Family Friendly Travel in Latin America

Here are a list of a few, cheap family getaways in Latin America.

“This is a family vacation and you’re gonna have a good time whether you like it or not!”

I don’t recall if this line was from the movie National Lampoon’s Vacation or from an ex-husband’s childhood memories, but one way to make sure that at least the grownups are going to have a good time on vacation is if they don’t shell out too much money for the experience, from the hotel room and extra activities to the cost of getting there.

Family travel is big business today, and resorts, cruise lines, and even souvenir sellers are in business to make sure that everyone’s happy…after all, they want you to come back again and again. While there are numerous resources to draw on to plan your getaway, those specializing in Latin American travel are few and far between.

So I’ve put together a list of a few suggestions all over the region that cater to different kinds of travelers.

While these resorts and hotels offer plenty of activities to keep your kids busy, it’s also important to keep in mind that sometimes the best travel experiences are those you just stumble upon, whether it’s having your hair braided by a local woman on the beach, ordering an ice cream cone when you don’t share the same language but it somehow turns out alright, and best of all, watching your kids interact with other kids despite their nationalities.

So by all means, book a stay at an all-inclusive resort that gives you a bang for your buck, but don’t be afraid to venture outside….you never know what you’ll find.

Lisa Rogak is a freelance writer and New York Times Bestselling author. Her latest book is "And Nothing But The Truthiness: The Rise (and Further Rise) of Stephen Colbert."