Family vacation to the tropics?

[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)

[Marlin65]

My vote would be for Cozumel a bit more to get to but not as crowded and of course the diving/snorkeling 2nd to none.
Akumel is nice too but the diving is better in Cozumel.
Islands are usually less crowded and more pristine.

[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.

[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.......

[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.

[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

[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

[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.