Mexico resorts are extremely popular with families, who love their beaches, pools, kids' programs, and all inclusive pricing. It's good, however, to keep a few points in mind, and know what to expect.
Below are some issues that often cause complaints at Mexico resorts. To find out if they arise at a particular property, read recent visitors' comments at a site like TripAdvisor.
Beach conditions:
Beach conditions change -- especially after a hurricane. Cancun, for instance, was hit by Wilma in 2005, and then by Hurricane Dean. Mexico's government gives top priority to repairing tourist beaches. Visitors, however, shouldn't assume that a beach will be as pictured on the web or in brochures. Check recent visitor comments for a particular property; for Cancun, you can also check beach conditions photos, and read the Cancun Resort Forum.
Not all beaches are swimmable:
Some areas have rough waves, either regularly, or occasionally depending on weather. Families shouldn't assume that a beach will be suitable for little kids. In Cancun, waves are often rough in some areas (especially on the east side of the Hotel Zone); and in Los Cabos, many beaches have rough surf.
Most pools at Mexico resorts aren't heated except by the sun. If weather's cool or cloudy, the pool may be chilly.
Kids programs:
-- vary widely. Many are the "friendly little club" type: a cute room with toys, tv, and video games, where ages 4 to 12 are cared for by friendly staff. At the other end are the multiple-program kids clubs with different programs for different ages and an array of creative activities.
Most Mexico resorts have the "friendly little club". If you read that a resort has a "kids club for ages 4 to 12", be sure to check visitors' comments to know what to expect.
For fantastic kids programs at a Mexico resort, try Club Med Ixtapa Pacific (with Baby Club Med) and Club Med Cancun Yucatan. See also Mexico Resorts with Baby and Toddler Programs, for wee kids.
Tipping:
All-inclusives typically have a "no tipping" policy, but nonetheless tipping at Mexico resorts is common, so you may want to bring a wad of dollar bills. Read visitor comments before you go, to see if tipping is recommended by other guests at a particular resort.
Lounge chairs:
Often, demand for lounge chairs outstrips supply, and guests have to get up early in the morning to claim a lounge chair.
A la carte dining:
All-inclusive resorts in Mexico (and elsewhere) typically have one or more "specialty" restaurants in addition to buffet dining. Sometimes, guests need to make reservations immediately on arrival to get a spot, or need to book early on the day they want to dine. Again, visitor comments will tell you what you need to know.
Pool towels:
Many resorts have some kind of system that limits the handing-out of pool towels. Some places are more relaxed than others. Visitor comments will give clues when a resort is overly zealous about towel control.
Hard beds:
Many visitors from the US and Canada who visit Mexico resorts remark that "the beds were hard" -- seems to go with the territory. If you can't abide a hard bed, read visitor comments carefully for different resorts when making your selection. (Or try requesting a foam mattress cover; might help, and can't hurt to ask.)
Time-share sellers
--can be aggressive at some Mexico resorts.
Families with older teens:
Just so you know: when your kids are at a resort in Mexico, the drinking age is 18; at an all-inclusive, they'll get "adult" wristbands which means unlimited access to alcoholic drinks.
Bring a Donation:
it's a great idea to bring along some school supplies, kids' clothes, toys, or other donations; many small charities have set up easy ways for tourists to drop off gifts. In the Cancun and Mayan Riviera areas, for instance, Give a Toy, Get a Smile is a nice way for your child to help another child, by bringing a toy to donate to a local youngster.
Take day trips:
Mexico has wonderful opportunities for outings, such as day-trips to impressive Mayan ruins. Be sure to get out of your resort and explore. On our trip to the Mayan Riviera, we easily made the trip a fun "edu-vacation" by visits to ruins backed up by a few good children's learning books.
Try local transport:
When a resort has a somewhat remote location, some guests grumble at the cost of taxi rides to nearby towns or attractions. Other guests recommend the inexpensive local transport: bus service can be very good; ask around about buses and other options.
Getting sick at a Mexico resort:
When reading visitor comments, you'll undoubtedly read that someone becomes sick and blames the food. At an all inclusive resort, generally visitors trust that the place takes health and sanitation measures, and we relax the precautions we'd use outside the resort (such as treating ice suspiciously, and using the "peel it, boil it, or forget it" rule for fruits and vegetables.) So we are vulnerable if food isn't handled properly.
Generally, resorts do a good job: if they didn't, visitor comment web sites would be filled with criticism. So it's hard to know what to conclude when an occasional guest gets sick at a resort. Food isn't always the culprit. Was the traveler outside the resort, and/or handling money (- a great way to pick up germs)?
In any case, it's easy to take a few simple precautions. Double-check on the tap water quality (for brushing teeth, for instance), especially if you have little kids. Check if the glassware at the bar --or in the rooms-- get thoroughly washed, or just rinsed and re-used. And washing hands before eating is always recommended, no matter where you are.
Medical Emergencies
Several tragic deaths at Mexico resorts have made it painfully clear that -- even if a resort seems to be a protected, modern mini-world -- families can't count on the type of life-saving medical response they'd expect at home. Ask your resort if there are trained medical staff on site (Club Med and Dreams are good bets - but always check.) How would an accident victim get to a hospital? Don't assume that safety standards are the same everywhere.
