beach vacation - Pitstops for Kids

Five best things to do when you visit Miami

May 5, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

By far one of the most enticing things about visiting Miami, Florida is the fact that no matter when you go, you can almost always count on getting some sunshine. Yes, south Florida enjoys warm sunny weather all year round. Now couple that with the fact that it has some of the best beaches in America (starting, of course, with the iconic Miami Beach) and you have a beautiful destination worth visiting every single time.

During this time of uncertainty, outdoor activities offer the best ability to safely social distance. Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring Miami, so start here as you plan a safe and responsible vacation.

Of course, if you are going to visit an oceanside city there is simply no way that you can go the entire trip without sunbathing at one of the iconic beaches and getting a glorious tan while you are at it. However, once you are done with all that, or when you are taking a break from laying in the sun, you might want to enjoy these other wonderful attractions that can only be found in Miami, Florida. Here are 5 of the best things to do when you visit Miami.

Take a Ride on the Metromover

Miami has one of the most spectacular skylines in the country. One of the best ways to see it is to party at its iconic rooftop bars at night the other is to ride the metromover during the day. While the locals might think of the metromover as an overcrowded necessity, as a visitor it is by far one of the best ways to get a good look at the city from above. You can simply take a ride from Brickell all the to the Arsht Center and back. That should give you enough time to fully appreciated the alluring architecture that riddles this sunny city.

Go Shopping at the Bayside Marketplace

While Miami has an assortment of well-known chain stores, if you want to find some of the most unique items for sale then you should visit the Bayside Marketplace. Here you will find an array of boutiques in what is America’s most exciting outdoor style malls. The Bayside Marketplace is located right along Miami’s waterfront and it is the place to go if you want to do more than just shop. You can mingle with the locals who come out in droves to soak up the wonderfully lively atmosphere full of live music and all sorts of entertainment.

Rent a Boat and Sail Out into the Ocean

It is true that there is a lot of fun to be had at the beach. You can sunbathe, workout and deep your toes in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean. However, if you want to really get out there and have some serious unbridled fun then you should consider renting a boat and sail out into the ocean with a few of your friends. You can do some fishing, more sunbathing, swimming and take awesome selfies showing off your wonderful tan while sipping champagne on a boat in Miami. There are very few better ways to make your friends green with envy.

Where to stay: When visiting Miami, families will want to choose between a midtown or downtown Miami hotel or a South Beach hotel. Miami hotel options are abundant! Bear in mind that while South Beach hotels often have beach access, they also have livelier crowds. Opt for the best environment for your family.

Go Swimming in the Venetian Pool

Miami is one of those metropolitan cities that pays tribute a wide variety of cultures that make it such a warm and vibrant place to be. You can get a taste of Cuba in “Little Havana” or you could experience a little bit of Venice in the Venetian Pool. The Venetian Pool is a historic facility that attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. Built in 1923, the Venetian Pool can be found in Coral Gables and it was built out of a coral rock quarry. This gorgeous pool holds about 820,000 gallons of water at any given time and is fed by an underground spring water. When summer hits and the pool gets very busy, it gets emptied out and refilled every single day. They even stop selling tickets at some point so you have to book early.

Pay Crandon Park a Visit

If you travel a little south of Miami Beach, right across Rickenbacker Causeway you will come to Key Biscayne. This is one of the most beautiful locations in this part of the planet. As tiny as it is, Key Biscayne has some of the most stunning beaches and outstanding park areas in the region. Out of all these wonderful parks, Crandon Park is by far the most visited and most popular in the area. The reason for this is that the reef here makes swimming a joyous activity. The park also has a Nature and Amusement Center that offers extraordinarily entertaining wholesome family fun. So if you are traveling with the kids be sure to take them over to Crandon Park for an afternoon of fun lessons and reef swimming.

Of course, you could also do the usual things such as:

Go to a vivacious bar
Visit the Miami Children’s Museum
Cruise down Ocean Drive
Catch a live event

Finally, you simply must visit the Miami Sea Aquarium where you can see manatees, killer whales, dolphins and even sharks. The best way to enjoy Miami is to plan a few trips and create a Miami-focused bucket list. You simply cannot do it all in one visit.

We worked in conjunction with hotels.com to bring you the best of Miami. All opinions are our own.

Baja vacation: Cerritos Beach review

April 2, 2021 By Amy Hagstrom

During the current Covid environment, face masking and social distancing is necessary everywhere in the world. When traveling to Mexico in spring 2021, testing is required within 72 hours of returning to the U.S. Read on for testing options in Baja.

Located approximately one hour north of Cabo San Lucas on the Baja peninsula of Mexico, Cerritos Beach is a laidback surf town perfect for a relaxed, socially-distant Baja vacation. Our Cerritos Beach review includes where to stay, where to eat, and what to do.

Cerritos Beach review:

Cerritos Beach is right of Highway 19 north of busy Cabo, down a dirt road. Yep, you’ll go from the highway immediately to dirt. No worries…this is Baja. Within this small surf community, you’ll find amazing food, great bars with low prices, and plenty of vacation rentals, Airbnbs, and studio rooms to rent. The beach is casual and fun, with amenities such as surf lessons, surfboard and boogie board rentals, and beachfront food. While sitting at the beach, you can order guacamole made-to-order, fresh cerviche, cold beers, and even a massage…all for roughly half what you’d spend on a beach in the States.

Where to stay:

We found this ideal AirBnb at Puesta del Sol, in the Sunrise complex on Cerritos Beach. I highly recommend it; it was only a five-minute walk to the beach, came with two surfboards, three beach umbrellas, three beach chairs, several coolers, plenty of beach towels, and a wagon to pull them all in. Directly downstairs from our two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit with rooftop lounging space and BBQ was a pool and bar (with lunch and dinner), and within a two minute walk were two other restaurants. We had everything we needed (once we’d made a stop at a grocery store between the Cabo airport and Cerritos).

There are plenty of other vacation rentals in the immediate area. We also recommend Barefoot Luxury Seaside Cerritos and the smaller huts right on the beach (check Airbnb).

Where to eat:

Where NOT to eat?? You can’t go wrong, honestly. The number one recommendation that we wholeheartedly endorse: definitely try Barracuda’s, located right next door to Puesta del Sol, directly up the dirt road from the beach. They have the best $2 tacos ever, plus wonderful margaritas and ‘surfers burritos’ big enough for two meals. The ambiance is wonderful too: all open-air in a garden-like setting.

Freesouls Cerritos Beach is also within a two-minute walk, featuring pizzas with ocean views and a pool to dip into while waiting for your food. Ditto for Riptide Bar and Grill, up the hill by the historic Hacienda (which you can usually tour, but was closed to the public at the time of our visit). And directly below our rooms at Sunrise, the Casa Maya had the hands-down best sushi and sushimi we’ve had in a very long time.

Cerritos Beach review: where to eat in Cerritos Beach Mexico

You can get cold beer and fresh cocktails at all of these locations, plus virgin drinks for the kids, and ice cream on the beach.

What to do in Cerritos Beach:

You’ll probably want to simply chill by the beach, pool, or on your personal rooftop in a hammock, but when you’re ready, there’s plenty to do. Surf lessons are about $50 for 1.5 hours, or you can get a massage on the beach for $40/hour. You can swim, surf, or boogie board (but remember that this is a surf beach, so waves can be sizable at times).

The town of Todos Santos is about 15 minutes north, offering fun shopping and more dining, and you can take just about any public dirt road toward the coastline and find more pristine beaches. From December to March, turtles are released on the beach in Todos Santos nightly; after mid-March, the releases are only every few days.

While Covid testing is required to re-enter the United States, Mexico offeres several testing options. The most affordable we found was to drive the short distance to Todos Santos where we received rapid tests at St. Jude’s for $50 U.S. each.

Cerritos Beach review: What to do in Cerritos Beach Mexico

You can drive the hour across the peninsula to La Paz to see the other coastline, but we were content to stay in Cerritos and Todos Santos, enjoying the sun, surf, and sand.

Have you been to Cerritos Beach? What are your recommendations?

Where to eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama

September 25, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

A decade ago, families visiting Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama could expect baskets of shrimp and fries on the beach, bushwhackers in the bars, and not much else. Today, the culinary scene on the Gulf Coast of Alabama has changed significantly, with elevated dining in multiple venues. Here’s where to eat in Gulf Shores during your next beach vacation:

Awesome with kids:

The Hangout:

Right on the beach, The Hangout feels like a place you might have bumped into the Beach Boys in the 1960s. Famous for its three-day music festival held in May, the Hangout has a permanent stage outside in its large outdoor place, which also has a huge sand pile for kids to play on, plus oversized Connect Four and checkers, outdoors swings, and other entertainment for all. Even if you sit outside, be sure to peek inside to check out all the cool memorabilia on the walls, including a vintage lunchbox collection and toy collection.

GT’s:

Short for Good Times, GT’s in Orange Beach has a similar vibe to The Hangout, with a large outdoor space in addition to its indoor space. GT’s sits on the bay side, not the ocean side, and is a great place to come for lunch then paddle board with Gulf Coast Paddle Company (GT’s built a dock out back just for this service).

Note: While I didn’t experience it personally, I’m told Lulu’s is an other excellent option for families, with a large outdoor space to play in, and careful attention given to diners with any sort of dietary allergies. They take orders for patrons with allergies on a separate, red note pad, and orders go through a separate line in the kitchen.

The Yard Milkshake Bar:

My oh my. If you want to make your kids’ eyes pop out of their heads in delight, head to The Yard. The brainchild of a young local entrepreneur, this ice cream shop specializes in custom-made milkshakes. When you arrive, you can expect a line (even in the off-season), but that’s alright, because it will take you awhile to decide on your order anyway. Use the order forms available on clipboards to select your ice cream flavors, add-ins, and toppings. To give you an idea, you could top your milkshake with the likes of cupcakes, donuts, bananas, cotton candy, and cookie dough. These milkshakes are artistic masterpieces, and yes, you should definitely skip lunch to have room to eat these! Milkshakes start around $6, and go up from there depending on what you top it with, but each comes with a souvenir mason jar that you keep. The reason: this establishment is so popular and busy, the staff doesn’t have time to wash them!

Soul Bowlz:

Locally owned (like many Gulf Shores establishments) Soul Bowlz operated out of a surf shop until just recently, and now is expanding to several locations. You’ll find it tucked into a strip mall, but don’t let its lackluster location deter you…I’ve never had such a good Acai bowl! They also make smoothies kids will love, that are very healthy (no added sugar).

Beach-casual yet upscale:

Big Wave Dave’s:

Located near the ocean, Big Wave Dave’s has taken beach fare such as fried shrimp and poboys with fries to a new level, with lobster rolls inspired by their Fire Island, New York location (which is owned by the same family). Their catch of the day plate is to die for, and the portions are huge here.

Cosmo’s:

It won’t take you long at Cosmo’s to realize this restaurant is owned by a dog lover…and cat lover. Cosmo’s is named after the owner’s labrador retriever, and yes, dogs are welcome here for patio seating (the server will bring Fido a dish of water, too). Definitely peek into the adjacent gift shop, Maggie’s (named after another family dog), grab a pint at Luna’s (yes, named after another dog) and to BuzzCatz, the cat-themed coffee shop and bakery. We had the best lunch of our stay here (the ahi tuna Asian salad is fabulous). Cosmo’s speciality is their banana leaf-wrapped fish, which has won awards, but won its way into my heart when our server told us that after tasting it while dining here, he marched directly into the kitchen to ask for an application…he wanted to work for the chef that made that dish.

Big Beach Brewing Company:

Kid friendly and dog friendly, the indoor-outdoor Big Beach Brewing Company is new to the Gulf Coast scene. Started as a hobby, Big Beach quickly outgrew its small basement operation, and now has 12 taps featuring craft brews. When I visited, they had a honey ale on tap that was delicious. Get comfortable in the tree swings, hammocks and outdoor tables and listen to the live music on the weekends.

Bill’s by the Beach:

If you want to eat somewhere you can walk to from the beach, head either to The Hangout or Bill’s. There’s outdoor seating, and older kids can play ping-pong in the lower elevated space below the first floor. (Young kids welcome, but a busy street is located adjacent and they will need parental supervision.) Bill’s has great salads and appetizers, and a wide selection of cocktails, with mimosas and Bloody Marys available most of the day.

Coast at the Beach Club:

Located in The Beach Club out by Fort Morgan, Coast has a beautiful atmosphere, with soft pastel colors and coastal decor. There’s a large outdoor patio with ocean views, and a very ‘elegant Southern beach house’ feel indoors. The daily catch is always a sure bet, and there’s full sushi bar in the evenings by the bar (they can coordinate with the dining staff and kitchen to have sushi orders come out with the rest of the meal or separately). I recommend the Caesar salad, sushi, and scallops. If you want a more casual meal outdoors, the Beach Club features a food truck pod made of Airstreams out front…ideal for dining with kids.

Just for grown-ups:

Flora-Bama:

You have to see Flora-Bama to believe it. This bar on the Florida-Alabama state line is like nothing I’ve ever seen. The closest I can come to describing it: Disney’s Frontierland meets Wild West meets Vegas meets Hooters. While kids are welcome during the day, I’d reserve Flora-Bama for adults only: it’s raucous, crowded, and loud. During peak season, this huge complex of multiple rooms and stages boasts 21 different bars; during my visit, there were ‘only’ about ten. Legend has it Flora-Bama used to be a more understated affair, until Hurricane Ivan damaged it; when it was rebuilt, rooms were added wily-nilly. What stands today is a hodgepodge of hallways, rooms, and bars, with outdoor areas covered in tents with wood and sand floors (yes, it’s right on the beach). Live music plays, there’s a mechanical bull (and a full rodeo outside once a year), and apparently, women take their tops off a lot. Have a bushwhacker (Alabama’s favorite drink, as far as I can tell), and people watch!

Have you been to Alabama’s Gulf Coast? Where do you recommend eating?

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The Best of Topsail Island, NC for Families

October 3, 2016 By Sharlene Earnshaw

Topsail Island offers a 26-mile-long barrier island that lies just off the coast of North Carolina. Accessible only by two bridges (one at each end of the island) or by sea, the island is home to immaculate white, sandy beaches and tranquil maritime forests.

The island’s three communities, North Topsail Beach, Surf City and Topsail Beach all share a laid-back vibe, have gorgeous natural surroundings and are equipped with modern amenities, guaranteeing a relaxed getaway. Here are tips and suggestions on how to have the best family getaway on Topsail Island.

What to do?

Topsail Island is known for its long stretches of white sandy beaches that create the perfect setting for all kinds of water activities: sunbathing, fishing and swimming for those looking to achieve complete relaxation, and surfing, jet skiing and cycling for the more adventurous types. Rent a surfboard from one of the local surf shops (we recommend the friendly, family-run 50 South Surf) where you can rent a surfboard, get some tips from the locals on where to find the best swell, and catch a wave at The Point on the northern tip of the island.

If you’re feeling the need for speed, rent a jet ski. You can make a day of it with a guided tour, or just hire a jet ski for an hour or two. Fishing enthusiasts can charter a boat, and spend the day fishing the deep waters off the coast or for a more local experience, visit one of the many fishing piers on the island. The Jolly Roger Pier at the southern end of Topsail is a popular fishing spot where you can mingle with locals and admire their catches. While you won’t need a license to fish off a pier, you are required to pay a small fee. It is also worth a visit to the pier just for a morning or evening stroll.

The Queen Jean, docked at Topsail Beach, offers half-day fishing trips and kids’ fishing adventures as well as evening sunset cruises.

At sundown, head to the little, well-kept Soundside Park (on the marsh side) – definitely the best place to take in the beautiful sunset Topsail Island is famous for. There’s a well maintained playground for younger kids to enjoy, clean bathrooms, and plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the view, watching life (and sailboats!) go by.

Topsail Island has a network of well-maintained cycling paths that are great to explore. Within Surf City, Herring’s Outdoor Sports provides rental bikes from half days, up to a week. Spring and fall are perfect periods for riding in the area, with mild temperatures and less traffic.

While you’re on the island, visit the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. Topsail Island is a sanctuary for sea turtles and here you can visit the turtle hospital, observe turtles and even volunteer to guard nests on the beach throughout the summer. A great activity for the kids! And be sure to check online for turtle release dates that occur periodically throughout the warmer months.

Where to eat?

A well spent day deserves a good dinner and on Topsail, there’s a variety of restaurants catering to all tastes. A classy family friendly option is Beach Shop & Grill. Established in 1952, this local institution serves up breakfast, lunch and dinner made from delicious local produce. Save room for a slice of their famous Mile High Key Lime Pie!

Another casual, popular spot is Daddy Mac’s Beach Grille, which has a fantastic outdoor seating area that overlooks Surf City Pier and the Atlantic Ocean. There’s also an exclusively vegetarian and gluten-free offering.

Quarter Moon Café is by day a friendly coffee shop, gift shop, and bookstore, and at night transforms into a wine bar. Grab a latte, iced lemonade or smoothie and enjoy the thoughtful book collection for adults and kids, or a glass of wine in the evening while listening to live music on the weekends.

Where to stay?

In summer you’ll find many rental options, from private to managed rentals. Ward Realty offers private and cozy cottages and beachside retreats, all of which are just steps away from the ocean. In peak season, the majority of rentals are weekly, but just after Labor Day you will be able to find weekend rentals.

My big tip: be sure to ask if the rental provides linens – some do, some don’t, and you don’t want to be caught short! Linens are often available for an additional fee when not included in your base rental rate.

For those planning to stay on the island, there are many options to buy provisions. A well-stocked IGA in Surf City has all the essentials, and 5-10 minutes off the island you’ll find a Walmart Market, a large Harris Teeter grocery store, CVS pharmacy, and a Dollar General for all the extras.

Shannon Tennyson is a mom of a tween and a young teen in North Carolina who loves adventure. She and her family explore North Carolina beaches annually. Shannon is also the founder of CALZICO, a travel friendly, globally-inspired, versatile clothing brand for tweens launching in November 2016 on Kickstarter.

Dominican Republic with kids: Power snorkeling at Sosua Beach

July 18, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

During our Fathom cruise in the Dominican Republic, we knew we wanted to both visit a local beach and take a snorkeling trip. We were able to do both during a power snorkeling trip with Wild Play Adventures.

Usually, we opt to skip official cruise excursions in favor of booking privately. You get a more personalized experience, usually for less. However, in the case of our DR trip, the official excursion was the only snorkeling trip to fit our tight schedule. While there were a lot of people on our trip (at least 25), we still had a great experience, due primarily to the beautiful location and abundance of saline.

Wild Play Adventures picked us up in an air conditioned bus directly from our port at Amber Cove, and drove us 50 minutes to Sosua, a beach town outside of the city of Puerto Plata. The beach at Sosua is gorgeous, and the little town hugging the shoreline is made up of a hodge podge of shops, restaurants, beach bars, and dive shops. It’s a little rough around the edges, and certainly far more local than touristy, and we wished we had more time to explore. Certainly, we’d like to return to Sosua on a return trip to the DR.

We checked into Wild Play’s snorkel center right on the sand, and were given lockers to store our belongings. We were issued fins, snorkels, and masks, and were brought onto the snorkel boat (which came right up to the shore) within minutes. I loved how quickly we were out on the water.

We rode in the boat to two nearby snorkel locations, jumping into the water to explore both. Since this was a ‘power snorkel’ trip, we were issued power snorkel machines, which have propellers that allow you to move more quickly through the water. These machines looked more intimidating than they actually were…the snorkel staff handed them to you in the water once you were already floating, so they were easy to manage. The kids enjoyed using them to propel themselves further underwater, and across small currents. Using the machines was optional, and I decided to snorkel once with one, once without.

We saw a wide variety of tropical fish, jellyfish, and coral in both locations…more than we even saw in Hawaii. I do wish our group had been smaller in number, so I recommend a private tour if and when possible. However, the big group was more manageable than you’d think once in the water. Between snorkel locations, we were served fresh cut fruit and beverages, including water bottles and soda. The two locations were only about 10 minutes apart, but if you’re prone to seasickness, I recommend medicating ahead of time.

Cost:

As noted, our snorkel tour was an official excursion on our Fathom cruise. We paid $69 per adult (12 and up). Check the Wild Play website for current pricing and excursion options. Expect the excursion to take half a day. We left at 2 pm and returned at 6:30 pm.

Age group:

For the power snorkel option, kids had to be 10 and up. Younger kids could participate without the power assist, but trust me, they’ll want to use one. I recommend booking a non-power assist tour if you have young kids.

Directions:

Wild Play picks you up from your cruise port at Amber Cove.

Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico with kids

April 21, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

There’s a reason I keep writing about vacationing in Puerto Rico with kids: this destination is affordable and convenient to reach from many points in the US and Canada. Within just a few hours, families can be on tropical beaches and exploring a different culture, without even needing a passport (for US citizens).

If you’re planning a Puerto Rico vacation, we have another great resort pick for you: Bahia Beach Resort, located on the northeast coast along two miles of pristine beach. Bahia Beach lodging ranges from home rentals to the luxury of the St. Regis, with activities to keep your schedule packed your entire stay (though definitely reserve some time to explore further afield as well…see below).

Our top activity picks at Bahia Beach:

Bahia Beach activities range from relaxing to adventurous. Right on property, families can access golf, tennis, and miles of beach, as well as swimming pools and a kids’ club.

Hit the beach (and the pools): The two miles of white sandy beaches at Bahia can be accessed all year long, but for the poolside fans, there’s also a beach club with pool (and access to the sand), cabanas, a bar, and full poolside food services. When in Puerto Rico with kids, I recommend at least one or two full days dedicated to water and waves…find chairs or a cabana and camp out here from breakfast until dinner!

Go jump in a lake: Or rather, kayak on one! Yes, there’s a lake at Bahia Beach. At the Boathouse, get a kayak or canoe to explore 70 acres of canals and lakes on the resort’s grounds. Also accessible is the Espiritu Santo River, with mangroves and a wide variety of bird species. Families can also fish, paddle board, sail, or windsurf on the lake.

Take a day trip: Day trips to other points on Puerto Rico can be arranged at Bahia Beach, in some cases even eliminating the need to rent a car. Families can visit Old San Juan, which is located nearby and explore El Yunque, the sub-tropical rainforest at the eastern end of Puerto Rico. If you visit, start at the El Portal Visitors Center to get an introduction to the rainforest with exhibits and a film. From there, check out the Cloud Forest on the La Roca Trail, or discover waterfalls while hiking (I suggest a private tour to see the best sites).

Iguana Kids Club: Set the kids up at the Iguana Kids’ Club at Bahia Beach, and have a little adult time on the sand, in the pools, or dining out. Kids’ clubs vary greatly from property to property, so we always recommend visiting in person with your child before making definitive plans. What I like about Iguana Kids’ Club: it’s located primarily outdoors, under a pavilion, which just makes sense to me in a destination such as Puerto Rico. Ages 4-12 are accepted, and staff takes kids outside of the club regularly, whether on nature walks, for bird or turtle feeding, or for scavenger hunts. When kids’ clubs never take kids out of doors, I run from them fast! Of course, there will be some indoor moments, during which the club is equipped with fun inside gear such as board games, a Wii station, movies, a reading area, kitchenette, and arts and crafts materials.

Have you been to Puerto Rico? What are your go-to activities?

All Inclusive Resort Barcelo In Los Cabos

March 8, 2016 By Amy Hagstrom

Los Cabos is situated at the Southern end of the Baja California Sur, Mexico, which covers an area of 3,750.93 km2. It encompasses of Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo and the Resort corridor in between the two. Los Cabos is famous for its beautiful climate and geography with sport fishing, luxurious all-inclusive resorts and golf, which makes it one of the prime destinations for honeymoon or family vacations. Read on for the best places in Los Cabos:

Arch of Cabo San Lucas

The Arch of Cabo San Lucas is a three stories tall distinctive rock formation which erupting out of the ocean likes an arch. It is located at the Southern tip of Cabo San Lucas which is locally famous as El Arco de Cabo San Lucas. This place is a tourist attractions and one of the important places to visit in Cabo San Lucas. To reach here you can hire a boat taxi from Cao San Lucas Marina, where in the journey, you can enjoy the view of the arch along the way. Tourists can also witness sea lions here, as this place is a popular gathering area for sea lions.

Playa del Amour

Playa del Amour which is also famous by the name of Lover’s Beach, is an amazing beach situated several meters inland on Marieta Islands. The archaeology of Marieta Island is come into existence because of volcanic activities. This beautiful hidden beach is a unique natural wonder, which tourists must visit. It’s a great place for sunbath, snorkeling, swimming and picnic. The government of Mexico has declared this place as a Natural park, so it’s totally an uninhabited place. To visit this place you have to hire authorized boat service providers.

Playa Solmar

A beautiful wide stretch of white sand beach which faces Pacific Ocean, which starts from the rocks at Land’s End to the base of Pedregal to the west. One of very less crowded beaches in Mexico, which is a destination place for sunset lovers, whale watching and long walks except for swimming, the currents are very strong and dangerous, not suitable for swimming. In Playa Solmar you will also find some of the finest all-inclusive resorts alongside the beach.

Playa el Médano

Medano beach or Playa el Medano is the popular and the safest beach for swimming in Cabo San Lucas. It starts from east side of the harbor and extends all the way to Villa del Palmar. As its one of the closest beach to the town, this place is the prime location and the crowded one among all the destinations. This beach offers activities like jet skiing, kayaking, waterskiing, banana boating, parasailing, volleyball, you can also enjoy the beach parties or buy some local handicrafts from Chicklets, blankets, silver jewelry, sombreros and try some temporary tattoos or hair braiding.

Cabo Wabo Cantina

This is one of the best places for tourists who are looking for good live rock music. Cabo Wabo Cantina which is located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, which is part of a night club chain with same name founded by rock musician Sammy Hagar. The night club is not only famous for live rock music from top celebrities and music artists from all around the world but also serves outstanding seafood to Mexican food, Cerveza to Tequila, from bar to rooftop, there are plenty of reasons for tourists to visit Cantina in Cabo.. They also have their own tequila brand with the name “Cabo Wabo”.

San Jose Del Cabo

San Jose Del Cabo which is situated 32 kms from Cabo San Lucas, is a historic town full of beautiful architectures which have a very calm and charming atmosphere in comparison of her wild sister “Cabo San Lucas”. This place is best for tourists who want witness the Mexican culture more closely. This place is famous for its historic restaurants with beautiful courtyards, shops offering beautiful handicrafts and jewelry and varieties of art galleries. Other places in San Jose Del Cabo are “Estero San José”, a beautiful palm lined wild life sanctuary and estuary , which is home of many bird species, Reserva de la Biosféra Sierra de la Laguna, god for hiking and Iglesia San José, a landmark in the city with beautiful naval architecture.

Apart from above destinations, this place is also famous for its world class all-inclusive resorts and hotels, which make your stay Los Cabos definitely a memorable one. These resorts offer best rooms featured with all facilities and all-inclusive programs which takes care of tourist every single need. “Barcelo Grand Faro Los Cabos” is one of the finest all-inclusive Barcelo resort in Los Cabos. A premium 5-star resort in Los Cabos located near the spectacular waters of Caribbean Sea. The hotel 350 luxurious rooms and suites spread across 3 buildings: Luna, Estrella and Torre Sol. All the rooms feature a private balcony with scenic view of the Caribbean Sea fully equipped with all kind of features to make your stay pleasant and memorable one. The hotel also offers 5 restaurants and 3 bars (pool bar, lobby bar and sky bar) with variety of culinary options featuring international, Mexican and Italian food. Other facilities like swimming pools, spa, fitness centers, racquet ball court, lounge, kid’s club, shopping centers etc. Here are some of the other top resorts and hotels in Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa, Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa, Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas, Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa and Melia Cabo Beach & Golf Resort.

Spot the differences! your all inclusive resorts vacations are waiting.

Photo credit.

How to see the Na Pali Coast Kauai: Holo Holo Charters

April 29, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

Wondering how to see the Na Pali Coast Kauai? There are four ways to see the famous (and roadless) Na Pali Coast along Kauai’s west shore. Families can take a helicopter tour, kayak tour, hike the Kalalau Trail, or take a chartered sailing tour.

We opted for two of the four: we hiked several miles of the trail (the entire 11 miles requires a permit), and saw more of the coastline via catamaran with Holo Holo Charters. ‘Holo’ means adventure in Hawaiian; if someone says they’re going to ‘go holo’, they’re going adventuring. ‘Holo holo’ means a big adventure. Our excursion with Holo Holo Charters was just that: an exciting adventure.

We took their Napali Snorkel Sail, which took us from Port Allen to the Na Pali Coast on the Leila, a 50’ sailing catamaran that sailed at up to 18 knots. Our sailing was in March, and we experienced a mixed bag of winter and summer sailing conditions: the water was choppy and waves were quite large (in the opinion of this non-sailor).

Our tour began at 8 am (which required an early wake up for us on the North Shore, in order to complete the 1.5 hour commute to the South Shore in time to depart). After a brief safety talk, we were off to find an ideal snorkel spot along the South coast, where we were issued snorkel gear and spent about an hour in the water. While we had snorkeled off the shore several times already in Kauai, we saw more varieties of fish here than anywhere else, even in slightly murky water (due to waves). If you plan to focus on finding the best snorkeling beaches on Kauai, you may not ‘need’ this snorkel cruise, but if you want to be sure to find at least one good spot, this is your best bet.

Next, we set sail (literally) for the Na Pali, while the crew set out a continental breakfast. During the entire day, the coolers were self-serve for juice, water, and soda, and crew members were on-hand to assist with the open bar of wine and beer. Our captain even opened a bottle of champagne to make ‘Hawaiian mimosas’ with guava juice. We past empty beaches near the western end of the Na Pali (also where the Kalalau Trail ends), and saw its famed rugged cliffs and sea caves. It was fun for us to see this side of the Na Pali, since we’d hiked a bit on the eastern end. Now we’d seen both ends of the trail and coastline.

While our kids enjoyed the snorkeling, the most memorable part of the trip for them was laying flat on the mesh fabric at the front of the catamaran, allowing waves to rock them and soak them with spray as we sailed. If your kids like this sort of thing, they’ll have a blast!

On the return journey, we ate a nice deli lunch of sandwich fixings, pasta salad, and cookies, and along the way, we stopped to see humpback whales and spinner dolphins. Tours such as this one can never guarantee to see such wildlife, of course, so this was a very special treat: for the first time, our family saw whales fully breach, and we were close enough to note the calf—baby whale—jumping and playing while his/her mother swam beside. The dolphins surrounded our boat, playing in the waves and talking amongst themselves…a beautiful sight. We were indeed lucky.

A note about seasickness:

I get seasick easily, so I was concerned about this trip. I was right to be: several people did succumb to seasickness. I believe the only reason I did not was the Bonine I took beforehand. The crew also had ginger candies to suck on, and ginger ale. We may have sailed at a particularly choppy time, but the crew said they’d seen worse…and our boat was really rocking over the waves. While you can see shoreline at all times, you are on open ocean. It helps to sit at the back of the boat where there’s less movement, and it’s easy to be outside in the fresh air, but once sick, there’s little you can do. Take something for seasickness if you think it will be a problem. The crew was very helpful to those who did get sick.

What you’ll need to bring:

waterproof camera
sunscreen
sunglasses
sun-protective clothing
an extra long-sleeved shirt or sweatshirt for everyone (it does get chilly in the wind)
towels (at least 2-3)
wear any shoes…you’ll take them off before boarding

Safety onboard:

We had a crew of four for our tour (with approximately 20 people), and we felt safety was a priority. There are rules onboard the catamaran, such as how to hold on and walk on the decks, and crew members let people know when it’s best to stay seated. However, it’s a catamaran, so there are no railings along the edges of the boat. Children absolutely must be able (and willing) to listen to instructions and follow rules.

Cost:

The snorkel sail costs $134 for adults and $94 for kids (up to age 12), if you pre-order online. You pay when you arrive. Once you make your reservation, you cannot cancel for a full refund (only a half-refund). The only exception: if the tour is cancelled due to weather, you get a full refund. Please plan on tipping your guides.

Directions:

Holo Holo is located in the marina shopping center in Port Allen, at 4353 Waialo Road. After passing Lihue from the North Shore, take 50 until you reach 541, then turn at the McDonalds at Waialo Road.

Want a preview of additional excursions and activities to try on Kauai? Check out our video:

As we disclose whenever applicable, we toured with Holo Holo at a media rate, for the purpose of review.

Learn to surf in Hawaii: Hawaiian Surfing Adventures

April 27, 2015 By Amy Hagstrom

If you want to learn to surf in Hawaii, you need to learn from the locals. The minute we checked in at Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, we knew we were with o’hana, or family. We met many members of the Alapa family, who have owned this business for years. We were met by an uncle, driven to the beach by the father, and taught by a son and cousin.

Everyone took pride in the business, and best of all, seemed to have fun doing what they do. Their motto at Hawaiian Surfing Adventures is that surfing (and anything you do on Hawaii, actually) should be ‘easy’. They made that happen as we successfully surfed and had a blast doing it.

What to expect:

We found the business location easily enough along the main road of Hanalei, just last the liquor store if coming in from Princeville. We were asked to be there 30 minutes before our lesson time, and we filled out the usual waivers and got fitted for our rash guards. We then locked any valuables in our car and left the keys with the office crew, and hopped on board a surf jeep that took us on the short drive to Hanalei Bay Beach.

You’ll want sunglasses, sunscreen, and perhaps a camera with you at this point; we were advised we could bring towels too, but we actually never needed them. At the beach, we placed our belongings in a plastic bin (everything valuable should be at your car) and spend about 20 minutes learning how to paddle, stand up, and get back down on our boards while on land. We got useful tips on balance and stance—plus practical tips on getting out into the surf—from our teachers, Evan and Mitchell, before being let loose on the waves.

We entered the water, and here’s the good news: it was easier than I’d anticipated to paddle the board through the surf to the area where we’d be catching waves. Mitchell and Evan helped us know which waves to try for, and when to start paddling to catch them. The bad news: the hardest part for most of us was timing the waves to actually catch them. Luckily for us, the Alapa family motto of ‘make it easy’ ensured a nice push from the team to get us in front of good waves. Once we’d caught them, we were all successful in standing up and riding them. And yes, it was as fun as it seems.

Everyone in our group, from age 10 to 40, had a blast. Evan and Mitchell took care to ensure the kids were always helped and accounted for (which isn’t easy with our adventurous kids) and made them all feel great about their attempts. We enjoyed our hour on the water so much, we decided to return to Hawaiian Surfing Adventures later in the week to rent surf boards to keep practicing on our own. Rentals are only $15 for half a day, and they’ll deliver them to the beach for you. Again…they make it easy!

Pricing:

You can opt for private or semi-private lessons, but we found the ratio in group lessons to be excellent. Group lessons are $65 per person. Plan to tip your instructors!

Directions:

Find Hawaiian Surfing Adventures at 5-5134 Kuhio Highway 96714. Look for the yellow surfboard outside!

As we disclose whenever applicable, we experienced our surfing lesson at a media rate, for the purpose of review. We wanted to be able to tell readers what surfing in Hanalei is really like!

West Palm Beach vacation: Marriott’s Oceana Palms

November 17, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Interested in a West Palm Beach vacation? I was curious about the Florida coastline, so for my first trip to Florida outside of Orlando, I checked out the Palm Beaches area north of Miami. Um, it’s kind of ok here. Maybe I should venture beyond Disney more often!

I stayed at Marriott Oceana Palms, which is a Marriott Vacation Club property. I knew I’d be happy with the resort, as I’d absolutely loved my stay at the Marriott Vacation Club in Boston, and recommend it every chance I get. However, when many parents see the words ‘vacation club’, they think it must not be for them…they either assume they can’t book if they’re not a member, or worry they’ll be pitched to once on site. I can assure you: Marriott Vacation Club isn’t your grandparents’ time share. This points-based vacation ownership program is completely different, with tons of flexibility. However— and this is the kicker —you don’t need to be a Marriott Vacation Club owner to book Marriott Vacation Club villas, anyway.

Quite honestly, this is one of the best ‘think outside the box’ alternatives to booking standard hotel rooms. For the cost of one beachfront hotel room (usually with a square footage of under 400), families can reserve an entire two-bedroom villa with over 1000 square feet of living space, including a kitchen and washer-dryer.

The Oceana Palms is a small, intimate resort right on the beach of Singer Island in West Palm Beach. It looks and feels like any other high-end Marriott resort: you get kids’ clubs, activities and programming, dining, pools and exercise rooms, and beach access. There are two towers in Oceana Palms: the Sunrise Tower and the Sunset Tower. At first glance, it appears that the Sunrise Tower, which is closest to the beach, is the obvious choice. However, thanks to great architectural design, both towers have ocean views. And some villas in the Sunset Tower have larger balconies.

What’s in your villa:

All villas at Oceana Palms are the same: two-bedroom units with everything you need, right down to the whisk in the kitchen. You’ll find laundry soap next to the washer, dish towels and plastic garbage bags, and hair dryers and shampoo. Sometimes, when families rent vacation homes or units, they don’t know what will be waiting for them. We had one unfortunate trip to a vacation home in which we discovered the ‘full kitchen’ lacked an oven! At Oceana Palms, everything is here. You also get two full bathrooms, one on which has a walk-in shower and the other of which has a large tub. Free wifi is available in the rooms and across the resort. The photo below shows a view from a Sunset Tower villa. Get up-to-date room rate information here.

What to do on site:

Oceana Palms boosts ideal beach access…the surf and sand is just steps away past the pool area. At the beach equipment stand, check in with Tony, who can hook you up with snorkel gear, boogie boards, and cabanas. Otherwise, lounge chairs are free for guest use. I split my time happily from beach to pool (which older kids could do on their own quite safely).

In the pool area, you’ll find a zero-depth entry area for young kids, plus a splash zone. On the other end, a lap pool is situated in a quiet corner, and additional pool space occupies the area in-between. Oceana Palms schedules quite a bit of daily activity, with DJs, movie nights, and lessons in everything from crocheting to guitar (a staff member actually learned guitar in order to teach it). If you’re an activities person, you’ll find as much here as you would in an all-inclusive resort. However, if you want a quieter environment, it is possible to escape it.

For additional entertainment, the resort has small details that go a long way. Throughout Oceana Palms, you’ll find ping pong tables, pool tables, lawn games, BBQs for guest use, and a large, fenced play area for young kids. My children spend hours at simple entertainment venues like this!

Oceana Palms has a drop-in dedicated kids’ club space and a teen space, both of which are fun and inviting…and casual, which is nice for families on vacation. There is a casual dining Marketplace, plus poolside Reflections, both good for burgers, sandwiches, and drinks. You won’t find upscale dining on site, but that’s what your full kitchen is for: I recommend shopping before arrival and making many meals in your villa.

What to do in Palm Beaches:

You’ll want to venture off-site while at Oceana Palms. We took a short drive off Singer Island to Jupiter Beach, where to toured the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. The guided tour includes a walk up the many spiral steps to the top of the lighthouse, where amazing views await, and a stop in the small but well-done museum. Pair your excursion to the lighthouse with lunch at Guanabanas, a waterfront bar and grill located adjacent. Guanabanas is more than a restaurant; it’s a full dining experience with the best ambiance I’ve seen for a classic Florida feel. The whole place is outdoors, with vegetation, overhangs, and straw roof shelter.

For another night out, consider heading to the Sailfish Marina on Palm Beach Shores. Part fish market, part marina, and part upscale seafood restaurant, Sailfish has something for everyone. The large building is fairly loud, which means kids will fit right in, and when they get squirrelly, take them outside to the marina, where they can purchase fish food to throw into the water. Wait for the feeding frenzy to begin!

How to get here:

Marriott’s Oceana Palms is located at 3200 North Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach, Florida. It’s just over the bridge on Singer Island, 15 minutes from the West Palm Beach airport.

Where do you stay in West Palm Beach? Would you consider trying a Marriott Vacation Club villa?

As I disclose whenever applicable, my stay with Oceana Palms was hosted, for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.