Here are just a few ideas for family fun in some of our favorite Mexican seaside resort towns.
Puerto Vallarta
- Visit Yelapa Island for the day to hike, horseback ride, or play on the beach
- Kids will enjoy the mountain retreats of El Eden or Chico’s Paradise
- Visit the movie set where Arnold Schwarzenegger filmed “The Predator”
- Swim the day away at Splash Water Park in the Nuevo Vallarta area. The park features 12 large slides, 6 pools and you can even swim with the dolphins!
- Get behind the wheel at Super Kart, the fastest go-cart track in all of Mexico, located in Nuevo Vallarta, just north of the airport
Mazatlan
- Mazatlan’s beaches are all swimmer-friendly
- The Mazatlan Aquarium is always fun, with its trained sea lion, exotic bird shows, and more than 300 species of marine life
- On a hot day, cool off at Mazagua Water Park
Cabo San Lucas
- Beautiful Los Cabos is known for golf, sport fishing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and sailing
- Playa Chileno is ideal for diving, while the area between Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo is perfect for surfing
- See nature’s wonderful underwater world on a glass bottom boat tour. The boats can be caught on Medano Beach or at the marina
Cancun/Riviera Maya
- Xcaret is a nature park with archeological sites, museums, beaches, underground rivers, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, scuba diving and horseback riding
- Take a day trip to Isla Mujeres or to see ancient Mayan ruins
- Take some pictures at Mexico’s third largest biosphere reserve
- At Interactive Aquarium, ride on a pair of beautiful dolphins and play in their world
- Explore rivers, jungle, estuary, and beaches at Tres Rios, a fantastic tropical reserve just 25 miles from Cancun
Ixtapa
- The fishing, diving and ocean swimming are outstanding
- Zihuatanejo’s Playa La Ropa may be the prettiest of Mexico’s beaches, with gentle surf that’s perfect for wading and swimming
- In Ixtapa, Playa Las Cuatas is best for surfing and body surfing
- Two 18-hole golf courses including the Palma Real Golf Club, one of Mexico’s best
Tulum
- Just south of Playa del Carmen are the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum. Built circa 1200 AD, Tulum was once a major seaport for Mayan traders and today is the most visited archeological site in Mexico. In Maya, Tulum means “wall,” which refers to the thick wall that surrounds the ancient city. The massive barrier averages 18 feet thick and is between 9 and 15 feet high. The most famous structure of Tulum is El Castillo, the much-photographed watchtower that looks out over the turquoise Caribbean. As recent as the 1960s, the ruins of Tulum were only accessible by boat, but can now be reached by personal car or bus. The ruins are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a small fee. Arrive early to avoid the crowds or visit at the end of the day. Sundays are free!
