Mexico is a favorite destination for honeymooners, college students and people from all over the world looking to escape the winter cold. Why should your family follow suit (and pack yours)?
1. Mexico is safe.
Photo: Eneas de Troya/Creative Commons
Despite the low cost and convenience of a Mexican vacation, travel alerts and news headlines have made many parents leery of crossing the border with kids in tow for about two years. Fortunately, the U.S. State Department has recently made it clear that much of Mexico is completely safe for tourists. While border states and isolated areas should be avoided, there is no warning in effect for many popular vacation destinations, including: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, San Cristobal de las Casas, San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Chichen Itza.
2. The food is delicious.
Photo: Britt Reints
Sure, you can find all of your favorite Mexican dishes, but the real surprise is how well Mexico does every other cuisine. A bounty of fresh ingredients and a culture that lives to serve results in top notch dining in every flavor you could imagine. While you’re in Mexico, go out for Italian, Japanese, Peruvian or French food. The service and the taste are guaranteed to be worth writing home about.
3. The learning opportunities are endless.
Photo: Kyle Simourd/Creative Commons
Now that your kids have heard about the Mayans, take this opportunity to show them the notorious calendars (and explain that this ancient culture didn’t actually predict the end of the world). Your family can also practice your Spanish, discover baroque architecture and learn to identify new plants and animals. International travel, even to a neighboring country, provides an endless parade of new learning experiences for children young and old.
4. There are plenty of budget-friendly options.
Photo: Villa del Palmar Cancun
A string of travel warnings and terrifying news stories has not been kind to Mexico’s tourism industry. As a result, many hotels and resorts are lowering prices or offering extras to entice families. Personally, I think the all-inclusive resort is the best way to do Mexico as a family. Eliminate the can-I-have-it-no-you-can’t cycle from your time together, as well as much of your discretionary vacation spending. Go in with friends on a multi-family villa at a resort like Villa del Palmar Cancun and you can save on luxury surroundings.
5. It’s simply beautiful.
Photo: Mindaugas Danys/Creative Commons
You can make plans to swim with dolphins, climb an ancient pyramid or learn how to surf. You can also lay by the pool with a book or spend hours watching the kids play on the beach. The scenery and weather are a ready-made backdrop for unplugging, relaxing and reconnecting. You might actually go home feeling refreshed.
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