Family vacation to the tropics?

[Veng68]

Originally Posted by Treebeard

Akumal Beach Resort is a few miles south of Playa del Carmen and I highly recommend it. It is a very reasonably priced all inclusive and the snorkeling is spectacular! Here are some photos from a recent trip with my daughter.

Akumal Beach

Akumal Beach Snorkeling

My fiancee' and I are planning an August honeymoon to Akumal, however we will be staying at a smaller non-all inclusive hotel just down the beach from the above resort. My wife-to-be is a certified NAUI scuba instructor and is giving me the instructional part of my training at home, and will certify me with the open water dives in Akumal Bay. I am SO excited, I can hardly wait to get down there and see the stuff which is to deep too reach with a snorkel.

If you want more info, feel free to PM me.

Dang your so lucky that your fiancee is an instructor. I really want to learn how to scuba dive but I can't swim Some people say you don't need to know how to swim..... but I think you should know how.

I really missed out on some good diving when I went to Thailand last year.

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

[dsaundry]

Don't know if I would do Jamaica with a 2 yr old, for that matter I don't think I would do anywhere on the Caribbean. It's asking a lot for a 2 yr old to be patient on the plane and not a lot for them to do. It's really geared for adults/teenagers+retired people. Sure the snorkling is fun, but unless your child is exceptionally gifted it's probably not the place for them. Not trying to burst your bubble or offend, just an opinion from a father of 4 who has travelled many times with kids, both good and bad experiences...

[Veng68]

Anyone ever been to Belize? It's got the 2nd largest reef in the world.

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

[Treebeard]

We are hoping to hit Cozumel for a couple of days too, although from what I have researched it is a little more expensive.

[digital-audiophile]

Originally Posted by dsaundry

Don't know if I would do Jamaica with a 2 yr old, for that matter I don't think I would do anywhere on the Caribbean. It's asking a lot for a 2 yr old to be patient on the plane and not a lot for them to do. It's really geared for adults/teenagers+retired people. Sure the snorkling is fun, but unless your child is exceptionally gifted it's probably not the place for them. Not trying to burst your bubble or offend, just an opinion from a father of 4 who has travelled many times with kids, both good and bad experiences...

This is my fear, but my wife has her heart set on somewhere tropical. Perhaps a good idea would be to get grandma and grandpa to care for my little peanut and the wife and I go

[SJSobczyk]

Just remember since you have such a young child travelling with you anything direct would sure save you a lot of "Are we there yet". I was just in the Mayan one month ago and it is a amazing place to take kids. Try looking up a place called Sandos Caracol, definitely recommend it! Usually if you go on redtag.ca you can find good Signature Vacation deals to this resort.

Or if you really want to suffer some punishment, take your child to Saint Lucia - Coconut Bay Resort and Spa. Has a special area for kids, and extra strong drinks for the parents!

Good Luck

Steve

[dsaundry]

Yup, Grandparents were one of the best babysitter's and vacation savers we had when kids were very young. When they were older then not too much of a problem..the usual places, Disneyland, Oregon coast, Mexico, etc. Even the mighty West Edmonton Mall....Imo you would both enjoy yourselves a lot better without the little one on this trip....

[Reefer Rob]

Traveling with a 2 year old I'd do Maui. Nice and close (you can fly Westjet) and they even have a Costco. Don't expect too much from a vacation with a small child.

[Marlin65]

Originally Posted by Treebeard

We are hoping to hit Cozumel for a couple of days too, although from what I have researched it is a little more expensive.

It's worth the extra in my opinion especially if you dive.
I was told there is no crime. The last kid that stole a purse was beaten. This is from the tour guide though.
Lots of time share though.
I saw schools of bait fish Mai Mai Barracuda and lots more just off the beach.
Diving I say a huge nurse shark a grouper that his eye was the size of my fist a 4' turtle and much more.

[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 travelled 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 travelled with them when they were 2 and you DONT relax.......