Recommendations for first tropical family vacation?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: National EE, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 80
Recommendations for first tropical family vacation?
I'm in the planning stages for a milestone birthday trip in late September or October, and would like to go somewhere tropical. I'll be travelling with my wife and 4yo daughter. My wife's only requirement is we stay at an all-inclusive resort, and my daughter just wants to swim. My preference would be for a clean, relaxing place with excellent food and drink options. I understand this will be during hurricane season, so I'm looking at places in Mexico and the southern Caribbean as well. We'd like to go for about a week, and will be travelling from the NYC area. I have a good number of CSR and Amex Plat points, but using them for this trip is not a necessity.
I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations, as I have no experience with tropical destinations or all inclusive resorts. Thanks!
I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations, as I have no experience with tropical destinations or all inclusive resorts. Thanks!
#2

Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: Ottawa, Canada + Edinburgh, Scotland
Programs: AC SE, Star Alliance Gold
Posts: 530
I'm in the planning stages for a milestone birthday trip in late September or October, and would like to go somewhere tropical. I'll be travelling with my wife and 4yo daughter. My wife's only requirement is we stay at an all-inclusive resort, and my daughter just wants to swim. My preference would be for a clean, relaxing place with excellent food and drink options. I understand this will be during hurricane season, so I'm looking at places in Mexico and the southern Caribbean as well. We'd like to go for about a week, and will be travelling from the NYC area. I have a good number of CSR and Amex Plat points, but using them for this trip is not a necessity.
I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations, as I have no experience with tropical destinations or all inclusive resorts. Thanks!
I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations, as I have no experience with tropical destinations or all inclusive resorts. Thanks!
2. Go for the Caribbean over anything on the Atlantic or Pacific.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,260
Late September to mid October is Mexico and Caribbean low season, so everything will be cheaper and less crowded.
If you want guaranteed protection from hurricanes, only Aruba and Curacao are completely protected, I believe. Everywhere else you have to consider your plans as tentative....
If you want guaranteed protection from hurricanes, only Aruba and Curacao are completely protected, I believe. Everywhere else you have to consider your plans as tentative....
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,005
I lived in Jamaica as a child, and yes there is a hurricane season as noted above. However, it was more a case of 'wet' rather thank 'windy'! Our last Jamaica visit [of several] was last September, and the weather was fine. BA, Sunshine and Sandals It's the eastern Caribbean that tends to be more vulnerable.
Apart from that, our various visits to Antigua, St. Lucia and Punta Cana have been outside your timescale. But all have been on All-Inclusive terms, and non-buffet!
I can't offer specific recommendations, but we find TripAdvisor a decent tool for filtering options
Apart from that, our various visits to Antigua, St. Lucia and Punta Cana have been outside your timescale. But all have been on All-Inclusive terms, and non-buffet!
I can't offer specific recommendations, but we find TripAdvisor a decent tool for filtering options