Traveling with adult children can pose a bit of a challenge. You want adults only since you aren't traveling with kids. However, a lot of adults only resorts are geared towards couples. Others have a bit too much of a party atmosphere. Here are my recommendations for adults only resorts that strike the right balance for a family traveling together.
Hilton Playa del Carmen - This resort is steps from the vibrant Playa del Carmen. Hilton Playa del Carmen has a more lively pool near the beach or a quieter pool closer to the lobby.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana - This resort is close to the airport. Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana has a fun vibe that doesn't get too crazy. Booking a club level room gives you access to a quieter pool. The resort connects to a family resort so the shows will be family friendly.
Secrets Vallarta Bay - Secrets Vallarta Bay is a great location to explore Puerto Vallarta. The resort has an active, fun vibe.
Unico - Unico made the list because it does attract young honeymooners without being overly romantic. The adults kids will have people their own age at the main pool and the parents will find their peers at the main pool or the quiet pool. Unico also has terrific dining.
Aruba is a great location for vacation anytime of year with your family or group. It’s located outside the hurricane zone so the risk of getting hit by a storm during hurricane season is low. The trade winds that blow across the island help to keep it cooler year round and also lends itself to some fun activities including windsurfing, kitesurfing and blokarting. Let’s take a look at what Aruba has to offer for your group vacation!
Aruba is a popular port of call on may Eastern Caribbean cruise ship itineraries. Here are some great Cruise Friendly excursion options outside of what the cruise lines offer.
From a 65 foot catamaran enjoy some of the best snorkeling sites off of Aruba. Potential snorkel spots include Catalina Bay or Malmok reef the Antilla shipwreck, depending on water conditions. This tour is offered daily at 9:30 am and 1 pm. You can also rent snorkel gearto snorkel off of Palm Beach. Though, if you love to snorkel, you may want to invest in your own set of snorkel gear.
Kitesurfing is one of the most popular sports in Aruba. Kitesurfing is where the kiter uses wind power with a large power kite pulled on water, land, or snow. It combines aspects of paragliding, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and wakeboarding. Group and Private lessons are available daily. Minimum age is 7.
Windsurfing is another popular water sport here. As soon as you pick up the sail, the wind will sweep you out and you will be on your way. In this beginner course, the instructor will first spend an hour explaining how to hold the sail, stand on the board, hoist up the sail, and take turns. You will then have an hour to sail under close supervision. This tour is offered daily with various start times. Advanced lessons are also available daily. Minimum age is 6.
Experience Aruba’s famous trade winds….on land with this blokarting tour After a short period of instruction you decide whether to go super fast or enjoy a more relaxing ride by tightening or loosening your sail. This tour is offered daily and lasts 2 hours. Minimum age is 14.
Explore Aruba’s cactus-studded countryside on this Mountain Biking Tour. Ride along unspoiled trails and the wave battered coastline with an experienced guide. Bike rentals are also available to explore on your own. This tour lasts two hours and is offered daily with various departures times throughout the day. A private tour is also available.
From Palm Beach, go parasailing! Enjoy views of Palm Beach from high above. You will lift up from a platform on the back of a boat and also land in the same spot with an option to be dunked in the Caribbean Sea, just let the Captain know. Offered daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Minimum age is 5. Check out this tour for tandem and triple set experiences.
Kayaks and Paddle boards are a great ways to explore the coastline of Palm Beach. Rentals last one hour and are available every day of the week. Sailing on your own or with a Captain is another relaxing way to explore. For those with the need for speed, Jet Skis are also available to rent for 30 minutes as well as driving your own speedboat.
Wakeboard or Waterski? With this daily tour you have a choice! Different skis are available from beginners to pros. The skilled staff can teach you to surf the sea and jump the waves.
Discover Scuba - Perfect for those that just want to try out Scuba Diving without the commitment of certification. Minimum age is 10.
Haven Riviera Cancun All Inclusive resort is an adults only resort located in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Haven Riviera Cancun features two large pools, a wide beach for this part of Riviera Cancun, and good restaurants. Serenity is their Club Level. If you book a Serenity room, you'll get extra perks like access to an exclusive restaurant, 30 minutes of hydrotherapy per day, a butler, and access to a special lounge. Take a look:
If one of your hobbies is water sports, Aruba is an excellent location for your next vacation! Enjoy jet skis, kayaks, paddle boards, Fly Boarding, parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving and more! Did you know that the wind blows year round in Aruba? This is due to the islands proximity to the equator bringing in surface level trade winds from the Coriolis Effect on the Earth's surface, making Aruba the perfect spot for water activities such as sailing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Let’s take a look at the abundance of water sports and activities available in Aruba!
Kitesurfing is one of the most popular sports in Aruba. Kitesurfing is where the kiter uses wind power with a large power kite pulled on water, land, or snow. It combines aspects of paragliding, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and wakeboarding. Advanced, Group, Private and Multi-Day lessons are available daily. Minimum age is 7.
Windsurfing is another popular water sport here. As soon as you pick up the sail, the wind will sweep you out and you will be on your way. In this beginner course, the instructor will first spend an hour explaining how to hold the sail, stand on the board, hoist up the sail, and take turns. You will then have an hour to sail under close supervision. This tour is offered daily with various start times. Advanced lessons are also available daily. Minimum age is 6.
One of the newest water sports is Flyboarding A Flyboard is a type of jetpack/ hoverboard which supplies propulsion to drive the Flyboard through the water. This tour lasts 30 minutes and is offered daily with times from 9:30 am to 4 pm. Minimum age is 13.
From Palm Beach, go parasailing! Enjoy views of Palm Beach from high above. You will lift up from a platform on the back of a boat and also land in the same spot with an option to be dunked in the Caribbean Sea, just let the Captain know. Offered daily from 9 am to 4 pm. Minimum age is 5. Check out this tour for tandem and triple set experiences.
Did you know that the earliest roots of Paddle boarding go back to the 18th century when native Hawaiians used the method to paddle along the Pacific from island to island? It is an excellent workout, great for building core strength, since the body’s core muscles are responsible for keeping balance. Arms and shoulders also get a major workout. Paddle boards are available for 30 or 60 minutes rentals from 9 am to 4 pm daily.
Why just one water activity when you could do up to three activities? Skilled instructors will teach you the skills need if you are a beginner in Water Skiing, Wake Boarding or Knee Boarding. More experienced water-skiers can show off their slaloms, jumps, and tricks during their 20 minute ride. This experience is offered daily with start times from 10 am until 4 pm.
Kayaks are a great way to explore the coastline of Palm Beach. Rentals last one hour and are available every day of the week. Sailing on your own or with a Captain is another relaxing way to explore. For those with the need for speed, Jet Skis are also available to rent for 30 minutes as well as driving your own speedboat.
Other fast fun options on the water include Tube Rides and Banana Boat rides. Grab your family and friends for the ride of a lifetime!
From a 65 foot catamaran enjoy some of the best snorkeling sites off of Aruba. Potential snorkel spots include Catalina Bay or Malmok reef the Antilla shipwreck, depending on water conditions. This tour is offered daily at 9:30 am and 1 pm.
Private catamaran rentals are the perfect way to celebrate a special event with friends and family. Rentals are available for groups of 5, 15, 25, 30, 35, 40 or 50 people. You can customize your itinerary to include stops for swimming and snorkeling. Drinks and appetizers are also included.
Scuba Diving is also available in Aruba for any level of Scuba Diving experience.
Discover Scuba - Perfect for those that just want to try out Scuba Diving without the commitment of certification. Minimum age is 10.
PADI Open Water Certification - 1st Level Diver Certification Course over 3 days. Ages 10-17 is junior certification and 18+ is adult certification
With an average annual daytime temperature of 82 degrees, a dry climate and a location outside the general path of hurricanes, Aruba is a great spot to vacation any time of year. Here are some amazing excursion suggestions if you are looking to book a honeymoon, anniversary trip or just a getaway with your significant other.
Enjoy a romantic sunset aboard a 45 ft catamaran on this amazing cruise in the Caribbean Sea. Onboard enjoy spacious decks, trampolines for sunbathing, a large roof for shade, and a bar serving free cocktails. Sail along the coast, relax to the music, take an opportunity to do some snorkeling. This tour lasts 2 hours and is available every day of the week departing from Noord. For information on an alternate sunset cruise departing daily from Oranjestad, check out this option.
Take a half-day snorkeling cruise with a champagne brunch and explore The Antilla Shipwreck and Boca Catalina Bay. Brunch includes homemade baked goods, fresh fruits, french bread, cheeses, meats, salad and champagne. This tour lasts 3 hours, check calendar for availability.
Spend the day on Palm Island, a private island just off the coast of Aruba. Enjoy an open bar, lunch buffet, and plenty of activities including snorkeling, banana boat rides, water slides and much more. This experience is offered daily and lasts 8 hours. Enhance your day with a beach cabana rental, Seatrek Experience or SNUBA experience for an additional fee.
If you and your significant other would like to see the best that Aruba has to offer, consider this tour of the island in an air-conditioned motor coach. Stops include Bubali Bird & Turtle Sanctuary, California Lighthouse, Natural Bridge Ruins & Baby Natural Bridge, Glass Blowing Demonstration, Alto Vista Chapel, Ayo Rock Formations, and Baby Beach. This tour lasts 7 hours, and is available on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Wednesdays.
Explore Aruba’s cactus-studded countryside on this Mountain Biking Tour. Ride along unspoiled trails and the wave battered coastline with an experienced guide. Bike rentals are also available to explore on your own. This tour lasts two hours and is offered daily with various departures times throughout the day. A private tour is also available.
Spend half a day on this UTV Off-Road Adventure Tour. Explore the desert terrain of the island and make some unique stops at the California Lighthouse, the famous Natural Bridge, snorkel at the coral reef just off DePalm Island, visit with some flamingoes and pass by one of Aruba’s most secluded beaches, Mangel Halto. This tour lasts 4 hours and is offered daily with two departure times. A full day tour also includes stops at Blackstone Beach, Three Bridges Formation, Ayo Rock Formation, Balashi Gold Smelter Ruins, and Lunch at Studio Murano with a Glass Blowing Demonstration.
How about a relaxing paddle along the coastline of Palm Beach? Kayaks are available to explore the area. Rentals last one hour and are available every day of the week. For those that would like to go faster, Jet Skis are also available to rent for 30 minutes.
Because of unobstructed trade winds from the Eastern Caribbean, the wind blows year-round in Aruba, making it a great place to experience windsurfing. As soon as you pick up the sail, the wind will sweep you out and you will be on your way. First though the instructor will spend an hour explaining how to hold the sail, stand on the board, hoist up the sail, and take turns. You will then have an hour to sail under close supervision. This tour is offered daily with various start times.
Another popular windy water sport to try out during your vacation to Aruba is Kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is where the kiter sues wind power with a large power kite pulled on water, land, or snow. It combines aspects of paragliding, windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding and wakeboarding. Private lessons are available.
Some of the best white sand beaches with crystal blue water
I've ever seen are in Antigua, Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico, and Turks and Caicos.
One big important caveat is that time of year matters. Even the best beaches
can get a bit murky as the summer storms roll in. If water clarity is important
to you stick to vacation between December to May in the Caribbean.
Antigua brags about 365 beaches - one for each day of the
year. The water is absolutely gorgeous.For super luxurious trip of a lifetime, check out Jumby Bay and
Hermitage Bay. Other favorites are Grand Pineapple Antigua and Sandals Grande
Antigua.
The Bahamas is sometimes overlooked because it's so close
the USA. It also doesn't have a lot of all inclusive resorts. If you want a
true breathtaking experience, I suggest heading to the smaller islands and
enjoying the small beachfront hotels. If all inclusive is really important to
you, check out Sandals Emerald Bay and RIU Palace Paradise Island. One note
about Sandals Emerald Bay - The beach and golf course are magnificent. The
reviews on the dining and service are very mixed.
Jamaica has great beaches. One famous one is Seven Mile
Beach in Negril. It's about an hour and a half from the airport. My favorite
resort in Negril is Azul Beach Negril. Sandals Negril and Couples Negril are
also good choices. If you want to explore other parts of the islands, Sandals
resorts did a great job buying up some of the best beachfront locations. Check
out: Sandals Royal Plantation, Sandals Montego Bay, and Sandals South Coast.
The eastern coast of Mexico has the best beaches in the
Hotel Zone of Cancun, Playa Mujeres, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. I did whole
video on the best all inclusive resorts in the Hotel Zone. Other great resorts
are Secrets Akumal, Playacar Palace, and Planet Hollywood. Keep a close eye on
Holbox. This is an island about 2 hours from the Cancun airport. It's the next
hot spot with more resorts opening this year.
Lastly, Turks and Caicos offers terrific beaches. The
biggest resort there is Beaches Turks and Caicos.
Montego Bay, Jamaica is around a 4 hour flight from New York and Chicago and just 2 hours from Miami. With daytime high temperatures ranging from the the low 80’s in the winter months to the low 90’s in the summer months, Montego Bay with its beautiful beaches and resorts make it a great place for a group getaway any time of year. Whether it is a Bachelor/ Bachelorette group, girls trip, guys trip or any kind of group there is plenty to see and do in Jamaica. Check out these tour suggestions for your group vacation.
Cruise along the south coast of Jamaica to the middle of nowhere on a catamaran and arrive at the famous Floyd’s Pelican Bar. This quaint bar is a tiki-style hut made of driftwood. Enjoy a drink or two and leave your mark by carving your name into the wood floor. While sailing to and from Floyd’s the bar is open onboard the catamaran with appetizers included. Drinks are available for purchase at Floyd’s. This tour is offered on Wednesdays and Fridays and lasts 5 hours.
Interested in the rum making process? Enjoy a private tour for your group of the Appleton Estate Rum Distillery. Upon arrival enjoy a welcome cocktail and watch a video of the rum-making process. Next see a live demonstration of sugar cane milling followed by visits to the distillery, aging houses, and the cane fields. After you sample 3 different types of rums enjoy a relaxing, delicious, local lunch at the estate.
For an experience to remember try this Eco Tour at Island Gully Falls- the Blue Hole. Start your day with a scenic drive through the countryside as you head towards Ocho Rios and the tropical hills of St. Ann. Arrive at Blue Hole to jump, dive, or swing from ropes into the lagoon-like pool fed from nearby rivers. On the way back stop at one of Jamaica’s famous jerk centers for lunch and drinks (food not included). This tour lasts 7 hours and is offered every day but Saturday. Departure time is 8 am.
An alternate eco-adventure tour is the Jungle River Tubing Experience. Sit back and relax as the lazy river carries you through the rain forest. Experience a little rush while tubing along on some class 2 rapids. This tour is offered every day except Sunday and lasts 5 hours.
Is your group fans of the movie Cool Runnings or the Winter Olympics? Head to Mystic Mountain for a Bobsled Adventure Tour. Inspired by the famous Jamaica bobsled Olympic team, your bobsled ride will have your group sliding down the 1000 meter long track installed into the side of a mountain. After your ride enjoy many of the other free amenities of Mystic Mountain including Mystic Pavillon, Lookout Tower, Mystic Waterslide and Infinity Edge Pool, Hummingbird Garden, and Nature Trail. This tour lasts 6 hours and is offered every day of the week.
How about a group play day together on your vacation? This excursion combines zip lines, horseback riding, ATV’s and a climb of Dunn’s River Falls. The tour is offered every day of the week and lasts 6 hours. Groups just interested in seeing one of Jamaica’s most famous landmarks should check out the Dunn’s River Falls Express Tour.
Enjoy Deep Sea Fishing with your group as an experienced guide will take you to some of the best fishing spots off the Jamaican coast. Fish for Blue Marlin, Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna and Sailfish. This tour lasts four hours and is offered weekdays and Saturdays at 8 am and 1 pm. Minimum age is 6 and a maximum of six guests can participate. Light snacks and beverages are also included onboard.
If your group is looking for a unique evening excursion why not try this Luminouse Lagoon & Limbo Party tour? Cruise through the glowing waters of Luminous Lagoon, the largest of the world’s four bioluminescent lagoons. Swim in the glowing waters before heading back to shore for a night of reggae music and performances by professional limbo dancers and fire breathers. This tour is available beginning in April of 2022. It is offered daily and lasts 3.5 hours.
Another great evening option is the Reggae Sunset Catamaran Cruise. Sail along the coast in a luxury catamaran with a stop at Margaritaville to enjoy water activities. Back onboard enjoy the sunset with music, appetizers and cocktails. This tour is only offered on Fridays and lasts 3 hours. A daytime cruise with snorkeling is also available. This tour also lasts 3 hours and is offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Dreams Jade is an all inclusive family resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Dreams Jade has a large family pool and an adults only pool for those that book a Preferred Club room. Preferred Club also includes a la carte breakfast. Dreams has had recent renovations and will continue to updates from the next year as the resort transitions from Now Jade.
