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Six Hot Winter Weekend Escapes

By Nancy Schretter, Editor

Cold winter temperatures have settled in across the country and the endless parade of gray days can be mind-numbing. If your crew is in need of a family vacation to cure your winter blues, travel to the sun for a long winter weekend family getaway. Short warm weather family vacations can be fun and inexpensive this winter, particularly this year when a number of great resorts and destinations are offering family travel deals.

According to many travel agents, the most important factors right now in selecting a warm winter vacation break are affordable prices, "sun and reliably warm weather," and convenience. With that in mind, we searched the market to find the best warm weather destinations for families based on the following criteria:

Average daytime temperature of 80 degrees or warmer from 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 value-priced resorts with family-oriented programs and amenities

According to the travel agents and family travel experts surveyed, the following six 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
Short Cruises from U.S. Ports

Cancun, Mexico

What's Special: For families seeking an inexpensive warm weekend getaway, Cancun is a destination that immediately come to mind. Cancun caters to families seeking both all-inclusives and room-only EP resorts - and some hotels offer both options. Although Cancun is an excellent destination for families seeking an affordable holiday, luxury seekers will certainly find great properties here as well.

Cancun is perfect for families who want to soak up a bit of culture, as numerous Mayan ruins and other attractions are located nearby. High-rise resorts line Cancun's ribbon of beaches and restaurants and shopping malls cater to tourists in the downtown area. Watersports enthusiasts can snorkel and dive, swim with manatees and dolphins, and take a catamaran sail to nearby Isla Mujeres. Avid golfers have a wide variety of championship courses to choose from as well. Although English is widely spoken, Spanish is the primary language in Cancun and passports are required.

Cancun's newly remodeled airport and large number of direct flights make winter weekend getaways easy. In addition, there are many family friendly accommodations from which to choose. Families seeking a luxury escape should head for the Ritz-Carlton Cancun, the Westin Resort & Spa 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 very popular with families and Club Med Cancun Yucatan, the Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa and the Moon Palace are good options in the Cancun area.

Multiple large pools and waterscapes are commonly found at Cancun's resort properties. The destination's beaches were replenished with more than three million tons of sand after Hurricane Wilma hit Cancun in 2005, however, some areas are still showing periodic erosion. If a great beach in a prime Cancun location is particularly important, Club Med Cancun Yucatan and the Westin Resort & Spa are both excellent choices.

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, enticing shopping opportunities, and a wide variety of family pleasing attractions. Visit the Mayan archeological sites of Tulum and Chichen Itza, swim with the dolphins and manatees at Dolphin Discovery Island, snorkel the 2nd largest coral reef in the world in Puerto Morelos, and shop for treasures at La Isla Shopping Village and Market 28. Thrill-seekers will enjoy zip-lining, snorkeling and kayaking at Garrafon Park on Isla Mujeres.

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 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.

I recently visited the newly renovated Club Med Punta Cana, one of my top choices in the Caribbean for families. Club Med Punta Cana is located just 10 minutes from the airport, making arrivals and departures a breeze. The children's programs and counselors at this property are outstanding. The resort offers four programs including Baby Club Med (4-23 months); Petit Club Med (2 - under 4 years); Mini Club Med (4 to under 11 years); and Club Med Passworld (11-17 years). Club Med's Baby Welcome service is a wonderful amenity for parents of little ones, supplying a variety of baby foods, highchairs/booster seats, and in-room childcare equipment. The Ramp, Club Med's cool Passworld teen hangout, is open during school holiday periods and at other times when there are lots of teens. Make sure to check the Club Med website for special deals that help make Club Med Punta Cana particularly affordable this winter.

In addition to Club Med Punta Cana, other excellent all-inclusive family lodging options in the Punta Cana area include the three value-oriented Iberostar Resorts, the Barceló Premium Punta Cana Resort, and Dreams Punta Cana.

Because there are so many activities offered at Punta Cana's all-inclusive resorts, 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 for families. Water lovers can snorkel with Nurse sharks and massive stingrays on half-day Marinarium cruise tours. If there are 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 a 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.

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 appeal to families with kids of all ages. Families with teens will enjoy the newly renovated Breezes Runaway Bay, a resort for active families with children ages 14 and older. 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. 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.

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. The 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 a significant 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 many airports throughout the United States and Canada. 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 that the San Juan Marriott & Stellaris Casino meets their needs. 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.

For families seeking a luxurious setting for their winter weekend escape, particularly those with 'tweens and teens, the El San Juan Hotel & Casino may be the perfect destination. The recently renovated property has a new South Beach vibe, and the beach and pools are particularly lovely. In addition, the hotel's location close the airport make it a great choice for a short weekend getaway.

Luxury-oriented families who don't mind a drive should head for 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 family 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 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.

Families who want an all-inclusive property and plenty of living room should consider the Barceló La Jolla de Mismaloya. Located 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta in the quaint town of Mismaloya, this expansive all-suites resort provides families with a tropical, stress-free base for exploring many of Puerto Vallarta's adventures. Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers another good all-inclusive option for families and features a lovely beach and the Explorer's Club children's program. The Marriott CasaMagna Puerto Vallarta Resort caters to families with its large pool and many family oriented amenities. For those seeking more luxurious accommodations, the all-inclusive AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort is an excellent choice.

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 high-priced international airfares threaten to cancel your family's winter escape plans, 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 number of ports throughout the U.S., eliminating expensive international airfares and making these family vacation options both economical and convenient.

This winter, families can take a short cruise vacation departing from cities in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and California. These cruises visit a wide variety of ports in exciting destinations such as the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Itineraries vary, but they generally include two or three ports and often a day or more at sea. Ships vary in size and amenities, with some cruise lines deploying newer ships to handle short cruises. If you go, look for a ship featuring some of today's more exciting amenities, such as bowling alleys, large pool waterscapes, indoor solariums, rock climbing walls, teen discos and other features.

Short sailing itineraries are available on a variety of cruise lines including Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean and others. Prices can start as low as $149 per person for a 4-day cruise on selected dates, providing a particularly affordable family vacation option for those who can drive to the ship's home port. For more information on short family cruise getaways, 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.
There are plenty of vacation deals available this winter if you know where to look for them. Check for discounted vacation specials on major travel booking sites such as Cheap Caribbean, Travelzoo, VacationsToGo, Apple Vacations, Book It, and FunJet, as well as on hotel/resort websites. 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, then Cancun, San Juan or Puerto Vallarta might be a better bet than Punta Cana, since the closest town is about an hour away.
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.