Help plan family vacation to Playa del Carmen

[opie712]

We are thinking of planning a trip to PDC next year. I'm going to take some sidemount classes and maybe some intro to cave so thought a family trip would be good also.
Things we are looking for
-Nice accommodation doesn't have to be all inclusive must be kid friendly (3yr girl)
- Must have nice beach since the wife and daughter are beach bums a water park would be fun to spend some time at but just some activities that will keep the little one busy
-list of things for the whole family to do that's a must do
-What time of yr is the best for going
Any help is very appreciative

 

[Divernoob]

Hotel Playacar Beach | Iberostar Tucán Hotel | Hotel Riviera Maya

You'll thank me later.

 

[opie712]

Looking at the Gran Bahia Akhuml anyone have reviews or thoughts

 

[Diverspoint]

April May for time. Better temp but not hot

 

[They call me Tater]

We had a great time staying in a condo on the beach. VRBO

 

[FT]

+1 for VRBO. Just back from a truly pleasant stay in a condo in Akumal. This one was Mi Casa del Mar, small pool, kid-friendly atmosphere, but it must be said there's lots of choice there, including lots on the splendid beach of Half Moon Bay. With a three year old, there's much to be said for setting your own schedule for breakfast and naps... tho I suppose the kids' club/babysitting aspect of some AIs would be a feature.

Playa del Carmen's beach is lovely too, though way busier. Xcaret a great, if pricey, day outing for the animals, lazy river and cultural show. You can show your daughter the dolphins while your wife gets a massage .

 

[opie712]

Def no baby sitting service I'm not sure that I would trust them while we are away so we are taking a sister to do some baby sitting so that's not an issue looked at the gran bahia cobe they have the dolphin experience at the hotel and a kid water park with broadway style disney shows of a night we done the vrbo to the keys and loved it

 

[Beyond_Diving]

Wait... you are choosing that place because they actually have captive dolphins (or experience, or whatever you want to call it)?

 

[opie712]

No I'm not choosing its in a toss up a reason for that place because the kids activities kids water park disney shows nice beach gated community tge dolphins is there so why not partake in it

 

[Beyond_Diving]

tge dolphins is there so why not partake in it

Why not partake in it? Because they are captive dolphins! That's why!
You want to see dolphins? Dive a whole lot, and maybe, if you are really lucky, one day you'll spot a pod in the ocean (where they belong) while on a dive.