Summer feels like carefree days of setting pause to our busy lives, like childhood vacation memories of cannonballs in the pool, made-up games, and delicious burgers and lemonade under the bright sun. The warm weather signals exciting anticipation of adventures ahead. And what better than to share those adventures on a family summer vacation to Cancun, Mexico? This beautiful paradise is the perfect destination to create new vacation memories your family will treasure forever.
Is Cancun Good for a Family Vacation?
Situated in the southern Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, once the territory of the ancient Maya, this vast tropical region holds a strong bond to its cultural heritage, making it as fascinating as it is fun. Cancun boasts natural beauty as far as the eye can see. The ocean’s endless turquoise water framed by the white-sand beaches, lagoons, and a green jungle vibe make it a magical place for a family summer vacation.
Cancun is a world-class beach resort city, one of Mexico’s most welcoming destinations offering excellent hotels, tours, cultural exhibits, restaurants, and shopping. Cancun delivers distinct experiences, one being the perfect family vacation haven. This popular destination has something exciting for everyone.
Choosing a Great Family-Friendly Resort
Selecting the best resort for a family summer vacation can seem daunting given the many options available. Still, it can also be fun if you enjoy researching, checking reviews, and sifting through images. Here are a few guidelines to help you decide if you are not the investigative type.
Location, location, location. This expression holds true more than ever when deciding where you want to spend your holiday getaway. After all, location is key to having a positive experience. You don’t want to end up isolated when you’re looking for local flair or in a super noisy site if all you want is to disconnect and relax. So, take your time deciding which area works best for your family’s summer vacation.
The entirety of this beautiful region offers many great locations. The Riviera Maya is an extensive area of resorts closest to Playa del Carmen and Tulum, approximately one hour from Cancun.
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is a sought-after spot if you want to be in the center of it all. With miles of resorts, shopping, first-class restaurants, and high-energy bars and nightclubs, it has everything, including the energetic summer crowds!
Costa Mujeres is an excellent option for families seeking a more peaceful Cancun scene while still having easy access to the hustle and bustle of the hotel zone. This emerging location is exclusive and tranquil, only minutes away from the hotel zone.
When choosing a resort, something to look for is whether the resort offers all-inclusive or room only packages. Room only or European Plan (EP) packages mean that meals are paid separately from accommodation – these packages are available at most resorts. Some resorts offer both room only and all-inclusive meal plans so that you can vacation the way you want to. When opting for the all-Inclusive meal plan, you will want to check the reviews and make sure that the food offered at the resort is first-rate, to avoid being disappointed with every meal while on vacation.
All-inclusive plans are highly recommended for families and make meal planning with kids so much easier, not to mention stress-free budget management, allowing you to relax with a margarita or two, whose counting?
Some resorts feature customized family programs, offering one-of-a-kind amenities and services to create seamless vacation experiences for families. This added benefit is worth checking out when selecting your next resort.
The Perfect Family-Friendly Resort in Cancun
If you are looking for the perfect beach resort in Cancun for a family summer vacation, look no further than Villa del Palmar Cancun Luxury Beach Resort & Spa, a AAA 4 Diamond-rated resort in the prime location of Costa Mujeres. This stunning resort offers 415 suites ranging from the Deluxe Garden View suite to the three-bedroom
Grand Penthouse. Each suite combines luxury with family-friendly amenities for the best of both worlds, something every parent can appreciate.
The resort is situated on a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach surrounded by swaying palm trees and boasts a unique Maya-inspired design. Everything about the resort is first-rate and from the moment you walk through the lobby, you will know that you have been transported to paradise.
With five outdoor heated swimming pools that range from the grand main swimming pool, where everyone gathers looking for entertainment, to a sleek adults-only option, and a customized kids’ wading pool with fountains and splash pads. There is also a beautifully designed pool with a bridge and a cascading waterfall, and an Elite members’ exclusive pool, which rounds out the collection of aquatic fun.
The living spaces at Villa del Palmar Cancun are great for families with young children; spacious multi-bedroom suites with all the luxe amenities and furnishings make it feel like home.
Distinguishing Villa del Palmar Cancun from other resorts is the exclusive Gourmet Culinary All-Inclusive Plan. It stands out from the rest for including fine dining options in the plan: four gourmet restaurants from contemporary Japanese to classic Mexican, Italian, and a modern Steakhouse, all delicious options also offering tasty kid-friendly meals.
The Gourmet Culinary All-Inclusive Plan also includes the exquisite restaurant selections of our sister neighboring property, Garza Blanca Resort and Spa Cancun, taking an already fabulous plan to the next level. 24-hour room service is another great perk. Everyone will love ordering snacks at any time, especially the kids.
Villa del Palmar Cancun presents its unique Family Program designed to enhance a family’s vacation experience. The hand-selected amenities like complimentary kid-sized robes and slippers and personalized souvenirs will make the little ones feel pampered and extra special. With Villa del Palmar Cancun’s amazing Family Program, parents have access to useful items like strollers, baby bouncers, and bottle warmers, making family travel as carefree as possible. The Family Program is one of those added perks you never knew you needed until you did.
Finally, let’s get those kiddos busy! Villa del Palmar has many activities to fill each day with fun moments. Whether your kids like to be creative, get active, or simply play video games with kids their age, the Kids´ Club offers a daily program of activities so the children will never get bored. They can make traditional Mexican crafts like mini piñatas to take home as a souvenir, they can make sandcastles on the beach, play charades or musical chairs, take a Spanish class, or even participate in a yoga class for kids. Of course, days spent on the beautiful beach are pure childhood bliss. The Wibit Aqua Park is a spotlight attraction; it is as exciting for adults as children because it’s a floating water park in the ocean!
Best Things to do in Cancun with Kids
Make your family’s summer vacation extra special and explore the beautiful destination of Cancun and its surrounding areas. Many of Cancun’s tours and entertainment are devoted to families.
A highly recommended family adventure is the Cenote tour. These ancient Mayan deep water caves are a geological staple of this magical region. Swimming in the freshwater surrounded by the lush mangrove jungle is a unique experience everyone will treasure.
A favorite activity for children is swimming with dolphins and learning about these incredible marine creatures through their curious eyes.
Visit at least one of the many theme parks Cancun offers, like Xcaret, Xenses, Xel-Ha, each offering a very different type of adventure, yet all equally exciting and fun. Shows are also a great option to entertain the kids, like the Jolly Roger Pirate Ship, because who doesn’t love pirates and ships?
To immerse yourself in the local culture, visit one of the many Maya ruins. These ancient testaments of time offer a glimpse of the grand Maya civilizations’ way of life.
Pack a towel and head to Isla Mujeres or Cozumel for a fantastic day trip. Both picturesque islands offer unique adventures. Cozumel has an incredible Meso-American Barrier Reef where you can explore the underwater world on a snorkeling or diving trip, while Isla Mujeres gifts breathtaking beaches, trendy beach clubs, and MUSA, an incredible underwater museum. The ferry to Isla Mujeres departs from Cancun’s hotel zone, minutes away from Villa de Palmar. To visit Cozumel, you must take the ferry from Playa del Carmen. Island day trips are a fantastic way to spend a fun family day.
Happy summer days in Cancun made of suntans, wrinkly water skin, and giggling to sleep moments that your kids will cherish forever. Cancun’s lively energy, vibrant colors, and welcoming service make it the perfect backdrop for the best family summer vacation that is guaranteed to leave you with warm memories.
