Mexico with kids: family fun Huatulco style

Guest post written by Travel with Kids

Mexico’s Pacific Riviera has been on the tourist track for decades with popular cities like Acapulco, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. But head a bit south in Mexico with kids, and you will find the nine beautiful bays of lesser known Huatulco. The town itself blends old Mexico style, with a huge Spanish colonial church and town square, with laid-back beach style. Outside of town, there are adventure activities to suit any traveler’s style from adrenaline junkie to kick back beach bum. We set out to capture this uniquely styled resort town in an episode of Travel With Kids before it turns into the big city style akin to some of its more popular cousins.

dreams resort mexico

Where to stay in Huatulco:

There are a variety of budget and midrange hotels in town, but town is a five minute drive from good beaches. Lining the bays south of town are upscale, all inclusive hotels. We stayed at Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa. The four pools, including family pools, and beach front cabanas fit our kids’ style nicely. And the complimentary water trampoline, kayaks, Eurobungee, Kids’ Explorer Club and archery didn’t hit our pocket book, which fit right into our budget.

Beach in Mexico

What to do with kids in Huatulco:

Town was just a short, cheap taxi ride away (less then $3). Here’s what we did:

Scuba Diving: We took the kids on a discover scuba dive with Hurricane Divers. On the way to our dive spot we spotted whales and saved a sea turtle. After prying barnacles from his nose, which impeded his breathing, the turtle dove down from the surface looking happy and healthy again.

Rafting/Tubing: The Copalita River offers Class III–IV rapids in the highlands, but our kids are younger, so, we opted for tubing Class I and II rapids on the lower river. The kids has fun “steering” through “rapids” and playing on the vast empty beach at the end of the trip.

kayaking in mexico

Coffee plantation and waterfall: Although this is a full day trip, it offers a wonderful immersion experience. After driving through small villages on dirt roads, we arrived at a coffee plantation where we dug into an authentic lunch prepared by locals. After a tour of the plantation, we hiked to waterfalls where the kids swung on ropes like Tarzan and caught tadpoles and we all got mud mask facials.

Town: Even if you are staying at an all-inclusive hotel, take time to visit town for a meal, shopping and the family-friendly atmosphere of the town square where families stroll and vendors sell all sorts of kids’ toys. The whole family enjoyed the locally recommended La Crema Pizza, with a hippy vibe and excellent thin crust pizza.

For more information on the trip we booked, visit Apple Vacations.

Travel With Kids is a family travel guide TV show airing on PBS and digital platforms such as iTunes and Hulu. Produced by a traveling family (Carrie and Jeremy and sons Nathan and Seamus), Travel With Kids explores top family destinations and off the tourist track locals in a fun educational presentation for all ages. Now in their 6th season of production, Travel With Kids has visited Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the USA. More information at http://www.travelwithkids.tv

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