sticking out from under a beach umbrella. From the time my forefathers crawled out of the peat bogs of Ireland and began their steady trek to South Carolina, we have been a heat-seeking tribe. One of my favorite memories is of the time my dad, on a gray Sunday afternoon in February, suddenly looked up from the travel section of the paper and said, "We need to go to Florida." Six hours later, we were all buying new bathing suits in the Miami airport. The best part about a trip like this isn't the beach or those fruity drinks or even the envy of your friends when you return three days later with a sunburn under your sweater. The best part is cheering along with the 188 other sun-starved pilgrims on the 737 when you hear the words "Ladies and gentlemen, the weather in Miami is a sunny 84 degrees."
Of course, the one drawback of going south for the winter is that you'll arrive smack in the middle of high season, with inflated prices and bigger crowds. It's still doable--especially if you choose a destination, like Cancún, Mexico, which offers hotels and restaurants in every price range.
Cancún, Mexico is one of my family favorite destinations. Whether your family wants to snorkel through beautiful reefs or get historical at ancient Mayan ruins, Cancún is informal, family-friendly and boasts an average February temperature of 68 to 76 degrees.
CANCUN, MEXICO
Think Cancún, and you may think margaritas and honeymooners. They're here, of course, but Cancún, located on Mexico's east coast, is also the perfect jumping-off point for the best of the Yucatán peninsula. Families will find it's an easy commute to the islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, the Mayan ruins at Tulúm and Chichén Itzá, and the waterparks of Xcaret and Xel-Ha. Kids will also get a kick out of being in a foreign country, trading in dollars for pesos and learning some Spanish. (Proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, or birth certificate and driver's license, is required when entering Mexico.)My son, Jordan, 10, and I signed up for an Apple Vacations package (call for prices and deals: 800-727-3400, or click here) that combined water sports in the 10-acre "natural aquarium" at Xel-Ha with a tour of Tulúm. Our native guide was full of facts about the scientifically advanced (and bloodthirsty!) Mayans. You can also see the impressive pyramids of Chichén Itzá, but that's a 14-hour bus ride--round-trip--and better for older kids.
If tours aren't your thing and you want to save money, rent a car and explore on your own. We met several families who did this; all reported that the roads around Cancún were bumpy but well marked. Another option is the beach: free and gorgeous.
Feel like island-hopping? Another day, Jordan and I took a boat to sleepy little Isla Mujeres. We rented a golf cart and drove around enjoying the small-town atmosphere, some excellent shopping and crowd-free beaches.
The best part of Cancún, though, is underwater. The longest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere lies just off the coast, and many packages, include snorkeling in the crystal-clear ocean waters. Kids under age 10 and novice snorkelers may be better off in the tranquil lagoon of Xel-Ha National Park or the underground rivers of Xcaret, where one can float gently through prehistoric caverns.
Lodging options range from luxury resorts to no-frills hotels, almost all on the beach. A package is the cheapest way to go, so start by calling your travel agent. As an example, Jordan and I had a midpriced package: $1,800 for airfare from Charlotte, North Carolina, plus four nights at the elegant Caesar Park for two (about $3,200 for a family of four). A more moderately priced hotel like the Piramides Beach resort would have dropped the price to around $2,400 for a family of four, and some families swear by the all-inclusives, where huge buffet meals are part of the deal. Note: package prices vary depending upon where in the United States you leave from.
No matter where you stay, Cancún definitely has glamour, glitz and lots to do--one of our taxi drivers called it "Vegas by the Sea." Our advice? Don't forget to save time to relax on that famous white sand. For more information, call the Mexican Tourist Information Office (800-446-3942).
Kim Wright Wiley specializes in family travel writing and lives with her two children in North Carolina.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in February 1999. Updated January 2005.
