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Planning a family vacation that’s relaxing, exciting and hassle-free? AAA Travel Agents share expert insights on finding the best family-friendly all-inclusive resorts for every budget and travel style. From the sun-soaked shores of Mexico and the Caribbean to the fun-filled beaches of the Dominican Republic, discover resorts designed with families in mind.
From sun-soaked beaches to fun-filled resorts, AAA makes your all-inclusive vacation easy.
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Ah, the classic family vacation — a time to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life with as much relaxation or excitement as you want. A great place to make lasting memories is at an all-inclusive family resort, where nearly all your expenses are covered in one price. AAA Travel Agent Huma Curtis helps families make the most of their vacation time and money. She shares insights into planning, booking and enjoying a stay at a family-friendly all-inclusive resort.
Curtis recommends starting with the big questions — when and where you want to go — before narrowing your focus to a specific resort. Do you want to stay in the United States, or would you prefer leaving the country for someplace like Mexico or the Caribbean?
“We’re seeing more people plan reunion vacations because families are so spread out these days. As you consider the destination,” she says, “think about how long it might take to get there and whether it’s convenient for extended family members who might not be leaving from the same place.”
Once you begin exploring locations, “compare the programs and activities at different resorts that cater to various family members and the ages of your children.”
Family-friendly all-inclusive resorts might look more expensive at first, but Curtis helps travelers see the full value. “The kids’ programs are supervised. If the adults want to do their own activity, they can feel confident their children are with a certified nanny or at an on-site club with knowledgeable staff. Many resorts are certified to support children with special needs. You’ve also got a variety of restaurants to choose from, and you don’t have to worry about dinner reservations or paying extra for taxis or ride services to leave the resort. There’s variety, supervised kids’ activities, plenty to do and it’s all in one place.”
“Mexico and the Caribbean are both very popular,” says Curtis, “because they’re close to home and have a lot of all-inclusive resorts that cater to families. Some even offer educational experiences. A resort in Mexico may feature excursions to Mayan ruins or host special guests who talk about local culture. Learning about history and how others live helps people appreciate their own lives, but it really comes down to families’ interests and what they want to instill in the younger generation.”
It’s also possible to avoid the travel rush that happens during school breaks. “Some school systems, especially private schools, will work with families and allow kids to take time off for educational travel,” says Curtis. “That way, they can vacation before or after a holiday break. Depending on the age of the children, teachers may have an educational requirement — maybe a report or something similar.”
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Here are just some of the amazing family-friendly all-inclusive resorts you can book through AAA. Ask your AAA Travel Agent about exclusive member benefits when planning your next getaway.
“That’s really up to the parents,” says Curtis. “On-site activities typically happen throughout the day. You can usually go online before your trip to see what’s offered and when. I advise parents to do more planning if they’re vacationing during a peak travel time like summer or spring break. “If you see on the second or third day that the kids are getting tired, or maybe you find that afternoon activities work better than mornings, you can make adjustments. It’s also worth noting that many kids’ clubs close at dinnertime to give families a chance to meet up.”
“For the Caribbean, two popular options that offer a lot of family activities across generations are Beaches and Dreams,” says Curtis. “They often have more than one resort on each island, and many offer exchange programs. So, if your resort doesn’t have something — say floaties on the beach — but their sister property does, you can go to the other resort for the day and use their amenities. Riu is another popular option with good value.”
Traveler feedback helps Curtis fine-tune her recommendations. “We’ve had families take repeat trips to Beaches resorts, and parents talk about how much fun their children have at the kids’ clubs. It’s comforting for them to know the children are in good hands and that the groups are based on age. Many all-inclusive resorts offer nanny service for infants, and the nanny might even come to the room to babysit if the parents want a date night. That level of service is difficult to find at resorts that aren’t all-inclusive.”
The size of your family and number of rooms needed can make a difference, so Curtis advises booking at least six months in advance. “If you book too close to departure,” she says, “it’s possible your group will be split — some might have an ocean view and others a garden view, or you might not be in the same building. Another advantage of booking early is being able to make monthly payments on your vacation instead of paying all at once.”
“Our job at AAA Travel is to make planning easy for everyone,” says Curtis. “We know what questions to ask to help you plan your vacation based on your interests. We learn your needs and become your single point of contact. It’s like having a private partner you can depend on. We can make arrangements for flights, hotels, transfers and activities so you’re not spending hours researching every aspect of your trip.
Watch this Well-Traveled with AAA webcast to explore top resorts, luxury stays and unforgettable vacations with AAA Travel Experts and Pleasant Holidays.
Watch on Demand“Rather than booking directly with a property, AAA works with partners like Pleasant Holidays and Travel Impressions to arrange passages all over the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and beyond. We’re able to offer additional member benefits, including discounts on certain properties or activity vouchers. And if any concerns arise when you’ve booked through a preferred operator, you have the backing of AAA and our preferred partners to make it right. “Working with AAA, you’ll also have access to a customized guide for your destination that highlights history and local activities.”
When asked to summarize her advice for family-friendly all-inclusive vacations, Curtis is quick to respond. “Before making your travel plans, it’s important to think about what you want to get out of your vacation. What are your goals? How do you want to spend your time? Do you want to keep fun as your focus, or do you want to incorporate more of the destination’s culture, tradition and history into your travel? At the end of the day, the most valuable things you’ll have are the memories you make together.”
AAA Travel Agents can help you pre-book excursions and on-site activities, often at discounted rates, and provide insider tips for maximizing fun without overspending.
Ask about activity schedules, themes and special events ahead of time. Some resorts offer rotating programs so kids can try new experiences each day.
Many family resorts have designated quiet zones, adult-only pools or spas, allowing parents to relax while kids enjoy supervised activities.
AAA Travel Agents can coordinate flights, transfers, room assignments and even group seating, ensuring smooth travel and minimal stress for everyone.
Yes. Agents can identify resorts or excursions that integrate local culture, history or wildlife programs, turning vacation fun into learning opportunities for kids.
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By working with preferred travel partners, AAA Travel Agents can provide members with special discounts, exclusive perks and added value not available anywhere else.
