cjhermanns

I'm really struggling trying to plan a trip to Mexico in February with my wife and 7 year old daughter. We are assuming Playa Del Carmen, but are opened to suggestions. We think we need a hotel/resort with evening entertainment for my daughter. Does that necessarily mean all-inclusive? Personally, I don't think I like all-inclusives, for a variety of reasons, but again feel free to correct my misapprehensions. First, we are adventurous, excited eaters. We like to go in search of great, local, interesting food, not dumbed-down mass-appeal dining (I doubt we'd eat many dinners at the resort). Second, I think of all-inclusives as huge, and we want don't want to walk half a mile from our room to the beach. And finally, I find that service is best when people are rewarded (tipped) for their effort.

So ... any recommendations for a Playa del Carmen resort that is not all-inclusive but that offers entertainment for a child? ... any recommendations for an all-inclusive that doesn't fall short in the ways listed above? ... any thought processes I'm overlooking?

I appreciate any help.

jette

Hmmm, I can't think of a single nonAI that includes entertainers or programs for children. I would offer it may not be necessary in Playa though. I guess it depends on the child and the parents but plenty of families find hours of enjoyment on the beach building sand castles and splashing in the ocean. You can make a quick trip up to Walmart and pick up some sand and beach toys for relatively cheap. Left behind, some not so fortunate Mexican children will make good use of.

In the evenings, there is ALWAYS activity on 5th and in the nearby parks and plazas. I don't think it's too early to let local culture and color be entertaining for a child of 7. Just MO of course

Rohelio

WOW, I must say that this will be a challenge. PDC is without a dought an ADULT DESTINATION and the Quinta (5th ave.) is proof of that. I can think of only one place for the child to be happy and that is on the beach alongside a guardian. I believe your best bet would be an AI in or near PDC.
Rohelio

Katzgar

entertainment at AI would be just as dumbed down as the food.

schmerl

You will not find "entertainment" for your child at a non AI.
I agree that you should be able to keep her entertained on the beach with beach toys,, etc. We don't know your child or what they like to do.
The AI resorts have kids clubs and put on kids shows, etc.

jette

PDC and "adult" destination?!? Nonsense. Families of all nationalities visit Playa including 5th ave. Heck, there are families that actually LIVE in Playa AND take an evening stroll down 5th. Family groups are abundant on the beaches and in town.

I would consider 12th and 1st at around 1AM as an adult destination but I stay away from the ear splitting boom boom clubs myself!.

If you want to do AI, there are lots of them with lots of kids and activities planned for them. You do not need to do an AI, IMO to have a wonderful family vacation.

http://www.playa.info/index.html
http://www.locogringo.com/#

Take a look at these sites, tons of useful information.

zootsi

If you stay in a small hotel in downtown Playa, you and your 7 year old will be on the beach most of the day. In the evening you'll all stroll 5th ave, look at the shops, and eat dinner. By that time your 7 year old will be ready for bed. I don't see a need for evening entertainment, unless you need a sitter, and I suspect the hotel can hook you up with one. You might want to consider taking the child to a snorkeling or theme park destination (xel-ha, xcaret, yal-ku) one day, either on a tour or by renting a car.

jamie99

The daughter might enjoy Crocozun Zoo up near Puerto Morelos.

Robert_S

Something like entertainment here! well, in PDC hotel is not all inclusive. Riu Yucatan here your 7 year old surely enjoy since daytime entertainment for adults and kids and kids'park found here.

Bitter

I'm not sure what is meant by evening entertainment. We have taken our kids down to PDC a couple times when they were roughly that age or on either side of that age point. In our experience, we were pretty worn out by the end of the day. Then, after a walk to a restaurant on 5th or nearby, stopping in a couple stores, and watching a street performer or two, it's back to the condo and bed.

I do seem to recall that one or more AIs closer to the PDC center were adults only, so make sure you double check on that.

We stayed in a condo and found that better for us anyway (we liked to venture out for meals).

cjhermanns

Thanks to all of you! I'm feeling a little better. As I said, we are primarily driven by local color and local food, and it sounds like there is plenty to experience in PDC. Kids love a cheesy magic show or silly dancers or the like, but I'm starting to think we can keep our little one entertained without them. I really hate the idea of AI.

I appreciate the help!

Christina

No hotels that aren't AIs have stuff like that. I've never heard of any hotel having special entertainment programs for children that weren't AIs, actually, any where, not just PDC. She is your daughter, I would hope you could entertain her, what do you do at home? I'm sure you don't go to magic shows and see silly dancers every night. Just walk around or give her a book or toy (or IPAD, I suppose), or bring something you can watch videos on.