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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Caribbean or Mexico recommendations?

6 replies

PowerthruIT · 19/01/2025 08:29

Happy Sunday all,

Looking for some recommendations on best child-friendly places to holiday in around the Caribbean or Mexico? We are looking late March/early April. We have one child 4 years old.

Looking at all-inclusive but also somewhere that you are not completely tied to the hotel so you can go out for a bit of local exploration safely. We are liking the look of Antigue or Barbados but happy to consider elsewhere so any recommendations/advice welcome!

Much appreciated in advance!

OP posts:
Funderthighs · 19/01/2025 08:44

I’ve been to Antigua but only to an Adults Only hotel so can’t help much there but I can’t recommend the Trip Afvisor Travel Forum posts enough. They’re a mine of information and if you scroll through the posts you’re bound to find the information you need. You can always post there yourself. Have a look at the Caribbean & Mexico formums to compare.
i loved Antigua as the people were friendly, the vibe was relaxed, the beaches were so beautiful and it was very safe.

SnarkSideOfLife · 19/01/2025 09:05

I stayed at Xcaret Occidental in Mexico and loved the hotel. We stayed in a high up room facing the jungle and had monkeys on the balcony every day. The grounds were amazing with quite a bit of wild life. Private beach, several pools. Food was nice. You can walk to xcaret next door. We hired a car for trips further afield as excursions were expensive.

loveawineloveacrisp · 19/01/2025 09:08

Sugar Bay in Barbados. Close to Bridgetown and very easy (and safe) to get around the island on local transport which is cheap.

LadyKenya · 19/01/2025 09:33

St Lucia, a beautiful Island. The resort I stayed in had fantastic food, and engaged staff. I went again years later, and it was not as good a stay, thanks mainly to the behaviour of a lot of Brits. Antigua is another Country I would not hesitate to visit again. Stunning.

TurtleNest · 19/01/2025 10:10

Take a look at St James Club, Antigua. Family friendly, especially if you go for one of their villas as you get a separate bedroom and living area with a small kitchenette.

It has kids clubs and entertainment, which are very good when they run - but do operate on Caribbean time. (I.e. not necessarily at the time advertised, just whenever they get round to it.) All part of the more relaxed atmosphere! However it's not got much nightlife, which might be either a pro or a con.

There is a seasonal (March - October, IIRC) seaweed issue across Atlantic facing resorts in the Caribbean. Last time I checked, the family resorts were on that side of Antigua. However, St James' has a second beach onto a bay, which is sheltered and is good for small children because it's shallow and the water is calm.

Antigua is lovely. I've been there a few times and always felt safe. The people are very friendly, and there are a variety of excursions you can do round the island, from ziplining, to the historic harbour, to luxury yachts, to museums, to shopping, to parties, to cooking, to nature reserves, to conservation efforts, etc.

SnuffleTruffleHound · 19/01/2025 10:14

Have a look at Peurto Aventuras in Mexico, it’s a large gated village with shops etc so very safe and you can wander around without worry.
we stayed at Catalonia riviera maya, fab AI, lots of wildlife around the grounds which a 4yr old would love and good beaches.

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