Back in the early 90s, on a trip to Cancun, I contracted what I thought was food poisoning — but let's be honest, it was more than likely alcohol poisoning. Whatever the culprit, the damage was done, and for the following 20 years I avoided Mexico like the plague.
So what changed? Kids, mostly. And it turns out, when you're travelling with little ones, Mexico has a way of winning you over fast.
When you're on the road with kids, reliability matters more than almost anything else. You need to know that the flight won't be a gamble, that the resort will actually deliver on what it promised, and that your little ones will be welcomed — not just tolerated. Mexico checks every single one of those boxes.
The resorts are genuinely incredible — and what sets them apart for us is how well they cater to the full range of little ones, from babies and toddlers right through to elementary-aged kids. Almost every resort has a zero-entry pool, which is a total game-changer when you're wading in with a two-year-old, and splash pads are practically standard. Add in lazy rivers, kids' clubs, age-appropriate activities, and staff who somehow make every child feel like the most important guest at the property, and you've got the kind of effortless family-friendly experience that's genuinely hard to find elsewhere.
Then there's the weather. Consistent, warm, and predictable — exactly what you want when you've planned around school schedules and limited vacation days.
And the food. Oh, the food. Fresh, flavourful, and abundant — even the pickiest little eaters tend to find something they love. (And yes, I can confirm it was not the food that did me in back in '92.)
But what really keeps drawing us back is the people. Warm, welcoming, and genuinely kind — Mexicans have a way of making you feel at home from the moment you arrive.
So yes, we'll keep going back. Some destinations just earn a permanent spot on the list — even the ones that took 20 years to give a second chance.
