Suggestions for tropical holiday with kids?

[MotherOfAllChristmases]

Looking at going on a special holiday with the kids this year as we have come into some money.
I'd like to go somewhere I've never been before that's easy to do with kids.
Thinking maybe the Caribbean. But how on earth do you pick an island? Any recommendations?

Oooh, I have the same dilemma so watching with interest .....

Caribbean coast of Mexico? There is lots to do. Food is amazing.

Costa Rica?

Look for resorts with kids clubs and lots of activities and tours.
The Caribbean is a great choice. So would the Bahamas, or British Virgin Islands.
I tend to pick specific destinations by seeing where my local/favourite airport flies direct to and then going through those destinations to see what is on offer. I hate doing connecting flights or 3hr airport drives with kids.

Just spent two weeks in Kenya with my DCs and their cousins - a week on the Indian Ocean in a villa, and the rest of the time on safari. Kids are 8, 8, 6 and 16 months. Absolutely brilliant time

@ghislaine have you been to costa rica?

@MrsPatrickDempsey i've been to Mexico. Its amazing. But I'd like to go somewhere new.

@Xiaoxiong wow! Where did you go on the indian ocean?

I've been to Costa Rica and would recommend it. How old are the children? It's better for older children so can do all the activities like ziplining through jungle etc. In our area that was from 8 years old as ziplines were high. You can get it a bit younger in other areas maybe 6 but if you've got some under 5s they wouldn't be able to do all activities so better to wait. Mine were 10 and 11 and loved it, did rainforest, lots of wildlife sightings, ziplining, kayaking, horseriding, hot springs etc, there were active volcanoes could see. Caribbean has been much less active holiday when we've been but both times were pre kids.

South Pacific - Fiji and Cook Islands

Or Hawaiian islands

They are all amazing we went to visit them several times with DDs and they had a great time

Closer to home the Maldives

Especially if your DC can snorkel or even learn once they are there

DD1 got PADI qualified at home before our last visit to Maldives so could dive

Malaysia! Tropical climate with lots to do and super child friendly

That's good Happy We are doing Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo this summer. If they like wildlife there's a lot in Borneo and we are also doing scuba / snorkelling in Perhentian Islands there - lots of turtles and baby sharks. Can do scuba courses etc. Will be hot there.

I think the ages affect where I would recommend.

They are 8 and 10.

Haven't been to Costa Rica with kids but went before kids and it's my first plan when mine are big enough. Rainforest, cloud forest, zip wires, white water rafting, volcano, monkeys on beaches, amazing tropical beaches, snorkelling or scuba. It's awesome.

When ours were that age we Chartered a crewed boat out of Tortola in the BVIs. This really is a memorable holiday. You can add a beach holiday for a few days afterwards. You normally fly to Antigua and then fly on to Tortola but it’s worth it. The sailing times are never more than 2 hours and it’s a wonderful experience.

I would also suggest Kenya and Tanzania. DC loved safari holidays. There are camps that specialise in younger guests. Look at Abercrombie and Kent for ideas. Then follow up with a beach.

We also went to Peru and did the rainforest extension. Also the Galápagos Islands might appeal with the rainforest in Ecuador. We did both of these holidays and DC got a lot out of them.

Sorry @MotherOfAllChristmases just saw your question - we were in Kilifi, a quick cab ride up from Mombasa airport. Can't recommend it enough, wonderful place - but all up and down the coast is great, Watamu, Diani, Malindi, Lamu (a world heritage site as well). Another consideration for us was emergency health care if we needed it for the kids especially, and Kenya is excellent, easily accessible and very cheap.

We’ve done Sri Lanka and Costa Rica in the last few years. Youngest DD was 6 when we went to CR - there was one or two things we couldn’t do but overall her age didn’t limit us really. Some of the waves down in Manuel Antonio were powerful but we’re not sea swimmers anyway but did take kayaks out. She loved the wildlife (if not the bugs!) and we had a great holiday. The only pain really was keeping on top of the deet applications (CR has outbreaks of zika and dengue).

Sri Lanka this year was great and we hired a driver and travelled around. I appreciate this years attack might be off putting (although security appears to have been significantly tightened) but it was absolutely great - wonderful countryside, temples, wild elephants, virtually deserted fabulous beaches etc. The food was good too!

Just back from Costa Rica. Would highly recommend! What time of your are you thinking?