Cancun, Mexico Family Vacations - Ideas for Having Fun With Your Kids in Cancun
If you are looking for an amazing vacation spot to travel to this Summer, you should consider Cancun, Mexico. Cancun is a gorgeous destination and there are tons of activities and family resorts that were made with family and kids in mind. Below I have listed tons of resources, attractions, tours, and fun activities for family Cancun fun. Have Fun!
First of All - Some General Information About Cancun, Mexico (Skip This Part if You Just Want to Know What to Do in Cancun With Your Kids)
One of the most visited locations in Mexico is Cancun. Believe it or not, there are over 25,000 hotel rooms in Cancun … Wow! People enjoy numerous things in Cancun, including tennis, golf, and shopping that with a grand diversity of shops to choose from. In Cancun there are over 475 bird species, which as you can imagine, is a bird lover’s delight! Also, there are well over a hundred different mammals and also twelve hundred plant species. If you want your kids to learn a bit about nature, then Cancun is definitely a good place to go for hikes and check out all the different species.
Of course, there are many beaches, resorts, and hotels in Cancun and they are all so wondrous. It is well known, that some people don’t even leave their resorts while they are on vacation in Cancun because they are too busy enjoying all the amenities offered by the resort(or maybe it is because Cancun is a huge honeymoon vacation spot). Either way, this says a lot about the quality of the resorts that are close to the edge of several ocean beaches.
In the beautiful ocean you will find over 2,500 marine species, as well as 500 tropical fish, which are all beautiful to look at. Cancun is located in the State of Quintana Roo, which is at the southern tip of the peninsula. The area is divided into two sections, the hotel zone (this is a 22 km sandy strip that is between a lagoon and the seaside hotels) and the other part is Cancun City which is home to Mexicans who live in this district. The hotel zone is an island that is basically the shape of a 7. It’s joined to the mainland by Punta Nizuc Bridge and at the north by the Playa Linda Bridge. Inside the 7 is a lagoon named Laguna Nichupte, of course the outside is the Caribbean Sea. You could compare to Miami or even Myrtle Beach, but Cancun has much more of an international flare to it. Be sure to check out the guided excursions that go from Cancun to almost anywhere you can choose in the Yucatan.
Cancun City, begins where Kukulcan Blvd. and Bonampak Ave. meet at the northern most tip. The streets are named after Mayan cities and there are well over 450,000 people who live in this thriving community now. The heart of the city is named “El Centro” and this is where you can find numerous vendors and restaurants. There are also beautiful boutiques that offer anything from cigars to perfumes. The perfumes can be purchased in Cancun at 1/3 of the cost you may purchase them in the United States or Canada.
About Hotels and Resorts in Cancun, Mexico
There are also hotels that are situated off the beach strip, and of course you will pay a tremendous amount less for these hotels. Many of them are close enough to the beach that you will only have a short ride to get there and start enjoying beach. Of course the general rule of cost is that the closer you are to the beach, the higher the price of the resort. Also make sure to check out the cheaper accommodations that are located near the bus stations. It may be worth your while to save that money and spend it on other excursions.
Of course there are tons of choices of hotels and resorts on the beach. In fact, it’s like every time you blink you see a new hotel! Of course you can talk to just about anyone and most of them have never had a bad experience with any of these hotels. For families with kids, I suggest going to resorts that have kids clubs. Kids Clubs & Camps at resorts are amazing and a true blessing to parents who need a little rest, but still want their kids to have a great time. A Resort Kids Club is a place in which your child can enjoy supervised and fun activities while you and your spouse can have fun or just relax.
Beach Palace Resorts (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - A Palace where the whole family is welcome. Here, you can sit back, relax, and catch up on the latest best-seller while your kids enjoy fun-filled activities created just for them. Our exclusive Kids Club caters to children while the water sports, beach, two interconnected pools, and tennis court attract all ages. Beach Palace Kid-Friendly Resorts includes a Kids Club. Your kids willl have a blast with all the pre-planned activities at the on-site kids club. A lunch and dinner menu consisted of chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, Pizza, Ham, turkey and cheese sandwiches, chicken, turkey and tuna salads, fruit cocktails, jello, flan and other desserts will be served. The Kids Club is for ages 4-12.
Blue Bay Youth-Friendly All-Inclusive Resort (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - Blue Bay Club is a beautiful beachfront resort with Spanish architecture and decor. The long stretch of white sand beach is ideal for sunbathing, jogging and sports. Blue Bay Kids Club is free and open seven days a week (and I think that they accept infants up to age 12 or older). The club includes videos, arts and crafts, games, swimming, and more.
Blue Bay Getaway Resort and Spa
(Located in Cancun, Mexico) - Blue Bay Getaway Resort and Spa is the perfect place for couples and singles seeking famed Cancun fun in an Adult environment with spicy fun and entertainment.
Caribbean Village Family Resort (Located in Cancun) - The Caribbean Village Cancun is one of the world’s most beautiful beaches to enjoy its active all-inclusive program. The resort has a variety of sports and water activites which include sailing, windsurfing, boogie boarding, kayaking and canoeing. For more relaxing pursuits, soak up the water and sun at the swim up bar or pool-side whirlpool . Children can also get in on the fun with supervised activities at their Kid’s Club (ages 4-12). In addition to the on-site theater and disco, the resort has many nightlife options and is within walking distance of major shopping malls, clubs, and well-known restaurants. For families, couples and singles, look no further than the Caribbean Village Cancun for an active vacation!
Resorts (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - Welcome to the resort that set a new level of standards in all inclusive vacations for couples and families alike. “THE MINI CLUB” Where our littlest vacationers can enjoy arts & crafts, sports, time on the beach and lots more organized activities. Featuring Cancun’s only children’s waterpark. After all, kids need a vacation too! Ages 4 to 12 inclusive. “BABY CLUB” A gymboree style center that caters to our toddler guests ages 18 months to 3 years.
Dreams Cancun Family Resorts and Spas (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - You’ll enjoy shimmering pools and fully-equipped fitness center & spa offering massage, beauty and facial services. There are four excellent restaurants, plus friendly lounges and bars, all part of your All-Inclusive package. Dreams Cancun Resort offers fully supervised children’s program for children ages 3-12 will entertain the little ones with a different daily program based on science, nature, and exploration. The kids will enjoy sandcastle competitions, arts & crafts, movies on the beach on our big screen TV (see schedule below), and ocean trampoline. There are even weekly campout adventures where children will sleep in tents at the club or on the beach (with parents approval)!! Open daily from 9AM to 10PM.
Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa Resorts (Located in Cancun) - You’ll enjoy shimmering pools and fully-equipped fitness center & spa offering massage, beauty and facial services. There are four excellent restaurants, plus friendly lounges and bars, all part of your All-Inclusive package. Dreams Cancun Resort and Spa includes a kids program called the Explorer Club. This is a fully supervised children’s program for children ages 3-12 which will entertain the little ones with a different daily program based on science, nature, and exploration. The kids will enjoy sandcastle competitions, arts & crafts, movies on the beach on our big screen TV (see schedule below), and ocean trampoline. There are even weekly campout adventures where children will sleep in tents at the club or on the beach (with parents approval)!! This youth program is open daily from 9AM to 10PM.
Gran Costa Real Cancun Resorts (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - The New Gran Costa Real Resorts and Spa is a beautiful 5 star beach front Mediterranean style complex, on the sheltered bayside of the Caribbean overlooking Playa Linda. The hotel offers 355 confortable units and lush tropical gardens surrounding the spacious pool area. Gran Costa Real Cancun Family Resorts has a Kid’s Club. Children 12 and under will especially enjoy the Oki Kids Club, with its daily schedule of activities, games, and lessons. Let your kids develop their intelligence and abilities. There is also a playground just for kids. The Kids Club professional staff also creates a safe and entertaining environment, so parents can relax, explore the rest of the resort or enjoy tours and excursions out of the hotel worry-free!
Melia Turquesa (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - Experience the only truly all-inclusive hotel in Cancun that offers an affordable price without sacrificing quality. Meliá Turquesa All-Inclusive resembles the shape of a Mayan temple with each floor stepping further out into the ocean, offering spectacular views of the white sand and crystal clear blue waters. Treat yourself to an upgrade and enjoy a private Jacuzzi in a Junior Suite overlooking the ocean! I have heard that they have a children’s club but don’t hold me on that….contact them to find out more.
Moon Palace Family Resorts (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - They’ll have a blast with all the pre-planned activities at the on-site kids club. A lunch and dinner menu consisted of chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, Pizza, Ham, turkey and cheese sandwiches, chicken, turkey and tuna salads, fruit cocktails, jello, flan and other desserts will be served. A fully equipped sports marina offers diving, kayaking, and paddleboats. Add six tennis courts, two basketball courts, two fitness centers, beach volleyball, miniature golf, billiards, bicycles, and in-line skates and you’ve got little reason to leave. Nevertheless, we do provide scheduled transportation to other Palace Resorts in the Cancun area throughout the day.
Oasis Cancun Child-Friendly All-Inclusive Resort (Cancun, Mexico) - Activities for kids include miniature golf, pools, marina, pedal boats, kayaks, other watersports and other activities kids will enjoy . In Cancun, they’ll enjoy an outing to waterpark Park Nizuc. This family resort has a Kid’s Club for ages 4-12. This kids club is run very well and has a lot of fun activities for children.
Palace Resorts (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - A Palace where the whole family is welcome. Here, you can sit back, relax, and catch up on the latest best-seller while your kids enjoy fun-filled activities created just for them. “Together time” can be spent making sand castles, enjoying non-motorized water sports (available at the Sun Palace marina) or frolicking in the sea at Beach Palace’s superb beach . Even at this kid-friendly resort, grown-up pursuits are plentiful. There is a dive tank , a lighted tennis court and an air-conditioned gym . Or perhaps your kid-free day calls for relaxing by the pool, strolling on the beach, or ordering a quiet room service meal. You can reunite with your kids in time for table games or spectacular evening shows that appeal to all ages. They’ll have a blast with all the pre-planned activities at the on-site kids club. A lunch and dinner menu consisted of chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, Pizza, Ham, turkey and cheese sandwiches, chicken, turkey and tuna salads, fruit cocktails, jello, flan and other desserts will be served.
Paradisus Riviera Cancun All-Inclusive Resorts
(Located in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico) - The Riviera Maya has become one of the most popular destinations to “get away from it all.” Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort’s private 5,000 foot beach runs along the Caribbean Sea and is protected by the second largest coral formation in the world after the Great Barrier Reef. The Resort’s Club 4 is for children from 2 months - 4 years old with service from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Mini Club is for children from 5 - 12 years old with service from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (both free of charge).
Riu Caribe All-Inclusive Kids-Friendly Resorts (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - The impressive Riu Caribe, with its Mayan-style architecture overlooking the blue crystal waters of the Mexican Caribbean, is the perfect host for a fantastic vacation. Riu Caribe features 506 luxurious oceanview guestrooms with unique Riu amenities such as minibar and liquor dispenser. There is a wide array of restaurants, bars, and facilities to enjoy, including 24-hour All Inclusive (snacks and beverages), as well as a relaxing and fun atmosphere created by the large swimming pool and gorgeous beach. Daytime entertainment program for children from 4 to 12 years of age (daily).
Riu Cancun All-Inclusive Kids-Friendly Resorts (Located in Cancun) - The contemporary beachfront Riu Cancun is found on the very best location, in the heart of Cancun’s hotel zone. Fun is unlimited with a dynamic set of activities and entertainment options, including a popular sports bar, disco, and theater with famous Riu theme shows. Riu Cancun offers the ultimate option for the best vacation in Cancun! Daytime entertainment program for children from 4 to 12 years of age (daily)
Sol Melio Hotels and Family Resorts (Located in Cancun, Mexico) - Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the leading hotel company in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean, the third largest hotel company in Europe and the tenth largest in the world. Your children will always be on the go … Daytime brings sports, competitions, games, handicrafts, excursions … And in the evening fiestas, shows, contests, clowns, magicians … And the famous minidisco for the kids to dance to their favorites … Buffets infantiles Children’s playgrounds, Children’s swimming pools, Theme dinners, Children’s theater, Camping area, Children’s sports area, Games room, and a Video-games area And our exclusive Sol Meliá children’s clubs where the kids will find the facilities, materials, games and decoration just right for their age group.
How to Get Around Cancun / Transportation
There are several ways to get around Cancun while on vacation, the bus system, taxi cabs, hotel shuttles, and of course walking. A lot of vacationers, as I said earlier, tend to stay the entire week on resort premises, with maybe a few tours thrown in between. Most resorts offer tour services which will pick you up for at the front door of the resort, and the return you to the same spot later on. This makes traveling very convenient.
Planning Your Family Vacation to Cancun - Plan to Have a Lot of Fun in Cancun with Your Kids
As with any family vacation that you take with your kids, you should try and plan out your travel plans well before you even leave on vacation. Planning everything out beforehand will help cut down on stress and you will land up having a nicer time on your vacation. After all, your family vacation is supposed to be relaxing and fun. It should be enjoyable to all of you, and after you visit Cancun once, you will want to visit Cancun again and again. Enjoy it as a family and it will be one of the best vacations your family has had.
Fun Family Destinations & Attractions in Cancun - Ideas for Things to Do in Cancun With Your Kids
Your Family Can Enjoy Horseback Riding
Your kids can even enjoy horseback riding in Cancun. There are several horseback riding services to choose from. Some of the services allow you to choose where the guide will take you, such as to the beach or off on an adventure through the jungle. I like Tres-Rios for the horseback ride service, because they also offer other great attractions including kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling or biking. All tours include transportation from your hotel in air conditioned vehicles, entrance fees, buffet style lunch, open bar, lockers and towels.
The Beach, Swimming, and Snorkel Gear.
It is hard to find kids who don’t love spending time in the water and or at the beach. Sometimes I think that kids are fish because they love water more than just about any other activity. If you keep your children where they can access water, then they will probably be thrilled. How about getting them snorkel gear. They can feel like real underwater divers. Just remember to keep a good eye on them.
Let Your Kids Swim With The Dolphins
Do you want to give your children a fun experience that they will never forget? Swimming with the dolphins is one of those experiences that your children will cherish for the rest of their lives. I found a Swim With Dolphins (located at Parque Nizuc’s Atlantida animal research center) activity that looks like it is a safe, fun, and definitely unforgettable. When your kids go back to school in the Fall, all of their friends will beg their parents to go to Cancun too. There is also a Swim with the Dolphins activity at The Interactive Aquarium.
Your Kids Can Swim with Sea Lions Too
Until I saw this service, I never head of swimming with Sea Lions, but the same great service that allows your children to swim with dolphins also allows your children to swim with Sea Lions. It is called Sea Lion Encounter (located at Parque Nizuc’s Atlantida animal research center), and if your child would prefer to swim with the Sea Lions, then this is the way to go. Hey, if you have the money, let your child swim with both Sea Lions and Dolphins. J
Wet’n Wild Amusement and Water Park
Your kids will love the Wet’n Wild Amusement Park. The expansive 18-acre waterpark is located right on Cancun’s hotel zone and has 9 awesome attractions that are great for guests of all ages. Parque Nizuc is a great place for families to spend a fun-filled day together enjoying the cooling waters, the waterslides, dolphin swims, and much more. Wet’n Wild / Parque Nizuc Waterpark has a variety of fun & thrilling waterslides that are sure to energize the whole family. Guests can try their nerve on the Kamikaze waterslides and experience the rush of excitement as you ride a water toboggan at daredevil speeds down slides that tower in the air. You’ll also enjoy twisting down the dizzying maze of tube slides on the Twister. The Double Space Bowl is another favorite - this heart-pounding ride will plunge you at 30 miles per hour from an elevated chute into a giant bowl, where you will spin in circles before making a splash landing into the refreshing pool below.
Visit a Family Friendly Aquarium in Cancun
There is a great family attraction in Cancun called the Interactive Aquarium Cancun. This is a beautiful aquarium that has a lot of kid-friendly activities such as the Swim with Dolphins and the Feed the Sharks activities which many kids love. There is also a great fish exhibit and beautiful aquatic animals to see.
Eat at Amazing Family Restaurants Targeted at Kids
Check out the Rain Forest Café that is located in Cancun. Explore the wild jungle without leaving the resort area. This restaurant, recently opened in the Plaza by the Sea Shopping Center, offers you the opportunity to live in the heart of this natural refuge for a couple of hours. You will coexist with the animatronic animals and taste the delicious vegetables and meats prepared with the special exotic flare. You and your kids will love the souvenir shop so if you aren’t planning to get a gift for your kids, stay clear of the shop or you might have a tantrum on your hands. Expect high prices as it is a high-end restaurant geared towards children and tourists. This is a great place for to eat with your children. Although, they may not be able to eat due to laughter and amazement.
On Wednesday, Take Your Kids to the Senor Frogs Party
Senor Frogs Restaurant and Bar is a lot of fun for everyone. I have heard that every Wednesday at 5pm you can take your kids to enjoy a Sr. Frogs kiddie party, with prizes, food and drink, and that it is a lot of fun for the entire family. They also have a gift store that you can buy shirts, shorts and toys at. Please make sure that the party is still on Wednesdays at 5 pm for going there.
You Can Even Go Shopping at a Mall with Your Kids
Visit the Plaza Forum at the Sea, a huge mall in Cancun. You will find famous restaurants such as Cambalache and Rainforest Café, as well as a food court on the second floor. There is even a Hard Rock Café in there. You can also find dozens of stores with traditional Mexican items. (Location: Blvd Kukulcan Km 9 Cancun Hotel Zone)
Cancun Jungle Tours are a Lot of Fun for Families with Kids
The Cancun Jungle Tour is one of Cancun’s most popular tours. It’s centrally located and it only takes about a half of a day to complete. Due to it’s popularity reservations should be made at least two days in advance, especially during high travel seasons. Drive a speedboat for 45 minutes, James Bond style, from the lagoon through the twisty mangrove channel and out in to the ocean. Stop off at one of the best reefs in the area for 45 minutes snorkeling and then make the return journey back through the ocean, mangroves and lagoon. The Jungle Tour departs from the Sunrise Marina at Km 15 opposite the Marriott hotels and in the same parking lot as The Crab House Restaurant.
Cancun ATV Tours are a Lot of Fun for Families with Kids
You might also want to try an ATV Cancun tour. See the beautiful Jungle of the Yucatan from the seat of an All Terrain Vehicle, commonly known as an ATV. A guide will make sure you are familiar with your machine, as safety is of utmost importance. These measures assure you that your ride is safe, comfortable and fun. Experienced guides lead the way setting a pace conducive to all riders and two-person ATVs allow younger riders to join in the fun. With this fun filled tour you will explore the jungles of the Yucatan on an ATV and ride your own mini speed boat around one of the most beautiful water ways in the world.
Enjoy an Acrobatic Horse Show with Your Kids and Family
The Hacienda Nights Mexican Fiesta sounds like an amazing activity to enjoy with your family. Enjoy an impressive evening show, which includes equestrian activities such as rope artists, a singer, a acrobatic horseman, a dressage demonstration on gorgeous Spanish horses and a wide array of Mexican folk dances from various states of our Republic. All accompanied by a delicious Mexican buffet dinner and open domestic bar.
Go on an Adventure Tour That Includes a Petting Zoo, Ruins, Swimming, and a Mayan Village
During your Cancun Jeep Adventure you will get to visit some of the most beautiful parts of the Caribbean which are rarely visited by tourists. Joe’s tour only concentrates on an action packed day full of scenic beauty and fun! Your professional adventure leader will guide you throughout the day to amazing places that even few locals get the chance to experience!
Aqua World has an Undersea Adventure That Your Entire Family Will Enjoy
Visit Aqua World and take the Paradise Subsee Explorer tour. You and your kids will this Mayan Reef Cancun Tour! A fast ride on one of their reef express shuttles will take you ever hour on the hour on a day of Caribbean fun. You’ll experience an exciting trip through the mangrove jungles of Cancun on your way to the Great Mayan Reef. Once there, you can snorkel or see the reef abourd one of their unique Subsee Explorers! It’s the ultimate under water adveture!
There are Even WaveRunners to Ride in Cancun
WaveRunners are hugely entertaining and just a blast to ride. If you have older kids who are able to hold onto an WaveRunner, then they will have so much fun riding it. On the AquaWorld site, it says that this is safe for all ages, but check it out yourself here - WaveRunners.
Enjoy an AquaWorld’s Cancun-Isla Mujeres Tour
Your kids will love this tour. Your Isla Mujeres adventure includes a continental breakfast, fast boatride, an optional Island Shopping adventure, unlimited beverages, a delicious buffet lunch, an exotic guided snorkeling adventure available with free snorkel(yours to keep), all snorkeling equipment including life vest, free enterntainment, natural Aquarium & swimming with “P E P E ” the friendly shark.
Your Kids Will Love This Snorkeling Park
Xel-Ha is nature as no one has ever felt it before, a place to share in celebrating the biological parade of the Riviera Maya. Xel-Ha is an open-sea aquarium offering a myriad of land and water activities, ecological attractions, world-class restaurants, and countless more unimaginable experiences. There are so many activities that I can’t list them all, but there is a great snorkeling park where kids can swim through the coral lagoon and see tropical fishes and turtles in a forest wonderland. It is astonishing to see how beautiful it is here.
Take Your Kids to See the Crocodiles, Monkeys, Parrots, and Other Small Critters in Cancun
Take your kids to Crococun Crocodile Park in Cancun. Crocodolies can be scary to kids (and even adults), but this mini-zoo for crocodiles is a great attraction for those who are willing to awaken their curiosity and feed baby crocodiles, snakes, monkeys, parrots, and other small critters. English- and Spanish-speaking guides are on-hand to provide informative and lively tours. It’s fun for the whole family! There are over 300 hundred crocodiles to see and the tours are very entertaining for kids. Your kids can even feed the baby croc’s, deer, monkeys, parrots, and other small animals. (Location is Hwy 307, Km 30 011-55-998-850-3719)
For Kids Who Love Reptiles, Take Them to See Iguanas at Ruins El Ray
El Ray is the perfect ruins to take small children to because there aren’t any large pyramids here, only small ruins. El Rey is an extremely small ruin hardly worth the visit for its archaeological value, except in the middle of the Cancun hotel zone, it is a nice remembrance of who originally occupied this land. The main reason to visit the ruin is for the hundreds of iguanas that flee the grand hotels and find refuge here in the quiet and little visited ruins. If you are interested in taking your kids to see larger ruins, then consider taking them on the Tour Of Chichén Itzá.
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