Last summer, my family went down to an All-Inclusive in Riviera Maya, which is just south of Cancun. We stayed at the Grand Occidental which was really nice. It is not the nicest place to stay down there but is definitely a cut above most of the places.

If you have never stayed in an all-inclusive before, there is tons to do and the food is great. It is a little strange to kind of have forced fun and there is not a great deal of adventure, but it is a great deal and really relaxing because you don't have to worry about anything.

This place was huge with multiple pools and several restaurants and buffets. We ate breakfast every morning at the buffet next to the sea with a nice view of the water and an ocean breeze. The gounds were miticulously kept and there was a little tram you could hop on to get around if you didn't feel like walking.

Every night, they would have shows which I would say were Broadway caliber but on the low end. They also had a disco but I never made it there.

I would return to the Grand Occidental is a second and would highly recommend it as a great place to stay. My biggest complaint about the resort is that the beach was a man-made inlet so it did not really have the feel of a real beach. There was also this huge needlefish baracuda thing that hung out in the water and was kind of intimidating. They really need to get down there with a fishing pole and take care of that guy.

Hello my fellow travelers I too stayed at an all inclusive resort to me its the only way to go that way when your on a budget like me I don't have to worry about buying food and drinks, and I do like to get my drinks on especially the exotic drinks. Its the only time I can let go and be free and happy, stress free not worry about my grown folks (children) and my friends at work but I wish they could be there having fun with me. I stayed at Gran Caribe Real Resort in Cancun and it was my first time in Mexico I travel many places, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Jamaica, Las Vegas, Dominican Republic etc. I believe in taking vacations getting away from the rat race of NY, I even got my co-workers into travel they always want to know where I'm going next they already know that Las Vegas is my second home I love it can't get enough of the beauty and the atmosphere of Las Vegas I must go there every year sometimes 2x a year, I get 4weeks of vacation so I break it up and travel different places, but Cancun I must say that I like the best out of all the Islands I been too the whole strip where I was felt so safe not like the others I been too where I was constantly on guard. I walk the whole strip going to the malls, there was two of them one call Flamingo Mall that was across the street from my resort and the Maya Rivera Mall. The Rivera Maya Mall is big and I got free tequilla tasting, I tasted so many different brands of tequilla's that my sweet darling husband almost had to hold me up but he didn't mind he loves to see me that way I get giddy and sexy, anyway my resort the Gran Caribe is GEORGEOUS, but the food wasn't too much to brag about, but the restuarant Maria's food is delicious well that one meal I had was tasty it was call the Puerto Juarez with Shrimps yep you guest it I'm a seafood fan but you have to make a reservation for that restaurant its all included in the resort but you have to pay for the wine and lobster if you order that but every thing else help yourself. I will go back there in a heartbeat I love this place even though when I was there they cancel the shows because they was having a grand premiere of there new resort next door can't remember the name but its right next door to the Gran Caribe, We my hubby and I got a free stay over there but I didn't want to pack up and go over there even though we was only there for 15 minutes lol we got settle in the room and soon as we went to go sightseeing here comes Paul wanting to over us you know that time sharing stuff I only go to them to get the free stuff like a got a free bag and skirt for the beach and too see what the so call "all that " rooms that so suppose to be worth all this money, and yes it was nice but how much do you stay in a room besides lovemaking and sleeping I don't really stay in the room I like to go out and about to the stores, the beach, the pool, the gym. Even in Vegas my friend stay at the belligio and I stay at MGM or Tropicana and I don't see the difference except for the money but I had a great time in Cancun and the room I had was perfect it had a wonderful view of the strip and of the ocean and didnt have to pay extra for it, so why these people think that I wanted too pack up and move too some swanky new place it was nice but not all that to me,plus it's for adults only a little snobby if you ask me, ok I understand about the kids thing but still I love the kiddies plus I'm a Sugamama thats code for grandma but I don't look like a grandma, so I would love to take my grans one day. So come on have fun in Cancun its greeeeeeeeeeeat.

Let me start by saying, I'm a travel agent. I work in the travel industry, travel frequently myself and have been selling Cancun as a vacation destination for a long time.

Cancun has changed DRAMATICALLY in the past few years. If you haven't visited there recently...GO BACK SOON!...if you've never been...GO NOW!

My clients often come to me with many misconceptions about Cancun.
It used to be that Cancun was thought of as a wild, party town of spring break fam. NOTHING of the sort these days!!! This is fabulous news for families...YES, families! Let me change 10 misconceptions about all inclusive family vacations in Cancun...

1. Look at a map.
Cancun is fairly centrally located to most U.S. cities and it is serviced by many airlines. It's easy to get to and because there is a great deal of airline competition, flight prices are usually cheaper by comparison than to other Caribbean destinations. No long flights for the little ones and their parents to endure.

2. It will take too long to get there
Once off the airplane, it's a short 15 minute ride from the airport to get to most resorts in the hotel zone.
AND
There are so many sightseeing options in the area for parents and kids to enjoy both above and below the sea.

2. Spring breakers
Most hotels now have rules against it. The handful of resorts that do allow it now insist guests leave credit card escrow monies against possible damage which also acts as a deterent.

3. I can't take my kids to a resort
Many of the all inclusive resorts offer fabulous kids clubs, water parks, children's info-tainment programs...even nursery programs for infants. Most of the family oriented properties also offer kid friendly menus and dining options. Parents can actually enjoy a romantic meal without cutting up somebody's meat.
What's even nicer is the newer family LUXURY resorts. Now parents don't need to sacrifice luxury to make their kids happy.

4. Hotel rooms are not kid friendly
Hoteliers are getting smart and offering more family suites with private rooms for parents, bunk beds and video games for kids, baby proofing, even family of five rooms that will allow 3 kids!

5. It's WAY too expensive
Family all inclusives are the way to go!
It's the perfect no-brainer vacation for busy parents. With all inclusive rates, parents know EXACTLY what their vacation is going to cost up front so there is no hidden surprises lurking in next month's credit card bill.
By comparision, an all inclusive resort may appear to be a bit more expensive on paper but often works out to be FAR less expensive in the long run. Even if you rent a house at the shore, usually it's mom who ends up still cooking, cleaning, planning activities etc.(vacation???) and things like food and services cost more than usual in resort areas. In the end, that "cheap" vacation house ends up costing about the same in the long run.


6. The water will make us sick
Most of the hotels here are new and have been built with water purification systems.
In fact, most first time tourists are shocked as to how "Americanized" Cancun really is. Every familiar food brands/restaurant chains you know from home, you'll find in Cancun. So if your kid perfers a happy meal to quesidillas, no problem.

7. But I don't speak Spanish
Most of the resort staff speak English. Many resorts offer classes and bonus incentives to their staff to learn. I don't speak Spanish, travel there several times each year and have never had any major communication problems.

8. Hurricanes
Hurricane Wilma did deal Cancun a hard blow a couple of years. Because tourism does so much for the Mexican economy, the governement sent troops in to help with the clean up. The result, in 6 short months just about everything was back on track. Some of the older hotels were leveled and new, ultra modern resorts now stand. It's been an amazing process to watch.
Cancun is now better than ever.
Hurricane season runs from June - October every year which is usually summer vacation season for most families. Do NOT let this deter your family from going. Be sure to take out travel insurance that will allow you to "cancel for any reason". The cost is usually 5-7% of the cost of your vacation investment. This way if bad weather is a threat, you can change your plans easily.

9.I just want to make my kids happy
This is a fact of life. Parents do not need to be vacation martyrs for their kids sake. Family all inclusive resorts in Cancun offer a great mix of activities so that families can choose alone time or together time while having lots of fun. While the kids are in kid's camp, parents can enjoy a spa treatment, snorkeling, even mixology classes.

10. My kids will get homesick
Kids LOVE Cancun. I see the vacation photos and I hear the reports of many of happy family. The Mexican culture is all about family. You and your children will be made to feel welcome. Oh and in case you have teens, many resorts have free internet access, wifi, even ipod support
so that they can stay in close touch with their friends at home.

I hope this has helped to clear up some misconceptions about Cancun. Yes, U.S. families will now need passorts to get to Cancun but apply for a passport is NOT that difficult and far easier than most people imagine. Do it! Get your passport and take your family to Cancun.
You'll see why SO many family LOVE it there!
Happy Travels
Sally Black
mom@vacationkids.com

All Inclusive Resorts (especially in the Mexico/Caribbean Area) are a great way to vacation and a very poor way to learn about the country's culture. It's almost like if someone from Mexico wanted to come to the US for vacation so they flew in and spent a week in the Four Seasons hotel. These resorts a nice way to relax, but don't plan on learning much.

I disagree that an All inclusive is a poor way to learn about a country. I always use All Inclusives so I don't have to worry so I don't have to worry about food and drinks at my "home base"

My wife and I have been there about 15 times at about 3 different AI's. It does make for a more stress free visit. And yes most of the resorts have many options for children but the one thing that is upsetting is that the parents do keep the little wild ones under control. We all don't think an infant with diapers should be allowed in the adult pool by the swim-up bar. It is NOT CUTE when they pee and turd up the water.

quote:

Originally posted by sblack:
3. I can't take my kids to a resort
Many of the all inclusive resorts offer fabulous kids clubs, water parks, children's info-tainment programs...even nursery programs for infants. Most of the family oriented properties also offer kid friendly menus and dining options. Parents can actually enjoy a romantic meal without cutting up somebody's meat.
What's even nicer is the newer family LUXURY resorts. Now parents don't need to sacrifice luxury to make their kids happy.

Cities in mexico are not only associated with constant partying, but also popular for loads of fun for kids and teenagers. Some well known tourist attractions offer discounts for childrens.

quote:

Originally posted by sblack:
Family all inclusives are the way to go!
It's the perfect no-brainer vacation for busy parents. With all inclusive rates, parents know EXACTLY what their vacation is going to cost up front so there is no hidden surprises lurking in next month's credit card bill.
By comparision, an all inclusive resort may appear to be a bit more expensive on paper but often works out to be FAR less expensive in the long run. Even if you rent a house at the shore, usually it's mom who ends up still cooking, cleaning, planning activities etc.(vacation???) and things like food and services cost more than usual in resort areas. In the end, that "cheap" vacation house ends up costing about the same in the long run.

And yeah, I agree that selecting an all-inclusive vacation package is the way to go if you're vacationing with the whole family to avoid too much worrying. After all, vacationing is all about having fun and not about worrying.