8 amazing all-inclusive resorts for families in Mexico and the Caribbean

An all-inclusive resort can be one of the best values for families seeking a tropical getaway in Mexico or the Caribbean. With so much included—food, entertainment and activities—and little to no budgeting required once you book your stay, they’ve become a popular and hassle-free way to vacation. Yet with so many choices, finding the resort that fits your family’s needs and expectations can be daunting. Stress not! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in these playful paradises.

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Finest Playa Mujeres by Excellence Group: Cancun, Mexico

Finest Playa Mujeres

Families looking for a little luxury mixed with their favorite family-friendly activities will find plenty to indulge in at this beautiful all-inclusive Cancun resort. Set on a stunning beachfront property, you’ll have plenty of room to spread out in its family suites, find engaging play features and slides for kids at the pool, and enjoy family-friendly spa treatments and special mini-spa services for kids like “Mommy & Me Time” and the “I Love Fruits Pedicure.” Great toddler and infant amenities—including baby monitors, baby bathtubs, bottle warmers and naturally homemade purees—means packing fewer essentials for the littlest family members. And activities for all ages ensures everyone will have a great time, from live entertainment, group classes, a mini theater, kids zip line, climbing wall, water sports, bicycles, basketball and even a library.

Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa: Tulum, Mexico

Dreams Tulum

If you’re looking to enrich your family vacation with some of Mexico’s history and traditions, staying in the heart of Tulum is a must. Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is just ten minutes from downtown Tulum and the Tulum Ruins, and offers a variety of kid-friendly excursions to local ancient sites, as well as top eco-adventure destinations like the Xcaret Park. The resort even brings the spirit of its local culture on property with offerings like its “Spa Pantry” where guests can make their own spa products using local flora, and its weekly “Street Food Festival” featuring local culinary vendors. Its Mayan-themed “Explorer’s Club” for kids (ages 3–12) offers activities based around nature, science and exploration, highlighted with a weekly camping adventure on the beach. Teens won’t be bored with access to the Core-Zone Teen Club (ages 13–17), boasting sports, games, Xbox One and PlayStation 3, foosball, table games and a snack bar. With three pools geared for different experiences, including playground for kids with six slides, every family member can find their perfect spot. And big screen movies on the beach, beach Olympics, cooking, dance and Spanish lessons offer ample opportunity for families to relax and play together.

Fairmont Mayakoba: Riviera Maya, Mexico

Fairmont Mayakoba

Families visiting this stunning and secluded resort will feel like they’re staying in a tropical paradise all their own. Opened in 2006, the Fairmont Mayakoba is located in a private gated community with 240 acres of tropical forest and a pristine, secluded beach alongside one of the world’s largest reefs. With options for connecting rooms and complimentary kids amenities (no-tear shampoo, stuffed animal, bubble bath), the basics are made easy, and extensive, healthy kids menus and “kids only” sections in restaurants makes dining out a breeze. The natural beauty of the resort is one of its unique features with ample options for exploring its trails via foot or bike and scenic boat tours throughout its ribbon on crystal waterways. Kids and adults alike will marvel at the many birds and animals that make this resort their home. Parents should be sure to make time to visit the Willow Stream Spa and one of its treetop treatment areas while the kids (ages 5–11) head out on adventures in the Mayan “jungle,” create local handcrafts and participate in other cultural and educational activities at the on-site Discovery Club & Adventure Camp. And whether at the pool or on the beach, it’s all about service here, where staff are making sure families are equipped with the essentials from pool games to a bucket full of sand toys at the beach.

Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort: Curacao

Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort

This family-friendly Caribbean resort is set on a stunning stretch of private beach with a barrier wall making the calm turquoise waters perfect for relaxed family water play. And with over 2,000 acres, outdoor activities are at the heart of this resort destination, with on-site Stand Up Paddle, sea kayaks, jet skis tours, off-road buggy adventures, hiking, biking, golf, tennis and more. The kids club, Camp Arawak (ages 3–12), offers plenty of opportunity to explore too, with nature hikes, archeological projects, cave and plant exploring, beach art, and snorkeling among its activities. Multiple resort pools and dining options add plenty of variety for a family stay and whether you’re looking to revive your senses at the spa or explore the island, families will appreciate the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere here combined with the ability to do so much right on the expansive resort property.

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Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts: Punta Cana, Dominica Republic

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts

There’s no denying this resort is family friendly, so if you want to go “all-in” with the kids, this one’s for you. Upon arrival, children get a slime smoothie (adults get a slime beverage of their own), and accommodations fit all sizes of families with features like swim-up suites and “Gotcha Covered” amenities like baby food, strollers, kids’ spa robes and bottle warmers. The resort goes beyond the typical buffet-style dining service with what they call “Gourmet Inclusive,” featuring chef-prepared meals at a la-carte restaurants, 24/7 room service and premium adult drinks. Character breakfasts give kids permission to party in their PJs with the likes of SpongeBob, Dora and those famous pizza-loving turtles. The water park hosts games inspired by Nickelodeon’s iconic game shows (including a daily mass sliming event) and the resort’s play hub is complete with a ball pit, two-story slide, slime-making classes and daily supervised activities for kids ages 4–12. Yet, the Nickelodeon Resort is not just for the kids; its 14,000 square-foot Vassa Spa, for example, is the perfect escape with an herbal steam room, chromo therapy showers, bubble beds, serene al fresco treatment areas and couple’s services like the Moonlight Romantic Massage.

Franklyn D. Resort & Spa: Jamaica

Franklyn D. Resort & Spa

This charming Jamaican resort is located on Runaway Bay, and it stands out as a great option for families looking for a more intimate resort experience with its very personalized service. Standard rooms sleep up to five guests, with multiple suite options perfect for families of all sizes, but what the resort is really known for is its signature “Vacation Nanny” service, included in your stay. The resort personally assigns a nanny to each family to assist with family needs throughout their stay, from tidying their suite to helping keep an eye on young ones at pool and playground. Kids will love the separate slide pool featuring a 100-foot water slide and the Yellow Bird kids club with activities including beach picnics, cooking classes, fishing, shell collecting, snorkeling lessons and a video game room. Teens can take part in the Teen Scuba Diving Adventure offered on property by S.C.U.B.A. Jamaica, join supervised bike tours, kayak races, reggae dance classes and pool Olympics. Parents can enjoy the adults-only a la carte restaurant for dinner, among other restaurant offerings including beachfront dining, while kids will enjoy the Kidz Buffet, with plenty of nutritious options just for their taste buds.

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa: St. Lucia

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa

Set on 85 acres, only 5 minutes from the airport, this resort is both convenient and expansive, boasting 9 restaurants, 7 bars, 5 pools and an oceanfront spa. Its dedicated family wing, called Splash, is decked out with colorful rooms and whimsical “CocoLand” play areas including St. Lucia’s largest waterpark and a 50,000 square-foot, fully-supervised Kidz Club featuring a mini zip line, rock climbing wall and petting zoo. All-inclusive family activities roll into the evening with camp outs under the stars, a Caribbean Carnival, nighttime hayrides, bonfires and live music. Outdoor activities range from beach volleyball, cricket, reggae dancing, kite surfing lessons, and its newly opened adventure called “The Zone” which is the first paintball facility of its kind on the island. Entertainment doesn’t stop with the kids, adults will enjoy plenty of nighttime performances from local musicians, the resort’s popular country western night, and twice-weekly (family-friendly and adults-only) karaoke parties.

Small Hope Bay Lodge: Bahamas

Small Hope Bay Lodge

If you’re looking for a more intimate, cottage-style all-inclusive experience, where your family can spend quality time together in a serene, remote setting, this cabin-style lodge is the perfect place to relax and reconnect. Located on Andros Island, Small Hope Bay Lodge offers all beachfront cabins nestled on the edge of the world’s third largest barrier reef. Outside, relax in a hammock under the palms, explore the pine grove, and enjoy beachfront water activities such as snorkeling and diving. Kids will love the diverse topography to explore at this resort, from shallow bays, tidal pools, and a gentle lagoon dotted with patch reefs. The island of Andros is a beautiful tropical wilderness, ripe for family exploration with nature trails, birding paths and bike routes easily done independently on your own time. Small Hope Bay’s culinary staff prepares fresh, homemade dishes with locally sourced ingredients and being a smaller resort allows for traditions like a children-only seating in the Game Room for dinner, allowing parents to enjoy the evening social hour and dine later in the evening, while kids enjoy supervised post-dinner activities.

Tagged: Cancun, Caribbean, Jamaica, Mexico, Punta Cana