2015 Family vacation: Best Bang on a budget
 

Hello,
I would like to take a family vacation for a family of 5 (boys ages: 10,12,14). The boys have never been to the caribbean, so can anyone recommend a few places with activities they'd enjoy? Would like to do all inclusive, but it would also be possible for me to rent a villa. Would not mind cooking during the day and eating out for dinner at night.

Best bang on a budget + AI = Mexico. Tons of choices in the Riviera Maya for AIs in all price ranges. Tons of activities and excursions in the area for you to do with the boys.

If you gave us an idea of your actual budget (in dollars) and tell us where you are flying from it will be easier for the contributors here to make meaningful recommendations.

Agree with bassguy66 - Riviera Maya is a good place for AI's. Also look at the Dominican Republic - lots of AI's there and you'll get a lot of bang for your travel dollar.

I agree with the first post. Your money goes a lot further on the Caribbean Mexican coastline, than any Caribbean island.

Consider the Buccaneer Resort on St Croix. (I'm a broken record recommending it, because I don't see St Croix mentioned very often here.)

Because it's the USVI, you don't have the hassle of changing money or passports. They offer a complimentary kids' camp, free use of snorkel gear and kayaks, full breakfast included. Three beaches, also tennis and golf on premises. Excellent customer service.

No need for a car, unless you want to rent one for a day and explore the island. Our family loved it last June.

http://www.thebuccaneer.com/

We had a great time with our kids at Iberostar Tucan in Playa del Carmen. Big bang for the buck

Currently, our budget is $6000. I was hoping to go in mid July, but If that's not going to cut it for where I'd like to go, we have another vacation coming up in December so that would give me a little more time to save up.

Oh, and would be flying out of NY (JFK or LaGuardia Airports)

Nassau, Bahamas would be a great choice, not too costly and they have beautiful villas on cable beach, west wind club and blue waters resort. I took my kids earlier this year and they loved it and the villas are on the beach too. We searched for fun activities in the area, we took them diving at Stuart's Cove which was a blast but we had to get a taxi to get there and we found this great outdoor shop call PappaSurf which was across the street from West Wind and they teach paddleboarding lessons and take you snorkeling on the boards, my kids loved every minute and the water was so beautiful! I would definitely recommend it to anyone!

If money is not an issue, then you could go for Maldives. Take a look at these amazing spots here: http://bluebayoutravel.com/get-ready...ves-honeymoon/
Otherwise spending it either in Boracay, Phuket or Bali will also give you and your family an awesome destination wedding.