Christmas break - Carribean/Mexico/Sri Lanka?

[AlliR]

Hi, we're looking for a nice warm Christmas break, probably only a week, 10 days max. We've spent the last week trawling through websites and just can't decide on the best option... we'd like to go further afield than Canaries.

We have 2 boys, 13 and 11. Both love the sea and pool. Youngest is a fusspot with food Looked at Cape Verde as shorter flight times, but oldest especially would be gutted if he couldn't go in the sea. We like to explore new places but also want a chill out holiday, so would like a good base with option of a trip or 2 somewhere to sample the local area.

Would like somewhere that is/feels safe, has lovely beaches, option to snorkel, kayak etc, nice pool. Oldest eats like a horse so we're thinking AI just so they can come and go with food and drinks etc, we did one in Cyprus and they loved it. Would say we need international or Italian restaurant for the fussy one... Not bothered about kids clubs etc.

Any recommendations for destinations and specific hotel/resorts?

[LRMD]

I would recommend Mexico Riviera Maya, we've been three times, lovely beaches, turquoise sea, good snorkelling just off the beach, food really good, never had tummy troubles. Fly to Cancun and then Riviera Maya in just an hour away. There's too many resorts to mention but just look at the First Choice/Thomson website to have a browse. We like adults only but there's loads of family resorts. Grand Bahia Principe Akumal is nice, we went to the Sian Kaan adult section but the other resorts looked nice. I wouldn't recommend Cuba, the quality just wasn't the same as Mexico or other caribbean islands.

[AlliR]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. Lovely to have a recommendation because there just seems so much choice! We'll have a search on Thomson 😀

[danny68]

Another vote for Mexico Riviera Maya area. We stayed AI at the Grand Palladium resort which was great for our 2 teenagers as there was plenty for them to do. There are a number of similar resorts in the area.

Beaches were great for sun bating & snorkelling, we had a fantastic experience snorkeling alongside giant turtles

Plenty to do outside the resorts, Tulum ruins are just down the road and our kids had a fantastic day at xplor.travel/xplor-tour-activities.php

Although we are looking at doing Sri Lanka very soon

[AlliR]

Thanks for reply. Riviera Maya does look nice. Boys would love the zip wire. I'm a bit of a hot house plant so I'm wondering if it will be warm enough (average is 23oC). Decisions, decisions. Sri Lanka does look fantastic too.

[LRMD]

Regarding the weather, we went 29 January this year and it was nice and warm 25-30 degrees most days. Lovely for beach and pools.

[AlliR]

Thanks for info, it does look lovely. Going to get something booked this weekend 😀

[juless77]

Cyprus is not that warm in December

[AlliR]

Yeah we went in October half term a couple of years ago and it was nice and warm but not hot so even less so at Christmas...

Hubby has now been looking at places in Goa - trying to narrow it down not have more
choice to think about lol.

[mumx3]

Mauritius is very hot at Christmas, beautiful hotels and very warm sea.