Children's Travel in the Caribbean

Though many Caribbean beach resorts are out of the price range of families with multiple children, there are also quite a few family-friendly resorts that offer significant discounts for children and often run “kids stay free” promotions.  Aside from the savings, these places also offer kid friendly activities such as pools, playgrounds swimming lessons.

Research is part of the good vacation equation if you plan to travel with kids.  Finding the right deal is only the first step.  Many resorts do not run a complete menu of children’s activities during non-peak times.  It is tricky because prices are the cheapest during these times.  It’s best to check with the resorts to make sure that they are offering all that they advertise on the specific days that you will be there.  Find reviews of your resort on the internet.  Often families find that “children’s activities” or “kids clubs” are not what they are advertised to be. 

Off-season travel is definitely cheaper.  There are plenty of special offers aimed at customers who would otherwise remain at home during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer.  If your goal is simply to get the family to the beach, these are great options.  Also keep in mind that summer is hurricane season in the Caribbean.  Check refund policies and purchase trip insurance if necessary.  Hurricanes are most likely in August and September. 

Sometimes it is worth it to go with a reputable resort like Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, Sandals Resorts or Starfish Resort in Jamaica.  These have proven kids programs and are all-inclusive, meaning you won’t have to spend more than the original price if you choose not to.  The prices of these resorts might run higher than the prices of lesser-known resorts, but the quality might be worth the extra cash.  Check Club Med or Sandals for off-season deals.