Family Friendly Mexico

[socalgal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close socalgal]

Hello everyone,

I'm still a newbie here since I've only posted a couple of times but love to read everyone's great insight. I need some advice. Next year is our 10th wedding anniversary so we want to do something nice, not too far away and most of all family friendly. (We have a 5 year old). We live in So. Cal. (would you have guessed) so we thought the Pacific side of Mexico would fit the bill. We're planning a 2008 trip to China for the Olympics so we want to maintain the budget. Can anyone help me with some "family friendly" resorts (I'm thinking the Mayan properties) waterslides and water activities are big for us. Hubby is not real big on native culture so staying onsite is ok. Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mary

P.S.
Happy Belated Birthday Big Frank!

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

I would pick the Grand Mayan and if you are lucky try getting into the new Cabo GM but keep in mind that it may not be done even if it is open in 07. The one in NV is done and so is Rivera Maya.

[rsonc Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rsonc]

I own with Paradise Village in Nuevo Vallarta and we really like it there. They have a mall, small zoo and a great beach and 3 waterslides. My 8 year old loves it and I am taking all of my sisters (including thier families) and my parents there next year.

Susan

[bev Member Find all posts View Profile Close bev]

I second the choice of Grand Mayan N.V. We got back about 5 wks ago.. and loved it.. but do go before the extreme humidity sets in and the rain. We thoroughly enjoyed the 2 wave pools, the big scenic lazy river, and the endlessly massive Pool. The train that winds around the whole thing is great too. Do remember to shop for groceries either in Paradise Village's "Paradise Plaza" supermarket by cab... or better yet, get the bus to Wal Mart in P. V. and take a cab back. We got exchange rms thru SFX and were on the 3rd floor..overlooking the golf course... great view, and no blinding heat of the aft sun on our large balcony.... truly big enough for 6.

[chemteach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chemteach]

[QUOTE=bev]I second the choice of Grand Mayan N.V. We got back about 5 wks ago.. and loved it.. but do go before the extreme humidity sets in and the rain. QUOTE]

When does the humidity/rain set in?

[Barbeque Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Barbeque]

I like the Puerto Vallarta area. We want to go to the Grand Mayan. We have been to Paradise Village we really reccommend it for familys (Would Rate a 9). We have also been to the Club Regina at the Westin which was extremely nice (Would rate an 8). We have also been to Villa Del Palmar (WOuld rate a 7 to 7.5)

Cabo is more of a party atmosphere according to my 12 year old son.

[socalgal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close socalgal]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, sounds like the Grand Mayan or Paradise Village. I had a co-worker tell me she went to the GM in Acapulco and just loved it. My only concern was all that cancellation of GM's awhile back ago and getting reassigned to the Mayan Palace. I'm going to deposit with SFX as well but was wondering if anyone had those problems with SFX and Grand Mayan cancellations.

Thanks again,

Mary

[pittle Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pittle]

The SFX exchanges don't seem to be affected with last minute changes from GM to regular MP.

I would choose either Acapulco or Nuevo Vallarta because of the water parks that kids love. Our grandson went with us to PV 3 years ago when he was 4. They had a water park then and he and his parents loved it. We are taking them to Acapulco next year. Last year he liked the pool at the Cancun MP - their water park is not done yet.

We own 3 regular MP weeks and 2 GM weeks. We absolutely love them all. I don't think you can go wrong.

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

I'd stay clear of Acapulco. On the evening news they showed drug cartels in gun battles right on the city streets there, fighting for turf. What a way to ruin a vacation, getting caught in drug war crossfire.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, sounds like the Grand Mayan or Paradise Village. I had a co-worker tell me she went to the GM in Acapulco and just loved it. My only concern was all that cancellation of GM's awhile back ago and getting reassigned to the Mayan Palace. I'm going to deposit with SFX as well but was wondering if anyone had those problems with SFX and Grand Mayan cancellations.

Thanks again,

Mary

We were at the Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta the last 2 weeks of April. We exchanged through SFX. We had an ocean view unit on the 9th floor which was awesome. We also exchanged through SFX to the Grand Mayan Riviera Maya last year. I strongly recommend the Grand Mayan Nuevo Vallarta. It is a great resort with a fine beach and tons of things to do, especially if you like water activities. There is some kind of connection between the Mayan Palace/Grand Mayan resorts and SFX. I wouldn't worry about an exchange through SFX. I have used them exclusively for 9+ years and have never had a problem.

[socalgal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close socalgal]

Thanks John for the info. I'm going to deposit my week with SFX and try for the GM. Hopefully we can get President's week of late May. We saw the pictures on the SFX website and it looked awesome.

Regards,

Mary

[socalgal Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close socalgal]

Well thanks everyone for your advice. Put my deposit with SFX and voila two weeks later got confirmed for a 1 bdrm at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallart next April 2006, day after our anniversary. We can't wait. I've been reading the other posts about things to do in PV as well.

Again thanks for all the great advice!!!

Happy in Socal!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Well thanks everyone for your advice. Put my deposit with SFX and voila two weeks later got confirmed for a 1 bdrm at the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallart next April 2006, day after our anniversary. We can't wait. I've been reading the other posts about things to do in PV as well.

Again thanks for all the great advice!!!

Happy in Socal!

Glad to hear that SFX made such a fast exchange for you, enjoy your trip....