Cancun with Kids

Call the resort, they should have concierge services to guide you through the options in the area. I know my husband went there years ago and they went snorkeling and for a couple day trips to other areas, but he and his brother were older (13 and 17).

I would totally suggest going to the Mayan Riviera and stay there instead. You don't get the hustle and bustle of the rowdy Cancun crowd. There are plenty of 5 star all inclusive resorts that cater to a family's every need in the MR. Some have kid pools, some have kid clubs, some have kid camps, some have pool where no kids are allowed! - you just have to research on what your kids will want to do.

As far as the food goes, there's no way they can cater to your kid's palate unless you specifically request it, but the all inclusives have everything imaginable to eat. We've stayed at 3 different resorts in the MR and each resort had a Mexican, Italian, Chinese restaurant or buffet, and a larger more broader buffet with more American food, but lots of local fares too. But with a picky eater, you have to remember even if they serve American food, it may not be fixed exactly like American chefs fix it in America. So the food isn't bad, just different.

Xel hal, Xcaret and Xplore are awesome no matter where you stay. Look into those places. Have fun!

When I was in Cancun I recall an amazing excursion to a little island (Isla Mujeres) via a catamaran. We jumped off the catamaran and saw a status underwater. Once on the little island we rented a golf cart and toured around.

I also went water skiing in Cancun, yet it might only be for the people staying at the resort.

If the place you are staying is an "all-inclusive" they will have a huge buffet for every meal, with lots of food choices. If your kids like pools, you will be set staying right there, probably. The hotels typically have people working there who can setup any kind of excursion you want. There will be brochures and such, also. Best just to talk with them, tell them what you want, and let them set it up - then TIP THEM. We went snorkeling one day - out on a sailboat - very nice and fun, then on a bus to see Mayan ruins another day (not my favorite and HOT, but my then husband thought it was the coolest thing).

We've been to Isla Mujeres four times, the last time it was just me and my 9 year-old daughter. (She ate pancakes and cheese pizza there, mostly.) The first time we went to Cancun, we took the ferry there the first day and from then on, we stayed right on the island. We rented a golf cart and drove around the island exploring. It's a nice whole day event, with several stops along the way - turtle museum, art park with sculptures, yes the dolphin swimming thing - and the scenery is fantastic.

It depends what you like, and how adventurous a tourist you are. You can stay right in the hotel complex and relax and enjoy, or get more active and go on excursions, or see more of the "real" Mexico, if you choose.

We took a ferry from Cancun to Isla Mujeres. There we could go snorkeling, swimming, we were there in the summer and could go out in the ocean and swim with whale sharks In their natural habitat! and the dolphins swam up to our boat and frolicked around us. It was a very friendly little town, lots of vacationing Mexicans. PM me if you want to know more

My husband and I flew in and out of Cancun without our kids and then drove down to Tulum. We wanted to experience Mexico...we stayed at a BnB in a small town, drove through checkpoints where police had guns, toured Mayan ruins in two places, etc. Actually, it was an amazing trip. If you don't want to expose your kids to any seediness then to be totally safe, you can just stay at a big resort in Cancun. You go from the airport to your resort. We stayed at one our very last night before we flew out. It had multiple restaurants, amazing pools, it's own beach line, stores. It had a lot of families with kids when we were there....tons of pools all connected. It was very luxurious and nice. It seemed very kid friendly to me. Google "big resort in Cancun" and look at the images. As you can see they are totally self contained. It is like you are still in America...although to be safe with kids this is probably a good way to go!

We've been to Cancun many times with and without kids. Truly your kids would most likely be just fine staying at the resort the entire time. I've never stayed at The Hard Rock but I'm sure it's similar to all the other resorts. They usually have a kids or teens club that does tons of activities. You also can usually use .boogie boards, catamaran's, etc. for no cost. We just went and took my grandsons, ages 6 and 7, and we did book a snorkel trip. They absolutely loved snorkeling and it's pretty cheap. Xel Ha is a very fun day trip but can be very expensive. As for food, there is always something for everyone. Maybe your son eats like my grandson and he wants fruit and yogurt for breakfast, whatever for lunch and plain noodles, etc. for dinner. Your son will find something to eat. Have fun! It is by far my favorite kind of vacation to go on. I really resent using vacation time anymore for anything other than all-inclusives in Mexico.

I am hoping to go next year. I will be taking the kids on an Xcaret Excursion. Many of my friends have taken their kids on these Xcaret Excursions and had a fantastic time. As for food, my kids are fine as long as there is a buffet. There is always something they will eat.

http://www.xcaret.com/xcaret-tour-cancun-riviera-maya-mexico

We went to Cancun several years ago on a company sponsored trip. I can't remember the name of the hotel, but it was one of the nice big ones on the main drag. The hotel itself was okay but I felt like it was a pretty seedy area, lots of bars, creepy street people and tacky shops. I've heard there are some nice, contained family friendly resorts away from the city, I'd probably look into those if I was you.