Child-unfriendly Central America?

February 8, 2020 9:56 AM

We love our children (4 and 7) but have the opportunity to take a kid-free 7-10 day vacation this summer for a milestone birthday/anniversary celebration. For Reasons, we're looking at Mexico & Central America. Where would we maximize the advantages of being child-free and minimize our regret that they are missing out?

Context: we're fairly well-traveled (have lived in Europe & Asia) but have never been to this region, have some Spanish, and enjoy walkable cities and mild adventure (kayaking, hiking, diving). Current top contenders are Mexico City/Oaxaca or Belize, but have also heard good things about Colombia. Budget not really an issue. Running into choice paralysis & proxy-FOMO; I look at e.g. Tikal and think 'wow, the kids would LOVE this, we can't go without them!' Most interested in hearing from recent visitors to the region who had fantastic experiences that would not have been suitable for children, and/or parents who took kids to the area and can report on mutual enjoyment levels. Specific accommodation/tour recs welcome. Thanks!

posted by scyllary to Travel & Transportation (2 answers total)

In general, I think more physically demanding adventures (hiking and backpacking, rafting and boating) come to mind. For instance, Machu Picchu (and Huayna/ Wayna Picchu, the peak in the background of most photos of Machu Picchu) require a good bit of hiking around, even if you don't backpack in there. Also, it's at a very high altitude, so it could be more challenging for little people to travel around those areas. Even Cusco, a wonderful city, is very high up, so walking around the city could be taxing on little people.
posted by filthy light thief at 11:59 AM on February 8, 2020 [1 favorite]

Belize is fantastic.. stayed in Hopkins at the Almond Bay Beach Resort, but anything in the village is likely just as good. It's on the mainland, which gives you access to the Mayan ruins, cave tubing, rain forests, snorkeling, and anything else you want. The Cayes are the islands that most scuba folks go to and is much more of the overdeveloped tourist kind of place, as opposed to being more real Belize. Bonus is that it's the only former British colony, so English is the local language.

But Hopkins village is a great place to have as a base of operations to venture out from, as well as having some quaint places to eat or get a beer.

For me, my kids would enjoy anything, but we did do Belize without them. 4 & 7 would likely be a bit young for this particular trip, though, so would work for you.

Costa Rica, down in Nosara is a great choice, as well. I am not hot on Mexico at the moment.
posted by rich at 9:09 AM on February 10, 2020 [2 favorites]