If there’s a better cure for winter blues than a Caribbean beach vacation, I’ve yet to find it. Warm water, soft sand, and sunshine offer an instant mood boost. Over the years, my family has explored much of the Caribbean, and its beach resorts have all the ingredients for a perfect family vacation. To help you choose among the many options, here’s a list of my favorite resorts, from Punta Cana to Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
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1. Beaches Negril, Jamaica
Negril, Jamaica
Calm water and a gradual slope make it easy for even the tiniest toddler to splash safely at Beaches Negril, located right on the idyllic Seven Mile Beach. This beloved all-inclusive resort offers meals, drinks, water sports, and age-specific clubs with trained nannies. Recent renovations introduced multi-bedroom villas and penthouses for multigenerational stays. Highlights include pools, a water park with a lazy river, evening entertainment, and Sesame Street character experiences. Butler service adds a touch of luxury for those seeking extra pampering.
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2. Nickelodeon Riviera Maya
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive Caribbean beach resort that sets the standard for family fun, meet Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya. The stage is set for playful surprises from the moment you arrive, including Nickelodeon character meet-and-greets, dance parties, and live interactive Nickelodeon game shows. Each of the 280 swim-up suites overlook the sea, while special themed suites intersect luxury and whimsy. A sprawling water park, supervised kids’ programming, multiple dining options, and the opportunity to get slimed will keep everyone smiling.
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3. Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa & Casino
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The all-inclusive Lopesan Costa Bávaro Resort, Spa, & Casino sits along Bávaro Beach in Punta Cana, where the aquamarine-colored water is fringed with sugary sand and shaded by towering coconut palms. With 1,042 rooms in family-friendly and adults-only areas, this expansive resort impresses. Enjoy seven pools, the Splash Island water park for younger children, kids and teens clubs, bowling alley, arcade, and more. Adults can relax at the spa and casino, while diverse dining options cater to every palate, including picky eaters.
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4. Ocean Club East/Ocean Club West
Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos
The pleasingly warm water in Grace Bay is protected by an offshore reef and home to a wealth of aquatic life among the coral. Ocean Club Resorts has two properties on Grace Bay Beach, Ocean Club East and Ocean Club West. Situated next to Provo Golf Club, Ocean Club East offers a quieter escape with a secluded beachfront. Ocean Club West makes it easy to explore local shops, restaurants, and activities. Each resort offers all-suite accommodations and its own freshwater pool, fitness center, beach and pool loungers, and complimentary water sports including kayaks and standup paddleboards.
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5. Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
Palm Beach, Aruba
Dotted with cacti and colorful orchids, Aruba’s eye-catching desert landscape sets it apart from other Caribbean islands. The Aruba Marriott Resort is situated on Palm Beach, one of the prettiest beaches on the island where the sand is powdery and the water’s prime for swimming. This resort isn’t all-inclusive, so it encourages exploration of the island’s culinary and natural treasures. While on site, you can enjoy water and land sports like kayaking and pickleball and dine on everything from fresh seafood to gelato.
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6. Curtain Bluff
St. Mary’s Parish, Antigua
Even in a sun-and-sand powerhouse like the Caribbean, Antigua stands out for its variety of beaches. The island’s Curtain Bluff is an elegant all-inclusive resort on the south coast, surrounded by two beaches. Relaxation is the theme here, as your biggest choice may come down to lounging by the beach or the pool. Family-friendly conveniences include complimentary outdoor activities such as snorkeling, windsurfing, and tennis and the Cee Bee Kids Camp for kids ages three to 10, open five days a week.
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7. Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences
Labrelotte Bay, Castries, St. Lucia
With its twin Pitons, rainforest, drive-in volcano, and stunning beaches, St. Lucia is big on natural beauty. The beachfront Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences is sprinkled with vibrant gardens, sparkling pools, and accommodations ranging from cozy rooms to spacious villas. Choose between all-inclusive or à la carte packages for a tailored experience. With seven dining options and family-friendly cooking classes, you can savor local cuisine around every corner. The kids’ club offers dance classes, yoga, and crafts inspired by St. Lucian heritage.
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8. Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino
Willemstad, Curaçao
An autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao is a melting pot of languages and cultures. Locals speak Papiamentu, a blend of Dutch, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English. All-inclusive Dreams Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino is situated on the white sand beaches of Piscadera Bay, and it has clubs for children and teens staffed by locals. You can play beach volleyball or enjoy unique travel experiences like taking a Papiamentu lesson here as well.
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9. Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda
Michès, Dominican Republic
The impressive Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda, located on the Dominican Republic’s northeast coast, is more bucket list than budget-friendly, but it’s totally worth it for a vacation splurge. Everything’s included in the daily rate, and you can spend quality time engaging in dozens of shared activities, from Merengue dance classes to learning the art of trapeze, with drop-off clubs for infants to teens when you crave parent-only time. Keep an eye out for the Secret Chocolate Room, an edible oasis of candy fountains and sugary confections that makes every day feel like Halloween at this Caribbean beach resort.
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10. The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
George Town, Grand Cayman
Enjoying a prime position on Grand Cayman’s crescent-shaped Seven Mile Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman is an oasis for families who crave kid-friendly elegance with upscale accommodations and stellar service. Robust water sport offerings range from sailing to snorkeling. Starfish Cay is the water play space, with a zero-entry splash pool that’s just right for little ones. It’s not an all-inclusive beach resort, so you’re free to dine off-property. However, epicureans will be delighted with the resort hotel’s culinary options, including a restaurant helmed by superstar chef Eric Ripert.
