HELP!!!

Family of 6....4 boys under the age of 11. Finally venturing out and thinking a BEACH right now, but open to anything. Just looking for something extremely kid friendly and fun that our boys will remember for a long time.

I've been recommended some cool places like Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya, but I've never been there and just dont know how the beaches (seaweed) will be in December or how safe Mexico is right now for our big family. We plan to leave the day after Christmas and come back before new years, so not too long.

Definitely dont want a long flight. Thought about Costa Rica (rainforest and beaches), but I'm thinking that may not be kid friendly enough.

We like the idea of the Nickelodeon Resort in Riviera Maya, but not sure we could afford to drop $25K....which brings up another question....what's a reasonable amount of $ I should expect to spend for a nice/fun, but not over the top family vacation. We've always been cheap local family vacationers, so I'm getting a little sticker shocked searching destinations for a family of 6 online.

Last question - thought of using a travel agent, but never gone that route. Is that what I need? I just have a hard time trusting that option

I'd love to help you out if you want!
My travel agent services are free and I have some great ideas for your family vacation.

I will say, the week between Christmas and New Years is usually the most expensive time to travel but I think we could find something within a reasonable budget for you.

Feel free to reach out lauren@breezecustomtravel.com

Disney Cruise

Mexico is stupid expensive the week of Christmas/new years. Lots of Canadians and Euros dropping big cash.

Have you considered skiing? Won't be cheap but 4 boys will run themselves ragged trying to carve up a mountain.

Just keep in mind that is the most expensive week of the year to travel. I would be shocked if you find flights below $1k per person. Normally when I quote people they get sticker shock.

Costa Rica - Dreams Las Mareas is great (have families there right now). But it is kind of far from the airport (1.5 hours) and they are very limited on connecting rooms, so might not be able to guarantee the 5 of you in one room. Beaches there aren't the best, but they do have them. There is a Riu Palace much closer to the airport that is mid level (not high end) and close to excursions. Usually family rooms aren't too big of an issue there if you book early enough.

Seaweed isn't generally a fall/winter thing, but of course it can happen at any time. You will get the most bang for your buck in Cancun/Cozumel or the Dominican Republic (but flights may be higher). I tend to find more family rooms (connecting) here as well.

Puerto Vallarta won't have seaweed but their water is more of a deep blue/brown. Might be hard to find options to sleep 6.

Have you thought of a cruise? While it will be expensive too (may already be sold out of connecting cabins), at least you would save the $6k in flights.

If you have questions my email is in my profile.

You really should set your budget on what you can afford and want to spend, not on what others spend.

I've got an even larger family and we have had some really great vacations without ever staying at a resort or all getting on a plane together. AirBnB/VRBO is a fantastic choice for families, even internationally.

If you want to do a beach in December, though, seems like you're likely getting out of the country. If it was in my budget, I'd probably be looking at a cruise.

As a travel advisor I would first recommend chatting with someone that you have read their reviews. Half of my clients now have never used a travel agent and once we have a discussion of what an agent brings to the table most had no idea. As a travel agent it's important to have first hand destination knowledge and really know what resort is going to fit your family, budget, activity level. Not all resorts are created equal and you personally can go down the google rabbit hole and try to read review after review to see what will fit or schedule a travel discovery call with someone you trust their opinion.
This is something us agents do day in and day out. For instance in 2022 I personally visited 30+ resorts and in 2023 10 thus far. Costco, Expedia Etc does not have the customer service a travel advisor will provide

I know there are great agents here that will help you out and have given some fantastic information . My contact info is in my Bio

If you are going to Mexico the week between Christmas and New Year, at least head to parts of Mexico where it will be guaranteed to be warmer and sunnier. Check out Huatulco. It is always warm and sunny there during the Christmas holidays. Several all-inclusives to choose from if that is what you're looking for. I've been to Riviera Maya twice during that same time period and both times were cool, windy, and over cast.
Never wasting that kind of money again.

Edit- NO the Nickelodeon resort is not worth 25k.

We did Cabo at Thanksgiving this last year and it was fantastic.

Not a cloud in the sky and the weather was perfect. A little chilly in the water but as long as you were in the sun, it was great.

I prefer Cancun area since it's more tropical and I like the sprawling beautiful resorts more than the feel of Cabo.