The holiday travel season is upon us, so we've gathered some of our favorite family travel tips to take a little of the stress out of planning. Bon voyage!
What to pack—and what to leave out.
Gone are the days of packing everything but the crib. Resorts like Azul Beach have toy libraries, bottle warmers, and baby food at the buffet. No more struggling to find room on the plane to stash a stroller.The fun starts at take-off.
The resort may have everything you need to keep the kids entertained, but you still have to get them there. There’s no reason the fun can’t start on the plane. Check out our video for how to pack the perfect kids’ carry-on.
Vacation time sans the kiddos.
Spending a few minutes researching the kids’ club at the resorts you’re considering will be well worth it. Are they only open a few hours a day, or can you leave the kids there while you have a romantic evening alone? Is it just a room with some toys, or are there trained staff with planned activities? Resorts like Moon Palace have thought of it all, so you’ll not only have peace of mind leaving the kids there, the kids may not want to leave!The little ones are taken care of, but don’t forget the teens. Moon Palace has them covered with the Wired Teen Lounge, FlowRider and more, while Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya has two unique offerings—Music Lab and Camp Woodward (coming in 2016).
Family-friendly, not just kid-friendly.
It’s not just about keeping the kids happy with cartoon characters and grilled-cheese sandwiches. Resorts like The Beloved Hotel know how to balance family activities and grown-up luxuries in equal measure. The spa at the Beloved is considered one of the best in Cancun, and it offers everything from couples massages to little princess manicures.If you’re a foodie family, Generations Riviera Maya is the spot to be. Five Gourmet Inclusive restaurants offer something for everyone. Every afternoon, the Little Eko Chefs offers kids hands-on activities like making tamales, visiting the resort’s greenhouse, and learning the history of chocolate, from bean to yummy bar.
If you’re looking for more family travel advice, check out our posts on traveling with babies in diapers, destination recommendations, and our series on how Beaches Resorts makes vacation easy for parents and fun for little ones. And if you’ve got any great tips, share them in the comments below.
