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5 Hot Winter Weekend Getaways

By Nancy Schretter, Editor

Old Man Winter has settled in and the endless parade of gray days and frigid temperatures can be mind-numbing. If your family is in critical need of a vacation to cure the winter blues, follow the sun to a long weekend winter getaway. Warm weather winter family escapes can be easy, fun and inexpensive if you choose the right destination and resort property. Early planning will help keep prices down, especially if you are looking for something during school holidays or spring break, but affordable last minute getaways still can be found with a little flexibility and help.

According to many travel agents, the most important factors for clients in selecting a winter break are "sun and reliably warm weather," an affordable price, and convenience. With that in mind, we canvassed the market to find the best warm weather escape hatches for families based on the following criteria:

Average daytime temperature of 80 degrees or warmer during January through March
Direct flights from a large number of U.S. cities and good connections from others
Availability of reasonably priced airfares
A wide selection of affordable resorts with family-oriented programs and amenities

According to the travel agents and family travel experts surveyed, the following five sun-kissed resort destinations best fit these criteria and are excellent choices for a warm weather winter weekend family getaway:

Cancun, Mexico
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Montego Bay, Jamaica
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Cancun, Mexico

What's Special: For families seeking an inexpensive warm weekend getaway, Cancun and Punta Cana are two destinations that immediately come to mind. Cancun caters to families seeking all-inclusives as well as those who prefer room-only resorts, and some hotels offer both options. Although this is an excellent destination for families seeking an affordable holiday, luxury seekers will certainly find great properties as well. High-rise resorts line Cancun's ribbon of beaches and restaurants and shopping malls cater to tourists in the downtown area. This lively area is perfect for families who want to soak up a bit of culture, as numerous Mayan ruins and other attractions are located nearby. Although you'll find people speaking English here, Spanish is the primary language and passports are required.

Cancun's newly remodeled airport and large number of direct flights make weekend winter getaways easy. In addition, there are many family friendly accommodations from which to choose, including a wide variety of room only and all-inclusive options. Families seeking a luxury escape should head for the Ritz-Carlton Cancun, the JW Marriott Cancun Resort or the Hilton Cancun Golf & Spa Resort, while those seeking more value-oriented lodging will enjoy properties such as the Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun and the CasaMagna Marriott. All-inclusive resorts are particularly popular with families, and the Club Med Cancun Yucatan, the Moon Palace and the Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa are good options in the Cancun area. Numerous pools and waterscapes are commonly found at Cancun's resort properties. The area's beaches were replenished with more than three million tons of sand after Hurricane Wilma hit Cancun in 2005, however, some of them are still showing periodic erosion. If a great beach in a prime Cancun location is important, Club Med Cancun Yucatan is a good choice.

Families willing to spend a bit more time on their transfers will be delighted by the beaches and amenity-laden resorts available in the Riviera Maya area that starts about 18 miles south of Cancun. The sprawling Barceló Resorts' Maya Beach complex consists of five family pleasing all-inclusive hotels on a mile-long strand of white sand beach close to Tulum and the Xcaret nature park. Iberostar's all-inclusive resorts are also popular with families visiting this region.

Turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and warm temperatures are certainly this destination's major draws, but Cancun offers so much more. The area is filled with Mayan archeological sites, parks for underwater and nature enthusiasts including Garrafón Natural Reef Park, Xcaret and Xel-Ha, enticing shopping opportunities at downtown spots such as La Isla Shopping Village and Mercado 28, and a wide variety of family pleasing attractions.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

What's Special: Travel agents typically name Punta Cana as one of the top destinations for families seeking an inexpensive winter weekend beach vacation. Punta Cana consists of approximately 25 miles of stunning white sand beaches fringed with palm trees and low-rise resorts. Because the beach is outstanding, this area is a mecca for beach-lovers seeking affordable, all-inclusive accommodations with an extensive array of mega-pools, restaurants and family-friendly amenities. Although the closest sizeable town is about an hour away, a number of interesting tours and attractions are available for families willing to tear themselves away from their resort. Take an ATV tour along the beach, cruise by catamaran to lovely palm-studded Saona Island, swim with the dolphins, or shop for jewelry and colorful artwork at artisans' plazas. Spanish is the primary language here and passports are required.

Punta Cana is a very popular destination for families seeking long sugar white sand beaches, warm temperatures, clear aqua seas and a great value for their vacation dollars. Punta Cana's airport is easy to navigate and flights are plentiful. This vacation destination is also home to a wide variety of family friendly all-inclusive resorts featuring numerous restaurants, elaborate waterscapes and pools, children's programs, spas, an extensive array of watersports, loads of tour options and nearby golf courses. The beach landscape here has a wide open feel, as only low-rise buildings no taller than a palm tree are permitted along the shore.

We just returned from a winter family beach escape to this region. Spectacular beaches, expansive pools, and a wide variety of restaurant options are important to our family, so we headed to the affordable all-inclusive Barceló Premium Punta Cana Resort. This newly renovated 795-room property is located on Arena Gorda Beach, one of Punta Cana's loveliest beaches. Barceló also has five additional all-inclusive properties at its Barceló Bavaro Beach Resort, located about twenty minutes away on beautiful Bavaro Beach. The Barceló Punta Cana is an excellent choice for families seeking a value priced all-inclusive with great pools and family oriented amenities on an exceptional beach.

In addition to the Barceló properties, other great family lodging options include the Iberostar Resorts, the family of five-friendly Ocean Blue Golf & Beach Resort and Dreams Punta Cana (formerly Sunscape the Beach.) Club Med Punta Cana is a particularly good choice for families with teens because of its cool teens-only lounge, The Ramp, open during school holiday periods and other times when there are lots of teens.

Because there are so many activities offered at Punta Cana's all-inclusive hotels, many families spend all of their short vacation time on the beach, at the pools, or at restaurants or activities on their property. Manati Park, a nature-oriented theme park with sea lions and a dolphin swim program, is a popular excursion with families. Water lovers can snorkel with Nurse sharks and massive stingrays on half-day Marinarium cruise tours. If there are some thrill-seekers in your family, make such to sign them up for the Macao Crazy Wheels tour. This ATV adventure takes riders on dirt roads through fields, plantations and tropical jungles, with swimming stops at Macao Beach and a cave. Shopping enthusiasts will enjoy browsing stores and markets for local artwork as well as jewelry made from local precious stones, including amber and larimar.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

What's Special: Jamaica has a relaxed, free-wheeling spirit and unique Caribbean island vibe that is truly its own. Both all-inclusive and room-only family-friendly properties can easily be found here, and hotels range from value-priced to high-end luxury resorts. Parents with young children may find this to be the perfect spot for a true vacation getaway, as some resorts offer special vacation nanny and kids program services. This island is an excellent choice for families seeking familiar pleasures as well as new adventures. Several championship golf courses are located within an easy drive to the airport and tennis courts abound. Those looking for something different can swim with the dolphins, take a dogsledding tour, zipline through the trees, visit a bioluminescent bay, go horseback riding along the beach, or take a leisurely float down a river on a bamboo raft. English is the primary language here and passports are required.

Taking a short winter beach escape in Jamaica is "no problem, mon." Just take one of the many direct flights to Montego Bay available from numerous cities throughout the country. There are a number of family-friendly resorts within a short drive of the airport, and several of them are particularly well-know for their children's programs and family oriented features. Both luxury seekers and value-conscious families can find an excellent beach escape here.

The all-inclusive Sunset Beach Resort is located minutes from Montego Bay airport and is a good choice for families who want to get straight to the beach. The resort's Pirate Paradise Waterpark is a true family pleaser. Starfish Trelawny's flexible approach to traditional all-inclusive pricing makes it a good choice for budget-oriented families, and its extensive pools as well as its trapeze and rock-climbing wall allow it to appeal to families with children of all ages. Families with young children should make sure to check out FDR Resorts' two properties, the Franklyn D Resort and FDR Pebbles. The all-inclusive packages at these two resorts also include the services of a personal vacation nanny for each family. Families with teens will enjoy the newly renovated Breezes Runaway Bay, a resort for active families with children ages 14 and older.

If your family is seeking a luxurious beach escape, there are also several upscale family-friendly resorts within minutes of Montego Bay that will fit your needs. The service-oriented Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall features a challenging mountainside golf course, excellent restaurants, an extensive spa menu, and the Ritz Kids program. Guests at the property can choose from either all-inclusive or room-only vacation plans. Located on 400 acres within close proximity to the airport, Half Moon Resort offers families a spectacular mile-long stretch of white sand beach, children's programs for ages 3-6 and 7-12, and on-property dolphin encounters. Rose Hall Resort & Country Club, also located within a short drive from the airport, wows families with its extensive Sugar Mill Falls water park featuring a thrill slide, natural lagoons, terraced pools, a lazy river and cascading waterfalls. Guests at the recently renovated property can also enjoy the resort's Kids Klub, a full watersports center, a full spa and fitness center, and an 18-hole championship golf course.

There's plenty to do on a Jamaica winter beach break, both on and off property. All of the above resorts have extensive tour offerings with something for every member of the family. Chukka Caribbean Adventures serves up a wide variety of unique experiences, such as river tubing, horseback rides with swims in the Caribbean Sea, canopy zipline adventures, and a Jamaican dogsled tour. Swimming with the dolphins at Dolphin Cove and bamboo rafting excursions on the Martha Brae River are other fun family treats. At Starfish Trelawny, one of the most popular excursions is their evening tour to the nearby bioluminescent bay. Families rate it as a "don't miss" experience, so make sure to sign up early.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

What's Special: No passport requirements and the large number of direct flights help make Puerto Rico one of the most convenient Caribbean winter weekend beach getaways for many Americans. Family friendly resorts feature sandy beaches and exciting pool features as well as other appealing amenities, but Puerto Rico offers even more. This is an excellent destination for those seeking culture, eco-adventures, shopping, history, and maybe a little nightlife as well. Hike in a tropical rainforest, kayak and swim in one of the world's only bioluminescent bays, visit the largest Spanish fort in the New World, try a lemon ice on Luquillo Beach, sample the restaurants and shops of Old San Juan, or tour a coffee plantation. In Puerto Rico, the beach can be just the beginning of your vacation experience.

Hot sun, lots of fun, and no passport necessary -- that's Puerto Rico. This island is rich in culture and history and it is an easy destination for a long winter weekend getaway. It's certainly the most convenient playground in the American Caribbean with direct flights from more than 20 airports throughout the United States and Canada. Currently, Puerto Rico is served by 21 airlines that fly to and from 62 destinations. Families can check-in online for their flights and time spent waiting in immigration and customs lines is completely eliminated.

Families looking for a beachfront resort conveniently located near the airport will find the San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino meets their needs perfectly. From the white sand beach and two tiered pool to the tennis courts and a seasonal Kids Club, this resort will keep families entertained. Restaurants feature kids menus and the resort's spacious rooms allow families to spread out. In addition, the many attractions of Old San Juan are located close by the resort's location in Condado Beach.

Families willing to drive a bit further may enjoy the many pleasures of the Wyndham Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa. This property is located about 40 minutes from the San Juan airport and offers a children's program, golf, beautiful swimming pools with a waterslide, a golden sand beach, and a casino. Kids will love the daily iguana feeding program here. El Yunque, a must-see 28,000 acre tropical rainforest with beautiful waterfalls and lush vegetation, is located nearby.

Families seeking a luxurious setting for their winter weekend escape should head to the newly renovated El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa. Situated in the northeastern section of Puerto Rico on a magnificent bluff overlooking the sea, the El Conquistador is visually stunning. More than 900 guest rooms and villas are available in distinctive enclaves around the resort. Families will enjoy Palomino Island, the resort's 100-acre private island, featuring white sand beaches, horseback riding and a wide variety of watersports. Golf enthusiasts can play on the resort's championship course while guests who want to be pampered can head to the resort's Golden Door Spa, where an extensive array of treatments awaits to soothe the senses. The resort's new seaside Coqui Water Park is making waves with its 8,500 square foot infinity pool, thrilling water slides, rope swing, an 8,000 foot lazy river and more. Admission to the waterpark is available exclusively to resort guests with tickets.

A myriad of adventures are available for families on the island of Puerto Rico. Two of my favorite excursions are kayaking and swimming in the unique Bioluminescent Bay near Fajardo and taking a hike along the trails in El Yunque, Puerto Rico's lush tropical rainforest. Families can enjoy Coca Falls with its natural pool and view wild orchids, waterfalls, giant ferns, and perhaps even parrots. Other tours include the Rio Camuy Cave Park, horseback riding, catamaran cruises, snorkeling, and sightseeing visits to El Morro and Fort San Cristobal, the largest Spanish fort in the New World.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

What's Special: Situated on Mexico's Pacific coast where the jungle meet the sea, Puerto Vallarta is easily one of the most picturesque choices for a winter beach escape. The town's beautiful seaside malecón and old world colonial architecture give the destination a charming, romantic appeal. Although room-only resort options can easily be found here, all-inclusive lovers will also find a wide variety of resorts from which to choose. Puerto Vallarta easily appeals to families looking for eco-adventures, golf, sport fishing, shopping, culture and fine cuisine. Spanish is the primary language here and a passport is required.

Puerto Vallarta offers an easy long weekend getaway for families, especially for those living on the West Coast or in the Southwest. Puerto Vallarta's golden beaches along the Bay of Banderas are ringed by mountainous jungle and its clear waters are perfect for snorkeling and swimming. It's easy to see why National Geographic Magazine named Puerto Vallarta as one of the "Top 50 Film Locations In The World." Puerto Vallarta is an excellent choice for families seeking a vacation destination with warm temperatures, quaint charm, plentiful restaurants, family-friendly resorts, and a wide variety of activities including golf, watersports, eco-adventures, shopping and sport fishing.

The Marriott CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta Resort caters to families with its large pool and many family oriented amenities. Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers a good all-inclusive option for families and features a lovely beach and the Explorer's Club children's program. For those seeking more luxurious and spacious accommodations, the all-inclusive Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort is an excellent choice. Grand Velas is the only AAA Five Diamond family friendly all-inclusive resort in North America. The resort features ocean-view suites, Spa Suites, and two-bedroom and three-bedroom Imperial Suites, giving kids more room to spread out and allowing parents to have more privacy on their vacation. Kids ages 4 to 12 will enjoy the resort's kids' activities program while parents can be pampered at the property's extensive spa. Grand Velas also features five restaurants, tiered three-temperature infinity pools with iPod minis, tennis, non-motorized water sports, and a wide variety of entertainment for adults and children.

Since long weekend getaways are short on time, many families spend their days just enjoying the sunshine and relaxing at the beach or pool. There's so much to do in Puerto Vallarta, however, that families will be tempted to get off-property and enjoy some of the sights and activities. Fly through the jungle like Tarzan with Canopy Tours De Los Veranos, go snorkeling and watch for humpback whales on a boat excursion to the Marietas Islands, take a horseback riding trip to a jungle waterfall in Yelapa, swim with the dolphins, explore the area on a Jeep or ATV safari, try your luck at sportfishing, enjoy a wide variety of watersports, or test your skills on one of the area's many championship golf courses. History buffs, art lovers and shoppers will want to set aside time to stroll through the cobblestone streets of Puerto Vallarta, filled with an enchanting array of architecturally stunning buildings, stores, galleries, and restaurants. Puerto Vallarta's seaside malecón is filled with bronze sculptures and artists. On Sundays, you'll find lots of local families here enjoying the antics of the street mimes and clowns. It's a great place to relax, look out at the beautiful Bay of Banderas, and enjoy the sunset.

Weekend Cruise Getaways

If expensive international airfares threaten to disrupt your family's escape from the frigid winter air, don't despair. A wide variety of weekend cruise options are available to rescue you from the winter blues. These 3- to 5-day cruises depart from a wide variety of U.S. ports, making them economical and convenient family vacation options. Itineraries to warm weather ports in Mexico, the Bahamas and the Caribbean are available on cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Lines and others. If you go, look for a newer ship featuring some of the more exciting amenities, such as bowling alleys, large pool waterscapes, indoor solariums, rock climbing walls, teen discos and other features. For more information on short cruises, take a look a this article on The Family Travel Network.

If You Go:

Here are a few pointers to make your trip as easy, fun and affordable as possible:

If you need to stretch your vacation dollars, try to avoid popular school vacation weeks when planning your long weekend getaway. Both airfares and hotel prices will be considerably lower.
Look for discounted Caribbean vacation getaways on the major travel booking sites as well as specialty websites such as Cheap Caribbean, Travelzoo, Apple Vacations, Book It, FunJet and others. This article on The Family Travel Network contains more tips for finding deals.
Flight delays and tight connections can cause stress and easily ruin a short vacation getaway. Look for destinations with convenient connections from your hometown and try to take direct flights whenever possible. Airlines such as USA3000, JetBlue, American Airlines, US Airways, Continental and Delta offer a wide variety of direct flights to the Caribbean and sale prices are sometimes available.
Select your destination based on the factors that are most important to you. For example, if spectacular white sand beaches and an uncrowded, low-rise beach feel are high on your preference list, Punta Cana is an ideal choice for your vacation. If visiting local towns for shopping and cultural immersion is important to you, however, San Juan or Puerto Vallarta might be a better bet than Punta Cana, since the closest town is about an hour away there.
The same selection process noted above will also be helpful in choosing your resort accommodations. Narrow your choices by deciding whether you would prefer an all-inclusive or room-only hotel; a larger property with more pools and restaurants or smaller resort with a more intimate feel and easy beach access; the need for amenities such as big lagoon pools, children's programs, golf courses, tennis or a casino; and the importance of large guest rooms and excellent/gourmet quality food at a wide variety of on-property restaurants. Take a look at sites such as Tripadvisor or more destination-specific ones such as Debbie's Dominican Travel to obtain insights from recent travelers.
Strongly consider purchasing trip insurance for your vacation, especially if you are taking a cruise and/or making air connections. Weekend getaways are too short to have something get in the way. Companies such as TravelGuard and Access America are good options.