Playa Del Carmen Family Resorts
…fun and exclusivity for the whole family…
Regular readers of this website will know that I don’t have children with me in Mexico (like many of you have during your vacation).
However, I regularly hang out with people here who have their families with them, so I know what it’s like.
Children are cool.
However, in today’s fast-moving world, they seem to demand almost constant attention in order to remain happy.
Ever since I moved to Playa Del Carmen, I’ve been inundated by long lost family members wanting to visit here.
It’s funny, when I lived in another part of Mexico, they wanted nothing to do with me.
All the relatives that I haven’t seen since I was in diapers, have been calling me up: “Hey Rufus, guess who’s coming to Playa Del Carmen…?
At first I was petrified.
Honestly, I’m trying to project a certain image in Playa Del Carmen – cool, fun, exciting. (Three things I’m definitely not.)
I certainly don’t need reminding of when I shit my pants (literally) while watching Jurassic Park as a five year old.
I knew that I couldn’t have my relatives and their huge families staying anywhere near my place.
So instead, I started visiting all the Playa Del Carmen family resorts and recommending where they should stay.
It worked well.
I don’t mind embarrassing stories being told in the sanctuary of a family-friendly resort.
And now I have plenty of information to share with you about the best Playa Del Carmen family resorts.
Playa Del Carmen Family Resorts Map – Top Three Family Resorts
Here is a map that shows the location of the top three family resorts in the area. You can see the proximity of the resorts to downtown, Fifth Avenue, the most popular beaches, and all the shopping that abounds here.
Playa Del Carmen Is A Family Friendly Destination
Despite having a thriving nightlife and a dangerous obsession with tequila, Playa Del Carmen is actually a very family-friendly destination.
Several of the resorts are adults only.
Which is good for families, because you don’t end up in a resort that’s full of drunken bachelor parties.
I think Playa Del Carmen is more family friendly than Cancun because it’s more spread out.
It’s hard to look after children when the beach is packed and the resort pool is swarming with rebellious, drunk teenagers.
Playa Del Carmen is also far more relaxed than Cancun.
Half of the Cancun resorts are filled with stressed mothers berating their children.
That sort of behavior doesn’t occur as much in Playa Del Carmen.
Most importantly, there are hundreds of children-friendly activities in and around Playa Del Carmen.
So you avoid the absolute worse thing on vacation – bored children.
The best things for children are not in the resorts.
They’re the once in a lifetime activities like swimming with dolphins, visiting Cozumel or the jungle, or seeing some strange underwater creatures while swimming in a cenote.
How To Select The Best Playa Del Carmen Family Resorts
Family resorts are often stigmatized for being full of wild children.
If a resort was like this, there’s not a chance I would recommend it.
Imagine chilling by the pool, nice book in hand, when BAM…three kids push another kid, who busts his lip on your sun-lounger…and then every kid starts crying to avoid getting in trouble.
I’ve tried to select the Playa Del Carmen family resorts that aren’t quite like this.
Of course, I’m talking about resorts who actually offer something extra for children.
Like activity clubs, mini water parks, kids swimming pools etc…
As much as I’m sure everyone loves their children, when you’re on vacation, it’s nice to not have to worry about them for a few hours.
So I’ve included the resorts that offer services where qualified staff can babysit or offer on-site daycare.
Playa Del Carmen Family Resort 1 – Playacar Palace
Playacar Palace is an all-inclusive resort located in Playacar, one of the most exclusive areas in this city. The Playacar Palace has everything.
Out of all of the family resorts in Playa Del Carmen, this one stands out as my first choice.
Why? – One reason: the location!
Although ever-so-close to the hustle and bustle, it still retains the deep sense of exclusivity that you pay for when you stay at an all inclusive resort.
The nice thing about the Playacar Palace is that you have the best of both worlds – whenever you want to leave the resort’s area of exclusivity, you can venture out to Fifth Avenue to do some shopping, find some diverse cuisine, or simply engage in one of the many beach activities that you will find scattered along the shore.
Conversely, at the end of the day, you always have a beautiful place to retreat and recuperate.
At the Playacar Palace in Playa Del Carmen, you will not feel like you’re in a bubble out in the middle of nowhere.
Instead, you’ll feel like you are part of the action and able to engage not only with the people at your own resort, but also to dip your toe into more authentic Mexican culture and taste – all in the midst of the hottest and hippest vacation destination in Mexico.
Due to its central location, this is one of the best choices if you’ve got older children who can sometimes be left to do their own thing.
On the property, they have a kids pool and activities for the children, although it’s definitely not a full-on kids’ party around the pool.
A stunning location on the beach normally wows everyone, particularly as most of the rooms have ocean views.
They usually have offers that feature a free stay for children.
So it can be excellent value for money, particularly if you’ve got a child who goes through tacos like he’s a WWF star.
Occasionally there’s a couple of annoying unsupervised children around the pool.
But…it’s not really a problem, and it’s nowhere near as bad as some of the other places.
When you book at the Playacar Palace, you will be given “resort credits,” which are essentially vouchers that allow you to participate in some local activities outside the resort.
These can be used on some pretty cool trips like swimming with stingrays.
Or, if you’re like me, you can indulge in the spa.
Check the prices here first before checking out the other family resorts.
Here is all the contact info you need:
Playacar Palace Phone Number / Contact Info / Etc:
👤 Contact Person: Everyone Speaks English Here!!
📞 Phone Number(s):
📱 Local MX Number: +52 (984) 873-4960 ✆ – CLICK TO CALL ON MOBILE
📱 US Toll Free (Reservations): +1-800-635-1836 ✆ – CLICK TO CALL ON MOBILE
🌎 Website: http://www.palaceresorts.com/playacarpalace/en
✉️ Email: info@palaceresorts.com
👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlayacarPalaceResort/
⏰ Hours: 25/7 365 Days Per Year
💰 Prices: All-Inclusive Resorts are NEVER cheap!
📍 Location: Just Before the 10th Avenue Entrance to Playacar (SEE MAP)
Playa Del Carmen Family Resort 2 – Paradisus Playa Del Carmen La Esmeralda
This is definitely the choice for families with younger children, or families who want to make sure their children are entertained all day.
There are loads of activities for them to do, and there seems to be a nonstop Disney soundtrack circulating through the speakers – “Let it go, let it go…..”
I doubt that any non-families stay here.
If you don’t have children, then you’re going to get annoyed by such an evidently children-focused hotel.
You can leave your kids in the care of someone else, or participate in tailored activities with your children.
The focus of everything is mainly towards the under-12s, which makes sure the parents can get a bit of a break.
At the same time, this is a very beautiful hotel.
You can’t help but say “WOW” when you walk through the front door.
And that’s not because a child has just aimed a punch at a waiter’s balls (I actually saw that happen at a Playa Del Carmen family resort that will remain nameless…)
Despite being a 5 star resort, and all inclusive, the prices are very reasonable.
You can get the cheaper suites from $206 USD/night in low season, although the bigger rooms command much more $$$.
Paradisus Playa Del Carmen – La Esmeralda Phone Number / Contact Info / Etc:
👤 Contact Person: Everyone Speaks English Here!!
📞 Phone Number(s):
📱 Local MX Number: +52 (984) 877-3900 ✆ – CLICK TO CALL ON MOBILE
📱 US Toll Free (Reservations): +1 (888) 741-5600 ✆ – CLICK TO CALL ON MOBILE
🌎 Website: http://www.melia.com/…./paradisus-playa-del-carmen-la-esmeralda/….
🌎 Email Form: http://www.paradisus.com/contact-us.php
👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paradisus.Resorts
⏰ Hours: 25/7 365 Days Per Year
💰 Prices: Normal All-Inclusive Resort Prices
📍 Location: North Side of Town (SEE MAP)
Playa Del Carmen Family Resort 3 – Hotel Riu Palace Mexico
If you had to draw a picture of the quintessential family resort, it would be this one.
It’s a massive, all inclusive hotel that offers every kind of service.
Nice pools, good food, lots of things to do for the kids, etc, etc
It’s on a beautiful stretch of the beach and the rooms are going to appeal to almost everyone.
In a way you can’t really go wrong with this resort.
However, its size seems to increase the chances of rebellious children acting like brats.
For example, you’re sitting at the bar in the pool…but unsupervised seven year olds are dive bombing off the bar stools.
Annoying.
Also, it’s not in walking distance to Playa Del Carmen if you’ve got children.
That means that you have to endure the evening entertainment which is as cheesy as it comes.
Still, it’s not that expensive and the service is outstanding.
Perhaps, it’s a better choice in low season when it’s not as busy.
RIU Palace Mexico Phone Number / Contact Info / Etc:
👤 Contact Person: Everyone Speaks English Here!!
📞 Phone Number(s):
📱 Local MX Number: +52 (984) 877-4200 ✆ – CLICK TO CALL ON MOBILE
📱 US Toll Free (Reservations): +1 (888) 748-4990 ✆ – CLICK TO CALL ON MOBILE
🌎 Website: http://www.riu.com/riu-palace-mexico/
✉️ Email: palace.mexico@riu.com
👥 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riu-Palace-Mexico/
⏰ Hours: 25/7 365 Days Per Year
💰 Prices: Not Cheap, But Full-Service All-Inclusive
📍 Location: South End of Playacar (SEE MAP)
Family-Friendly Activities In Playa Del Carmen
When you’re in Playa Del Carmen, the last thing you want to do is spend 24/7 in the resort.
Playa Del Carmen can offer some incredible activities and things to do that your kids are going to remember for the rest of their lives.
Furthermore, you’ve got some serious collateral in case of bad behavior – “Do that once more and you’re not going swimming with dolphins…”
Here are some activities which I really recommend for families:
- Swimming with dolphins – It was amazing doing it as an adult, so I can’t imagine how good it is if you’re a child.
- Jungle tours – Jungles are cool. You see strange things, so it’s an adventure. But it’s also a little scary, so children stay on their best behavior.
- Visiting Mayan ruins and Mayan pyramids – Not every child is going to get excited about touring old ruins. In that case, go to Tulum as its closer to a beautiful beach. If you can get your kids excited about the Mayans (stories about human sacrifices seem to work) then make the journey to Chichen Itza.
- Xcaret, Xplor, Xel-Ha – these places are kind of like Mexican versions of Disneyland/SeaWorld. Except with no men dressed as talking mice and without Shamu. Loads of shows and pools, plus an aquarium and enough fun stuff to keep everyone entertained.
- ATV tours / Parasailing / Jet Skis – there are a lot of adventure type tours that you can do with teenagers. I reckon taking an ATV through the jungle would have got me excited as a 15-year-old.
Anything Else About Playa Del Carmen Family Resorts
Playa Del Carmen can be a phenomenal destination for families.
Some family friendly destinations just have hundreds of resorts and nothing for the kids to do.
Playa Del Carmen has just a handful of family orientated resorts.
But it combines this with lots of activities and cool things to do that never fail to keep children and adults entertained.
Finally, if you see me in Playa Del Carmen…let’s keep my little accident with Jurassic Park a secret.
Okay?
I will see you (and your family) here soon…
Lots of love,
Rufus
Do you have any tips, advice, or suggestions about the family resorts here? Please leave them in the comments section below!
Can you recommend an all incusive that would suit our familyin Playa del Carmen. I have 3 girls the ages are 10, 12 and 14 years.
What are your thoughts on Grand Riviera Princess family club?
Voula,
The article above outlines some of the best family resorts in Playa Del Carmen. However, It does not include them all.
I would start by checking out some of the resorts mentioned above, if you find something else that seems interesting, don’t hesitate to make reservations there as well.
In any case, you need to decide what is most important—this is what I mean: Is proximity to Playa Del Carmen most important? Or are activities and excursions most important? Or do you simply want to relax in paradise?
These are the kinds of things that you need to ask yourself as you decide where you’re going to stay.
If you stay within Playa Del Carmen, you will probably pay a little bit more. Nonetheless, you will not only have your resort amenities, but you will also have all of the things that Playa Del Carmen (the city) has to offer.
If you stay at a resort that is some distance from downtown Playa Del Carmen, you may end up with a beautiful resort, but every time you want to come into town, you will have to waste your precious vacation time in a taxi or shuttle bus.
Which is better? Well, it depends on what you want.
But make sure you consider these things.
In regard to the Princess Family Club, I have heard neither good things nor bad things about it. However, I will say this: the Princess is a very well-respected, luxury resort, so I’m guessing that if the Kids Club is an extension of that luxury, it should be a great place to stay for both you and your children.
If I were traveling here with my children, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay there. The only thing I don’t like about the Princess is that it is not within walking distance of downtown Playa Del Carmen. (It’s ~12 minutes north by car.)
But again, that’s just ME, and you have to decide exactly what it is that YOU want.
If you’re going to spend most of your time at the resort or going on excursions outside of the city, it won’t matter anyways. But don’t forget, this city has a lot of fun things to do right in the downtown area. I think both you and your family will be amazed at all the things to see.
Whatever happens, let me know how it goes!
I hope you enjoy your trip here, and I hope to talk to you soon…
Lots of love,
Rufus
Thanks for all of your advice.
We as a family would like an all inclusive close to the city of Playa Del Carmen.What are your recommendations my girls ages are 10, 12 and 14.
Also I am having a re think as staying in Cancun instead of Playa Del Carmen. What all inclusive not far from the city centre on would you suggest.
I have been told many tours leave from here and that there are local buses we can take to get us around.
Voula,
I would recommend the Playacar Palace. It is very conveniently located, has all the amenities of a luxury all inclusive, and is a family-friendly resort.
Take a look at it on a map, and you will see what I mean.
In regard to Cancun, I would be inept at giving you advice because I don’t spend much time there.
However, I will tell you this: most people that stay in Cancun and visit Playa Del Carmen wish they had stayed in Playa Del Carmen in the first place.
Playa Del Carmen has a lot more class and character than Cancun. Cancun is a more “show me the money” kind of place than Playa Del Carmen. In addition, it is very big, so it’s a little bit more difficult to get around conveniently.
I hope this helps!!!
Lots of love,
Rufus