Family friendly vacations.

[mimico_polak]

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I'm typing this as we wait for our shuttle back home from Cancun and we can't help but wonder where to go next year as we make sacrifices annually to save for the next trip (i.e.: we start saving the week we return and put money away so we pay cash and not credit).

Where are some general recommendations for a family of 5?

Cuba - doesn't look like that's coming back anytime soon
Cancun - been twice and enjoyed both times

We typically like the all inclusives simply because it allows us to keep the kids occupied while we can also do a variety of things.

Today is the hottest day of the week that we've been here, but it's been chill hanging by the pool and drinks flowing steadily...but I'm all done with the food and drink and ready to get back to reality.

Ideally places that allow families of 5 without having to book a second room, as that's the main reason we travel with others. One kid is always booked with a couple going with us as it's cheaper than buying a separate room.

 

[Lightcycle]

Not sure about family-friendly, but Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic was nice. Been a few times, with friends and for work as well.

 

[mimico_polak]

Not sure about family-friendly, but Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic was nice. Been a few times, with friends and for work as well.

We’ve heard that DR isn’t all that inviting to Canadians unless they speak Spanish.

Handful of friends said the staff would literally ignore them and go only toward Spanish / French speaking tourists and ignore the English speakers.

But….could just be the tourists weren’t good to them.

 

[Lightcycle]

We’ve heard that DR isn’t all that inviting to Canadians unless they speak Spanish.

Handful of friends said the staff would literally ignore them and go only toward Spanish / French speaking tourists and ignore the English speakers.

But….could just be the tourists weren’t good to them.

Nope.

We met SOOOO many Canadians in DR. It's a very popular spot for Canucks.

 

[Lightcycle]

You should probably specify budget and flight radius, otherwise you're going to get every hot, expensive and far-flung destination that everyone on this forum has ever visited. We spent a wonderful week in the Philippines last year, but pretty sure your kids are not gonna appreciate being inside of an airplane for 20-hours not including stopovers...

I'm assuming from your past Cuba and Cancun examples, you're looking for a sub 5-hour flight from TO?

There are a ton of Caribbean islands, some more expensive than others.

 

[mimico_polak]

You should probably specify budget and flight radius, otherwise you're going to get every hot, expensive and far-flung destination that everyone on this forum has ever visited. We spent a wonderful week in the Philippines last year, but pretty sure your kids are not gonna appreciate being inside of an airplane for 20-hours not including stopovers...

I'm assuming from your past Cuba and Cancun examples, you're looking for a sub 5-hour flight from TO?

There are a ton of Caribbean islands, some more expensive than others.

Good point. I’d say no more than a 6hr flight with a budget of 8-10k.

Seems the budget is growing every year. This year we came close to 8k. 2 years ago was 6k.

Kids aren’t free any more.

 

[GreyGhost]

We’ve heard that DR isn’t all that inviting to Canadians unless they speak Spanish.

Handful of friends said the staff would literally ignore them and go only toward Spanish / French speaking tourists and ignore the English speakers.

But….could just be the tourists weren’t good to them.

We went to an all-inclusive in DR last year. Not much different than Mexico imo. Staff was friendly and I have close to zero Spanish ability.

 

[Lightcycle]

Are you looking for a different city or a different country?

Lots of other places in MX as well - Puerto Vallarta, Cabo, Playa del Carmen, etc.

Anything other than the major tourist centres would be cheaper, but probably wouldn't have the kid-friendly amenities and activities.

 

[Scuba Steve]

We go to Puerto Morales Mexico every winter and supplement it with a non all inclusive vacation some other time in the year last year was Hungary this year will probably be Japan.


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[crankcall]

Florida , Cuba , and now most of Mexico is out for me . I was in DR a week ago . I speak zero Spanish but was treated well enough . Bahamas ? Exumas has never disappointed me . Could be hard on the budget .


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[sburns]

Disney Cruise.
My brother did them for years when the kids were little. Kids are well taking care of and you can do your own things while they are busy, and not worry.

 

[Lightcycle]

Bahamas ? Exumas has never disappointed me . Could be hard on the budget .

Yep, also Barbados, St Martin/Maarten, Turks & Caicos... not for the poors, or families of 5 or more...

 

[GreyGhost]

Disney Cruise.
My brother did them for years when the kids were little. Kids are well taking care of and you can do your own things while they are busy, and not worry.

Disney cruise for 5 people for 10K or less would be a miracle. Probably over 10K USD plus flights.

 

[sburns]

Disney cruise for 5 people for 10K or less would be a miracle. Probably over 10K USD plus flights.

I think my brother use to drive down.
But yeah USD is pricey for us CAD's

 

[Wind Shear]

Disney Cruise.
My brother did them for years when the kids were little. Kids are well taking care of and you can do your own things while they are busy, and not worry.

Same. Caribbean Disney cruises. Great experience with younger kids. Family friendly shore excursions.
Although we were 4 to a balcony room - Parents in main bed. 1 kid in pullout and 1 in a drop down bunk.
5 would be tight but i saw other families do it.

 

[Wind Shear]

Disney cruise for 5 people for 10K or less would be a miracle. Probably over 10K USD plus flights.

this is also true.

 

[Relax]

Or just a regular Caribbean Cruise on a family friendly cruise liner. We had an amazing time on my very first cruise back in 2017 on Norwegian out of Miami for 7 days that hooked me. I'll never do an all-inclusive beach resort again (well I only ever did 2 and felt so bored both times).

 

[mimico_polak]

Never considered a cruise in all honesty.

Listened to a news bit yesterday where due to Cuba being closed, west coast of MX being ‘dangerous’ all the other destinations this season have gone through the roof to meet the demand.

Many more families choosing cruises. May be something to consider.

 

[oioioi]

Not necessarily an all includive but I would suggest going to Greece.
We went last year and traveled around and I am seeing it pop up on my phone everyday now.
It was simply amazing. Not sure if the views were better then the food or the other way around. The combination of the two is was simply amazing.
I would go back anyday.

 

[JC99]

We’ve heard that DR isn’t all that inviting to Canadians unless they speak Spanish.

Handful of friends said the staff would literally ignore them and go only toward Spanish / French speaking tourists and ignore the English speakers.

But….could just be the tourists weren’t good to them.

It’s very popular with Germans and they definitely don’t speak a lot of Spanish.

What do the kids like? For me a foreign holiday is all about experiences that you can’t get back home. Seeing a sloth or an iguana, surfing on a tropical beach, learning a new language, eating different food.

You could go to a rainforest and see how chocolate is made or coffee is grown. Zipline through the rainforest if you like. Hike up a volcano. Pretty sure for a kid those things would be lifelong memories.

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