Give your Kids Adventure on a Riviera Maya Vacation

There are amazing places to go to for a family beach vacation, but few can match the Riviera Maya. Situated on the coast of Mexico, Riviera Maya offers you and other adults a chance to relax and unwind, and children an opportunity to explore, learn, play, and simply be kids. Riviera Maya offers a range of excellent family accommodation options, especially in Tulum. The Tulum all-inclusive … [Read more...]

Azul Beach Hotel: A Riviera Maya boutique all inclusive resort

All-inclusive Mexican hotels are convenient for families, but their sheer size can sometimes mean a lack of a personal touch. Enter the boutique all inclusive resort experience. We've long been fans of boutique hotels for families, but definitely need simplicity of all-inclusive pricing, so we jumped at the chance to try Azul Beach Hotel along Mexico's Riviera Maya. Azul Beach Hotel boasts fewer … [Read more...]

When to rent a car while on a Cancun vacation

During our latest Cancun vacation, we decided everyone in the family was old enough to 'brave' swimming with whale sharks. However, it turned out our $90 (one-way) taxi ride from our Riviera Maya hotel to the Cancun resort zone to find these gentle beasts was the only scary part of our experience. Note: always, and I mean always, negotiate cab fare before getting in the … [Read more...]

Xcaret eco park Mexico: culture, conservation, and adventure

The Riviera Maya boasts three major eco theme park opportunities between Cancun and Tulum, all within easy access to area hotels and resorts. Families will definitely want to experience at least one during a Riviera Maya vacation, but which one? In the most basic terms, Xel Ha focuses on water activities and aquarium life, Xplor offers the most extreme sports, and Xcaret eco park Mexico centers … [Read more...]

ATV adventures and snorkeling with Punta Venado

There are as many Riviera Maya eco-tours as there are amazing natural wonders along this part of the Caribbean, and each offer something a little bit different. We've reviewed the fast-action activities with Alltournative, but for a change of pace, a day with Punta Venado offers both ATV adventures and snorkeling, plus relaxation. Don't worry: the kids will still be highly entertained with … [Read more...]

What to do in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Wondering what to do in Playa del Carmen? Our family loves outdoor excursions, but we like fun city adventures as well. While in Riviera Maya, we wanted to give our kids a taste of local city life as well as geological wonders, so we spent an evening on Playa del Carmen's safe 5th Avenue. This pedestrian-only street spans approximately 10 blocks and is lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and … [Read more...]

A day with Alltournative tours: Tulum and Jungle Maya adventure with tweens and teens

Mexico's Riviera Maya is rich with geological and cultural excursions for active families. It's system of cenotes (underground rivers) and abundance of Mayan ruins are accessed by many tour operators, but which one to pick? We spent the day with Alltournative Tours, a leading eco-archaeological guide service specializing in active, adventurous tours. Like most local tour companies, … [Read more...]

Swim with whale sharks in Cancun Mexico

One of the most memorable excursions in Cancun for my family was to swim with whale sharks. These harmless giants can be found in the open water approximately 20 miles off the coast of Cancun (past Isla Mujeres) from May to September, and if you're visiting the Riviera Maya area during this time period with older kids and teens, it's definitely an activity to consider. Who to book with: We … [Read more...]