Explore the little known Isla Mujeres (Island of Women), less than 10 miles from Cancun and the Yucatan Peninsula, where family rooms cost under $100 nightly.
Mexico has been a leading destination for years, with many resorts and beautiful locales, making it hard to find quiet, family-friendly beach getaways among the tourist hot spots and party palaces. If that’s what you seek, Isla Mujeres is your island off the Yucatan coast. Thousands of years ago the Mayans used this island as a haven dedicated to the goddess of love and fertility, Ixchel. During the 16th century, when the Spanish explorers arrived, they discovered stone-carved statues of women in honor of Ixchel, thus giving the island its name. Another legend claims that Fermin Mundaca, a pirate and slave, used the island as an escape, building a hacienda to earn the adoration of a local girl.
With year-round temperatures of 80F degrees, this Mexican destination offers guests a warm family beach vacation any time of the year. Calm surf and shallow waters close to shore make the beaches ideal for parents of infants and toddlers, and anyone who is a novice swimmer. June through August are the hottest months, but avoiding the rain is impossible any time of the year. Afternoon showers are a regular occurrence, with the wet season falling between October and November, so be sure to have an umbrella handy at all times.
Popular attractions to visit while in Isla Mujeres include the Dolphin Discovery Aquatic Park, Garrafon Nature Park part of the Great Mayan Reef, the second largest reef in the world, Hacienda Mundaca Historical Park, Ixchel Temple Sculptural Walkway, where you can see first-hand the sculptures that inspired the island, and the Sleeping Shark Caves made famous by the legendary Jacques Cousteau and Ramon Bravo. If things get too quiet, keep in mind that you’re a short ferry and bus ride away from Cancun.
Posada Del Mar Hotel & Beach Club
Avenida Rueda Medina #15-A
Isla Mujeres, Quitana Roo, Mexico 77400
+52 (998) 877-0044
This hotel boasts 61 newly renovated rooms, all with their own patio or balcony. Room amenities include ceiling fans along with air conditioning, tiled baths, phone, and cable TV. The pool setting will appeal to families, as there is a large pool for adults and older children, and a kiddie pool with a waterfall for the littlest travelers. Beach towels and lounge chairs are free of charge and can be requested at the front desk. Owned and operated by a family, this resort focuses on children, including kid-friendly meals at the on-site restaurant which incorporates both American and Mexican dishes in the menu offerings. With activities ranging from boat tours to bicycle and scooter rentals, and water activities including snorkeling and scuba diving among the Islache and Manchones Reefs, this hotel offers a little something for everyone. 2009 Rates: US$60-$115/N
Cabanas Maria Del Mar
Ave Arq. Carlos Lazo #1
Isla Mujeres, Q. Roo, Mexico 77400
+52 (998) 877-0213
The three sections of this resort — Castle, Tower, and Cabanas — combine to total 73 rooms, all including air-conditioning, private bathrooms and showers, a safety box, and refrigerator. The rooms in the Castle section are located in the restaurant area and feature two king-sized beds. The Tower section is just a few feet from the ocean, and offers king-sized beds on the ground floor, while the upper level has two full-sized beds, which are better for families. In the Cabanas section, surrounding the pool area, there is a tropical garden along with two full-sized beds and a lounge area on the terrace, another family-friendly option. A free continental breakfast is offered and umbrellas and lounge chairs are available for a small fee. The resort offers cultural tours, fishing, and water sports as well as a restaurant and three beach bars. 2009 Rates: US$90-$150/N
Ixchel Beach Hotel
Playa Norte
Isla Mujeres, Q. Roo, Mexico 77400
+52 (998) 999-2010
Opened in 2006, the Ixchel Beach Hotel features two wings, with a total of 117 rooms. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, gym, laundry facilities, ground transportation, and baby sitting services. For those looking to relax, the hotel offers a massage service, and for the adventure seekers there is deep sea fishing and scuba diving. At the pool, guests can utilize the Comono snack bar, and for a traditional restaurant experience visit the Sunset Grill, where they serve a buffet style meal for breakfast, seafood for lunch, and international cuisine for dinner. While on your vacation, check out the namesake of the hotel by visiting Ixchel Temple Sculptural Walkway, and admire the stone-carved statues from the Mayan years. 2009 Rates: US$99-$585/N
NA Balam
Calle Zazil – Ha No. 118 Playa Norte
Isla Mujeres, Q. Roo, Mexico 77400
+52 (998) 877-0279
NA Balam, which means “house of the jaguar” in Mayan, features 28 rooms that come with a king-size bed or two queen beds, a private balcony or terrace, air conditioning, and 24-hour security. The three suites include a king-size bed, private patio, and a small pool with hydro-massage. The resort offers yoga and therapeutic massages creating a calming atmosphere. Internet connections are available only in the lobby to enhance the serene, natural setting, and the hotel has a TV and movie room as well. On those rainy days, ask the front desk for a board game to keep the kids entertained while you get a massage, or hire a baby sitter to get a peaceful day in between the fun-filled active days with the kids. This hotel truly caters to the mind, body, and spirit, offering tarot readings along with bike rentals and a tour of the Mayan ruins. The pool does not have a lifeguard on duty so parents should keep a watchful eye on their kids. 2009 Rates: US$127-$515/N; 12 and under stay free.
Hotel Secreto
Seccion Rocas Lote 11
Isla Mujeres, Q. Roo, Mexico 77400
+52 (998) 877-1039
This modern hotel features in-room amenities such as an iPod hookup, wireless internet, 42-inch plasma TV, complimentary bottled water, bathrobes, and individual climate control. In 2008 the top floor suites were added, which cater to couples and honeymooners. These suites include a king-size bed and a queen-sized daybed on the balcony. The heated lap pool features poolside WiFi, and each morning yoga classes take place alongside the pool deck. The resort will assist you in setting up excursions to the Mayan ruins, or a visit to a sea turtle farm. Coming soon to the hotel are a 4,000-square-foot spa and gym. There is a complimentary continental breakfast, but no restaurant at the resort. While not as kid-friendly as the other hotels, Hotel Secreto is still a top-rated Isla Mujeres hotel, earning honors from the Travel Awards as one of Mexico’s Best Boutique Hotels in 2007. 2009 Rates: US$225-300/N
For more information about these properties visit their individual websites. To learn more about Isla Mujeres visit Isla Mujeres.
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Upiq.com actually finds much cheaper flights & hotels prices than Momondo because Upiq compares much more travel sites than Momondo. You can check it out at http://www.upiq.com
The Guardian newspaper has a few great suggestions for those who want a simple, old-style campground geared to tents and relaxation. First off, they like the guidebook "Cool Camping France" (Punk Publishing) which describes 100 campsites for a variety of budgets.
They also recommend the sites ran by Camping Indigo (camping-indigo.com), or those listed on Rural Camping in France (rural-camping.com) and the Dutch site Kleine Campings Frankrijk (kleinecampingsinfrankrijk.nl; in English).
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The Little Gym sounds a bit like Gymboree, a long time chain of organized play spaces called Gymboree. Gymboree Play & Music classes are available through more than 600 franchised and company-operated centers in the United States, Canada and 30 other countries. Here's a link to the page which describes locations and hours of their international programs, if you ever want to drop in on one in future travels:
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We have lots of stories about traveling with kids in New York City and we are happy to help you plan a customized visit, so you can make the most of your time. Get in touch!
When my wife and I wanted to enjoy all the beauty Antwerp has to offer, we just looked if there was a The little Gym for our son (4) Jason!
Back home Jason ( bouncing off the wall kind of child) attends regular classes at Little Gym. But they also offer Holiday programs. 3 hours or full days are available! Jason had a blast with his new (international) friends and my wife and I could really enjoy the city without feeling guilty about walking too much or going in too many Cathedrals 🙂
Thumbs up for this worldwide concept, next stop Amsterdam!
Hi there,
I am planning a 4 night vacation to NYC this May and am looking for a custom itenerary as it is our first time in the big apple and it's pretty overwhelming trying to figure out a logical sequel of events as we do not know what the most efficient way to go about it would be. Do i just let you know our points of interest?? Thanks, Steph
I am off to Orlando in October.
How is the theme park here for under 3 yr olds? anyone been?
We've been. The parks are great for a toddler as long as you plan short days and keep the walking to a minimum; don't wait in a lot of lines. Weather should be cooler in October, that's good. If you can afford one of the hotels that gets you the first in line access, that would be great. It's pretty exhausting but your kids will have fun, and they have a rider swap so that your spouse can watch the baby, while one of you does the amazing Harry Potter ride, and then you can switch duty and the other rides too.
At Universal Studios (the movie themed part of the parks), there are cartoon stars from Nickelodeon shows, and they're in gentle rides or in live shows. The best bet may be Woody Woodpecker's KidZone, where there is a fun interactive playground and sing-a-longs with characters.
At Islands of Adventure, we all loved Suess Landing where you can go on the Cat in the Hat ride, and a very crazy carousel. Just love those books and our son remembered a lot of the words from having them read to him so often. The Jurassic Park ride area has a neat water playground you'll enjoy it if there aren't a lot of teens squirting each other.
Thanks for your article on beg bugs when traveling. Bed bugs are something that I've been very concerned about. I found some information on bed bugs pictures on the Bed Bugs Handbook.
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My family and I returned a few weeks ago from a wonderful 10 day trip in Morocco that was seamlessly organized by Sahara Magic Tours. After my first phone conversation with Hassan at Sahara Magic Tours immediately felt my anxiety about planning my trip go away. Hassan was GREAT, he was friendly, flexible, very patient with all my questions and requests and always responded to my emails and phone calls promptly. He was extremely knowledgeable in all areas of Morocco. The depth of his knowledge made his advice and guidance priceless as his recommendations all turned out to be perfectly suited to our needs.
I requested Mohamed as our driver based on the reviews I read here and on other sites. Mohamed was EXCELLENT! We were so happy with him in every way. He spoke good English. He has a great personality and sense of humor. He's such a genuinely good guy, really friendly, caring, down to earth and can get along with all types of personalities and ages. You immediately feel so comfortable and safe with him . Mohamed took care of all of our needs and was very patient and flexible. He was always on time for our daily adventures and was a knowledgeable guide so we learned a lot from him about Morocco. Also, I have to mention how GREAT a driver Mohamed is. Not only does he drive safe but he handles the vehicle really well, whether it's winding roads or BUSY streets, etc.
We chose the Imperial cities tour as well as the desert and Essaouria. We covered 1,300 miles. Morocco is a beautiful country. We found the Moroccan people to be warm and friendly. Each place has it's own look and feel and it's so picturesque as you drive from one place to another. Morocco felt like a bunch of different countries in one country. Be sure to keep a day or so aside for shopping. For us, it was a struggle within our 10 day itinerary since there was so much to see and do. An extra day or 2 would have been perfect.
I would definitely recommend staying in a Riad at least once during your trip. For us after the first 2 Riads we missed some of the conveniences of a hotel so we were glad we stayed in both. Bivouac in Merzouga was really cool, you can literally walk onto the dunes from the Bivouac. In Marrakech I liked Les Jardins De Le Koutaoubia , the hotel was beautiful and the location was stellar, less than a 5-minute walk to the Dejemma el-Fna and all the souks.
As someone who travels frequently I would highly recommend Sahara Magic Tours http://www.Sahara-Magic.com/ to anyone thinking about taking a trip to Morocco. Their knowledge, contacts throughout the country, personal attention to every detail of your trip and excellent service is one of the best I've experienced. I'm so thankful to all the people that wrote reviews about Sahara Magic Tours and Mohamed. Thanks to Hassan /Sahara Magic Tours and Mohamed, my family and I had an AMAZING experience in Morocco. Can't wait to go back!
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If you need further info on Wales the government brochures from this site can be really helpful. It's very easy to use, you don't have to register before ordering and the brochures arrive in a couple of days. http://www.wales-holiday-brochures.co.uk
Hope they can be of some help… They were for me!
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If you do not speak Turkish, avoid the airlines no matter how good that deal seems. The customer service is non existant.
We had a multi-leg trip with Turkish Airline from Rome to Istanbul to Cairo to Athens. We only ended up taking the flight from Rome to Istanbul.
Their flight from Rome to Istanbul was comfortable and relaxing. The staff was cordial. We only had carry-ons because of the horrible experiences other users have had.
Our overall experience with management, however, turned out to be extremely frustrating and awful. Our first interaction with them was when we tried to cancel our Istanbul to Cairo part of the trip because the US department highly suggested that no US citizens should travel to Cairo. We had called Turkish Airlines prior to the trip, but the staff spoke limited English and didn't understand that we wanted to cancel only one leg of the trip. They would planning on canceling the entire trip which we didn't want.
We then decided to keep the trip but use one of the layovers that was originally intended from Cairo to Greece but stops at Istanbul to get to our final destination- Greece. However, due to their international rule and regulation, they canceled our entire trip leaving us no way to get to Greece. They didn't inform us via email or phone like many other airlines do. We found out the day before we were supposed to leave when trying to check in for our flight.
We accepted the fact that there was nothing we could do but when we asked on the phone what we could have done to have prevented this, the manager started yelling that she couldn't help us, and that it was our fault for losing the tickets. We asked again. She admitted that she couldn't understand our question and started shouting at us that it was our fault and hung up on us. I was furious.
Looking at the other posts, I think the moral of the story is – Do NOT book with Turkish Airlines unless you speak Turkish. The staff's English is very limited, and trying to change flights or dealing with management is just a pain, ends up with customers losing money and valuable time.
I've had such bad experiences with the customer services at Turkish Airlines. ON the phone, the managers who are supposedly "English" do not understand simple sentences and when they don't, they get frustrated and hang up on you.
We had a multi-leg trip with Turkish Airline from Rome to Istanbul to Cairo to Athens. We only ended up taking the flight from Rome to Istanbul.
Their flight from Rome to Istanbul was comfortable and relaxing. The staff was cordial. We only had carry-ons because of the horrible experiences other users have had.
Our overall experience with management, however, turned out to be extremely frustrating and awful. Our first interaction with them was when we tried to cancel our Istanbul to Cairo part of the trip because the US department highly suggested that no US citizens should travel to Cairo. We had called Turkish Airlines prior to the trip, but the staff spoke limited English and didn't understand that we wanted to cancel only one leg of the trip. They would planning on canceling the entire trip which we didn't want.
We then decided to keep the trip but use one of the layovers that was originally intended from Cairo to Greece but stops at Istanbul to get to our final destination- Greece. However, due to their international rule and regulation, they canceled our entire trip leaving us no way to get to Greece. They didn't inform us via email or phone like many other airlines do. We found out the day before we were supposed to leave when trying to check in for our flight.
We accepted the fact that there was nothing we could do but when we asked on the phone what we could have done to have prevented this, the manager started yelling that she couldn't help us, and that it was our fault for losing the tickets. We asked again. She admitted that she couldn't understand our question and started shouting at us that it was our fault and hung up on us. I was furious.
Looking at the other posts, I think the moral of the story is – Do NOT book with Turkish Airlines unless you speak Turkish. The staff's English is very limited, and trying to change flights or dealing with management is just a pain, ends up with customers losing money and valuable time.
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Our family had been so excited to go on our make a wish trip.My daughter was diagnosed with a terminal cancer at age 2,and we waited till this month to go,so we knew she would be healthy enough to enjoy herself.When we got there we were very tired and it was around 5 in the afternoon.I first noticed the strange odor when we walked in the room,it was like they were trying to cover up something.Then later that night I started seeing little bugs everywhere.I am not native to Florida,so I thought it might be just some outdoor bugs.Then as the days went by,i kept seeing more and more.Knowing this trip was free,I didn't want to complain to much,but by the 3 rd night I was horrified.I got up to check on my daughter and there were bugs all over the kitchen counter.I was so disgusted,I slept in the car that night.My husband complained the next morning,and they sent a technician in.They were water bugs.That is so nasty.We did get moved,but the next room wasn't that clean either.This is a place for sick kids,and the rooms aren't clean.Come on.Then as we were walking to the restaurant,and man was spraying chemicals around the side walk,and he had a respirator mask on.So whatever he was spraying must have been really poisonous.And here he is spraying it around sick kids!!! I'm glad others had a good time,and loved this place,but I was not impressed.
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Just a note to let you know that the Holiday Inn SunSpree has been renamed and is now known as the Holiday Inn & Suites North Beach. See news article annoucement here . Just want to make sure there is no confusion when people click on their listing and arrive at the new site. The renovation was great and the hotel is still very family friendly. Keep it in mind if visiting Virginia Beach.
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I dont think there should be a mixture of kids and casion on same vacation as it will leave a wrong impression at such an early age….We know every kid will be adult some day…. I belive kids childhood is so enormous for him/her that he/she requires a very good surrounding. This will always help in creating a very good future.
Thanks/////
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