Top Ten Must-Do Familymoons

10. Costa Rica

There’s the trip that is forgotten as quickly as the resulting suntan fades…and then there’s an adventure that redefines who you are, an experience in travel that lingers with you for years to come and becomes the benchmark by which all other vacations are measured. Honeymoons.com was thrilled to find Latitudes – the Adventure Co. a company that understands the familymoon that is far more then a travel company, they believe combining a travel experience that transcends the ordinary to reach the echelons of extraordinary with memorable experiences that stays with you the rest of your life. They made our top ten list with outstanding travel packages that families should review, for example their “Costa Rica Familymoon Volunteer Adventure that consists of a 14-day, 13-night adventure that begins in San Jose, with one night at the historic Don Carlos Hotel. The next day you head to the Arenal Volcano area where you stay at the luxurious Arenal Manoa Hotel. You will stay for 3 nights while you enjoy an Arenal Volcano Hike, Baldi Hot Springs, Hanging Bridges and a Zip-Line tour.

The next six days of your trip involve volunteer work at a Wildlife Rescue Center, working with birds, caymans, monkeys, boars, herons, ducks, a couple of fuzzy kinkajou, as well as other animals. You will stay those 6 nights with a nearby host family who will prepare all our meals before you head to the beach in Samara for some fun in the sun! You will stay at the Hotel Giada for a couple of nights while you tour the Palo Verde National Park and get some good beach time in. Your last night will be spent back in San Jose at the Adventure Inn. Packages include 14 Days / 13 Nights, All transportation, 20 Meals, 2 nights of hotels in San Jose, 3 nights in La Fortuna, 6 days of volunteering at a Wildlife Rescue Center, 6 nights with host family, 2 nights in Samara, 4 Adventure Tours & Tons of fun! Be sure to stop by their site at to see what other great packages they offer!

LATITUDESADVENTURE.COM

9. Phoenix, Arizona

Try a family adventure of Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon that offers a unique view of one of the most popular natural wonders of the world. Why not “take the scenic route” for a virtual rafting tour of the Grand Canyon and get a feel for a Colorado River raft trip of a lifetime through one of America’s premier national parks that your family is sure to never forget. Since 1970 Arizona River Runners has provided complete Grand Canyon white water rafting trips. Their experienced reservation staff will guide you through the details and provide additional Colorado river rafting trip information. Their seasoned guides will bring your river trip to life and take you on a safe and enjoyable vacation adventure that will become one of your most memorable vacations. We found that past guests say it best in customer testimonials where many are moved to tears and most unprepared for the powerful impact that the experience of a Grand Canyon whitewater rafting vacation has on their lives.

Many wonder why they waited so long to experience Arizona’s Grand Canyon from the bottom looking up verse those who view the Canyon from high up top An Authorized Concessionaire of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona River Runners is very serious about protecting the unique environment of one of the most beautiful natural wonders of the world. Our dedication is evident through the time invested in our people, the care taken in educating visitors about the Colorado River corridor and our passion for preserving this opportunity for future generations to enjoy this place we call home. While in Arizona we urge families to take tours of the desert and experience some of the states natural reserves, ranches and resorts that are known for their quality of service and beauty.

WWW.RAFTARIZONA.COM/

8. South Africa, Safari

In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, one of the world’s great game reserves is a place called Shamwari. This is a private game reserve, a winner of numerous conservation awards that boasts their well-awarded and super “Kids on Safari” program. This wonderful and world famous Shamwari Game Reserve introduces a unique and rewarding vacation for the whole family. Their “Kids on Safari” package includes three action-packed days at Shamwari, a private game reserve in the malaria-free zone in the Eastern Cape, where, for the first time, kids aged four and older have the chance of a lifetime to see the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and Cape buffalo), view a special educational film, visit the Born Free Foundation and Shamwari’s Wildlife Hospital, stay at a traditional African lodge, and much more. Families are accommodated in the colonial-style Riverdene Lodge, which has nine interconnecting air conditioned rooms with an authentic African feel. Upon arrival, the children’s coordinator will discuss activity options, taking into consideration the family’s size, children’s ages and weather conditions. (While children under four are welcome, they are too young to go on the game drives.)

The fun and learning never stop! In addition to the excitement of game drives for the whole family, children receive special treatment and educational programs that keep them learning! And there are lots of other supervised social, sporting and arts and cultural activities to keep kids happy, too, including African bead making, working with clay, face painting, star-gazing, African story telling… be sure to visit the site for more details on this great trip!
HTTP://WWW.SHAMWARI.COM

7. St. Lucia

St. Lucia’s exotic southern coast is home to Coconut Bay Beach Resort, an all-inclusive resort catering to families. “Familymoons at the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia are made easy with connecting suites, all-inclusive meals and snacks throughout the day. The fully-supervised Kidz Klub offers the children an experience of their own while mom and dad to visit “Harmony” the resorts tranquil & adult-only oasis offering the perfect setting for those seeking a romantic escape with a coconut palm-fringed pool, braided hammocks, intimate cabana beds and the oceanfront Kai-Mer Spa. When parents want family time this island offers lots to do, with the hotel located on the southern tip of the island of St. Lucia, the resort is perfectly located to access the island’s main attractions including adventures like zip lining. Families come to this all-inclusive environment to explore, bond and relax. At the opposite side of the resort, the young at heart are drawn to “Splash,” the resort’s tropical playground featuring Coco L and Kidz Klub. They have a paintball facility and the island’s largest water park where the young-at-heart can race down Coconut Bay’s two water slides and splash in three of the resort’s pools for a refreshing experience. Ordering tropical fruit smoothies at the swim-up bar can be a sweet treat to enjoy while floating in inner tubes down the lazy river. (Moms and Dads should try a “Dirty Monkey,” which is made with bananas, coconut milk and St. Lucian rum.

Some great bonding experiences included in our familymoon highlights are Kitesurfing at the all-new high-tech kitesurfing school, Zip lining for Adventurous families and Kids can play basketball or tennis or visit Just Chillin’ where they can hang out at “Da Buzz,” a popular spot stocked with video games, magazines and a Ping-Pong table. When hunger strikes, the “Catz Meow” snack bar serves pizza, nachos and cotton candy. Since the resort is all-inclusive, kids and teens can eat or drink whatever they choose without having to worry about cash or charging to the room. Nightly Entertainment offers families who want to participate in singing at karaoke night, playing card games at country-western casino night while the Coconut Bay’s staff creates a comfortable atmosphere that guest can interact and are able to meet new friends. Babies and kids under 12: The fully-supervised Kidz Klub with planned activities based on a proven educational curriculum. The staff-to-child ratio is 1-to-3 for ages three and under, and 6-to-1 for kids four and up.
HTTP://WWW.COCONUTBAYRESORTANDSPA.COM/

6. Belize

The Cotton Tree Lodge in Belize is an all-inclusive eco-lodge in southern Belize that is nestled between Mayan villages and old growth rainforest. They are close enough to the Caribbean to head down the Moho River and enjoy fishing, snorkeling, diving, or sailing on a day trip and far enough away to enjoy the quiet and serene life of this lodge.Families say they come to us to get away from the stresses and distractions of daily life, and reconnect with each other. We have no televisions and your cell phone probably wont work out there making this adventure a taste of the old days.Families love the ‘family Cabanas”, with a queen bed and two twins in a loft or a 2-bedroom cabana which could accommodate up to 6 that give s you the privacy you want yet keeps everyone together. The compound, which is set up on 100 acres of rainforest and gardens, it is quite safe and offers so much for kids to explore. They have kayaks, horses, goats, chickens, a turkey, a rope swing, a gentle swimmable river, and bicycles.

There are a number of weird and wonderful creatures around as well, like iguanas, howler monkeys, unusual birds, and leaf cutter ants. They offer a variety of activities each day, along with a rotating tour schedule, so there’s something appropriate and interesting for everyone and Belize is an English speaking country, and many of their tours are set up to be hands on and interact with Mayan families. Voluntourism is a growing trend in the responsible tourism industry, setting travelers up with unique volunteer opportunities in the countries they visit, the resort offers a one-day or multiday volunteer projects through our partner organization.Every family who has done this has reported that it was an amazing experience that really made a lasting impact on both the children and the family as a group. The resort will handle planning all the meals, tours, etc allowing you to enjoy your vacation and all of the guests sit family style at one long table to enjoy conversation while their four-course dinners are served.
HTTP://WWW.COTTONTREELODGE.COM/

5. Sea Kayak Adventures

Sharing great nature experiences is what many claim create the experiences that family travel is defined from. At Sea Kayak Adventures they seem to offer some of the best opportunities for family adventure. On their family-friendly trips, parents and/or grandparents can share an exciting gray whale watching experience, or experience the company’s safari-style base camp where they can do multiple outdoor activities and even enjoy stargazing, swimming, beach combing and dune jumping in addition to many other fun activities offered. For those who want to experience British Columbia, Canada –the company invites you to the northern Vancouver Island where Sea Kayak Adventures has pioneered offering exclusive, wilderness lodge-based sea kayak trips. These trips are designed for those who wish to experience Canada’ s legendary Inside Passage in the comfort and style of God’s Pocket Resort. At God’s Pocket Provincial Park,Canada’s newest park, you and your family will have the opportunity to try kayaking touring and enjoying the quaint accommodations of Gods Pocket Resort.

You will stay in a private room at a rustic 7-room lodge, located on a remote uninhabited island in the heart of God’s Pocket Provincial Park just off the northern tip of Vancouver Island. From Port Hardy, a boat takes you there on an unforgettable cruise through breathtaking scenes of rugged mountains, forested islands, and the pristine waters of Queen Charlotte Strait. Sea Kayak Adventures has exclusive use of this and is the only lodge in the park. This adventure will leave memories that stay with you forever.
SEAKAYAKADVENTURES.COM

4. Disneyworld

I’m sorry but it just has to be said, as well known as you think it is, so many people have not been or think of Disney for a trip like this! Most people think Disney is just for babies and youngsters! THIS IS SO NOT THE CASE, Disney is great for all ages and sometimes even the adults can appreciate it more! A Disney vacation is the highlight of everyone’s life, despite anyone’s age and it will delight and awaken the child in all of us. People love Disney so much that some families spend two weeks at Disney World going to every park. Be sure to check out the Disneyworld insider where you will find savings tips that will make your trip more affordable and vacation tips that will make your time more enjoyable, whether you are looking for the full Disney World resort/park experience or just a grand time at the parks. There is so much to see and do in Orlando besides Disney too. The 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, and downtown Disney will keep you in having fun for a week. There are also numerous other attractions like Sea World, Universal Studios, and the Disney Sports Complex you should not miss.
WWW.DWINSIDER.COM

3. The Atlantis

Where else can you go in the world that you will find yourself surrounded by crystal blue waters, more pools then you can count, countless mouthwatering restaurants, amazing water attractions, from slides, to rides, to snorkeling to thousands upon thousands of fish for you to admire and enjoy? All that comes to my mind is The Atlantis where they have conquered combining state of the art amenities with more attractions for the children then you could ask for. The best part of this resort is the kids clubs and organized children recreational activities leaving adults time to enjoy each other! Perhaps you will go fishing as a group or take advantage of an island tour, there is so much to do and see you will need at least a week to enjoy everything.

The resort, although priced high, is worth the money when the kids find themselves enjoying all the pools and attractions…not to mention that the adults have an adults-only pool to enjoy if they stay in their new area called The Cove. If you are looking for that beach adventure with more things to do for the kids then the average resort then this is the way to go, however if you plan to go without the kids during the summer or busy months you will wish you didn’t, kids are everywhere and you will feel like you are in the midst of Disney during Christmas beak without Minnie or Mickey to comfort you. Be sure to see what entertainment is being offered for your visit!
WWW.ATLANTIS.COM/

2. Mexico

The greatest and safest places to see in Mexico on the coast are Cancun, Riviera Maya, the new Mayakoba and Cabo. Here families will find themselves immersed with Mexican and Mayan culture with fabulous shopping, great dining, and urban pleasures with their endless beaches! Many families stay at the many all-inclusive resorts but those who prefer the more traditional style hotel will find there are plenty to choose from. If you are looking to be in the city, then Cancun offers you everything from city life to beaches. To the south, the very different 100-km Mayan Riviera has its own all-inclusive plus wonderful activities: visit & tour Mayan ruins, jump into the crystal blue waters to snorkel on the world’s second-largest barrier reef, swim in “cenotes;” and you must, must, must visit Xcaret eco-theme park. Known to many as the Disney World of Mexico. This park offers you everything from underground rivers, caves, animals, zip lining and more to experience in a day!

The hotels in this area offer so many wonderful things for children and families from top of the line amenities and service with kids camps, tours and more. From the Fairmont Mayakoba where you will be surrounded by tropical lush gardens and natural lagoons, to the new Grand Velas where everything is all included and you are steps from the beach. Playa Del Carmen makes a wonderful place to visit at night including there 5th avenue where you will find great shops, top notch restaurants and best of all, locals THAT love tourist. Don’t forget to check out the Club Med Cancun Yucatan for a quieter location located on its own peninsula at the edge of the hotel strip. One of the best things about Mexico is that you will find so many things to do with kids that you wont have enough time in one trip to do them!
WWW.RIVIERAMAYA.COM

1. Dubai

Jumeirah Beach Hotel is located on the Jumeirah Beach Road, adjacent to Burj Al Arab and Madinat Jumeirah, and is a leisurely half hour drive from Dubai International Airport. Jumeirah Beach Hotel & property was designed specifically with the family in mind. The Jumeirah Beach Hotel, adjacent to Burj Al Arab (the world’s most luxurious hotel) and Madinat Jumeirah, is entirely family-centric offering a variety of activities and amenities for all who visit.

The hotel is curved both in plan and on elevation, representing a stunning breaking wave. The interior theme of the hotel draws upon the four elements of nature: Earth, Air, Fire and Water. Each element is represented by a color scheme that divides the hotel into four different levels; soothing blues and greens for water, homely browns and reds for earth, relaxing blues and white for air and striking reds and yellows depicting the fire of a vibrant sun.

This award winning resort hotel has 26 levels comprising 617 sea-facing rooms, suites and villas, with each room offering approximately 50m, as well as 19 exclusive Arabian-themed Beit Al Bahar villas, with each offering a private check-in and butler service, individual plunge pools and private terraces as well as the use of an exclusive pool area.

The hotel also offersSinbad’s Kids Club, a clubhouse near to the family pool that is designed like a ship, offering a program of activities for children aged 2-12 years old, under the supervision of highly trained and qualified staff. A baby-sitting service is also available.

Through the hotel guests also have access to the neighboring Wild Wadi Water Park- designed to be totally unique, something that had not been seen in this part of the world before, making it the best water park in the Middle East. The Pavilion sports club is a two-storey building with a floor area of 2,500m, situated on the Marina breakwater between the bay and the tennis courts. The club offers a range of facilities from the Pavilion Dive Centre (PADI 5 star) to 3 squash courts, 6 tennis courts and a gymnasium and fitness room, as well as a variety of water sports including sailing, waterskiing, windsurfing, kayaking, wake boarding and banana boating. Instruction by fully qualified staff is available in many of the activities, including tennis, squash and water sports.

For those who are less energetic, the health club offers a range of saunas, hot tubs, steam rooms, Jacuzzis, plunge pools and massage rooms, with a variety of different treatments on offer. Five external swimming pools are located around the hotel. The main leisure pool features a walk-in Jacuzzi, chilled plunge pool and submerged airbeds with a swim-up pool bar at the shallow end of the pool.

The family pool is surfaced in synthetic rubber with a walk-in ‘beach’ effect at one end and a rock wall incorporating a water slide at the other.

The remaining 3 pools consist of a shallow children’s pool which is shaded and contains water play equipment, a 25m lap pool overlooked by a seating terrace on one side, and the Executive Pool, complete with a decking area of 290 sun beds plus 22 gazebos, all designed for exclusivity. It is equipped with an underwater sound system, with approximately 20 underwater ‘wet speakers’ built into the pool walls, and lined with unique bubble coves for perfect private relaxation.

Other outdoor facilities include a mini putting green, golf driving nets, a children’s adventure park, and free access to Wild Wadi Water Park.
WWW.JUMEIRAH.COM