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A Fun Riviera Maya Family Vacation

Iguanas and geckos and lizards, oh my!

That’s what my kids were saying on our vacation to the Riviera Maya. Of course they raved about the pool, and the waterslide, and the cool bathroom with the glass wall. But the biggest reaction came from seeing geckos hanging out (literally) on the patio, or huge iguanas sunning themselves on the roofs or in the middle of the sidewalk. My kids were in lizard heaven. But what else would one expect when vacationing in the middle of a jungle?


Extending almost 90 miles down the coast south of Cancun, the Riviera Maya is one of the hottest family vacation destinations right now. The tropical climate draws visitors year round, as daytime temperatures stay in the upper 80’s, evenings rarely dip below 70 degrees. And as word spreads of the amazing natural beauty, gorgeous beaches, and large variety of kid-friendly activities, it’s been growing in popularity with families.

The hotel industry has responded by building dozens of new resorts, both family-oriented all-inclusive chains like Palace, Dreams, Barcelo, and Iberostar, as well as luxury resorts with state-of-the-art spas and exceptional dining. In fact there are several Virtuoso properties in the Riviera Maya, including the Fairmont Mayakoba, Mandarin Oriental, Rosewood Mayakoba, Hotel Esencia, Maroma, Tides Rivera Maya, and Royal Hideaway Playacar. All offer exclusive amenities such as private airport transfers, champagne, spa treatments, or complimentary breakfast when guests book through a Virtuoso agent such as me.



My family has what I call an “eclectic” travel style – we enjoy everything from backpacking and camping to sipping drinks poolside at a five star luxury resort. So when planning this vacation, I was torn between trying out one these resorts, or staying at a small, laid-back property with local flavor. We managed to have it all by dividing our time between a boutique hotel in Akumal, and the Fairmont Mayakoba near Playa del Carmen.

Our first four nights were spent at Hotel Akumal Caribe, a small property with hotel rooms on the beach, and bungalows set back in the garden. The rooms were simple, the beds a bit hard, but the location could not be beat. We were steps from one of the most beautiful bays in the Riviera Maya, a place where the locals and many tour boats would come to snorkel because it is a nesting site for sea turtles. We snorkeled daily, and every trip in the water we were sure to see turtles and stingrays, and even an occasional barracuda.

Staying in the southern end of the Riviera Maya was convenient for sightseeing, as most of the archeological and natural sights are located nearby. Tulum is the most well-known of the ruins in that area, but easily reachable in the same day is Coba, less excavated and thus more natural (and less crowded), than Tulum or Chichen Itza. While my husband and I were fascinated with the Mayan history, my kids were more enamored, again, with the hundreds of iguanas that currently reside there. Obviously the environment suited them, as these guys were 3 or 4 times the size of the ones at our hotel!

Xel-Ha water park was only minutes away from Tulum, and we spent a full day snorkeling in the huge lagoon. This is a great spot for teaching young children to snorkel, as they provide life vests, there are no waves, and there are numerous platforms around the lagoon where swimmers can exit. The admission includes food, drinks, and snorkeling gear, and for an additional fee guests can swim with dolphins or walk underwater with Sea Trek, a “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” style experience.


Atkun Chen was another hit with the whole family. Even the kids enjoyed an hour long guided tour into a beautiful cave with a pristine cenote, which remains so because it is off-limits to swimmers. We unfortunately we unable to fit in Xcaret, another eco-park, so hopefully we can plan a trip back soon. Their focus is more on educating guests on the Mayan culture through exhibits and shows, but they also have dolphins, snorkeling lagoons, and a fun float on an underground river.


But our favorite part of Akumal had to be the food. We had an amazing seafood dinner at the tiny restaurant next to the marina one night, with the fattest, sweetest shrimp I have ever tasted. And the tiny little food counter attached to the grocery store wasn’t much to look at, but we frequently reminisce about the wonderful taco platters they served.

Though we were sad to leave Akumal, we were excited about our home for the next six nights, the new Fairmont Mayakoba luxury resort, just north of Playa del Carmen. When we checked in, we were handed a drink and a cool towel, and told that our butler would be with us shortly. Our butler?! Unbeknownst to me, we had been upgraded to a Signature Casita in the exclusive beachfront section of the resort. While at first I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with a butler, it turned out to be a wonderful perk that is becoming increasingly common at luxury resorts, and even on cruise ships.

The butler was basically our personal concierge, ready to do anything from unpacking our suitcases and ironing our clothes, to giving advice on where to park in Playa del Carmen, and reserving our chairs on the beach. And he made sure we were introduced to the other butlers, so wherever we went we were greeted with a wave and a friendly “Hola, Mack Family!” I’ll be posting more details about the Fairmont Mayakoba in a separate blog.


For more information about family vacations in the Riviera Maya, contact Suzette Mack, a Virtuoso Family Travel Advisor at suzette@family-treks.com.

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Kauai – A Family Vacation Paradise

It’s hard for me to choose my favorite Hawaiian island, a question I am often asked as a family travel advisor. My husband says it’s easy – it’s whatever island we are on at the time! I agree with that logic, but there is a special place in my heart for Kauai. I love not only its beauty and diversity, but the wonderful choice of family-friendly accommodations. In winter, Poipu Beach on the South Shore is the place to be, with safe swimming year-round. But in summer I head to the North Shore, not just for the jaw-dropping views of lush mountains rising steeply above taro fields and Hanalei Bay, but also to enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the world.
My family is passionate about snorkeling; you might even call us “snorkel snobs.” Despite its reputation for rough waters, we found many kid-friendly snorkeling spots on Kauai. There is a protected lagoon at Lydgate State Park specifically designed for young children, so we spent an afternoon there getting the kids used to their gear and comfortable in the water. It also had a huge playground with lots of fun climbing features, but my kids had no interest when there were fish to be seen! Then we headed to Tunnels Beach, near the “end of the road” on the north shore, where clear, shallow water extends for yards allowing easy and safe snorkeling for all ages. (Interesting fact: The reef along the north coast is so large it can be seen from space!)

There are many other activities on Kauai, making it a great destination for active families with older children, too. Surfing is very popular, and lessons can be taken on both the north and south shore. Hiking trails are available throughout the island, the most popular being the trails in Waimea Canyon offering spectacular valley views, and the famous Kalalau Trail leading to a remote beach on the Napali Coast. A trip to the private island of Ni’ihua offers outstanding diving in clear, deep water with visibility often well over 100 ft. There’s also four wheeling, river kayaking, zip lining, fishing, golf, cycling, and horseback riding. And nothing caps off a day of activity better than a bowl of Hawaiian shaved ice served over macadamia nut ice cream!

Kauai has a way of jarring the senses. You don’t really comprehend the height of the cliffs in Kalalau Valley until it’s pointed out during your boat tour of the Napali Coast that a “small” opening can accommodate a helicopter. The vastness of Waimea Canyon becomes even more impressive when you realize that a tiny white speck in the distance is a plane, which means the “hills” you are admiring are really mountains miles away. Filmmakers also flock to the island because of the lush scenery, and Kauai’s movie portfolio includes Jurassic Park, 6 Days/7 Nights, Mighty Joe Young, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, and most recently, Tropic Thunder.


Kauai has a broad variety of resorts and condominiums that cater to families. Moderately priced hotels and condos as well as full service luxury resorts offer authentic Hawaiian ambiance, kid-pleasing amenities such as waterslides, and excellent dining and spa experiences. Families who want more space, or need accommodations that sleep more than four, will be pleasantly surprised at the number of upscale options available. For example, the spectacular Grand Hyatt Kauai will guarantee connecting rooms at time of booking for a modest fee. And both Outrigger Waipouli Resort and the new Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas offer spacious luxury condominiums with kitchens, living rooms, and private lanais, and beautiful pool areas. I’ll post more detailed reviews and photos of these resorts separately.

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