Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,075
1) Is it a good place with lots of activities for toddler?
No, the town of CSL is party central for SoCal and the western states. Particularly on weekend. While it is perfectly safe for a family to walk the streets, I would say it is even less family friendly than Las Vegas.
Now the resorts are a different matter. Many of the non-adults-only resorts have kids programs (e.g. Villa del Palmer) that will watch your kids while the parents relax at the pool. However some may require that the child be out of diapoers.
2) is it safe, free of cartels?
Yes, in general CSL and SJD have not had the same levels of random violence that we have seen at Riviera Maya, Cancun, Acapulco, etc. While no place in Mexico is 100% safe (neither are most US cities) the chances of being hit by a stray bullet are almost nil at any of the resorts along the CSL-SJD hotel strip. The properties all have excellent security, gates, etc.
3) what is the best time to visit?
Summer is super hot and humid and very uncomfortable unless you like that (think US South and Southeast). December to May is generally very pleasant. August-November is hurricane season and they do occasionally hit.