Family Holidays to Cancun

Best family friendly beaches

With around 22 kilometres of white sand coastlines, Cancun is the ideal spot to do a little sunbathing and wave surfing. Beaches here are extremely family-friendly and have a range of facilities for you to enjoy.

Playa Tortugas is a popular spot for families, as the beach is lined with restaurants and shops for when you need a break from the sun. For thrill-seekers and older children, you can also rent sailboats or climb a bungee tower over the water. Playa Les Perlas is the closest beach to Cancun – its still and quiet coastline makes it ideal for small children and families.

To spot some incredible underwater sea life, head to Akumal. This spot literally means ‘place of the turtles’. In these shallow waters you can snorkel or kayak and watch as the sea turtles and other tropical wildlife swim through the waters

Best family activities in Cancun

After spending hours deepening your tan and swimming in the sea you might be up for a little family time hitting the town. Cancun is full of friendly restaurants, shops and markets for you to wander through.

A family visit here wouldn’t truly be complete without checking out the ancient Mayan sites and learning about the culture of this area. Fortunately, Cancun makes a great base for accessing these historical sights. El Ray – an archaeological site just outside of city limits – allows you to see the remains of ancient buildings and temples. If you need to cool down after all this sightseeing, several nearby waterparks would be happy to help, including Wet’n Wild which has tube rides, waterslides and lazy rivers.

Other popular holidays in Mexico

Cancun isn’t the only location for fun and tropical family holidays. If you’re keen on catching some of that Mexican sun check out Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Puerto Vallarta. But if you’re set on a holiday to Cancun, take a look at our travel guide for more information on how to plan your perfect family holiday in Mexico. We’ve also rounded up the top family hotels for you to choose from.

Other popular family holidays

Dominican Republic | Florida

Holidays to bustling Cancun are packed with exciting outdoor activities

Your family holiday to this Mexican peninsula is closer that you think, with flights from the UK getting you to the warm waters, cool sand and exciting watersports in just 10 hours.

Cancun has a range of excellent activities to do as a family, all with an outdoor element to get you moving in the beautiful weather. If you love the water and want to experience some of Cancun’s beautiful coral reefs, check out the Underwater Museum of Art. Here, you can scuba dive below the tropical waters and swim between more than 500 life-sized sculptures fixed to the sea floor. Made from special materials, they are designed to promote growth on the coral reef.

If you’d rather stay above the shoreline you can also explore the peninsula and city by renting bikes, or by soaring through the jungle on ziplines and rope swings at the natural amusement park, Xel-Ha.

Riu Caribe Hotel

Only a five-minute drive from Cancun, you’ll be in a prime location for restaurants and attractions in this family-friendly hotel. Chill out by any of the three pools, which are all surrounded by beautiful gardens and palm trees. Located right on the beachfront, you can attempt tonnes of water activities like bodyboarding, kayaking and snorkeling. Or if you want to head into Cancun, you can spend your day at the Mayan ruins or ziplining through the jungles on one of the several canopy tours available. Upon your return, your evenings will be packed with entertainment from live music to children’s presenters.

Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort

For the ultimate family holiday visit the Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort. This 5* hotel is bursting with activities like kids’ and teen clubs, catamaran rides, windsurfing lessons and of course the popular golf course. Five pools wind their way around the outside of the hotel, giving you stunning views over the beachfront. If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat, Moon Palace has 12 restaurants to choose from, ranging from authentic Mexican cuisine to western classics for any picky eaters.