Five Family Friendly All-Inclusives in the Caribbean

Most of the time, parents need a vacation from their vacation when trying to keep up with planning and traveling with their kids. When morale is high and the kids are happy, it’s a picture-perfect, gold-flecked memory; easy and savored to the very end. However, when babies start to scream and the little ones are hungry and the older ones are bored, relaxation is the furthest thing from reality. Which is why all-inclusive family resorts exist – to keep the momentum high, the activities constant, the chill vibes at a maximum, and the pools and beaches pristine. After all, very few people can be disappointed lounging in a cabana on powdery white sand facing shocking hues of clear turquoise waters. Beyond spending hours strewn along the beach, these resorts often offer great kid’s programs and teen clubs for even the most separation anxious parents, ensuring a built-in vacation for days when you’re already on vacation. So, which family resort is the best for your clan? Read on to see Hopper’s picks for the best family resorts in the Caribbean.

Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Modern and grand, the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites offer spacious suites and wide balconies to enjoy the stunning view of all three pools, low mountains and the glistening shoreline of Montego Bay. This huge resort is a playground for all ages: sunbathers who are content to laze beachside by a thatched umbrella; spa-addicts whose idea of a vacation involve a seaweed wrap and mineral pools; golfers who prefer to spend a morning on the links and even their kids. There’s a children’s pool, a kids club for ages 4-12, on-call babysitters and daycare and tons of full-family water activities (Snorkeling! Sailing! Kayaking!), and access to all the amenities to surrounding Iberostar resorts.

Barceló Maya Beach near Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Photo via their official FB page.

There’s pretty much a kid-equivalent to everything offered for grown-ups at Barceló Maya Caribe – there’s an adults-only nude beach, but there’s also a kid-dominated waterpark. There’s a relaxing spa for facials, massages and manicures, including a special kid menu in the new U-Kids Spa. And for as much lounging on the beach and soaking up some sun that overworked parents require, The Barcy Club offers trained staff to look after children aged 4 to 12 through beach outings, crafting sessions, dance classes, sand castle building and more; while come mealtime, all buffets offer a child-sized bar where even the pickiest of eaters can find something to enjoy (including loads of ice cream!). As well as all of the all-inclusive amenities at the Barceló Maya Caribe, guests get wristband access to the other five surrounding resorts, including to the huge kids waterpark at Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe. Of course, families who enjoy adventures together shouldn’t miss out on the culture outside the resort walls – the breathtaking Tulum ruins are waiting!

Majestic Colonial Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

There’s always something to do in Playa Bàvaro, near the city of Santo Domingo – from hanging resort-side, taking advantage of all the all-inclusive benefits like luxuriating on a clear blue beach, filling up on the buffet and endless daiquiris and taking a nosedive into the ocean to explore the coral. However, some of these activities might not be suitable for the little ones, and luckily, the Majestic Colonial Resort offers supervised Kids Clubs for the younger ones and teens (including video games in case the insane 400-meter long swimming pool just won’t cut it), as well as tons of fun games and swimming activities. Off the resort, families can bond together touring the vibrant old city of Santo Domingo.

Club Med Cancun Yucatan All Inclusive in Cancun, Mexico

Club Med Cancún Yucatán, the more family focused outpost from the Club Med line of resorts, offers the kind of explosive fun not often offered at most all-inclusive resorts, both in and out of the complex. Families can choose their own special extreme sport, from water skiing, scuba diving and flying trapeze, as well as spend their daylight hours exploring the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza or Tulum. After sundown, guests are treated to high-flying circus shows or time spent at intimate lounges. Their Club Med Kid’s Club introduces little ones to activities like circus training, sailing, snorkeling, water skiing, sports, treasure hunts and more, allowing children of all ages to meet friends from all over the world. With separated supervised programs for kids of every age group (even Club Med baby!), Club Med Cancún Yucatán has become a hugely popular resort destination for relaxing families.

Iberostar Bavaro Suites in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Photo via their official site.

Iberostar Bavaro Suites in Punta Cana goes above and beyond to make a family trip easy and convenient – beginning with location. It’s a 12-mile drive to the resort from the airport, which encompasses the four Iberostar hotels in Playa Bavaro, and upon arrival, families are greeted with their own two-story bungalow. The large resort complex is decked out with a shopping center, pharmacy, ATM, nightclub, free internet, lounge, six restaurants, a spa, huge pools, a water park, and fine white sand beaches. Kids can spend the day at their Mini-Club, their program for children ages 4 to 12, or splashing around the water park and children’s pool, or the family can spend a day bonding over scuba, tennis, snorkeling or golf.