"For families looking to trade snow for sunshine, you can’t beat a beach vacation in the Caribbean. It’s way easier to get LOs to toss on a swimsuit than bundle up for the snow. And a beach is basically a giant sandbox for creative play. Choosing a Caribbean resort with access to the turquoise sea and pools means endless hours of floating, splashing, and safe places to practice swimming. After a full day in the sun, kids tend to go to bed, or pass out, without a fight, leaving parents time to sip a rum punch and soak in the views.
While some families might prefer to go the rental route, the best Caribbean resorts for families provide more amenities and services—such as kids clubs, tot-approved menus, childcare, and water sports—plus the potential to meet playmates that just helps lessen the load. (Because let’s face it: traveling with kids—even to idyllic destinations—isn’t always a walk in the park, err on the sand.)
Ready to trade the cold for warm weather and sunshine? Scroll on for the best family-friendly Caribbean resorts for every budget. Whether you’re down to splurge on a five-star stay or prefer something more wallet-friendly (but equally awesome), these properties pull out all the stops for guests of all ages.
Best Budget-Friendly Caribbean Resorts for Families
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar, Nassau, Bahamas
Grand Hyatt Baha Mar is a fantastic place for families to make core memories. Children ages 3 through 13 can do scavenger hunts and search for local wildlife at the Explorers Kids Club. There’s even a kid-focused water park island filled with pint-sized slides, shallow pools, and burbling fountains. Don’t worry—grown-ups aren’t left out either! While sleep-deprived parents may choose to relax with a good book (or, more realistically, zonk out) on the sun loungers by the pool, connection-seeking spouses might use the free time to enjoy each other’s company over a leisurely lunch at one of the many restaurants.
Nightly rates start at $279
Beaches Turks and Caicos, Turks and Caicos
With a 45,000-square-foot Pirates Island waterpark featuring everything from a classic lazy river to waterslides to a surf simulator, a 12-mile beach, and 10 pools, it’s inconceivable that anyone could be bored for even a second at Beaches Turks and Caicos. It’s home to the Caribbean’s first autism-certified kids camp with sensory guides and designated quiet areas. And it’s a great value with food, drinks, non-motorized water sports, entertainment, and lodgings all covered in the rate. Since it’s one of the best all-inclusive Caribbean resorts, parents don’t have to worry about crunching numbers and calculating tips at the end of meals, which means more time for playing.
Nightly rates start at $289 per adult + $60 per child (all-inclusive)
Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana brims with some of the best all-inclusive Caribbean resorts for families. With so many options, travelers are spoiled for choice. Families looking for a deal will be surprised to learn about all the awesomeness that awaits at Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection. The ideal spot for aquatic adventurers of all ages, the property boasts a massive water park with colorful waterslides, tubes, and a wave simulator. Add to that, multiple swimming pools, a golden-sand beach, water sports, and a supervised kids club. Plus, it’s just 25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, so you don’t have to worry about a lengthy car ride after a flight.
Nightly rates start at $234 per adult (all-inclusive)
Blue Horizons Garden Resort, Grenada
Blending super affordable rates, family-oriented accommodations, and a breezy atmosphere, Blue Horizons Garden Resort is a great option for an easy-going vacation that won’t break the bank. Surrounded by lush gardens and just up the hill from Grand Anse Beach, this eco-friendly Eden supplies spacious, cottage-style, self-catering accommodations that give crews privacy and plenty of room to spread out.
The Deluxe One Bedroom Garden View, which sleeps two adults and two kids, has a double sofa bed, bathtub, and balcony (cribs are available upon request). While there isn’t an on-site kids club, children will be too busy playing hide-and-seek behind palm trees, looking for lizards, and doing cannonballs into the pool to notice.
Nightly rates start at $165
Mid-Range Budget Caribbean Resorts for Families
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest, Beach & Golf Resort, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
When it comes to a family vacation in Puerto Rico, it pays to look past San Juan. Perched along the island’s north shore, Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Rainforest, Beach & Golf Resort gives crews lots to do with a 2-mile stretch of Atlantic beach, a lagoon-style pool, sand volleyball, tennis, championship golf, and the Xplorers Club with environmental scientist-led educational activities for budding eco-explorers all up for grabs. The family suites with sleeper sofas, bunk beds for the kids, and extended balconies are sure to be a hit with the whole crew, too. For travelers seeking off-site adventure, the property’s prime location puts jungle zip lining and glow-in-the-dark bioluminescent bay tours within easy reach.
Nightly rates start at $447
Sea Breeze Beach House, Barbados
Set on Barbados’ South Coast, Sea Breeze Beach House is the perfect laid-back resort for a family trip to the beloved Caribbean island. The all-inclusive property blends family-friendly amenities—most notably a kids club (slime making, anyone?) and teen lounge—plus heaps of recreational activities (think: water sports, snorkeling, and rum tastings), warm Bajam hospitality, and a free-spirited vibe that appeals to travelers who prefer to romp around in swimsuits than battle with tots to put on button-downs to dinner. Not that sprouts will require much of anything (other than maybe buckets and shovels) when the sandy beach sits waiting just steps away.
Nightly rates start at $650 for 2 adults + 2 kids (all-inclusive)
Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences, St Lucia
Situated on 65 acres of lush grounds on St. Lucia’s northwestern coast, the Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences is a sun-dappled playground for family bonding. With visits from the resort’s mascot, Jacquot the Parrot, evening storytelling on the beach, and movie nights with pillows and blankets on the sand, the fun never ends at the complimentary VIP Kids Program. Older kids and teens will have a blast doing watersports. The Jammin’ Tours is on hand to coordinate boat tours to Soufriere Springs and horseback riding. The villas and residences are perfect for families of all sizes. Warm milk and cookies at turndown add a sweet touch for little ones.
Nightly rates start at $388
Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club, Aruba
Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club combines the best of a vacation rental and an oceanfront resort. The residential-style accommodations are spacious and feature in-unit washers and dryers and kitchens, which makes it easier for families to cook rather than eat all meals out with littles. The family-friendly amenities include a lazy river, a water slide, water sports, ping pong, tennis, volleyball, a children’s play area, and a kids club. The warm, friendly staff is always happy to take a moment to listen to the gleeful tales told by kiddos. The reasonable rates help sweeten the deal—so do tropical drinks at the swim-up bar.
Nightly rates start at $448
Best Splurge-Worthy Caribbean Resorts for Families
Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club, Anguilla
Few properties in the Caribbean (or, really, anywhere) come close to the family-fun potential of Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club. The Aurora Entertainment Park boasts a water park with a zero-entry swimming pool, a lazy river, three thrilling water slides, a tots splash pad, full-service cabanas, and a swim-up bar. The kids club and teen center wow, as do the tennis and pickleball courts (with lessons for littles). Rendezvous Beach has soft sand and tranquil, turquoise water for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. A championship golf course, a full-service spa, and a sushi restaurant that’s perfect for date night give parents plenty to do.
Nightly rates start at $949
Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth, St. Barts
Nestled on the quiet side of the island, Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth has an easygoing elegance that appeals both to parents who plan vacation wardrobes well in advance and offspring who prefer not to wear shoes. The Rosewood Explorers Club offers indoor and outdoor activities for children ages 4 to 11 years old. Tots can hang at the beach with parents or a professional sitter (which the concierge will happily coordinate). The generous suites with in-room tents, glimmering swimming pool, and lobster tank at the restaurant are sure to be a hit with youngsters, too.
Nightly rates start at $900
Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada
Admittedly, Six Senses La Sagesse is a splurge. If you have cash to splash on a vacation, it’s worth it to spend a few days at this five-star resort. Grow with Six Senses emphasizes connecting with people and the planet through age-appropriate activities. Curious sprouts can learn how to craft toothpaste and edible water bubbles and burn off some energy with treasure hunts. There’s a children’s play center with indoor and outdoor areas to entertain youngsters while parents sneak off to do a waterfall hike or have some me-time at the world-class spa. Traveling with teens? The lounge is a haven with snacks, games, and beanbags away from prying parents and rambunctious little siblings.
Nightly rates start at $1,000
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Mandarin Oriental, Canouan is a bucket-list vacation resort. It’s the sort of place that feels luxurious but also super welcoming to kids. It has a gorgeous beach, a sparkling pool, an excellent kids club, and a world-class spa, plus sustainability tours with the on-site nature specialist. Castaway beach picnics make private island dreams come true for the whole crew.
Active types won’t want to miss kitesurfing, tubing, and kayaking in one of the most picturesque spots in the Caribbean. VIP airport concierge assistance in Barbados, roundtrip airport transfers on Canouan Island, and butler service take stress out of the equation from start to finish. While in-villa dining means delicious food and not having to worry about a P.M. meltdown with toddlers.
Nightly rates start at $2,000
All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts vs. Traditional Resorts
When choosing between the best all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and a more traditional resort, there are a few things families should consider. The first is budget. All-inclusive packages typically include food, drinks, activities, and lodgings. This means you won’t be surprised with a jaw-dropping bill at check-out.
For many travelers, paying all the costs upfront allows them to unwind more on vacation. On the flip side, traditional resorts still supply plenty of amenities and dining options for families, but because it’s more of a pay-as-you-go model, guests can opt in for as much or as little on-property and spend more time exploring the destination, doing immersive off-site activities, and eating at local restaurants.
Best Times to Visit the Caribbean with Kids
The Caribbean is the perfect place to escape the winter blues. These sun-splashed islands buzz with vacationers from December to April. The festive season and school holidays are particularly busy—as such, prices increase during this period. Of course, it’s still possible to score decent rates on airfare or accommodations by booking well in advance or flying midweek. Going in November, before things really pick up, or in May, after the crowds disperse, will help save a few bucks, but the weather might still be a bit hit or miss. It’s best to avoid hurricane season, which runs from June to October, as the rain and storms are unpredictable and many businesses shut down.
Lindsay Cohn, Contributing Writer
Lindsay is a freelance writer and avid traveler who has visited 46 countries across six continents—and counting. She writes articles for The Everymom about all things travel, from the best family-friendly destinations to tips for traveling with kids and beyond. When she’s not writing, you can find her doing yoga, spending time with her sons, and planning the next trip on her bucket list.