Bring the Kids: Family Vacation in Cancún
LT Globetrotter
Family Vacation in Cancun
It's the (other) most wonderful time of the year! With the holiday season well behind us—and spring and summer to look forward to—people everywhere are starting to plan family vacations.
There are plenty of popular destinations to choose from, but a family vacation in Cancún is often at the top of travelers' lists. It not only offers sunny weather, but is also easy to get to from US airports like LAX, EWR, and PHL. Plus, it's just a stone's throw away from some pretty incredible beaches, historical sites, and tourist attractions.
To help you pick from the several hotels in the area, we've rounded up the best kid-friendly all-inclusive resort in Cancún for families. Every single property on this list has an incredible array of programs, outdoor activities, and nightly shows that will entertain even the fussiest toddlers and most brooding teens. Which one will set the scene for your family's spring getaway, summer trip, or winter escape this year?
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Dreams® Sands Cancun Resort & Spa
Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun
Cancun All-Inclusive Resorts
Dreams® Sands Cancun Resort & Spa
Located in the heart of Cancún's Hotel Zone, Dreams® Sands Cancun Resort & Spa is surrounded by sandy beaches, amazing restaurants, and countless attractions. To help families discover the region, the hotel offers a wide range of half- and full-day excursions, including:
- Tours of ancient Mayan ruins
- Luxury sailing trips to Isla Mujeres
- ATV, snorkeling, and zipline adventures
- Visits to Grupo Xcaret eco-parks
If you'd rather stay at the property, there are daytime and evening activities to partake in—kids and adults can go for a bounce on an ocean trampoline, play a game of volleyball, kayak along a 650-foot stretch of white sand, learn to speak Spanish, and watch a movie on the beach.
The resort also hosts an Explorer's Club where kids between the ages of three and 12 can enjoy video games, arts and crafts, and treasure hunts. Parents who would like an entire night to themselves even have the option of signing their children up for a supervised overnight camping adventure. What kid wouldn't want to make s'mores and sleep on the beach?
Hard Rock Hotel Cancun
If you're raising wannabe rockstars, look no further than Hard Rock Hotel Cancun. Even though the property boasts deluxe suites, shimmering pools, and specialty restaurants, parents will have a hard time getting their children to leave the dedicated kid and teen zones, which have been designed to help unleash guests' talent.
The Hard Rock Roxity Kids ClubTM, open daily from 9am to 5pm, features themed activities and events for children aged four to 12. From playing video games and watching movies to forming their very own bands, there's no shortage of ways to have fun. Kids can also meet the colorful members of the hotel's Roxtars band: Skiddley, Styler, Sir Kingston, Buddy Jr., and Razzi.
Meanwhile, older kids can head to the Music Lab to live out their rock-and-roll fantasies. There are four musical experiences—Jam Band, Mix®, Rocktube, and Studio Time—to choose from. Depending on which one your teen decides to participate in, they'll walk away with an original music video, MP3 recording, or the thrill of performing on stage in front of a live audience.
Hilton Cancun
When it comes to family fun, Hilton Cancun has thought of everything. This all-inclusive resort, nestled behind a mangrove preserve just 30 minutes from Cancún International Airport, has two infinity pools, a swim-up bar, 12 unique restaurants, and comfortable rooms. There are even two-bedroom family suites available—complete with two bathrooms, a living area, and a dining area—so that everyone gets the space they need.
And the on-site activities are seemingly endless. Sports lovers can kick a soccer ball on the beach, cycle around the property, or make use of the many pool toys provided by the resort, while artsy kids and teens can make Mayan jewelry, paint ceramics, and try their hand at other traditional crafts.
Hilton Cancun also hosts a Kids Club and Teen Zone, where your children can have fun from morning to night.
Example Kids Club Activities
- Arts and crafts
- Scavenger hunts
- Glow-in-the-dark games
- Themed parties
- Movie nights
Example Teen Zone Activities
- Sports tournaments
- Quizzes
- Pool and beach games
- Dance classes
- Talent contests
Hyatt Ziva Cancun
With direct access to the beach, families that stay at Hyatt Ziva Cancun can easily fill their days with fun in the sun—daytime activities range from water polo and paddle boarding to virtual golf experiences. But it's the nightly entertainment that sets it apart from other all-inclusive resorts in Cancún.
From professional music and dance performances to stunning acrobatic displays, every night at the hotel's al fresco amphitheater brings something different. And just like they would get snacks at the cinema, your kids can indulge on freshly made churros and hot chocolate during each show.
As if that's not enough to satisfy your kid's sweet tooth, there's also an on-site dessert parlor called Pasteles. With ice cream, chocolate-covered marshmallows, cookies, and candy on offer throughout the day, families can eat their hearts out. However, if you need a little more sustenance, there's Chevy's—a casual eatery with sandwiches, burgers, chicken tenders, corn dogs, and other kid-friendly favorites on the menu.
Iberostar Selection Cancún
While every resort on this list has a kids club, Iberostar Selection Cancún distinguishes itself from the rest with its educational Star Camp program. Each of its 140+ activities have been based on the theory of multiple intelligences,* allowing kids to learn important lessons and skills—such as protecting the environment and developing technological awareness. Plus, the program has been divided into three distinct age groups, ensuring activities are suitable for every child's needs and abilities:
- Monkey Star Camp: 4–7 years
- Dolphin Star Camp: 8–12 years
- Eagle Star Camp: 13–17 years
Of course, the educational aspect doesn't mean there isn't plenty of fun to be had. From cooking classes and water sports to dance rehearsals and film making lessons, the Star Camp opens up a world of entertainment. There are also various playgrounds and swimming areas on the property, including an Aqua Fun water park, where young kids can slide from a pirate ship and splash around a giant shark.
Additionally, parents have the option of paying for babysitting services throughout their stay. In other words, you can enjoy an evening performance or indulge at one of the six on-site restaurants knowing that your kids are being well taken care of.
Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun
Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun, part of the Autograph Collection® of all-inclusive resorts, invites families to “Splash into Fun”—literally. It's home to one of the largest on-site water parks in the Caribbean. Kids can float on two lazy rivers, fly down 14 waterslides, and frolic among the spray grounds and splash pads. It's the ultimate way to keep cool under the hot sun. Just keep in mind that your children need to be at least 3.5 feet tall in order to go on the more exhilarating attractions.
When the kids are officially waterlogged, your whole family can head into the resort to refuel. There are a couple restaurants that kids (and kids at heart) will want to keep going back to. Grazie-to-Go is a casual spot for pizza and snacks, while Scoops Gelato is a vintage-inspired ice cream shop that also serves crepes and coffee—to help adults keep up with the little ones.
For an extra charge, you can keep the fun going well into the evening at the Game Up activity hub. It's got an indoor trampoline park, laser tag area, and bowling alley to inspire some friendly sibling rivalry.
Wyndham Alltra Cancun
Wyndham Alltra Cancun, a sprawling beachfront resort, is also situated in the coveted Hotel Zone. This means many of the Yucatán Peninsula's most popular attractions—including the Chichén Itzá and Coba ruins—are easy to get to. Take your family on a day trip to marvel at the El Castillo and Ixmoja pyramids, and to learn about the Mayan civilization.
If your kids don't yet appreciate ancient architecture, there are other outdoor adventures to choose from. For instance, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (one of the largest in the world) stretches from Cancún through the Riviera Maya and beyond, providing plenty of nearby areas to spot coral, fish, turtle, and other sea species. Or you can make your way to Garrafon Park for snorkeling, kayaking, ziplining, and more.
Back at the hotel, families can relax by the pool or rent a private cabana on the white-sand beach. It really is the perfect place to spend some quality time with each other. Children that need a bit more stimulation can head over to the Kids' Club or #Hashtag hangout room to play minigolf and air hockey, race down waterslides, and make waves in a pirate-themed splash park.
Whether you're interested in planning a spring break trip or epic summer vacation, Mexico is an ideal location—especially since some of the world's best all-inclusive resorts for families are in Cancún. If you're ready to create lasting memories with your kids, get in touch with Liberty Travel's expert consultants to start planning.
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*Kendra Cherry, ‘Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences,’ Verywell Mind, 2022.
