Mexico with Kids

Mexico › Family Vacations
Updated: March 3, 2022

The 5 Best Destinations for Families in Mexico

1. Tulum

Tulum is my favorite place in Mexico (with kids or without). Cool town, great restaurants, and wonderful beach. Some people don’t like that the town and beach are a few miles apart but I like the distinction and the bike path between the two makes the commute enjoyable. Most people stay at the beach and go into town for the occasional meal or to do some shopping.

Tacos.

The Pueblo.

Coba near Tulum.

Coba.

Tulum bus station. Over a certain height you pay an adult fare on the bus. Your age doesn’t matter.

Breakfast on the Tulum beach.

Tulum beach.

Cooking course in Tulum.

Cenote near Tulum.

Returning our bikes then heading for the bus.

Biking along the beach road in Tulum.

Snacks for the bus to Tulum.

2. Isla Mujeres

Playa Norte (North Beach) is the most kid-friendly beach in Mexico. Soft sand, gentle waves, and clear shallow water make for an idyllic setting. There are good restaurants spread along a pedestrian-only avenue in the lively (but not crazy) main town. Most locals and tourists get around the island by golf cart.

Jumping from a bridge on Isla Mujeres. (There’s good snorkeling beneath the bridge.)

Arriving in Isla Mujeres on the ferry from Cancun.

Getting around by golf car in Isla Mujeres.

Golf carts are the main form of transportation on Isla Mujeres.

Tacos in Isla Mujeres.

Biking in Isla Mujeres.

North Beach in Isla Mujeres.

3. Puerto Vallarta

Very cool city with a mix of touristy fun and authentic Mexican culture. Several smaller beach towns are within an hour by car or boat: Yelapa, Mismaloya, Bucerias, and Sayulita. All great places to stay or visit.

Puerto Vallarta.

Tacos and Torta in Puerto Vallarta.

Naval Museum in Puerto Vallarta.

Treats in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta beach.

The Malecon in Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta beach.

Puerto Vallarta

Water park near Puerto Vallarta.

Bucerias.

A donut truck in Sayulita.

Heading for the beach in Sayulita.

Sayulita beach.

Surf lessons in Sayulita.

Tacos in Sayulita.

Sayulita.

Waiting for the bus near Sayulita.

Parasailing in Yelapa.

Yelapa

Waiting for the bus near Mismaloya.

Taking the boat from Mismaloya to Yelapa.

Mismaloya.

4. Cancun

Lots of big family-friendly resorts with water slides, kids clubs, and huge pools. The area itself doesn’t have a lot of character but the beaches are great and there are good day trips within easy reach.