'Final fling' with teens, July 2025, Mexico maybe?

[maudmadrigal]

We are planning a big holiday next July when our teenagers finish GCSEs/A Levels. We were originally planning to visit friends in Australia for a month, but that has fallen through for various reasons, so we are back to the drawing board.
Now thinking of 2-3 weeks max somewhere - possibly Mexico (Yucatan?). Any advice/tips on how to plan it, how travelling around there is etc.
As a family, we're quite a disparate group - everyone likes wildlife and eating; most of us like swimming/snorkelling; a couple are very into ancient history.
Open to other ideas of where would be good in July too. My other ideas are a safari, Canada (broadly west of-) or Sri Lanka. Costa Rica also a possibility, but DH and I have already been there and we'd like to go somewhere no one has been before ideally.

Not been with my kids but have travelled extensively in Mexico and would say DO IT. It basically hits all the points you've raised. I always start with the most up to date lonely planet and take it from there.

No advice about Mexico sadly, but this reminded me of the post by the woman who wanted to have a 'trip of a lifetime' holiday this Christmas in Mexico, and got loads of replies saying 'Mexico is hardly the trip of a lifetime' 😆.

Mexico sounds completely fabulous and whatever you end up doing I hope you all have a great time.

We took our DSs to Borneo and Singapore at a similar age. 2.5 weeks touring around Borneo then a few nights in Singapore at the end. It was brilliant but expensive. It meets the snorkelling and wildlife aspects, seeing orangutans in the wild was amazing.

Sounds fab.

If you're into wildlife, swimming and snorkeling I would check out the xcaret hotel on the yucatan. There is plenty of mayan history within travelling distance of there too at Tulum and Chitchen Itza.

We did Costa Rica last year and our shortlist for next summer comprised Namibia, Borneo, Canadian Rockies, Northern Australia (we've done most of the rest). One of the students is taking too long committing so I think it's too late for Namibia. DH and I love history but the kids don't. It will be Sicily if we don't get something sorted soon.

We are doing Kuala lumpur / Borneo & Singapore next summer. City, wildlife & beach.

Thank you all. Lots of great suggestions/things to think about. Love hearing other people's plans and ideas too (@angelcake20, I love your shortlist!!). Sounds like Mexico could tick quite a few of our boxes and I think 2 1/2 weeks should give us time for a bit of exploring.

We had a brilliant stopover five days in Singapore a couple of years ago - very envious of those of you who have plans in SE Asia next summer; it's definitely my happy place.

History-loving kid is coming slightly under suffrance, so would be really nice to include some of that. (The others are definitely the types who will holiday with us for as long as we are paying!)

I really think Mexico would fit the bill, all the Mayan history stuff is really interesting, like another poster said the X parks are fab for nature lovers and swimmers. The parks are quite expensive but you can easily spend all day and evening at one.
I recommend a guide for Chitchen Itza, you’ll get a lot more out of it. The drive is quite long from the resorts and it can be combined with swimming in a Cenote.
Do your research on best beaches to avoid the seaweed as it’s not like a bit of seaside, there’s masses of it and it smells.
I also like the Pacific side of Mexico.

We did Mexico a couple of summers ago (well, not all of it - but most of the safe bits!). Started in Mexico City and travelled across to the Merida and then over to the 'touristy' bit for 10 days on the beach. DH and I had been about 20 years ago and went to lots of other places but sadly they're not considered safe any more. Fantastic country, I'd highly recommend it.

This.
The beaches/sea are full of seaweed, have been for a few years but the trips are the best.
We have stayed at Planet Hollywood a few times with our other children (over 18) and they love it.
If you go check out https://www.facebook.com/MexicoGowithJerry, he isn't cheap but he is the best guide.
Check travel advise on areas as there have been a few problems.
I love the Pacific coast and for us as a couple it's amazing but for younger people Riviera Maya is the best.

I’d add Peru to the list. Smashes the history, active, wildlife, great time to go, out of the park.

Mexico is also fantastic and adds a bit more RnR element if wanted. I think Summer will be VERY hot though.

I have been to your other options too but at different times of year. I’d still favour Peru!

To avoid the sargassum go to Holbox, it's stunning and doesn't suffer in the same way. The buses are fantastic and make it very easy to get around. Oh and if you're there at the right time you can swim with Whale sharks and see bioluminescence (Holbox) pretty sure July is good for whale sharks. I also recommend Xcaret and Xel ha.

Visiting a ceynote or two is also unmissable. Chichen Itza, Coba, Tulum ruins - so much history around! We also visited a forest near Coba where the locals will take you to see monkeys, it was fantastic. Valladolid is a really nice more inland town and taxis are easy as prices are fixed.

Mexico is one of our favourite countries. The people who don't think it's an amazing place probably spent their holiday at Cancun/PDC.

We've done Mexico with our boys but found it unbearably hot and humid in July. This year, we had boys the same age as yours and did a family safari to South Africa/Eswatini through Explore. It was really amazing! We were with 3 other families with teenagers and had the most fun time. I would highly recommend.

Thank you. Lots of recommendations which is great. Lots to think about.

@clarrylove Against the odds, Eswatini is off the list because my daughter went on a college trip there this year so it doesn't meet the 'somewhere new for everyone' criteria. DD had an incredible time there; I'd love to go one day.

Maybe have a look at the other trips they do then? So much choice. We are thinking maybe Vietnam/Cambodia for next year.

I'll check them out. I love holiday planning! Vietnam/Cambodia sounds great. Had a very happy couple of weeks in Laos and Vietnam 25 years ago - I'd love to go again one day.

Maybe something like South Africa and Victoria falls. Or Sri Lanka would be good

Have you watched Race across the World ? The 2024 series was in Asia and the Celebrity one was in South America. There are some stunning locations in both that might give you some ideas. We went to Canada BC a couple of years ago when my kids were the same age and had a fantastic time. If we did long haul again we would definitely do Japan