Top 15 Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in Mexico: Family Fiesta!
Top 15 Family-Friendly Vacation Spots in Mexico: Family Fiesta!
I know, choosing the right place to take the family on vacation can be tricky, especially in Mexico.
But don’t despair. To make your life easier, I have compiled a list of some of Mexico’s best destinations for traveling with the family.
You will enjoy fun-packed vacations in these tourist sites full of activities and exploring places. Let’s jump right in!
Top 15 family vacation destinations in Mexico
1. Xcaret in Quintana Roo
Xcaret had to be at the top of this list because it is indeed the preferred destination for families, and kids love it!
Full of blue water “eyes,” emerald walls, and a Mayan atmosphere, Xcaret is an ancestral paradise perfect for the whole family due to its different areas and various activities.
You may want to read my guide to the Magical Town of Isla Mujeres, near Xcaret.
In Xcaret, you will find a wonderful subway river, a bird hatchery, a butterfly farm, and reef aquariums.
You can also snorkel, meet giant turtles, and enjoy various shows throughout the year.
2. Guanajuato City
If water environments and aquatic activities are not your things, perhaps Guanajuato City would be my second choice.
This beautiful historical city has various activities, from theaters and concerts to great outdoor fun shows.
Such as the Puppet Festival that takes place in November in San Miguel de Allende.
Another fantastic place your kids will love if they’re in for creepy things is the mummy museum.
This museum is one of the leading tourist attractions
During the afternoon, you can walk through Guanajuato’s streets full of historic buildings and admire all the colors and shades around the city.
3. Africam Safari in Puebla
On the outskirts of Puebla lies the Africam Safari, an animal haven that provides lots of fun for children and adults alike.
Captain Carlos Camacho founded this famous conservation park in April 1972.
The zoo has huge outdoor areas where your children can be close to over two thousand five hundred animals that roam freely.
You will also find areas where you can participate in ecological activities and live shows such as the bird show.
4. Loltún and Uxmal, Yucatán
The archaeological site of Uxmal offers short one-hour tours for children. This makes the visit more meaningful and enjoyable for them.
Afterward, you can visit the Choco-Story Chocolate Museum near Uxmal.
In this museum, you will learn about the importance of cacao in pre-Hispanic cultures and taste many varieties of delicious chocolate.
The next day you can visit the Loltun caves, about an hour away. You can drive there if you have a car or hire a tour.
5. Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Veracruz
This impressive reserve in the state of Veracruz starts from the northeastern edge of the Catemaco Lagoon and expands to the Gulf of Mexico.
It is one of the best destinations for children and teenagers who love adventure and nature.
Its variety of ecosystems allows you to learn to love and care for the planet.
The reserve offers many activities, such as kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, hiking through the forest, learning about traditional Mexican medicine, and reforestation.
6. Peña de Bernal, Querétaro
Being one of the highest monoliths on the planet, the Peña de Bernal is one of the main tourist attractions in the town of Bernal.
Here you can find rappel excursions, climbing classes for beginners, and safari-style tours that kids will love.
You can also take night walking tours to enjoy a starry sky.
Don’t forget to visit the chapels in the area, watch the light shows and dancing fountains, and taste the delicious sweets typical of the region.
7. Cuauhtinchan Archaeological Zone in Malinalco
Malinalco is home to this archaeological zone that boasts a mystical and unforgettable experience for children and teenagers.
Visit the House of the Eagles, a sacred Mexica precinct, where the initiation ceremonies of the jaguar and eagle warriors took place.
Don’t miss the Dr. Luis Mario Schneider University Museum, where you will find everything from archeological pieces that narrate pre-Hispanic history to a trout pond and botanical garden with butterflies, where children can have fun and learn about nature.
There’s also the Museo Vivo Los Bichos de Malinalco, with exhibits of praying mantises, tarantulas, and snakes.
8. Pachuca, Hidalgo
Pachuca, only an hour and a half from Mexico City, offers a full day of family fun.
Especially if you are a soccer fan, you can visit the National and International Soccer Hall of Fame Museum at the Hidalgo Stadium.
Then visit the acclaimed Museum for children El Rehilete to learn with interactive exhibits about dinosaurs, space, and science.
In El Chico National Park in Mineral del Chico (45 min from Pachuca), you can learn to climb, rappel, and camp with the whole family.
The next day you can visit the English Cemetery and the Acosta mine.
At night, don’t forget to take a spooky tour on the night Legends turibus in Real del Monte, which departs from the Main Square.
9. Taxco, Guerrero
Taxco is full of beautiful places where children can marvel at architecture and nature.
The Magical Town of Taxco is known as the “Silver Capital of the World” due to its impressive silver mining history.
A good example is the Parroquia de Santa Prisca y San Sebastián or the Cacahuamilpa Caves.
You can also visit the Pozas Azules (Blue Pools), which have a beautiful color and pleasant temperature to dip (between November and May).
Back in Taxco, enjoy a beautiful panoramic view from the Cableway, the signature attraction.
10. Ria Lagartos, Yucatan
In this small Yucatecan fishing village, you can observe, from May to June, large flocks of pink flamingos, among other different bird species, as well as crustaceans and reptiles, all protected by the reserve.
Here, your family will enjoy a quiet boat expedition to look for flamingos, join an incredible night tour to see crocodiles or take panoramic photos of the beautiful natural scenery.
11. Zacatecas City
If your family loves historical sites with particular attractions in the mining industry, they will love to visit the El Eden Mine in Zacatecas.
This mine is nestled in the “Cerro de la Bufa.”
You will experience a subway adventure through the mine tunnels, learning about the miners’ lifestyle and the obtained minerals.
The Cableway is the best and nicest way to get to Cerro de la Bufa. You’ll be amazed by the incredible view.
You can descend two zip lines that take about an hour.
The city has many impressive museums, such as the Rafael Coronel Museum, the Zig-Zag Interactive Science Center, and the Ramón López Velarde House Interactive Museum.
12. Sierra Norte, Oaxaca
The small towns in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca (such as La Nevería, Amatlán, Llano Grande, Benito Juárez, Cuajimoloyas, or Latuvi) offer an experience that can transform both children and adults.
There are various activities here such as horseback riding, biking, or hiking through beautiful trails and hanging bridges.
You will learn much about Zapotec’s natural medicine, customs, and ecosystem.
These towns also have lovely cabins with fireplaces, clean and safe, where you can comfortably stay for a couple of days.
13. Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
The great industrial city of Monterrey (the leading steel producer in the country) is not very popular among tourists who come to Mexico.
However, you will find many fun and exciting things to do for the whole family.
From exploring the majesty of the Huasteca Park canyon to enjoying a day of safari at Biopark.
You should also visit Fundidora Park, where you can rent bicycles to admire the landscape from its viewpoints or visit the top of Furnace 3, home of the Steel Museum.
Riding a boat along Paseo Santa Lucia Riverwalk until you reach the Macroplaza is a must!
14. Bacalar, Quintana Roo
Ok, enough of the city. Let’s get you guys back to the Caribbean.
The Magical Town of Bacalar is next to a sacred Mayan lagoon with the same name, the Lagoon of the Seven Colors, for its incredible beauty.
Here you will see some of the oldest marine species on earth.
You can start your tour by learning about pirate stories at the Fort of San Felipe and taking a picture from the top of the fort.
Then visit BioMaya Park, where you can go zip lining, rent a kayak, or enjoy a tour at the Bacalar Sailing Club.
Uchben Kah Park is where you can dive, swim, snorkel, or take boat rides.
15. Yelapa, Jalisco
Yelapa was my home for five years. And for a good reason. Its location and many ecological things to do make it a perfect family getaway.
To get to Yelapa, you must take a water taxi that leaves from the Puerto Vallarta pier at Los Muerto Beach or Boca de Tomatlan.
The place is beautiful, and it is worth staying here for several days to enjoy amazing beaches suitable for children, where you can snorkel, kayak, or swim in complete safety.
You can also take guided hikes or horseback rides to explore the jungle and learn about rivers, viewpoints, and waterfalls.
Finally, if you visit Yelapa between November and March, you will have the opportunity to see the humpback whales across the bay.
Best family vacation destinations in Mexico: Additional places
Although I listed 15 destinations for a vacation in Mexico that I consider a good fit, others may be more to your liking.
For instance, Playa las Perlas, in Cancun. Although it is a small beach, you will find a children’s area, lounge chairs, shaded areas, and amenities such as showers, bathrooms, and parking.
Another beach with beautiful calm turquoise water is the famous beach of Bahia de Santa Cruz in Huatulco Oaxaca.
You can enjoy the sun and waves with fun activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and boat excursions.
Near the Magical Town of Huasca de Ocampo, you will find Rancho Santa Elena, a place full of history where you can spend a weekend doing activities such as fishing, zip-lining, archery, kayaking, photography, and biking through the forest.
Now you know the best vacation destinations for your family in Mexico.
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