Riviera Maya Archives - Mom's Guide To Travel

For those of us on the East Coast, this winter has been one of the coldest we’ve had in years. We’re drowning in snow mounds and the season isn’t over just yet. If you’re like me, you’ve been envisioning your warm weather escape or you’ve already booked it. Spring can’t come soon enough and with Spring Break right around the corner, while you’re frustrated and emotional, now’s the perfect time to solidify your Spring Break vacation plans.

This year, our Spring Break falls in mid-late April when chances are higher that we’ll have mild weather. But why take the chance? Don’t let the warmth find you, check out these 5 hot destination ideas for your upcoming Spring Break and go get your dose of sun.

1. Belize

Believe me when I say that with the publishing of Trip Advisor’s 2014 Traveler’s Choice Awards for “Top 10 Islands in the World”, and with Ambergris Caye coming in at number 1, this quiet island destination will be even more of a hot spot than it already is.

My husband and I traveled to Ambergris Caye in 2007 before kids. The destination is a tropical and ecological playground for any age. Kids will love the beaches, water, and amazing marine life if they enjoy snorkeling. I tried snuba for the first time in Ambergris Caye. The reefs are a big draw for divers, making it a popular destination for the sport.

Be prepared: Ambergris Caye wasn’t the easiest island to get to but once you’re there, it’s a slice of paradise.

2. Puerto Vallarta

Littered with beachfront resorts, Puerto Vallarta has been a popular tourist getaway for decades. At last count, there were roughly 41 five-star and four-star hotels in PV. Many of the hotels are all-inclusive with amenities and discounts nicely suited for families. You can save precious funds with offers like free childcare, free city tours, and hotel packages where kids stay free.

Hotel prices at the four-star level range widely, from $115/night to $600/night. You’ll want to sift through their amenities and offerings with a fine tooth comb to see what you’re getting for your dollar. Outside of the resorts, Puerto Vallarta offers a thriving culinary scene, rich history, colorful arts and culture, and plenty of outdoor activities.

3. Costa Rica

Did you know that Costa Rica is the most visited nation in Central America? Most of its’ tourists originate from the U.S. And why not? Hotel rates in Costa Rica are attractively inexpensive, and flights from the East Coast are comparable to what you’ll pay flying across country. I found a flight to Costa Rica from the D.C. area for $500 round trip – easily what I’d pay flying to Cali.

In addition, traveling to Costa Rica with kids has been demystified for families as more information has become available online. And with ecotourism as its big draw, parents can easily justify the trip as an educational adventure with a few tropical perks.

4. Riviera Maya

Everyone identifies Cancun with couples and partying. However, just an hour down the road, you can travel to Riviera Maya and enjoy a more laid back Spring Break vacation with your family. Large scale all-inclusives dot either side of Highway 307 as you make the drive from Cancun International airport.

Like many other destinations in the Caribbean, families can jet ski, snorkel, scuba dive, zip line, swim with dolphins and explore the natural habitat.

Riviera Maya Temple — Temple of the gods

There’s also the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Chichen Itza, and Coba, perfect for a Mexican history lesson. For the time being, urbanization hasn’t gotten out of control but I feel a change coming. Flights to Cancun are frequent and reasonably priced. Resorts like the Palladium Hotels and Resorts make vacationing in Riviera Maya easy with extensive kids’ programming and stay-free options.

5. Cruises

Yes, I know cruises aren’t technically a destination but they sure are fun! I love cruising and with all the options out there, it never gets old. Hey, you either like a boat or your don’t!

To me, the best part about cruises is that you can hop on one just about any time of the year, not break the bank, and be some place warm in no-time. In November, I sailed on the Carnival Sunshine and caught a brief break from the early winter chills.

Think I’m the only one with a love affair? Think again. Cruises are very popular during Spring Break. Why? Because they’re an economical choice for individuals and families. Their all-inclusive nature, mixed itineraries, kids programs, and party-like atmosphere take the guess work out of planning a relaxing and affordable family vacation. Ships that I like for Spring Break family fun: Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean.

So, what are your Spring Break plans? Where are you and your family headed to? Share them with me in the comments below.

Families are drawn to all inclusive resorts for their value and the pressure they take off of parents to constantly find something for the kids to do while on vacation. Meals, drinks, pools, and some level of kids’ entertainment tend to be standard amenities and the draws.

Emmy-award winning children’s television program, Raggs, made its way to the Palladium Hotels and Resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean just in time for the holidays.

Raggs Palladium Hotel and Resorts — Take pics with the characters anytime anyplace on the resort.

In the Riviera Maya, the sunshine, four-star accommodations, ready-to-please attitudes and white sand beach make a perfect setting for Raggs and his friends. The energy around the resort for the new program is genuine and consistent.

Walking around, you can see that children on the Riviera Maya resort are loved. And why not? Management knows that they have something unique – they have an exclusive license to Raggs. Very few all-inclusive resorts have this type of children’s entertainment programming.

The Play with Raggs at Palladium program features: a 50-minute pirate show, special character appearances, mini club activities, licensed Raggs products, a kids-centric disco party, poolside events and pop-up shows, and Breakfast with Raggs. Aside from purchasing Raggs paraphernalia, everything is part of the all-inclusive price with no additional up-sells.

Over a three-day period at the Palladium Riviera Maya, I was entrenched in songs, smiling faces, plush animal costumes and all things Raggs. The normal itinerary has events spread throughout the week. For example, Pido’s disco surf party takes place on Monday night while the live pirate show takes place on Friday night. Poolside events and pop-up shows run daily in conjunction with the baby and kids’ program. Guest services provides parents with the schedule.

Everyone seems to passionately want to make the resort’s smallest guests head-over-heels happy, ergo making for happy parents. Although the kids were probably excited by all of Raggs appearances, one of the major highlights of the Play at Palladium with Raggs program was the live pirate show. The songs are addictive. It took a week for me to get lyrics “Hey, ho, what’s the dealio” out of my head.

Here’s a snippet of the performance:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10153586781350858

Children from age one and up jammed and participated in the high energy pirate show, listening and responding to the show’s host, eagerly volunteering to go on stage during an intermission. What I thought was impressive was the host’s ability to emcee the entire show in English and Spanish, simultaneously. It was a fun way to practice my Spanish comprehension skills.

The other highlight was Breakfast with Raggs. I wished I had my five year-old there to see it all. Walking into El Gran Azul dining area, you feel like you’re stepping into a child’s birthday party. Visually, Breakfast with Raggs is an explosion of a 24-pack of Crayola crayons, complete with balloons, table settings and decorations, all backlit by the Riviera’s morning sun. [Tweet “Visually, Breakfast with Raggs is an explosion of a 24-pack of crayons, all backlit by the Riviera’s morning sun.”]

Overall, I was impressed by the Play at Palladium with Raggs program. I’ve visited the Palladium’s other property in Jamaica and thought the kids’ facilities were pretty nice but missing something – the addition of Raggs should elevate the program and make it an even more attractive sell for families.

The excitement in Riviera Maya was consistent throughout the trip. Over time, the live performances will keep improving and the program will continue to be refined. At this point in time, the program is in a good starting place and more importantly, the kids seemed to love it!

Along the way, I met a few Palladium Addicts, kid-free guests who’ve been to a Palladium resort nine or more times. My guess is that with the addition of the Raggs programming more families will join that Palladium Addict demographic.

Disclosure: Mom’s Guide To Travel was invited to preview the Play at Palladium with Raggs program and hosted by the Palladium Hotels and Resorts for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed within are that of Tawanna Browne Smith. This post contains an affiliate link.

5 Hot Destination Ideas For Spring Break

Raggs Kids Program Now At All-Inclusive Palladium Hotels And Resorts

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