When vacationing with your family, you don’t want the rowdy college crowds and the foam parties. Instead, look to Cabo San Lucas, which has quietly become one of the best family-friendly spring break destinations in North America.
Villa La Valencia in Cabo San Lucas at night. Photo credit: Honest and Truly Travels.
Cabo offers stunning desert-meets-ocean landscapes, endless activities and resorts designed with families in mind. This is the perfect spot to trade winter coats for swimsuits with a getaway that can be as active or relaxed as you want.
Cabo works for families
The biggest hurdle for any family vacation is finding a destination that works for everyone. Toddlers need naps and safe play areas while teenagers need independence and adventure. Parents just need a break.
Cabo manages to thread this needle perfectly. The weather in the spring is almost always perfect, with warm days and cool evenings that are ideal for paddleboarding in the morning and exploring the desert in the afternoon. It’s easy to get to, with direct flights from many major cities, and employees and vendors generally speak English well, taking the stress of translation from the picture. The infrastructure in Cabo is also modern and safe.
Beyond the logistics, there is a wealth of activities. You can take a glass-bottom boat tour to see the famous Arch and the sea lions basking on the rocks or go whale watching to spot humpbacks breaching just offshore. For older kids, there are various activities, such as snorkeling, zip-lining and horse riding on the beach. And for the little ones, the beaches on the Sea of Cortez side are often calm enough for wading and building sandcastles.
Finding the right home base with The Villa Group
Choosing where to stay can make or break a trip, and The Villa Group has a quartet of family resorts in Cabo, each with a different vibe and price point. A huge plus across all their resorts is the flexibility. You can book a room-only rate if you plan to explore local restaurants, but the all-inclusive package quickly becomes cost-effective with hungry kids who want endless snacks and drinks. Unlike some all-inclusive resorts where the drinks are weak and sugary, the cocktails here are the real deal.
Another game-changer for families is the room setup. All the suites at The Villa Group resorts feature full kitchens or kitchenettes. Even if you are on the all-inclusive plan, having a fridge for milk and a stove to heat up leftovers is a lifesaver.
Many of the suites also come with washers and dryers. This might not sound like a vacation perk, but being able to throw in a load of laundry after a messy ice cream incident means you can pack less and go home without a suitcase full of dirty clothes.
Villa La Valencia provides modern luxury
If your family loves a modern aesthetic and top-tier amenities, Villa La Valencia is the place to be. Built in 2022, it is the newest jewel in their crown.
The design is sleek and contemporary, and the pool area is massive, winding through the property like a lazy river. It is a bit removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Cabo, which makes it perfect for families who want to disconnect and relax.
The spa is exceptional if parents want to tag-team for some recharge time, and there is also a kids’ club with plenty of activities for an extra charge. The resort offers a robust schedule of events for all ages, from power-walking in Cabo’s longest lazy river to pool volleyball to paint and sip classes.
The only potential downside is that swimming in the ocean isn’t allowed at this specific location due to strong currents, so if that is a dealbreaker, you may want to consider their other properties. However, the expansive pools, including an adults-only pool, more than make up for it for most guests.
Villa La Estancia is a haven for multi-generational peace
For families traveling with grandparents or anyone who values peace and quiet, Villa La Estancia is the gold standard. It was truly built with multi-generational travel in mind.
The vibe in the five-star resort is sophisticated and serene. It feels more like a private residence club than a hotel, and many of the units are owned and not rented out by the night. The grounds are immaculate, and the pool is quiet enough to read a book by without the daily activities of the other resorts.
The best part is the reciprocity. Guests staying at La Estancia can head over to enjoy the pools, restaurants and activities at the neighboring Villa del Arco and Villa del Palmar resorts, but guests from those resorts cannot come to La Estancia. It gives you the best of both worlds with exclusive tranquility and access to all the action next door.
Villa del Palmar focuses on the fun
Villa del Palmar is the original family favorite, and it has recently undergone renovation and updates to keep it fresh. The renovations doubled the size of the main pool, redid the kids’ pool and splash zone and created a more private adults-only area.
The resort has a high-energy, fun atmosphere with a packed daily activities schedule. The nightly shows at Tortugas Terrace are fantastic and engaging. Just know that they’re first come, first served, so show up a little early to ensure you get a seat and wristband for entry.
Villa del Palmar hosts the kids’ club for all three resorts in this section of Cabo, and it has an adorable playground to get all the wiggles out. If you have young children, you may want to stay here if you’re more comfortable being on-site while your kids enjoy their time in the kids’ club.
Villa del Arco gives views and variety
Right next door is Villa del Arco, which boasts a fantastic view of the famous Arch directly from the property. It strikes a nice balance between the activity of Palmar and the luxury of Estancia. It feels a bit more upscale than Palmar but is still very approachable for families.
Villa del Arco has the largest spa in Cabo San Lucas, the Desert Spa, which focuses on a holistic Mexican wellness experience that incorporates ancestral traditions into modern techniques. Guests from all three resorts will want to spend the day here indulging in the rejuvenating hydrotherapy circuit after a treatment.
One of the best features of Palmar, Arco and Estancia is the trolley that runs between them throughout the day. You can easily hop on to get to the kids’ club at one resort or catch the evening show at another without walking too far.
These resorts are also located on Medano Beach, a calmer beach that offers swimming and more access to the ocean. Be sure to take advantage of the complimentary water sports and borrow a stand-up paddleboard or kayak.
Enjoy the warmth without the chaos in Cabo
Cabo San Lucas has evolved into a destination that truly caters to everyone. Whether you want to cook breakfast in your own kitchen before hitting the pool or enjoy a gourmet all-inclusive dinner while the kids are entertained, there is a spot for you. The combination of stunning natural beauty, modern conveniences and family-focused hospitality makes it a spring break winner that you will want to return to year after year.
Michelle Price loves sharing her expertise and experiences at Honest and Truly Travels. She focuses on providing the inspiration and the confidence you need to hit the road with new flavors and experiences, whether that’s across town or across the world.
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