Location is in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. Cancun -- connected by bridges to the mainland -- has a 25-km Hotel Zone with shores on the Caribbean Sea, and also on the Nichupté Lagoon (as can be seen in the photo above.)
Cancun has over 150 hotels and resorts, and most of them welcome families. All inclusive resorts are a popular choice with families; however, families seeking luxury will find that most top choices are not all inclusive. See moreabout Cancun resorts, below.
Cancun Vacation Considerations: Beaches
Two points to keep in mind about Cancun beaches: first, at some hotel locations, waves are frequently rough (especially on the east side of the Hotel Zone).
Secondly, beach conditions are changeable due to erosion and weather (and especially the extreme weather known as hurricanes.)
Visitors are well advised to not assume that the beach at a resort will be a great place to swim, especially for toddlers, and also not assume that the beach will look, in real life, exactly as pictured on the web or in brochures. Instead, check recent visitor comments for current beach conditions. For example, at TripAdvisor.com, check hotel reviews and check the Cancun Resort Forum.) .
Easy Day Trips on a Cancun Vacation
Many guests take day-trips to the Mayan Riviera to the south of Cancun, which has coral reef, "eco-archeological" theme park Xcaret, fascinating Mayan ruins, and more. [bnr]
Another popular destination is the Chichen Itza site of Mayan ruins. This is a full-day trip, with 2-1/2 hour drive each way; make sure your kids can handle the long travel time.
Meanwhile, just a short ferry ride away is the laid-back island of Isla Mujeres, where Garrafon Natural Reef Park has many tourist activities.
More Cancun Vacation Tips:
For more about Cancun vacations, head to:
- Top Cancun Resort Choices for Families: this selection includes both all inclusive resorts and non-all inclusive resorts; a number of top resorts in Cancun are not the AI type.
- Cancun All Inclusive Resorts for Families: organized alphabetically, with link to a map of the Hotel Zone.
- Tips about Cancun Resorts: tips about pools and beaches (such as, most pools aren't heated, except by the sun), advice about tipping at all inclusive resorts, advice for parents of teens, and more.
