Riviera Maya with Kids
Though the Riviera Maya deserves its reputation as a Spring Break destination and, more recently, a luxury enclave perfect for honeymooners, it’s also one heck of a great family vacation spot. With amazing attractions that are also educational, exhilarating adventures that’ll have little ones giggling non-stop, and a host of affordable all-inclusives that will keep them fed and wonderfully taken care of while you get some well-deserved time in the sun, the Mayan Riviera is one of the few places that lives up to its “something for everyone” promise.
While the pyramids at Chichen Itza are jaw-dropping, they also get tremendously crowded in high season, and the heat of mid-day is difficult for anyone to take in large doses—parents and children alike. If you feel like your children are old enough to appreciate an archaeological tour, book one early in the day, perhaps as part of one of the immensely popular packages that include an afternoon swim at a cenote (freshwater sinkhole).
Three attractions which could easily take up an entire day are the theme parks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and a boat ride over to Isla Mujeres. Xcaret is a cultural and eco-theme park spanning the jungle and the coast, with sights ranging from Monkey Island to Paradise River to a living history Mayan village. Xel-Ha is a magnificent water park, instead of slides being the main activity, it’s an interactive “natural aquarium” where guests can use Sea Trek underwater helmets to move about with 90 different marine species. Isla de Mujeres was sacred to the Mayans, but these days it’s known for great snorkeling, its new Underwater Museum, its sea turtle sanctuary and its inexpensive beach restaurants. At all three places, the ultimate splurge kiddie activity is a dolphin swim.
