dualvansmommy

Thinking of doing a trip that's all about great beach/waters, zip lining, and cave exploration/cave swimming, ATV biking with my 2 boys who will be nearly 12 and 9.5 by next spring in 2023

which place has the best of above activities? mom, aka me would like to have little bit of luxury. we're open to indepdenent hotels, etc without wanting to go All inclusive route.

baldone

When you talk about cave swimming, can we assume you're talking about cenotes? If so, that will pretty much limit your options to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, given your other criteria. Don't know about zip lining, which would be better in Costa Rica or the Pacific Coast of Mexico, since the Yucatan is pretty flat. But a zip line can pretty much be strung anywhere. But more exciting among the more hilly/mountainous areas. Which the Yucatan is not.

MichelleY

Agree with this. Better beaches/water will be in the Yucatán.

volcanogirl

I love Costa Rica, but Mexico has prettier beaches. Most of CR's beaches are kind of rustic/natural looking and don't have the beautiful blue water and white sand that people think of. Adventure activities are amazing there, but most are in the volcano area, not near the beach. Belize might be another good option - they have pretty beaches, adventures activities, etc. and we went canoeing through beautiful caves there.

november_moon

Yes, the Yucatan is better for cenotes and beaches, but the more adventuresome activities like ziplining and ATVs will be better in CR. I also think that it is easier to find independent accommodations in CR with a bit of luxury. On the Yucatan Peninsula, especially along the Carribbean coast, there are a lot more big resorts on the beaches. If you go over to the Gulf Coast, you'll find more independent hotels on the beaches though. I think you can find most what you want in either place, but you might might not be able to find all of what you want in one spot. Maybe decide which are the more important things on your list and go from there.

For Mexico, you mentioned Tulum specifically - and while the beach there is great, it is close to cenotes, and has a lot of independent small hotels, it has also changed a lot in the past several years, so may or may not be what you are envisioning. Tulum has been "discovered" and is pretty crowded now. Prices for lodging along the beach road have skyrocketed. And the area hosts a lot of big parties, so you have the noise and everything else that comes along with that. So that is something to keep in mind.