For an awesome family vacation where the kids can have the time of their life (including you!), look no further than an all-inclusive getaway to Mexico and the Caribbean. We all remember what it was like being young, and while some things haven’t changed as to what kids want in a vacation (a big pool, lots of ice cream, cool activities that fit their interests), all-inclusive resorts offer kids more amenities and activities to choose from than ever before.

For one flat-rate, all-inclusive family resorts basically include everything — accommodations, meals, some activities and excursions.

All you have to do is relax and choose which activities and excursions you want to join in on. So when it comes to choosing the perfect all-inclusive resort for your family, it’s best to first consult the real experts: the kids.

Try Something Different, Something New

Kids deserve plenty of credit for being open to new experiences that are vastly different from what they’re used to back home. In fact, given the opportunity, most kiddos welcome the chance to try something new no matter how exotic and otherworldly the experience or destination may first appear — and it’s those kind of experiences that create fond memories for life. Beyond fantastic weather, great food is what people — including kids — most remember about a vacation. Of course, when the kids are having a good time, they are much more likely to try new things, including food. “The whole point of going somewhere on vacation is to see new stuff and try weird foods you don’t have at home, but not too weird,” says Olivia (10) from Seattle. “One time we went to Mexico and the resort had cactus at the buffet. I had never eaten it before. My dad dared me to try it and I did! It was really slimy, but good.” If you have your own budding chef or just want to enjoy great food — with a focus on quality over quantity — the Nickelodeon™ Hotels & Resort Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is prime for your crew. Every minute of every day at this five-star Gourmet Inclusive® playcation destination serves up luxury amenities and infinite Nickelodeon family entertainment.

Many all-inclusive resorts offer everything from babysitting services, kids and teen clubs, gourmet restaurants and an extensive list of activities that run the gamut from arts & crafts to yoga. Resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean provide a very unique vacation experience for families as they typically offer everything you need (and more) for one price. While parents appreciate their unbeatable value, kids will come to love the wide array of activities and new experiences they offer. When asked about what he was looking forward to on his family’s upcoming vacation to Jamaica, Max (9) from Montreal said: “I can’t wait to go snorkeling with my dad and brother and see a green sea turtle.They’re my favorite animal! But my mom and little sister are just going to stay by the pool and take a nap.But I don’t think you should go on vacation just to sleep.”

Better yet, many of these properties are also located near world-renowned natural and archeological sites (typically an addition fee) that are prime for “wowing” the kids. For Julie (7) of San Diego, her family’s recent trip to Mexico also brings a smile to her face. “I always forget the name of the place we went to, so I call it Chicken Pizza [Chichen Itza],” she said. “There were all these really old buildings that had steps on them that went to the top. It was really cool! Another day we went on a boat to go fishing and we saw lots of dolphins jumping out of the water. I think they wanted to eat the fish we caught.”

Families looking for a resort that is near many great day trip destinations should consider Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa in Mexico. Part of AMResort’s collection of luxury resort destinations, Dreams Los Cabos is set along the sparkling Sea of Cortez, surrounded by eight championship golf courses and many day trips excursions that include ziplining, horseback riding, and ocean fishing.

Reach out to one of your Travel Consultants today, they can plan something memorable and exclusive for you and your family.

Hero image: "Com'on in the water's fine!" by flattop341, Flickr.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0