Family vacation to the tropics?

[Delphinus]

Have you thought about Hawaii? If this is the first time you're going on a trip it might be a little more stress-free. Nonstop flights, no language barriers, etc. And tropical

When I was in Mexico the resort I went to had a decent kids place (I went before I had kids though), so some all inclusives might be worth checking into, if going to the Carribbean is still your first choice.

Snorkelling ... well .. I'm not sure what to suggest here. You won't really be snorkelling a lot if you have small kids with you and you're just going by yourself (ie., just your family). Snorkelling alone isn't responsible, my suggestion, don't do it - you need a dive buddy. Even in a crowded area like a beach, if nobody is actively actually watching out for you (and you back at them in return) then it's possible to slip into trouble without anyone noticing. Especially things like riptides, you don't know what hazards exist in an area you haven't swam before.

Although another option is booking yourself into a dive group done through a local dive shop.. sort of takes care of that issue.

When I went to Maui with Nathan in 2006, he was 1, but we were there as a family reunion so I had lots of family onhand to help watch over him when we wanted to do something like snorkel. Having said that, we still had to miss out on a lot of things that the famdamily could do just on account that you can't haul around a 1-year old or 2-year at a pace that you can do with older kids (or no kids). So it definitely takes some planning.

Personally, I suggest seeing if you can talk the grandparents, or an aunt or uncle, or friends who have kids too in similar age, in going with you at the same time. For one, it's funner with a small group, and for two, you can at least trade off the parenting duties so that you can do things like snorkel and whatnot. Just make sure that the parenting duties are equally shared because it's no fun for the one parent who is constantly "left behind" to tend to the wee ones.

[Marlin65]

Originally Posted by dsaundry

Some great advise on places to go and see, but I wonder if the other members are seeing 2yr old travelling...I repeat 2 not 6 or 8 or 10..
How many parents have traveled with a 2 yr old and had time to relax, snorkel, dive, oh and did I say RELAX?? Nuff said I hope...Go with the grandparents......I repeat I have 4 great kids, but I have traveled with them when they were 2 and you DONT relax.......

I better not tell you where I have taken my kids then you would crap yourself.
Most resorts have a kids club and he said his wife wanted to go somewhere warm. The last place we where at on one of the tours there was a two year old in the boat with us and there was 4" rollers and we were jumping waves. It was all fine they always have kids live jackets, and take extra care for you.
There is lots of small kids on resorts and its only 5hr to get there.
Ohh and he can snorkel or dive while his wife sits on the beach and his two year old plays in the sand.
My 2 Cents

[Patrick1]

My Vote,

Huatulco, Oaxaca

Beaches everywhere, calm & peaceful. They have just started to open up major tourism. Take a private boat tour and check out India bay. Our guide took us to 9 beaches 5 of them we were the only ones there.

Amazing weather all year round

[dsaundry]

So what you are saying is they can't go diving together? He must have a very understanding wife. I know how my wife would feel if I went out diving and she had to sit on the beach with a 2 year old. My 2 cents too.



Ohh and he can snorkel or dive while his wife sits on the beach and his two year old plays in the sand.
My 2 Cents

[Marlin65]

Just so you don't think I am full of s**t.


Cape Scott Northern tip of Vancouver Island right after the hurricane.
The ocean protein skimming.

The Lions at 9 years.

[workn2hard2day]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

Thanks for the advice. Akumal seems like a really nice place. I will have to pick your brain a little bit. We are planning on doing this in maybe Jan/Feb 2009. We are going to Vancouver Island this summer with the little one and that will be her first major trip out of the city. She will almost be 2 when we plan to go down south and that will make it a bit easier.

Now Vancouver Island, I could help you with.

Maui was very nice (I remember it as peaceful) Hawaii was hectic (Big Cityish) Puerto Vallarta SUCKED will never go back. I would like to try Cuba (have mixd reviews from lots of people) & Belize (never heard anything bad about it)

[Delphinus]

Is that second photo Salt Spring? It looks familiar to me.

I dunno, maybe it's the old lifeguard in me speaking ... maybe it's the fact that I once, as a kid, nearly got lost ashore off Manly beach off Sydney after being caught in a riptide ... I wasn't in distress in the least, but I suddenly found myself 1 kilometre ashore. I sort of looked up and saw how far out I was ... sometimes the currents you get caught in are so gentle that you can't perceive that you're being carried off.

(I got back to shore with the help of a surfer who went out looking for me when my dad realized he couldn't see me anymore.)

I just think it's better to have a swim buddy out there with you (ie., not sitting at the beach), whether you are 7 or 37... Just my $0.02. Thus if you can go with some buddies or grandparents or other family ... it will just be better. But yeah, I realize that's not always possible. Let's face it, whatever you can do, is obviously going to be better than sitting at home staring at the snow.

[Marlin65]

Originally Posted by digital-audiophile

So I'm starting to put some thought into a winter vacation for the family and since I have never been anywhere tropical I am thinking about maybe Jamaica?

We need a family friendly resort as our daughter will only be just under 2 years old when we go.

Anywhere in the tropics where the wife can get her relaxing time on the beach and I can get in a little snorkeling would be awesome.

Any advice or suggestions of the best place for a young family.

He said family resort his wife wants to sit on the beach he wants to snorkel
I would think she would be okay with him snorkeling or maybe getting in a dive or who knows he could watch the kid while she dives.
Would you not do that for your spouse??

[dsaundry]

Don't think anybody said you were full of s**t. Looks like your kids are having fun. Big 2 yr olds though..Sure I don't mind watching kids either. Just seems to me that they might want to do stuff by themselves. There's family time and then there's together time..Just don't think you are going to get a lot of relaxing time with a 2yr old.

[Marlin65]

Yes I know big two year olds.
I could post a few more but some of you might not approve.
All kidding aside though I just don't want them to be discouraged. I for one have always taken my kids everywhere with me. Peace brother.