beaches and delicious cuisine (give us all the tacos and guac, please!), this destination has something for everyone.

Not only that, but travel companies like Transat make it incredibly easy for you to get there. With a wide selection of all-inclusive Mexico packages to top spots like Cancún, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Riveria Maya and Tulum, planning an epic trip for you and the kids is a cinch.

With your flights and hotels sorted, all you really need to do is figure out how you’re going to spend all that quality time together… and that’s where we come in! Keep on reading to learn about some of the best kid- and parent-approved activities to do on your Mexico family vacation.

• Stay at an all-inclusive resort
• Make a splash at a natural theme park
• Discover ancient Mayan ruins
• Explore underground (and underwater!) museums
• Soak up the sun on a family-friendly beach

This may seem like an obvious one, but hear us out! Especially for children and young teens, staying at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico is pretty magical. You can spend the whole day swimming in the pool or at the beach, join in on the fun at the kids’ club, enjoy live musical performances and try new restaurants each night. Plus, there are unlimited snacks available (and spas for the parents)!

Cancún, with it’s famous Hotel Zone, and Playa del Carmen on the Yucatán Peninsula are some of the best areas to stay in — but those certainly aren’t the only options. Family-friendly resorts can be found across the country, from Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos to Mexico City, Oaxaca and more.

Nothing beats swimming in the Caribbean Sea… except maybe snorkelling, kayaking, floating and sliding in it! So, why not take the kids to one of the many Grupo Xcaret parks in Riviera Maya? These eco-parks — filled with cenotes, lazy rivers, ziplines, amphibious vehicle courses and more — are among the top family-friendly attractions in Mexico and are guaranteed to be a hit.

Not only that, but they’re an easy day trip from whatever all-inclusive resort you’re staying at in either Cancún or Playa del Carmen. In fact, guests who check into the Hotel Xcaret México get unlimited access to Xcaret, Xel-Há, Xplor/Xplor Fuego, Xoximilco, Xenses and other parks.

While you could spend your entire family vacation relaxing poolside at your resort, there’s so much more to see, do and experience in Mexico — especially if you’re staying in a destination in or around Quintana Roo!

This area is brimming with majestic and mysterious Mayan ruins, including:

• Chichén Itzá: Explore ancient ball game courts, temples and the Pyramid of Kukulcan (aka El Castillo), one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• Tulum: This oceanfront archaeological site is ideal for families that want to combine history time with beach time.
• Muyil: Located within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Muyil invites you to discover Mayan ruins in a lush jungle setting.
• Coba: This ancient Mayan city is less popular than both Chichén Itzá and Tulum, making it a great choice for those who want to immerse themselves in Mexico’s culture away from the crowds.

Not every kid loves to visit a museum, but these two in Mexico will delight every single member of your family.

The Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA) is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. There are more than 500 incredible sculptures located in the waters surrounding Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancún. And you can discover them all by signing up for one of its snorkelling, diving or glass-bottom boat tours — in other words, there’s something for all ages and swimming levels.

Prefer to keep you head above water while still diving deep? Make your way to Río Secreto (aka the “crystal museum”) to explore an underground river filled with millennia-old stalagmites and stalactites.

Postcard-worthy beaches are one of the biggest reasons to visit this sunny country, and there is an abundance of kid-friendly ones out there. So, don’t forget to take advantage of their soft shores, calm waters and nearby facilities.

Some of our favourite family-friendly beaches to relax on in Mexico include:

• Playa Delfines in Cancún: Surrounded by small vendors and food trucks, it’s easy to post up at Playa Delfines for an entire day.
• Playa del Amor in Los Cabos: Getting to this beautiful beach is half the fun — you can only access it by hopping aboard a water taxi.
• Playa Punta Esmeralda in Playa del Carmen: This quiet beach features a small lagoon that’s protected from the surf.
• Playa Palmares in Puerto Vallarta: Head to this slice of paradise for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and more.
• Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres: In addition to having some of the clearest, shallowest waters, Playa Norte boasts some incredible sunsets. Why not make a day of it?

Have we inspired you to make some lifelong family memories in Mexico? Check out our selection of all-inclusive Transat vacations or get in touch with our Travel Experts today — we can help with everything from flights and hotels to airport transfers and more. Get your passports ready!

Oh, and by the way… for a limited time, you can get up to 40%* off select Transat packages as part of our Endless Summer Sale. Don’t miss this incredible chance to save on your winter escape. 

This sponsored story was written by Flight Centre Canada on behalf of Transat.