First trip to Mexico, what’s your family’s favorite area?
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Anonymous
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Playa del Carmen and Cozumel
Nothing at all wrong with doing touristy things, especially on a first visit. After all, those are the big attractions, right? Plus there is extra security in those spots. Also if you stick to tourist hotels and restaurants you'll have a smaller chance of GI issues ruining your trip IMO the caribbean water in the east coast is way nicer than the chilly Pacific on the west, and there are more swimable beaches. |
Anonymous
| Cabo can be disappointing because you can’t swim in the ocean |
Anonymous
| Really really loved Mexico City. |
Anonymous
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Riviera Maya.
Mayan pyramids Snorkeling/diving Nature (Sian Kaan) Adventure parks (Xcaret, etc.) Caves/cenotes Etc. etc. Did Akumal this summer with a 14 yo and a 9 yo. Rented a condo. Perfect easy but still adventurous intro to Mexico. |
Anonymous
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Matamoros
Reminds me of DC. |
Anonymous
| Do the beaches in Riveria Maya and Playa del Carmen have seaweed? I’ve heard sargassum is a big problem in Mexico? My kids love the beach and having a nice clean sandy beach is very important to us. |
Anonymous
Sometimes. Generally spring and summer higher risk than winter, but it can be unpredictable. Larger resorts typically remove it, and barriers are being installed in some locations. Quite a few articles about it—worth checking TripAdvisor forums as well. |
Anonymous
What is your family’s favorite part of the country? |
Anonymous
Which resort did you stay at, and how was the food there? |
Anonymous
That’s pretty cool. Were those excursions booked through your resort? |
Anonymous
I see this mentioned frequently, and as an adult I’d probably love an adult trip there. But how do teens like visiting CDMX? I find it hard to believe that a teenager would prefer visiting a city over the beautiful beach areas in MX. |
Anonymous
Not true. Depends on where you stay. Medano beach and lots of other places are swimmable. We go just about every year and recently bought there. You just have to research where you're staying. The weather is lovely, the people are amazing and welcoming, the food is phenomenal and the crime rate is super low. Cabo and west coast of Mexico all the way (over the Caribbean side) |
Anonymous
| Agree that Mexico City is awesome. Lots to do and see in the city (Xochimilco, so many great museums) and not far outside of it (Teotihuacan, Popocatepetl). Totally underrated city. |
Anonymous
Depends on the teen, I guess. I first went there as a young teen and loved all of the archaeological and cultural sites and the general vibe of the city. And there's lots of fun shopping (craft markets, etc). But for a teen who loves the beach (I didn't) maybe not so much. |
Anonymous
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It depends what you like.
I like seeing different cultures, not in a fake way for tourists (like a fire dance luau for tourists) but just walking around towns and markets and going to places that locals also go. So if you are like that, l would say avoid resorts and stay in towns. If you want the all inclusive resort experience then probably any of those you mentioned are fine. I’m ok in a resort for a couple days but mostly I’m not a resort person so take my recommendations through that lense. Cozumel is ugly and lacks character. Worth going to if you’re a diver. Riveria Maya has some really beautiful spots. The ruins near Tulum are spectacular - that combo of ruins and nature. If you go early maybe you can see them with just a few people in an enjoyable way…try to avoid being there when all the tourist buses arrive. It’s very popular, there are lots of beautiful ruins more off the beaten path - Riveria Maya is pretty overrun. For example there are some excellent less crowded day trips from Palenque. I absolutely love Oaxaca and would take teens. It’s been written about a lot here, do a search. Have not been to Mexico City yet but l want to go and I’ll take my tween. |