family vaca with teens and some divers?

[kixy1]

I need to plan a family vacation for this Feb, and I'm looking at Jamaica or the Mexican Riv. This is really hard for me as I usually plan the no-frills dive trips.:cool2:
The musts are: all inclusive, a snorkeling beach, and most importantly, things to keep the teens busy and happy.
We also have a few divers, but we've been limited to 2 or maybe 3 days of diving so as not to miss the "party" So we need access to a dive shop, it there's not one on-site.
Any ideas, suggestions, experience?

Thanks!

 

[ScubaBing]

Check out the Turks & Caicos location of Beaches (Beaches Caribbean Family Resorts for Kids: All Inclusive Caribbean Family Vacation). We've not been, but are booked for March based on a lot of good reviews, including on this forum.

It has everything you have listed that you're looking for.

Enjoy !

 

[Ed Hatfield]

Lots of AI's in Mexico. An option would be the island of Curacao, part of the ABC chain with Aruba and Bonaire. The Breezes there is an all-inclusive with an on-site affiliated dive shop plus free shore diving. I stayed there a couple of years ago and recommend it. Also south is the island of San Andres, Colombia, cheap AI's with excellent diving. I stayed a couple of times at the Decameron Aquarium and used the on-site dive shop. Jamaica, depending on your budget, has excellent hotels. I stayed at the Sandals Negril (adults only) and found the diving to be pretty good. It is also included in the All-Inclusive but it was $$$. Playa del Carmen, Mexico, has several diving options and the Mayan Riviera coast is cluttered with AI's. Many have on-site shops which would suit your needs if you are only doing a couple days diving. I would suggest you find the best price AI, 4 star or better, that you can and figure out the diving later. If it were a dive trip I'd do the reverse.

 

[divemayancenotes]

Riviera Maya should fit your needs. Lots of AI mostly including water sports, kayaking and several organized activities in the resort. Snorkelling off shore is not really popular, snorkel reefs are far away and usually visites by organized tours by boat
you will find dive shops in Almost every resort, not the best choice maybe but convinient for you as a diver travelling with teens.

If you are interested in excursions to cenotes in Riviera Maya including diving and snorkeling we can arrange something for you, even combining diving and visiting mayan ruins the same day, or discover Scuba diving programs for teens

good luck and contact me if you need advice for any particular resort in playa del Carmen
Divemayancenotes.com

 

[UndrWatrDan]

We are going to Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa near Tulum the week before Christmas with our daughter and grandkids ages 10 and 13. They have a lot of activities for kids.

 

[kixy1]

Thanks everyone! Sounds like I'm on the right track.

I'd LOVE to go to Beaches Turks, but it's just too much $$$. Beaches Negril in Jamaica might be a possibility, sounds like they have everything we need including waterskiing and bananaboat rides! :cool2:

Ed, been to Breezes and we loved it! The kids are a few years older now, I worry that some of the on-site activities are a bit more for the younger kids, and we'd like to experience somewhere new.

I'm really interested in some of the AI's on the Mexican Riviera, just need to find one with a great beach and enough activities to keep the kids happy MY problem is I'm used to staying at small, often isolated places with a bunch of frugal divers...Some of these super-sized AI's give me with willies.. BUT I'm sure I can put on my vacation hat and enjoy the ride once I GET there

 

[divemayancenotes]

Great beaches, check maroma resort&spa, One of the best beaches on this area. Far away from playa del Carmen though.
Catalonia royal Tulum has a nice beachfront also, and it is located close to most of the cenotes

I am sorry I got no info about activities for kids. AI usually includes water sports and entertainment staff