All-inclusive Beach Resort Choices - value price

Viva Resorts had eight AI's in the Caribbean and Mexico, and since 2003 has had a 10-year alliance with the Wyndham hotel giant: hence the "Viva Wyndham" brand.

Viva Resorts has:

• five properties in the Dominican Republic, at La Romana, Puerto Plata, and other locations
• in Mexico, the Viva Wyndham Maya and the Viva Wyndham Azteca, at Playacar on the Riviera Maya
• the Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach, on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas. This resort has a Viva Circus program, with trapeze lessons, performances, juggling lessons, and more.

Viva Wyndham resorts have all-included kids clubs for ages 4 to 12, plus activities for families.

A sample resort is the Viva Wyndham Tangerine, on the north coast of the DR, with a great location on a long stretch of beach that leads to Cabarate Bay (fun place to watch kite-boarding) and the town of Cabarate. The resort has Kids Club is for ages four to twelve, large free form pool with shallow play area and separate baby zone, watersports, daily activities, etc.

Family-friendly pricing
At Viva Wyndham resorts, kids under age 3 are free and ages 3 to 17 can "stay, play and eat for a nominal $30 per night fee at all Viva Wyndham properties." -(Wyndham site.) Viva regularly has "Kids Free" specials, too; check for specials during summer months.

^{*photo © Teresa Plowright}