Traveling with young children can be daunting, especially for an extended period. My husband, Daniel, and I decided to take on this challenge by spending five weeks in Cancun with our 4-year-old, 3-year-old, and 6-month-old. Many would think we were a bit crazy, and perhaps we are, but it turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences for our family. Here’s a detailed account of our journey, how we managed it, and why Cancun was the perfect destination for our adventure.
Why Cancun?
Cancun was an easy choice for several reasons. Daniel has cousins living there, making it a convenient spot for family reunions. Plus, his parents and sister could easily travel from Mexico City to meet us. I have a personal connection to Cancun, having lived there for three years. It's a place that feels like a second home, with friends and familiar spots I love revisiting.
Our Game Plan
We rented an Airbnb in a new development near Avenida Huayacán, a 15-minute drive from both the airport and the hotel zone. The area was safe, with grocery stores, restaurants, and other amenities close by. The Airbnb itself was perfect for our family, featuring a pool, a palapa for cooking and eating, and a kids' playground.
Initially, we planned to stay for four weeks, but when Daniel's sister decided to compete in a triathlon the week we were supposed to leave, we extended our stay by a week. We also discovered that many Airbnbs offer discounts for stays of a month or longer, making our extended trip more cost-effective.
Since our boys are only in preschool a few days a week, it wasn't a big deal for them to miss some school. Next year, with our oldest starting kindergarten, our travel flexibility will decrease, so this was a perfect time for a longer adventure. Both Daniel and I can work remotely, which allowed us to continue our work projects from Cancun.
Family Time and Resort Sampling
The first two weeks in Cancun were dedicated to family. Daniel's parents rented an Airbnb in the same complex, and we spent quality time with them and Daniel's cousins. Our boys spent hours in the pool and made remarkable progress with their swimming skills. It was a joy to see them become more confident in the water.
The remaining three weeks were what I like to call "resort sampling." Instead of staying at one resort for the entire trip, we booked single nights at different resorts to experience a variety of them. We strategically spaced out these stays to maximize our time at each resort while allowing us to return to our Airbnb for breaks. This approach gave us the best of both worlds: the comfort of a home base and the excitement of exploring different resorts.
Our Resort Schedule
We followed a Monday-Thursday strategy:
- Monday: Arrive at a resort early (10 am), stay overnight, and leave late Tuesday (9 pm).
- Wednesday: Relax and do laundry at the Airbnb.
- Thursday: Arrive at another resort at 10 am, stay overnight, and leave late Friday (9 pm).
- Weekends: Visit family or relax at the Airbnb.
The Resorts We Sampled
- Royalton Riviera Maya: Great for young kids with a huge water park, though the beach wasn’t ideal for swimming.
- Royalton Splash: Excellent new facilities and a standout restaurant called The Cave. Better for older kids due to the big water slides.
- Planet Hollywood: Located in Playa Mujeres with very nice beaches. The décor was tacky, but the kids loved the new water park and lazy river (featuring a swim-up bar and waterslide).
- The Grand Moon Palace: Not a great beach, but fantastic amenities including a large kids' water park and an impressive kids' restaurant, Circus.
- Andaz Mayakoba: A boutique jungle resort with a beautiful beach and tranquil atmosphere. Limited kids’ and nighttime activities but a favorite for its relaxing vibe. We got married here in 2018 so it was nice to go back with the kids.
- Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres: Surprised us with its expansive grounds and family-friendly activities. The kids’ club allowed drop-off for younger children, giving us a rare chance to relax.
Financial Breakdown
- Airbnb for 5 weeks: $2100, offset by renting out our home in Vancouver.
- Flights: Paid for with points, plus $400 in taxes.
- Car rental: would have been $1600, but we only paid for gas thanks to Daniel's cousin lending us her car.
- Resorts: Approximately $600 per night, but we used points for all but one, costing us about $600 in total.
Not a Vacation, but an Adventure
We knew from the start that this trip wouldn't be a relaxing vacation. Juggling childcare, work, and travel meant it was more of an adventure. We faced challenges like a stolen phone and a sick child, but these were balanced by the joy of seeing our kids thrive in new environments and spending time with family.
Our days at the resorts were the closest we got to vacation mode, with less cooking and cleaning, and plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained. However, most kids' clubs in Mexico only accept children 4 and over for drop-off, limiting our opportunities for kid-free relaxation. The Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres was a notable exception, allowing us some much-needed downtime.
Would We Recommend Resort Sampling?
Absolutely! Despite the challenges, our resort sampling strategy was a hit. We loved experiencing different resorts, each offering unique amenities and activities. Packing and unpacking every few days was less cumbersome than we expected, and we became quite efficient at it.
For families with the flexibility to work remotely and rent out their home, a resort sampler adventure in Cancun is a fantastic way to make the most of your time. Just set realistic expectations, embrace the adventure, and enjoy the variety and excitement of exploring multiple resorts.
If you have any questions or comments, Id love to hear them below.
Happy vacationing!
Feel free to share your own travel experiences or ask for tips on planning your next family adventure!