Mexico family holidays

Toddlers, teens and adults alike will find plenty to do on a family holiday to Mexico. On the east coast, Cancun boasts 22 kilometres of beaches, where you can all play on the sands and try out a variety of watersports. Why not go one step further and book a day trip to Isla Mujeres? Just off the mainland, this scenic island is home to coral reefs and pristine beaches, where you snorkel, dive and relax. Or, if you’re travelling with little ones, book tickets for an entertaining show aboard a pirate ship and sail the seas in search of buried treasure.

Meanwhile, further down the coast, Riviera Maya is home to a number of family-friendly attractions. Spend a day at Xcaret Park in Playa del Carmen, where you can float along lazy rivers and learn about Mexico’s heritage in the Mayan Village. Plus, children will love the slides, tunnels and hanging bridges in Kids’ World.

Families with older children should also check out Selvatica. Tucked away in the tropical forest, half way between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, this place offers zip-lining, aerial bridge walks and off-roading – perfect for adventure-seeking families.

To help you plan your getaway, we’ve selected some of the best hotels in Cancun for families. Each one is all-inclusive, too, so your meals and drinks are covered by one great-value price – particularly handy if you have hungry teenagers to feed.

First up, there’s Moon Palace Cancun. With six pools, 13 restaurants and endless activities, this sprawling resort has everything you need for an action-packed getaway. There’s also a fantastic Kids’ Club and Teen Lounge – and parents will love the serene spa.

Alternatively, take a look at Finest Playa Mujeres. Brushed by powdery sands, this sleek resort prides itself on its family facilities, including three age-appropriate kids’ clubs and spa treatments for little ones. Children can even dine separately in the Imagine Lounge – carefully supervised by professional staff – if you fancy a romantic dinner for two. Travelling with a baby? Special extras, like bottle sterilisers and baby monitors, can be provided at the drop of a hat.

If you’re thinking of staying in Riviera Maya, you’ll have a whole host of resorts to choose from. Two Dreams hotels – Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa – offer a unique Unlimited-Luxury® concept, where everything is included. You can look forward to gourmet dining, top-shelf drinks, beach waiter service and more. A number of activities and watersports are covered, too. Children will love the Mayan-themed Explorer’s Club and the Core Zone Teens’ Club, where there’s a jam-packed programme of sports and games on offer. So, if you’re looking for a luxurious family holiday to Mexico, these two stunning resorts might just be the answer.

But if you’re a family who likes to keep busy, consider Hotel Xcaret Mexico. Boasting an All-Fun Inclusive® set-up, this resort includes access to seven Grupo Xcaret theme parks and several local tours. And, to top it all off, you’ll have 10 restaurants and eight bars to work your way through.

To make the most of Mexico’s attractions and beaches, it’s best to plan your family holiday sometime between December and May. At this time of year, temperatures in east Mexico – where you’ll find Cancun and Riviera Maya – hover around 28^oC and rainfall is minimal. April and May are the driest months but, before you book, make sure you check when Spring Break falls. This non-stop party – usually in March or April – sees thousands of American university students flock to Cancun’s shores. So, if you’re seeking a quiet family holiday in Mexico, this isn’t the time to go.

Mexico’s hurricane season officially runs from June until November, but September and October are the wettest months. Between June and August, temperatures tend to average 33^oC, although you will see short, heavy downpours pretty regularly. If you don’t mind a bit of rain, though, you could grab a bargain in these summer months – and it’s perfect timing for the UK’s school holidays.