Arrival

When we arrived at the resort for the first time, there were all sorts of characters from Sesame Street to greet us. This is because Beaches is one of their proud sponsors. The other, younger, children were very excited to see them. I’m not sure if this is something that happens at the main entrance of Beaches Negril every day, or just sometimes for certain guests.

Music was playing, and there were dancers that waved us on toward the pools and hotel rooms. It was one of the grandest entrances I’ve ever experienced, and it excited me for the vacation to come.

Beaches Negril Hotel Rooms

There are over a dozen different types of hotel rooms and suites at Beaches Negril. Surely, you can find the proper room to accommodate everyone in your party. My family stayed in one of the smaller hotel rooms. There were only three of us on that trip, after all. the bed was quite large, and we even had a patio. The room was of decent size, although this didn’t really matter because we were hardly in the room at all. Most of our time was spent in bathing suits at the pool or beach.

Throughout the entirety of our stay, there was a stray cat that would lounge around on our patio and climb on the patio railing. It didn’t bother us, although it scared me pretty good one time. I was not expecting the cat to pop up by the railing out of nowhere.

Xbox Play Lounge

While roaming around the resort, my family came across the Xbox Play Lounge. We walked inside, where the walls were lined with screens. They kept it very cold inside the lounge, probably to keep the consoles from overheating. I don’t ever play video games, so the only time I went in there was to get my brother.

Kids Camp

This all-inclusive resort also has a kids camp. There are different programs for all ages, filled with lots of fun and activities. Jonah and I didn’t really want to join any of the programs. We would rather roam the resort independently, although the kids club did sound enticing.

Pirates Island Water Park

Beaches Negril has a fantastic water park and large swimming pools. It’s an 18,000 square foot area with plenty of fun things to do. My brother and I spent almost our entire vacation at Pirates Island. The staff at the water park, and around the resort, was very friendly.

Water Slides

The water park at Beaches Negril goes by the name of Pirates Island. With two different water slides, my brother, Jonah, made a couple of friends and had a blast. I can’t even count the number of times that Jonah raced down those water slides. Unfortunately, I only ever went down the slides once. The employees wouldn’t let people wear goggles on the slides, so that was a no for me. When you have extremely sensitive eyes, you simply can’t enjoy a water slide without goggles.

Lazy River & Hot Tub

The lazy river was also very relaxing, and I spent quite a lot of time in here. Of course, my brother and his new friend would come over and disturb the peace every once in a while. They would speed through the course of the lazy river, sneak up behind me, and attempt to flip over my inner tube. Most of their attempts were failures, although they did get me a couple of times. Obviously, it was all in good fun, and Jonah eventually let me go back to my relaxation.

The pirate-themed water park also has a hot tub, or whirlpool, that my mother and I thoroughly enjoyed. A dip in the hot tub is just what we needed after a long day of running around in the sun.

Two Large Pools + Poolside Snacks

Beaches Negril has two large swimming pools filled with cold, clear water. One of them had a swan floaty, although we found out it had been popped on the last day of our trip. Within one of the pools is a swim-up bar that serves up a whole assortment of drinks, including tropical smoothies.

There’s also an ice-cream machine near the pool. I had at least two ice-cream cones a day, and I have no idea how many Jonah ate. Every time I saw him, he was finishing off another cone. It was tempting not to grab a cone every time I walked past the ice-cream machine, so I can’t really blame him.

My family and I also played mini golf, located near one of the main pools.

Kiddie Area

Pirates Island also has a kiddie area with a splash pad and small slides. I’d lie and tell you that we never spent any time here, but that’s simply not true. On our first night of the trip, my family and I were sitting in the hot tub nearest the kiddie area. Due to it being dark out, the splash pad was turned off. No matter, we joined some random kid in finding a way down the teensy kid slides that we barely fit through. I don’t know why we found this so fun, but we chased each other around for quite a while, even though we were too large for the slides and it kind of hurt.

The Beach

The sand at Beaches Negril was lovely and white. The water was a beautiful blue, and it wasn’t too cold either. There were plenty of beach chairs, as well as cabanas. It was the perfect place to sunbathe and tan. You can sign up for all sorts of activities on and off the beach. It’s often sunny and peaceful, up until the parties, of course.

Beach Activities

There are a number of different activities that you can sign up for at a stand right on the beach. There’s snuba diving, glass bottom boat tours, and all sorts of other water sports. My family and I only ever did snuba diving and the glass bottom boat tour.

The glass-bottom boat tour was pretty uneventful. This area of Jamaica doesn’t exactly have much of a coral reef or many fish. I would not recommend taking the glass bottom boat tour because there’s really nothing to see.

Something that I would recommend is snuba diving. Although I was a bit nervous about it at first, once we were beneath the water, everything was fine. Scuba diving is when you carry the air tank on your back. Snuba diving is when the air tank is on the boat, and a tube from the tank goes down to you beneath the water. Before this trip, I had never done anything like this before. Although there was not much to see beneath the water, it was still a very cool experience.

Of course, there are several other activities that you can sign up for, but my family just wanted to bum around the resort.

Food & Dining

Beaches Negril has an assortment of different places to eat. It’s a very large resort, with a number of different restaurants and shops located throughout. Although I list a few different places, keep in mind there are other restaurants that we didn’t try out, including Italian food and frozen yogurt.

Breakfast Buffet

Every morning at Beaches Negril, my family and I would exit the hotel room, excited for the new day. Then we would walk over to the breakfast buffet. The buffet consisted of traditional breakfast food; eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, fruit, and toast. Like any other buffet, there were also some options that were kind of out there, but people ate them, even if it wasn’t meant to be breakfast food.

Café de Paris

Although this cafe is quite far from the room we stayed in, my brother and I still made the journey across the resort. The cafe served up different desserts every time we entered, and each of them was splendid. They also have hot chocolate, coffee, crepes, and other sweet treats. One of the desserts that I got from the cafe was a small chocolate cake with delicious frosting and layers. It was tempting to grab another one, but I refrained.

Kimonos

Kimonos is a restaurant that serves oriental cuisine. It’s one of those restaurants where your party sits at a table around the large grill, and the chef comes out and cooks up all the food right in front of you. Of course, this included an onion volcano and a series of people having to catch food in their mouths.

It was a fairly nice restaurant, just make sure to book a reservation.

Soy

Soy is a small sushi place at Beaches Negril all-inclusive resort. The restaurant is tucked away in a more private part of the resort. Unfortunately, we never got around to eating here, although I hear they have incredibly flavorful sushi.

Mariachi

My family and I ate at Mariachi, the Mexican food restaurant at Beaches, once. Located next to the pool, there was a short wait. We were eventually seated, and I ordered the soft tacos. They were quite good, average tacos. There wasn’t any chips and salsa, but that’s okay. My brother and I were wanting to get back to the pool anyway.

Bar.B.Q

Bar.B.Q is also located right next to the pool. My brother and I got food here a couple of times for a quick lunch or snack. They serve burgers, BBQ chicken, ribs, brisket, and pulled pork sandwiches. A number of times, I stopped here just to order some fries.

Parties & Events

Beaches Negril hosts a couple of different parties for its guests. One night of the trip, there was a party on the beach. There was a buffet filled with Jamaican food and a show on the stage. The characters from Sesame Street came out and partied with us, as we ate and danced. It was a very fun beach party.

During the show, there was a man who performed a dangerous balancing act. Normally you only see that kind of stuff on tv, so it’s not that scary, but watching it in real time puts you on edge. Luckily, he did great, despite falling a couple times.

Another night, guests at the resort stood by and watched a sort of parade with dancers and people who breathed fire. At one point, the guests were invited to join in the little parade around the resort. Once more, the Sesame Street characters appeared.

Chocolate Party

How could I ever forget the chocolate party? There were several tables, lined with plates, filled with dozens upon dozens of delicious chocolates. They had every kind; white, milk, and dark. My favorite kind of chocolate is dark, although both of my brothers think that dark chocolate tastes disgusting. They prefer white chocolate, which is my least favorite. I don’t even understand why it’s classified as chocolate.

Special Characters Breakfast

Beaches Negril also has a special breakfast where kids can meet the characters from Sesame Street. Although Jonah and I were multiple years older than most of the kids at the breakfast, we still had a good time. The buffet at the breakfast was the same as the normal breakfast buffet, just slightly smaller. During breakfast, somebody came by and gave out finger puppets of the characters. When the characters came out to meet everyone, the kids got very excited. The characters took lots of pictures with people, making for a pleasant end to the breakfast.

Beaches Negril is a paradise. It’s sunny, beautiful, fun, and family-friendly. I couldn’t ask for any more from an all-inclusive resort. The staff was friendly, and the resort catered to our every desire. I’d recommend this resort to everyone, even those without kids. Beaches Negril is a fantastic resort that people should seriously consider for their next vacation.

Read Next:

What You Need to Know Before Your Beaches Turks and Caicos Vacation

Are Your Kids Too Old For Beaches Resort

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

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Travel Printables

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Noah, Eden, and Jonah have been traveling with me their entire lives. So far the three of them have been to at least 22 countries, 4 continents, and almost every state in the United States. Needless to say, when I ask them what the best family vacations were, they had more than a few opinions! 

They quickly fired off an assortment of places we have been. It was interesting to hear what they picked, some of them I knew, but other ones were a complete surprise. After some serious conversation with them, we’ve narrowed it down to 17!

Top 17 Family Vacations You will Never Forget!

1. Singapore

Singapore is in all of our top ten picks. My oldest, Noah considers Singapore to be a utopia because of its cleanliness and orderliness. Oddly enough, we were only in Singapore for two days, making it one of the shortest stays we have done anywhere. It only took one day for us to fall in love with this city. We recommend walking around Marina Bay where the architecture is insane and definitely visit some parts of the Marina Bay Gardens. I can assure you that your kids have never seen anything else like this! The kid’s favorite hotel here is the Fairmont Singapore. For more ideas on what to do and where to find the best milkshake see my article: Singapore Travel Guide.

2. Cancun

Cancun has so much going on, and don’t worry, it’s safe. We spent a week there and basically had a non-stop adventure! The entire area is set up well to accommodate any kind of family and literally any type of budget. Families will appreciate luxurious, all-inclusive resorts with kid’s clubs and teen clubs. While the kids are off doing their own thing parents can head to a spa or the bar. There isn’t a bad beach anywhere in the area, so plan to spend at least two full days beach bumming.  While you are there, be sure to see Mayan Ruins, swim in a cenote, eat lots of Mexican food, and go ATVing. 

For a list fun family things to do in Cancun check out this post: 12 Adventurous Things to do in Cancun. I recommend staying at The Grand in Cancun or at another one of the  11 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Cancun for Families.

If at some point you head over to Cozumel (you totally should), check out my post: 13 Things to do in Cozumel. I recommend staying at Allegro Cozumel.

3. Thailand

Thailand is absolutely incredible and I wasn’t surprised it landed in my kids top three places. You can basically go anywhere in Thailand and have an interesting experience. I recommend visiting at least these three places when you go: Phuket, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai. Although they each have some similarities they are completely different experiences.

Phuket

Phuket is one of Thailand’s islands and it’s extremely kid friendly. My kids thought taking a Thai cooking class was cool and they loved going to the beaches and interacting with elephants and tigers. To find the elephants on the beach check out my post: Swimming with Elephants in Thailand. And for more help planning your trip to Phuket see my article: 5 Day Phuket Itinerary with Kids.

Bangkok

Bangkok is massive so there are loads and activities. The kids loved biking through the city despite the heavy traffic and they were thrilled when we stumbled across monstrous milkshakes. To read more about taking Bangkok to kids, check out my article: Two Days in Bangkok with Kids.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is an easy city to get around and it has tons to see and do. The city has an incredible night market where you and your kids could shop for hours. Here you will find interesting things to purchase like leather journals, bracelets, and tuk-tuks made out of soda cans. There is an elephant sanctuary where families can care for elephants and of course the food is outstanding! I recommend staying at the Shangri-la and taking a food and city tour by bike. Learn more about visiting Chiang Mai with kids in my article: 4 Things to do in Chiang Mai with kids.

4. New York City

New York City is currently Noah’s #1 and in Eden’s top 3 and in my top 15. The kids love the many dessert experiences here like Serendipity and  Black Tap. Both places have outrageous over-the-top desserts. They all enjoy hanging out in Central Park and Bryant Park, both parks have lots of free activities. At Bryant Park, kids can play kubb, while parents grab a drink at the little outdoor bar there. In Central Park, there are multiple playgrounds.

Visiting the 9/11 memorial is a must and if the kids are 10 or older tour the museum. Kids enjoy touring the Statue of Liberty, but not necessarily Ellis Island. If you do, go to Ellis Island to look for your family’s name on the wall. If you want to do a bus tour I recommend The Ride, especially if your kids are teens or tweens. I think going to a Broadway show is a must, but this is expensive and not worth it if your kids hate musicals or might possibly sleep through it. Good plays for kids are Wicked, Lion King, and Phantom of the Opera.

Remember the further out you can plan a trip to New York the cheaper the trip will be. Here are 15 Ways to save money in NYC.

We’ve been to NYC more times than we can remember. Check out our New York City Travel Guide to help you plan your own epic NYC getaway!

5. Oahu, Hawaii

Hawaii is another place that all three kids agree on and Oahu is their top island followed by Kauai. On Oahu, their favorite thing to do is sit at the pool or sit on the beach.

The kids recommend hanging out at the beach on North Shore to check out the waves and do some shopping. While you are up there have shrimp from Giovani’s Shrimp truck and get shaved ice at Matsumoto Shave Ice. If you feel like getting active rent a paddleboard at Sea N Surf and paddle up the Anahulu River and look for sea turtles. The last time we went we saw five huge sea turtles.

Also, fun in Oahu is parasailing in Waikiki and hiking to the top of Diamond Head. When you get done hiking Diamond Head, stop by Shimazu Shave Ice for massive shaved ice.

For more help planning your family’s Oahu vacation read our Oahu Travel Guide. 

I highly recommend staying at Disney’s Aulani if possible. 

6. Orlando

Orlando would probably make any kid’s list. With it being home to Disney World, Sea World, Discovery Cove, and Universal Studios a family could spend a month and do something different every single day. Universal Orlando is a must once each kid is tall enough to ride all the roller coasters and the new water park, Volcano Bay is fantastic. Besides the theme parks, there are all sorts of other fun things to do like swamp tours through alligator-infested waters, knight tournaments at Medieval Times, and within a short drive lots of beaches.

7. London

London also made it high on the list of the kid’s favorite places. We visited during Thanksgiving a few years ago and everything we did was awesome. There is so much to see and do that you can easily spend a week or two here and never run out of activities. Some of their favorite things were seeing the play Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, eating at Borough Market, and doing the Tower of London tour. Both boy’s least favorite thing to do is the bus tours. I personally appreciated how many free things there were to do in London. For more London ideas and tips, see my article: London with Kids.

8. Negril, Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica is Jonah’s #1 pick, and if I was his age, I think this would possibly be my #1 too. We recommend staying at Beaches Negril. This is an all-inclusive resort geared specifically for families. Highlights of staying here include:

• Sesame Street parade and BBQ party where families can dance with the characters, DJs lead dances, flame throwers perform, and more.
• Ice Cream Machine – The kids loved the ice cream machine which they visited a minimum of three times a day. (Don’t judge me, it’s vacation!)
• Snuba – Even kids can snuba at Beaches Negril and they do not have to have any experience to do this. The instructors are fabulous and it’s an activity the kids will never forget.
• Multiple pools, a lazy river, a water playground, and hot tubs.
• Miniature golf
• Video game lounge
• Kid’s club

9. Vail, Colorado

Vail, Colorado is another destination that is enjoyable year-round. During the summer the kids enjoy biking around town, riding horses around the mountain, and visiting the Epic Discovery adventure park set up on the mountain. In the winter the skiing is excellent. My kids have skied since they were little and appreciate the extensive skiing found in Vail. If you do not ski, this is a great place to learn.  For more info, check out our Vail Travel Guide. 

10. Silvies Valley Ranch

Visiting a dude ranch is a completely unique vacation. You can have an experience as a family that just can’t be had unless you are on a working ranch. Here you can shoot guns, interact with baby goats, hit the spa, experience gourmet dining, participate in a cattle round-up, and much more. They even have four golf courses on the ranch. Golf lovers will flip out over the reversible golf course that’s right I said reversible! With a little bit of everything, your family is sure to have an incredible time. To get a feel of the overall ranch read about our Silvies Valley Ranch Experience.

11. Greece

Greece is an epic experience because let’s face it, there’s no other place on earth like it. It basically doesn’t matter what part of the country you visit, you will never have a bad meal, you will experience history and culture like never before. I can state this as a fact because we’ve traveled all over Greece and it’s all been wonderful. 

Athens

Chances are high that one way or another a Greek vacation is going to take you through Athens at some point. Plan to spend at least a day here so you can visit the Acropolis before heading out to the islands. At night during the sunset dine at Savvas, their rooftop overlooks the Acropolis. Hotels can be difficult to get for a family, you may want to stay in an Airbnb.

Mykonos

A one of a kind city and gorgeous beaches await you in Mykonos. Teens and parents alike will love Mykonos City full of white-washed buildings. Also, if you can get a sitter or if your kids are old enough to stay at the hotel alone plan to go out. Mykonos has one of the best nightlife experiences in the world.

• For more advice, check out my post: Mykonos with Kids

Santorini 

Here you will have the opportunity to see things you’ve never see before like Red Beach. Perissa, the black beach is also worth visiting if you’ve never seen one before. There are two towns built into the sides of the island, both of which are worth spending time in, Fira and Oia. In Oia, you will see one of the greatest sunsets in the world. 

• For more things to do and where to stay check out my post: Santorini on a Budget. 

Thessaloniki

Thessaloniki is from biblical times and many of their historical sights have withstood the test of time. (Okay, I know what you are thinking. Yes, all of Greece is from biblical times.) They basically have ruins or a gorgeous church around every corner. The food scene is excellent here. For a list of things to see and do check out my post: Thessaloniki on a Budget. 

Kassandra

Can’t afford to splurge on the islands? Head here instead. Here you will be greeted with that famous aqua water and glorious beaches. Go shopping in Pefkochori and grab lunch at Agora Beach Bar. I highly recommend staying at Alexander the Great Beach Resort in this area. 

12. Australia

If you can get yourself to Australia, do it! Australia is just as fabulous as everyone says it is. There are so many varied experiences to be had throughout the country.  Try to plan a minimum of 9 days in the country. More than two weeks would be better. 

Whitsunday Islands

If swimming the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, then this should be your first stop. Whitehaven Beach should also be on your bucket list. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. 

Melbourne

If you’ve got a family of foodies, Melbourne is sure to delight. They have the most over-the-top, whimsical food creations you’ve likely ever seen. In between beautiful meals stop by the Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes and the graffiti alleys. The alleys in Melbourne are really cool. 

• Where to eat in Melbourne

Great Ocean Road 

One of the top road trips in the world is driving the Great Ocean Road. Along the way, you can stop at dozens of scenic overlooks and take in the magnificent rock formations like Loch Ard Gorge and the 12 Apostles. You can enjoy one of the many nice beaches where kids can swim and play in the sand. Plus, there are animal encounters. Pull over to look for koalas in the trees and feed the birds at Kafe Koala. Be sure to stop at the Great Ocean Road Wildlife Park, where you can hand-feed kangaroos. 

13. Texas

We are originally from Texas so it was no surprise that Texas made the list. The kids have been all over Texas and they recommend eating lots of Tex-Mex food and visiting the following cities: Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, and Corpus Christi.

San Antonio

San Antonio has a ton of stuff for families to do. Here you will find a massive zoo, Fiesta Texas theme park, the famous San Antonio River Walk, and just outside of town is Schlitterbahn the #1 water park in the world. When visiting plan at least one full day at Schlitterbahn, half a day at the river walk, and float the Comal river. Our favorite restaurants in San Antonio currently are Ocho, Toro Kitchen + Bar, and Rita’s on the River. 

In San Antonio, I recommend staying at Hotel Emma.

Plan your entire trip with our San Antonio Travel Guide.

Dallas/Fort Worth

The Dallas, Fort Worth area is packed with stuff to do for families. Over in Fort Worth will love the rodeo at the stockyards. Be sure to go when they have bull riding. Also found in the stockyards is a fun maze and Texas-themed shopping. Plus, they do a daily cattle drive. Our favorite restaurants in Dallas include Meso Maya for dinner and El Jordan Cafe for breakfast. Just north of Dallas is Addison, TX which is jammed packed with great restaurants. 

14. Honduras

Honduras is easily one of our top vacations, according to me. Unfortunately, the kids remember very little of the trip. I recommend going to Roatan and Copan. These two places are no where near each other and two extremely different experiences. What they do have in common is affordability!

Roatan

Roatan is one of the Bay Islands and along the 2^nd best barrier reef in the world. The reef is near the shoreline making it extremely easy for kids to snorkel. Jonah was 4 when we visited and he was able to snorkel. Also fun here is zip lining and paddleboarding.

Copan

Copan is a Honduran city that borders Guatemala. Here you can go horseback riding up a mountain, go zip lining on one of the longest zip lines in the world, and visit an incredible hot spring.

15. Panama City Beach

Another family favorite in Florida is Panama City Beach. The beach has soft, powdery, white sand. It isn’t as big as many of the beach towns, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to do. Go mini-golfing and go-carting, spend the day at the beach, or shop around at Pier Park. Spend one day bopping around Scenic 30A, where you will find tiny beach towns like Seaside or Rosemary. Renting some bicycles is a perfect way to explore this area. Another interesting spot worth venturing out to is Sandestin’s Baytowne Wharf. Here, families can indulge in boutique shopping, zip-lining, ropes courses, an arcade, and unique eateries.

Use our Panama City Beach travel guide to plan your entire vacation.

16. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is super cool country with a wide variety of things to do. The food was consistently good, the activities were exciting and the people were so nice. Whether rafting down a volcano’s raging rivers in a tube near La Fortuna to chilling at a beautiful beach on the Pacific or the Atlantic everyone is going to enjoy the country. Costa Rica Travel Guide

17. La Paz

La Paz features miles of white sand beaches and endless opportunities for outdoor adventure including paddle boarding, kite surfing, kayaking, SCUBA diving, whale watching, swimming with whale sharks, sportfishing, hiking, mountain biking, and much more. If you want your kids off their devices and outside doing stuff you will love it here. Plus, the food is unbelievably good. 

Plan your own trip with our La Paz Travel Guide for Families. Plus, Best Places to Stay in La Paz, Mexico and Best Beaches in La Paz.

Conclusion:

So, there you have it, the best of the best family travel locations. There are hundreds of other places that could have made the list but didn’t. These were ones that just barely missed making our list: Las Vegas, Bavarian Alps in Germany, Paris, and house boating on Lake Shuswap in British Columbia. Like Honduras, my kids do not even remember house boating up in Canada, but if they did (well not Jonah, he had yet to be born), I am sure it would have made it onto the list.

Where are your favorite places to take your kids on vacation? We are always taking recommendations and planning our next family vacations. Yes, plural. Why take just one vacation? I think you should take as many as possible, big trips, weekend getaways, family reunions, you name it. These are all opportunities to have fun, spend time together and make the most memories possible. And don’t delay. Noah’s a high school senior and he’s about to move on with his life. (Oregon State University #Bragging) And y’all, I straight up ran out of time with him. You will run out of time, so make today count.

Read Next:

16 Insanely Awesome Girl’s Trips

11 Best Places to Snorkel with Kids Around the World

The post 17 Incredible Family Vacations appeared first on Mommy Travels.

With more than 700 islands belonging to 30 different nations, deciding where to head might be your most difficult task in heading to the Caribbean for a vacation with the kids. Hugely diverse, each has its own distinct feel. Some, like Jamaica, are huge, while others are no larger than sand banks in the middle of sparkling seas.

5 Best Caribbean Islands for Kids

Their proximity to the US in particular means few visitors have to endure the boredom of a long-haul flight, and many islands are known for their family-friendly resorts and attractions. These are the Caribbean islands we think are the best when traveling with kids.

Puerto Rico

When it comes to bringing history to life, no island in the Caribbean does it quite so well as Puerto Rico. San Juan’s historic district will take you and the kids right back to the time of the earliest European settlement in the Americas.

Its cobbled and winding streets lead to Castillo San Cristobal, one of the largest Spanish-built forts in the entire Caribbean, and one ripe for exploration. Meanwhile, the citadel of Castillo San Felipe del Morro has excellent play areas in addition to its hundreds of years’ worth of history.

Not to be outdone by neighboring islands, Puerto Rico is also able to boast areas of subtropical rainforest alive with chattering wildlife. El Yunque National Forest offers several trails suitable for kids, who get to splash about in a cooling lagoon or lake at the end of the walks too. They’ll also love racing to the top of Yokahú Observation Tower for unmatched views across the region.

The island’s golden beaches lead into waters that teem with a kaleidoscope of different fish and coral species, which thrive as far out as the smaller and quieter Puerto Rican islands of Vieques and Culebra. If you need one final push, it’s this – as a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico uses the US dollar, and US citizens don’t even need to bring a passport!

 Top 11 Activities For A Family Vacation In Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico a 5 Star Vacation Destination

Anguilla

At just 15 miles long and three miles wide, Anguilla is one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean. But that’s not to say it doesn’t have a wealth of family attractions. The island’s main draw is undoubtedly its 33 idyllic white sand beaches, which regularly notch-up awards as some of the finest in the world.

I recommend starting at the wide expanse of sand at Maundays Bay, and checking out the competition from there. Sites like WIMCO have a range of excellent family-friendly villas and rentals right on many of the beaches too.

Anguilla’s dining scene is generally excellent, with restaurants happy to make allowances for children’s sometimes very specific dietary requirements. However, this British overseas territory is very much about sun, sea, and sand.

Scuba diving continues the laid-back atmosphere of Anguilla below the waves, while those looking to get the blood pumping might want instead to try horse-riding, parasailing or hang gliding. All are available from its beaches. The most adventurous kids will also surely love spelunking – or crawling around in some of the island’s underground caves.

Although the island’s currency is the East Caribbean dollar (and not British Pounds Sterling), the US dollar is also widely accepted.

Jamaica

Although it’s true Jamaica’s larger size means you’ll need to limit yourself to one section of the island, the upside is a larger diversity of things to do with the kids than is possible on Anguilla.

The island has plenty of rich golden sands for that authentic Caribbean getaway (just check out images of Negril, which stretches on for an astounding seven miles, or the more famous Montego Bay), but head inland and you’ll also find the dramatic landscapes of the Blue Mountains, draped in lush vegetation, and hiding a wealth of beautiful waterfall locations.

At Ocho Rios, for instance, families can head out to Dunn’s River Falls, which tumbles down a hillside for 600 feet. Nearby, you can also glide gently downriver on an inflated tube through the exotic scenery above the city itself.

For a quieter Jamaica experience without missing out on attractions, families often instead head to Port Antonio, which is nestled within the foothills of the Blue Mountains, yet is just a short distance from the coast. Its two picturesque harbors are visible from much of its accommodation. Here you can swap the inflated tubes of Ocho Rios for the pirate-like wooden rafts that are used to float gently along the Rio Grande.

One of the Caribbean’s better-known islands for family vacations, competition between all-inclusive resorts keeps costs down, and ensures there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained. Check out my previous post on the 5 best things to do with kids in Jamaica for some ideas.

Are Your Kids Too Old For Beaches Resort
6 Day Trip Ideas from Kingston, Jamaica

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic might not be at the top of your list of Caribbean islands that are great for kids, but it should be. Those in the know hail it as the region’s adventure capital.

On the all-important coast, alongside its beaches, there are chances to try your hand at surfing, sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Inland, the island offers canopy tours through the rainforest and zip-lines that slide through the vegetation.

Like Jamaica, the Dominican Republic boasts several great value all-inclusive resorts, including Onyx Punta Cana on the northeast coast close to Playa Macao, which despite the number of hotel rooms still feels out of the way and undiscovered.

Further north along the coast is Puerto Plata, or the Port of Silver, one of the first places Christopher Columbus landed on his world-changing 1492 voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to the New World. The city is therefore an important place in the history of the United States itself.

Direct flights to and from the US make getting to the Dominican Republic with a family all the easier, while you can let the all-inclusive resorts deal with all the logistics so you can just enjoy time with the kids on your well-deserved vacation.

Best things to do in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

Breathless Punta Cana Resort &  Spa an Adults Only Paradise

Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana

Margaritaville Cap Cana Island Reserve

Nickelodeon Resort Punta Cana

Martinique

For a family Caribbean vacation with a difference, it’s hard to argue against Martinique. Technically part of France, and equivalent to Hawaii’s position within the United States, here the sophistication of Paris meets the laid-back vibes of the Caribbean.

The French tricolor flies from all the important buildings, and the French language is widely spoken (as well as English, which is taught in schools). So, if you fancy a trip to Europe without even having to leave North America, Martinique is the island for you.

Not only that, but the island has a great infrastructure due to its close connection with the mother country, and a range of attractions which make it a destination which offers a little of everything the Caribbean as a whole has to offer.

Increasingly easy to get to from the United States, here small villages dot the beaches, and stays on the island have a much more personal and individual emphasis compared to the larger all-inclusive resorts of Jamaica and Dominican Republic.

For the most part, accommodation options are family-run, giving them the feel of a family home and ensuring they are very used to children. They normally comprise a handful of rooms just a short distance from the nearest patch of pristine sand. Despite this, it’s still easy to get on the water with a number of water sports, while the island’s heritage is an equally tantalizing proposition.

Bottom Line

The Caribbean is a fantastic option when considering a vacation with the kids. The five islands I’ve highlighted might not share much on the face of it, but each one of them offers something different for vacationers and their kids that for me make them the best in the region.

What are the Best Caribbean Countries to Visit?

7 Top Barbados All-inclusive Family Resorts

Get Travel Insurance

Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flights

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another option for finding deals is FlightHub.

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO. If you are looking for a hostel, I use HostelWorld.

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass, PogoPass, and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean, I use Apple Vacations.

Rent a Car or Get a Lyft

More often than not, Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars.

Save Money on Gas

Upside a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase.

Get a Visa

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

Travel Printables

If you found this information helpful consider buying me a cup of coffee aka helping me pay to put kids through college! Just scan the QR code or click the link. As always, thank you for your support!

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Planning for your next family vacation and thinking of going to Jamaica? The island is filled with sun and fun, perfect for entertaining the kids in your life, plus giving you the chance to kick back and relax. Here are five of the best things to do with kids in Jamaica.

1. Mystic Mountain

This is an outdoor park that offers families the chance to do a few different adventures while visiting. All guests start their adventure with a ride 700 feet up the mountain aboard the sky explorer chair lift. Along the way, you’ll coast over a forest and get a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea and the Ocho Rios cruise port.

One of the most popular attractions on the mountain is the bobsled. You’ll sit down into a specially made bobsled and hold on as it plunges through 3280 feet of twists and turns down the mountain. Head back up the mountain to try out the zipline tour that sends you flying along five ziplines through the forest. Keep in mind that kids need to be 48 inches tall for the bobsleds and 6 years old for the ziplines.

At the top of the mountain, kids can tackle the new ropes course, Annancy’s Web, or try to climb to the top of Reggae Rock. And if you’re looking for some relaxation, they have an infinity pool and waterslide, that looks out over the sea and Ocho Rios.

Mystic Mountain is the perfect spot for kids who like to get active!

2. Yaaman Adventure Park

Another great spot for kids in Jamaica is the Yaaman Adventure Park. You can choose to do one or two activities or book a full day of adventure. Get dirty driving mud buggies around the park and through mud puddles. Or take a jitney ride around the resort where you can try to climb a coconut tree and get some fresh coconut as a reward.

Head over to the owner’s home to cook your own Jamaica lunch of jerk chicken, callaloo, coconut rice, and festival rolls. Afterward, change into your suit and head out for a walk to their secret river and waterfall swimming hole. 

You’ll find a full day of activities at Yaaman, great for keeping kids busy and learning a bit about Jamaica in the process.

3. Sun Valley Plantation Tour

If you love fresh fruit, kids will love taking a tour at the Sun Valley Plantation. They’re a popular spot for school groups. Kids will get to see many popular fruit trees, like bananas, apples, and of course, coconuts. They’ll also learn some fun facts about many of the popular fruits. At the end of the tour, they’ll have the chance to sit down and feast on fresh fruit, including getting to try the national dish of ackee and saltfish.

4. Pools & FlowRider

When the adults are ready to relax, take advantage of one of the great all-inclusive resorts on the island. They offer amazing pools and lounge chairs, giving you the chance to read in the sun while the kids splash and play. The Moon Palace Resort in Ocho Rios has four pools, including one that has a waterslide and kids splash park. 

Also, at the Moon Palace is the only FlowRider surf simulator in Jamaica. Kids will love the chance to hop aboard a bodyboard and surf against the current. Once they’re feeling brave, they can give surfing a try for real aboard one of the stand-up FlowRider boards.

5. Beaches, Rivers & Waterfalls

Jamaica is filled with gorgeous waterfalls, rivers, and beaches. One of the most iconic spots on the island is Dunn’s River Falls. This waterfall runs down limestone terraces. Those with good balance can try to hike up the waterfall against the current. Older kids will love the challenge and the refreshing water on a hot day. Plus, there’s a beach at the base of the falls that’s very popular with families.

Jamaica also has a lot of great rivers around the island, the White River near Ocho Rios is a popular spot to go tubing. You can also check out the Blue Hole which is a picturesque blue water swimming hole, or head over to Konoko Falls for another limestone waterfall but with fewer crowds than Dunn’s River Falls. 

Jamaica can be a great destination for your next family vacation, there are a lot of great things to do in Ocho Rios, so consider staying near there. There are two main airports for Jamaica, Montego Bay, and Kingston. Both offer plenty of nonstop flights from major east coast cities like New York City and Miami. Your resort can help you book tours or drivers to take you on day trips to popular attractions, then you can return to your resort for dinner and relaxation. Ya man, it’ll be great!

The post The 5 Best Things to Do with Kids in Jamaica appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Cane River Falls

Cane River Falls is an off-the-beaten-path waterfall on the outskirts of the city in Nine Miles, Bull Bay. The waterfall is a tiny beauty which packs an invigorating shower and swim, set against the commanding backdrop of limestone rock. Take care with the roads to get here, but the property which awaits makes it easy to see why this was Bob Marley’s favourite watering hole and weekend hideaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Estimated Drive Time: 45 minutes

Distance: 26 kilometres

Craighton Estate

Kingston is gateway to the Blue Mountains, home to world-renowned Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. Blue Mountain coffee is only grown in the Blue Mountain range of eastern Jamaica ranging from 910 to 1,700 meters above sea level, giving this coffee its signature mild flavor, sweetness and lack of bitterness. Dating from the 1800s, many coffee estates tucked away on these cool hillsides still plant, harvest and roast coffee using time-honored methods. Craighton Estate is one plantation where you can enjoy a memorable bean-to-cup coffee farm tour. Few experiences in Jamaica can compare to enjoying Blue Mountain coffee at its source. The roads to get here are winding but of excellent quality compared to many Jamaican mountainous roads, with secured parking on the premises available. On the way up you’ll pass breathtaking views of the plains and a few trendy cafés and restaurants such as Cafe Blue.

Estimated Drive Time: 40 minutes

Distance: 18 kilometers

Holywell

Holywell is an eco-tourist haven in the cool tropical mist-forests of the Blue and John Crow Mountains, less than an hour’s drive away from Kingston city. The narrow winding roads lead to a 330-acre park blessed by the fragrance of fresh mountain air and pine trees. At 900 meters above sea level, the cool temperature allows Holywell’s ecosystem to support a wide variety of ferns, flowers, trees and endemic birds which are seldom seen in other parts of Jamaica. Holywell is suitable for all ages and features five nature trails, cabins, a campsite and rustic amenities.

Estimated Drive Time: 45 minutes

Distance: 19 kilometers

Jamnesia Surf Camp

Another jewel in Bull Bay, just minutes’ drive away from Kingston’s international airport, is the Jamnesia Surf Camp run by a Rastafarian family. This modest lodging and surfing mecca caters to surfers from beginner to advanced, and the summer and winter swells which grace the Caribbean Sea make its location ideal for catching waves. You need not take your own surfboard– those can be rented at affordable rates.

Estimated Drive Time: 30 minutes

Distance: 20 kilometers

Tuff Gong International Recording Studio

Tuff Gong International Recording Studio offers a unique way to experience reggae in Kingston with a behind the scenes look at the record-making process from rehearsal to the album. The studio’s edu-taining seventy-five minutes’ Making of the Music Tour pays tribute to Bob Marley and his sons who now operate the facility. Tuff Gong is one of the Caribbean’s largest recording studios and boasts one of the planet’s few remaining operational vinyl record manufacturing plants. 

Estimated Drive Time: 15 minutes

Distance: 4.5 kilometers

Devon House

No visit to Kingston is complete without a visit to Devon House, a Georgian-style mansion masterpiece built in 1881 which was the home of Jamaica’s first colored millionaire. Today, tours of the preserved mansion are available and its well-manicured grounds feature elegant shops, fine restaurants and confectioneries. Its most famous store is the Devon House I-Scream parlor which serves up a delightful variety of traditional fare alongside exotic tropical ice-cream flavors such as coconut, mango, pineapple, and sorrel. 

Estimated Drive Time: 10 minutes

Distance: 3.5 kilometers

Discovering Jamaica at your own pace with a self-driven vehicle has never been easier. If you are planning to leave the beaches behind, check out the award-winning Island Car Rentals with offices at Jamaica’s two major international airports and one in New Kingston. You can also book your preferred car hassle-free on www.islandcarrentals.com. They have the largest, well-serviced fleet on the island, with 1,500 vehicles of all types and sizes. If you’d rather someone else do the driving, Island also has a range of services to satisfy individuals and groups in both the leisure and corporate markets, making Island Car more than just a car rental company. Plus, how can you see all of Jamaica’s best beaches without a car!

Reservations Centre

Mon. – Fri. 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (EST)

Closed on Public Holidays
17 Antigua Avenue, Kingston 10
(876) 929-5875
(416) 628-8885
(954) 573-9838
1 866 978 5335 (Toll Free USA)
Email: icar@cwjamaica.com; Website: www.islandcarrentals.com 

City Office

Mon. – Fri. 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (EST)

Closed on Public Holidays
Sat. & Sun. 8:30 am – 3:00 pm (EST)
17 Antigua Avenue, Kingston 10
(876) 929-5875
(876) 926-8012

Norman Manley Int’l Airport

5:00 am – 10:00 pm (EST)

Daily Including Public Holidays
Kingston (In Airport terminal)
(954) 573-9836
(876) 924-8075
(876) 924-8389

Donald Sangster Int’l Airport

8:30 am – 10:00 pm (EST)

Daily Including Public Holidays
Montego Bay (In Airport terminal)
(954) 573-9837
(876) 952-7225
(876) 952-5771

The post 6 Day Trip Ideas from Kingston, Jamaica appeared first on Mommy Travels.

Oddly enough, when I decided to head to Beaches Negril in Jamaica there were many moms that told me their kids were too old for this particular resort. I thought to myself, “How could this be since my kids are even older?”. So, as I headed down there I wondered if my kids were gonna be too old for Beaches. After spending 4 nights there I can report that no one is too old for Beaches. Myself, my almost 13 year old and my 9 year old had a blast. I would not hesitate to go again.

There is so much to do at Beaches Resort Negril and although they have lots of Sesame Street themed events and activities that is just one aspect of the resort. There are so many other things to do besides meet Big Bird. Which we totally did!

All Inclusive

Beaches is all-inclusive which means all your drinks, food, and lots of activities are included. We did a ton of the activities they offered.

• Paddleboarding – One day Eden and I went paddle-boarding. We’ve been paddle boarding many times, but this was our first time to paddle board on the ocean.
• Glass Bottom Boat Tour – Another day we went out on a glass bottom boat. The bottom of the boat has glass panels that are magnifying so we easily got to see the coral and fish.
• Putt Putt Golf – The have an entire putt putt course on property.
• Water park – Although the water park has sections that are for younger children there is a lazy river older children will enjoy and some large slides.
• Snuba – Our favorite activity was snuba. Snuba is a cross between snorkeling and scuba diving. You do not have to have any experience and it is easy enough that young children can do it. My kids were beaming when we finished Snuba. Not only was it a super cool thing to do, but they felt proud of themselves for doing something new.

Now, we were only there 4 days so we didn’t have the chance to try all the activities they offered like kayaking, water bikes, or sailing. Next time I hope to take their sailing lessons. In fact, we did so much at the resort that we never left. Originally I had planned to do the waterfall hike or zip lining, but we were having too much fun at the resort to leave. They even had beach toys down at the beach that the kids could use.

Independent Kids

I enjoyed how independent my kids could be while we were there. If your child is over the age of 8 or 9 you can allow them to check themselves in and out of the kids club. My kids opted not to hang out in the kids club while I was in my conference. Instead they went swimming, hung out, and got their own lunch. There are lifeguards spread around and since it’s all-inclusive my kids could just grab food where ever and not worry about paying for it. Granted it is a little odd to find your kids at the swim-up bar hanging out eating french fries and ice cream.

Food

Speaking of food, there is one night when they have a chocolate party and it is sweet! (See what I did there?) We got to try all kinds of different chocolate creations. I don’t care how old you are. You are never too old for a chocolate party! They also have a pastry shop with specialty coffee and assorted desserts. We had a lot of fun popping in and out of there. Oh, and did I mention the ice cream machine? My kids had at least 5 helpings of ice cream a day to keep them fueled.

I liked how accommodating the resort was with food too. On the night we went to the beach party my son decided non of that food was something he wanted to eat. I told the waiter and was able to get him a huge plate of french fries. (I realize that you are beginning to wonder about how I let my kids eat on vacation. What can I say….when we are on vacation I just don’t care.)

Nightlife

Each night there was some sort of dance party with a DJ or live music. They even had karaoke one night. For the most part, these were completely kid-friendly. On the night of the parade and beach party, they had a massive stage set up and the dancers showed everyone all kinds of dance moves. The characters came out at different times and participated as well. All the families appeared to be having a great time. My kids and I stayed until almost the end it was so much fun. The parade is listed as a Sesame Street parade, but again the characters were only one small part of it. The parade had fire dancers, people in all kinds of costumes, a marching band, and more.

Video Games

For kids that just want to play video games there is an Xbox Lounge! My kids hung out in here off and on. They had at least 18 gaming systems set up, so they are not going to have to wait to play. I know if my 15 year old had come with us he would have spent the majority of his time in here.

I could keep going on and on about all the things we enjoyed while we were here, but I think I’ve made the point, you are never too old for Beaches. 

My daughter Eden wrote a review of Beaches Negril, which will give you even more insight into what a teen thinks about Beaches, Negril. 

Read Next:

Beaches Turks and Caicos Vacation Review

25 Best All Inclusive Resorts for Families

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