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5 Top Kid-Friendly Places In Mexico

In Mexico, Family Is Everything

By Melissa Alvarado Sierra | Published on August 11, 2023

Mayan ruins, blissful beaches and colorful towns make up some of the best kid-friendly places in Mexico. Family life is hugely important here and this sentiment trickles down to everyday life, making Mexico one of the best destinations in the world to visit with kids and delight the entire family. Thanks to its world-class hospitality and plenty of kid-friendly things to do, Mexico is a favorite among the young — a magical place that will spark their imaginations and immerse them in a rich and wondrous culture.

1. Chase The Sun In Los Cabos

Known for the pure blue waters of the Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos is the perfect tropical playground for you and your family. Cabo San Lucas lies in the southernmost corner of the Baja California Peninsula and is filled with kid-friendly activities, many of which revolve around the beautiful beaches. Playa el Médano is a good place to start your family adventure. It's the home of water sports like banana boating, parasailing and jet skiing. Younger kids will enjoy hopping on a paddle board with you and exploring great spots such as Land's End, Playa del Amor and the rest of the bay. Other kid-friendly attractions include a stop by Playa Empacadora for tranquil waters and super soft sand, ideal for the youngest in your family to build castles and take a dip in the shallow waves. For even more fun in the sun, book a kayak, sailing, whale watching or horseback riding tour. The kids will love every second.

2. Watch The Birdmen In Puerto Vallarta

"Vallarta," as locals call it, is a fantastic place to visit with your kids, offering a wide variety of family-friendly attractions. A good place to start is the Vallarta Botanical Garden, found in the Sierra Madre mountains. Be ready to explore fields filled with orchid collections (the largest in Mexico), bromeliads, succulents and trails taking you to the refreshing waters of Río Horcones. Another great spot for families in Puerto Vallarta is the malecón (promenade), where you can play on the nearby sandy beach, try hot dogs or fruits on a stick, and buy handmade souvenirs. Also, try not to miss one of the most beloved street performers here, Los Voladores de Papantla, a group of "birdmen" who climb to the top of a pole. They all have one foot tied to the pole with a rope, which they unravel as they descend to the ground. It's a ceremonial ritual, rooted in the Totonac tradition, and declared an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

3. Explore Underwater In Cozumel

Cozumel is a world apart, a paradisiacal slice that enamors all visitors with its Caribbean panache and historic streets. There's much to do and much to see on a Mexico vacation, but a lot can be done during a short visit to Cozumel. Snorkeling and diving in Cozumel is a must to get to know this region's gorgeous waters. The best spots for families are Paradise Reef, El Cielo and Chankanaab.

If you're looking for a day at the beach, look no further than Palancar, a haven of sun and sand, and one of the most family-friendly attractions in Cozumel. The area has a beach club renting snorkeling gear for a great price (around $10 each), an eatery, and a wonderful and shallow underwater world you can explore with your kids.

4. Enjoy Open Spaces In Colorful Mérida

A cultural hub in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida merges history and modernity and welcomes visitors of all ages to its many plazas, museums, lanes and markets. A place your family will be able to see as well as taste, Mérida is a colorful and soulful destination that will quickly become a family favorite.

A popular stop for families is the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya, a world-renowned museum dedicated to the ancient Maya culture with an impressive collection of more than 1,200 artifacts, like sculptures from Ek' Balam and Chichén Itzá. The building housing this collection is a work of art in itself. Inaugurated in 2012, the building resembles a ceiba tree, a sacred Maya symbol of connectivity with heaven and the underworld.

For a taste of daily life in Mérida, take your family to Plaza Grande. The large and leafy square is dotted with benches and has space for the kiddos to play. Expect food carts, live music and performances, and artisan creations, especially during the weekends.

5. Become Indiana Jones In Costa Maya

This Caribbean side of Mexico brims with natural wonders, fishing villages and archaeological sites. It's one of the most cherished family-friendly places in Mexico for the many opportunities to learn about the country's history. Start your family journey in Costa Maya with a visit to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site your kids will love because of the natural variety. The reserve is known as the home of tropical forests, marshes, mangroves, and a substantial marine reef. Sian Ka'an is home to more than 300 species of birds and many vertebrates, creatures that cohabit in this diverse hydrological system.

Add Kohunlich to your list of kid-friendly places in Mexico. This archeological site rests inside a dense jungle. Dating from the Preclassic period (A.D. 100-200), the site is home to a pyramid known as Templo de los Mascarones, featuring eight masks. The structure's design is reminiscent of the Olmec tradition of using exaggerated facial features. Another set of ruins your kids will enjoy exploring is 27 Escalones or the 27 steps, which holds what is left of a large residential area. The family can play pretend here and try to discover buried artifacts.

Family-friendly Mexico is calling your name. Book a cruise today.