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Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource
Mexico: Iberostar Paraiso del Mar, a Paradise for Families. All inclusive and amazing, tropical, and lively, the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar defines fun for families on vacation along the Mexican Riviera. From the palatial open-air entry and tropical gardens with lily-framed pools to the crystal-white sand beach and glamorous pool, the resort is enchanting, romantic, dramatically beautiful and family friendly.
 
Really all inclusive. The Resort doesn’t just claim to have something for everyone, it does. The concept – provide carefree vacation experiences for their guests. They do it very well. During our stay I interviewed more than a dozen families from different backgrounds and countries. Everyone agreed the Paraiso staff knows how to create a family vacation experience, no matter the family mix or unique needs. What does it take to be almost perfect in the family vacation category? Read on and find out what we discovered.
 
In the beginning. Upon arrival each guest receives a wristband, which indicates the vacation package and allows him or her to eat and drink freely during their stay. Teens younger than the age of 18 receive an armband that indicates their age, and defines their choice of drinks without alcohol. Wearing the wrist band entitles guests to enjoy the amenities and activities at the other Iberostar resorts in the area, including Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal Playacar and Iberostar Cozumel. However transportation is not included so doing so will likely be an adventure. Discovery: As an antidote to the tropical summer heat, cool refreshing tropical drinks (with or without alcohol) are available everywhere with the flick of a wrist.

Enjoy home-away-from-home. Sleeping places are located within a series of low rise buildings scattered throughout the 34-hectare park like setting. Guinea fowl browse the underneath the trees along the pathways that weave the length and width of the complex. Gardens with exotic flowers and even more exotic birds frame the access to the central dinning and entertainment area. The Euorpean-style rooms are over sized and simply “cool” making it easy to establish a home-away-from-home. A resort trolley runs all day providing guests an easy way to go between the rooms, lobby, dining complex, pools or the white sand beach. Sometimes the mariachis band rides the trolley, their lively music creating a party spirit. Discovery: We were delighted by the cleverness of our maid. Her best surprise a swan out of towels.

Relax and rejuvenate. A typical day at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar begins with a stunning tropical sunrise. Breakfast is served in open-air garden framed pavilions. Swans sun themselves in garden pools and flamingoes wade among lily pads while guest enjoy the services of the day. The beach area is dotted with lounge chairs intermingled under palm-frond canopies. The pool areas provide even more spots for sun worshipping. Concrete lounge chairs are submerged along the edge of the pool creating a premium relaxation spot. To enhance the tropical atmosphere, poolside there is beaded hair braiding as well as henna tattooing for a small service fee. Discovery: The area around the pool can be slippery, so bring aqua socks.

Table top delights. All food and drink is included in the initial cost. Breakfast is served at one of several open-air restaurants, where lunch and dinner are available later in the day. The buffet choices are always tempting, offering a selection wide enough to please everyone. For dinner guests are invited to make reservations at one of four themed restaurants which feature Japanese, Mexican, Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisine as well as a Steak House. Discovery: Each day brings at least one entrée or dessert that is uniquely Mexican or Mayan. From cactus juice to guava pastries and flan con caramel, the chefs provide delightful food adventures.

Non stop fun. While doing something is not a requirement the menu of activity choices is truly tempting. Even those with a penchant for doing absolutely nothing will find it easy to participate in the fun. The resort features a wide variety of beach and ocean sports for the active set: windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, diving classes, water polo, volleyball and catamarans. Daily schedules provide time for tennis, aerobics, dance classes, basketball, table tennis, swimming (in a pool that would amaze even Hollywood starlets), massages, and a Jacuzzi. Discovery: One morning while we were poolside waiting for the table top tennis competition, I heard staff members switch from speaking English to Spanish, then German and then French. When I asked if this was common the answer was affirmative. Multi-lingual conversations are to be expected and the energetic staff is well prepared.

Get connected with ease. For that wanting high energy fun the opportunities are varied and offered daily and the well-trained staff facilitates the fun with ease. It seems as the day progresses the pace does as well. For teens the situation is almost ideal because the atmosphere make sit easy to meet other teens and have fun without the parents. Discovery: Teens have places to hang out and meet other teens, including beachside games and mixers in the discotheque.
 
Look for the stars. For children ages 4 to 12 years of age there is a resort program called “Star Friends” which provides daylong supervised activities. Tweens may participate in the activities but have the freedom to checkout on their own. During our stay some of the kids rehearsed a show with the resort’s Star Friends entertainment staff. The daily practice culminated with a show for resort guests including a few surprised parents. Discovery: Lucy's Mini-Club has a separate fenced area, with play zone and wading pool, within sight of the main pool area.

That’s entertainment! Most nights of the week El Teatro features high octane shows providing guests with an entertaining vacation atmosphere. During a six day cycle no two shows are alike. The Iberobanda and the Star Friends perform Broadway reviews and contemporary dance routines; conduct dance contests, game shows and create never ending conga lines. Each night it seemed to us was more fun than before. Most remarkable the energy level of the performers, many of whom were part of athletic games earlier in the day. Discovery: Each night the emcee conversed with the audience switching rapidly between, English, French, German and Spanish and engaging will audience members in stage fun.

Browse for crafts or get on line. On the way to El Teatro is a tempting craft market with a wide array of local items mixed among made-in-China standbys. We found that all prices were negotiable meaning no need to leave the resort to get a bargain. Within the grounds it is possible to sample the cigar bar; access the Internet in the cyber room; dance in the disco. Discovery: For more shopping with local flavor there is a complimentary Iberobus that provides guests with daily access to Playa del Carmen.
 
Staying healthy and looking good? The resort purifies its own water which is an enormous benefit to guests. Yes, you can drink the water. For emergencies there is the availability of 24-hour medical assistance. The resort also has a SPA with sauna, fitness-room, beauty salon and Jacuzzi. Discovery: Being away from home with a sick child is not fun. We had the occasion to test the medical help when our teen developed an ear infection. The results were quite satisfactory.

Safe and serene. With the tenuous world situation a controlled resort complex is even more appealing. Paraiso Beach and its sister properties Paraiso del Mar & the newest Paraiso Lindo, removes the worry of security, each resort is closed to outsiders, and kids may roam freely under the watchful eye of competent staff. The employees are friendly, helpful and full of seemingly boundless energy. They go out of the way to insure the atmosphere is safe so that families can have fun and build memories.

Going away for a day. There are many excursions that may be arranged while at the resort. For families the Mayan ruins of Tulum and the eco-theme park Xcaret (sh-car-ette) are both excellent. For teens there are a number of active adventures worth trying. At the top of our list snorkeling in the cenotes, underground freshwater water caves. Discovery: Xcaret is an all day excursion that concludes with an evening cultural program worth the trip. We learned from our excursions and at Ixcaret that eco friendly sun screen products are the only ones approved for use.
Where in the world? The Iberostar tri-resort complex includes Paraiso Beach, Paraiso del Mar and the newest upscale Paraiso Lindo. The three sister resorts are located on Paradise Beach between Puerto Morelos and Playa Del Carmen, about 15 miles (or 25 kilometers) from Cancun International Airport. How to contact: 1-888-923-2722, at the resort 52-984-8772800 or www.iberostar.com

About Iberostar Resorts
The international resort company has more than 50 all-inclusive resorts on the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean, as well as a boat which travels the Amazon River. Editor’s note: If the Paraiso del Mar is any indicator Iberostar has plenty of experience providing memorable vacations for families of all ages. They offer all of the benefits usually associated with a cruise but do it from a land base that has more space and flexibility for families.
 
Information based on a staff visit 07.2003.
 

 

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