The Ultimate Guide to Kid-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts

As the weather starts to get chilly, it’s a perfect time to start planning a beach vacation in the winter. If you are looking for warm places like I am, this is the ultimate guide to kid-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The best part? They are only one direct flight away from the DMV!

Finest Playa Mujeres (Cancun)

• Flight time: 3h 30 mins
• Finest Playa Mujeres is epecially fun for kids 10 and under, with lots of kids activities, child care, and a family spa! Plus, you can go out and explore Cancun’s vibrant restaurant and shopping scene, or head on a day excursion to visit the archaeological site El Meco.

Barcelo Maya Palace (Riviera Maya)

• Flight time: 3h 30 mins (plus 1 hour drive from the Cancun airport)
• Barcelo Maya Palace has an amazing kids waterpark. It is also perfect for snorkeling and swimming with dolphins. If you go, make sure you do a day trip to Playa del Carmen and/or take the ferry to Cozumel.

The Grand at Moon Palace (Cancun)

• Flight time: 3h 30 mins
• If you are checking out this hotel, make sure you are looking at The Grand, which is new and different from Moon Palace. It has 3 huge wáter parks, a kids club, lots of pools, and a variety of restaurants, bars, and unlimited snacks. They even have baby food on their menu.

Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana

• Flight time: 3h 40 mins
• Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana is also a relatively new resort, that opened in 2020. Inside the resort they have a water park and fun activities such as bowling and ziplining. The downside to Punta Cana, is that there is not much to explore outside of the resort, but they make sure you have plenty of entertainment so you don’t even have to leave!

Xcaret Riviera Maya

• Flight time: 3h 30 mins (plus 1 hour drive from the Cancun airport)
• Xcaret is one of the best known kid-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Mexico. When you stay here you will have exclusive access to all of their natural parks. Other adventures include the natural wonder XEL-HA, ziplining through the Riviera Maya, party in the Xoximilco gondolas, the Xenses instagrammable scenarios, and swimming through caves and underground rivers.

Majestic Elegance Punta Cana

• Flight time: 3h 40 mins
• Majestic Elegance is a favorite of my kids because of the lazy river and all the pools that are shallow and perfect for little ones.

Hyatt Ziva CapCana

• Flight time: 3h 40 mins
• Hyatt Ziva CapCana is a great place to relax; clear water beach, swim-up bars, and lots of dining options to choose from. It’s also great if you like golf and/or snorkeling.

Bahia Principe Tulum

• Flight time: 3h 30 mins (plus 1.5 hour drive from the Cancun airport)
• Bahia Principe Tulum is the perfect destination for yoga lovers and nature enthusiasts. Day expeditions recommended: visit the Tulum ruins, get a feel for local Mexican life at Tulum Town, explore the Sian Ka’an reserve or the Yal-Ku Lagoon, and visit a cenote (natural limestone sinkhole – this is a must do!). You would also have access to Bahia Principe Grand Coba amenities, and they offer catamaran rentals (for a fee) and diving lessons (free).

Divi Golf Village (Aruba)

• Flight time: 4h 20 mins
• You will have access to all Divi hotels (all are kid-friendly all-inclusive resorts) that are at walking distance, the most extensive private beach, a total of 11 pools, 14 restaurants, 12 bars, and free golf. Make sure to try the best pizza we’ve ever had, at Mulligan’s. Also, the rooms are super spacious, with kitchen, laundry room, and separate living/dining room.

Other worthy destinations to check out

I couldn’t find direct flights to these, but they are not far and are great destinations for family vacations.

• Baha Mar Bahamas
• Beaches Turks and Caicos
• Beaches Negril (Jamaica)
• And if you’re staying in DC, check out this fun-filled guide of things to do for winter break in the DMV.

Let me know if you have visited any of these or if you have any additions to this list of kid-friendly all-inclusive resorts!