Accessible Costa Rica
Family Holidays by Il Viaggio Travel, specialists in family travel throughout Costa Rica and fellow members of the Family Travel 
Associasion, also arranges accessible travel. They currently offer private and custom trips for those with special needs such as permanent or temporary physical handicaps as well as traveling with family members on the autism spectrum. The company’s staff including your guide, driver and assistant have all been trained to handle your special needs. Wheelchair bound travelers will appreciate the hydraulic platforms or rails in all vehicles, especially appointed river boats, accessible paths through the jungle and by the beach and more. All useful for families traveling with strollers for little ones. Highlights include a coffee plantation tour, hot springs visit, botanical garden tours, volcanoes, zip lines, hanging bridges and more in and around San Jose, Tortuguero and Arenal. The owners are also part of a non-profit group that is looking to expand accessible travel in this amazing country. Families should never be limited by their unique set of travel needs from children with autism to grandparents with limited mobility. There has never been a better time to explore Costa Rica together and we are thankful to Il Viaggio Travel for recognizing these needs.
Children Free at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
The all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is offering 60 percent off your room, children free plus you get 20 percent of spa massages of 
50 or 80-minutes. Stays must be booked by November 6 for travel through December 20 and again next year from April 29-December 20 with at least a 3-night stay. Some black-out dates apply. The upscale resort features oceanfront suites including family suites and swim-up suites, 11 restaurants and bars, 5 ocean-view infinity pools, gym, spa, children’s program, a variety of daily activities and more. It is located in picturesque and secluded Conchas Chinas just a 10-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta and the Malecon.
New Resort Concept in Riviera Maya
The company behind seven ecoparks devoted to Mexican and Mayan culture, history and heritage in the Riviera Maya have opened their first 
all-inclusive hotel. The 900-room Hotel Xcaret will have two sections dedicated to families; one on the luxury level and both with large family suites for up to five people. The beachfront resort showcases several pools, river with kayaking, 10 restaurants (including a Michelin star option for an added fee), spa with cave-like treatment rooms, 3 gyms and more. Your rate also includes airport transfers and unlimited access to all of the ecoparks including transportation and meals. Enjoy Xcaret, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco and Xenses, as well as tours to Xenotes and Xichen. One of the main pillars of the resort is its commitment to the environment and sustainability. In fact, the resort was one of the first in the Americas to receive the EarthCheck Certification for planning and design. The property was built around nature, letting the design flow with the natural environment. And the entire resort was custom-made in Mexico, from the furnishings to the artwork.
Limitless at Hard Rock
AIC Hotel Group has announced that the company’s all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic are officially putting an end to the use of a resort credit. In its place, 
the new Limitless All-Inclusive concept will make its debut with bookings from September 15, 2018, for travel beginning January 6, 2019, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Hard Rock Hotel Cancun, Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta and Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos (coming in 2019). Just pay at 25 percent service fee and enjoy an unlimited amount of spa treatments, excursions, golf and more! Hard Rock’s Limitless All-Inclusive gets rid of the cap on resort credit dollars and allows your family to fully indulge in the resorts’ offerings.
New Ritz Carlton Reserve
Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will open this March in the Puerto Los Cabos Resort community in Mexico. With panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez, this much-anticipated new resort will be the fourth 
Ritz-Carlton Reserve. There will be 115 suites and villas including 2-Bedroom Ocean View or Oceanfront Family Suites with 2,350 sq. ft., butler service and private plunge pools. Other amenities include the popular Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program, 27-holes of golf, desert botanical park, spa, two ocean view pools with poolside wait staff, gym and several dining options. The resort community will also feature a marina. It is a 20-minute drive from the airport and just 5 minutes from downtown San Jose del Cabo.
Azul’s Best Deal Ever
Azul Resorts in the Riviera Maya, Mexico and Jamaica have extended their Best Deals Ever promotion for bookings made through September 16. This current promotion is valid for travel through April 30, 2019…although black out dates apply. Children also stay free at Azul Beach in the Riviera Maya and you also get $500 in resort credits per room. There is a minimum 4-night stay. Azul recently tweaked some of their resort names. In Jamaica, the Azul Beach Sensatori Jamaica is now the Azul Beach Resort Negril. In Mexico, the altered resort names are the Fives Azul Beach Resort Playa Del Carmen (formerly Azul Beach Resort the Fives Playa Del Carmen) and Azul Beach Resort Riviera Cancun (formerly Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Mexico). The Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya retains its name.
Punta Cana Surfing
Club Med Punta Cana is adding surfing lessons to its menu of activities! Moreover, the instruction will feature one teacher to one student in order to maximize your comfort level and progress. 
These lessons, available November 1 through April 30 at the Club Med Discovery Center, cost $40 with equipment included. The all-inclusive and oceanfront resort is just 10 minutes from the airport and showcases a variety of other water sports, expanded circus school, tennis, archery, pools, excellent kids and teen clubs (ages 4 months-17), several dining options, spa, gym with fitness classes and more. Spacious accommodations include separate sleeping areas for children. Club Med just introduced a new SUNsational sale promotion for bookings made by October 23 for travel through May 4, 2019. Extra benefits include up to $400 in air credits, no single supplement, children under 4 stay free, children under 15 stay for up to 50 percent off, and free room upgrades.
Star Camp at Iberostar
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts has a new entertainment program for children and teens called Star Camp. Based on a format that aims to combine entertainment and values, the program showcases more than 140 activities designed to encourage growth and development based on values such as cooperation, empathy, healthy habits, development of technological awareness, value of diversity and environmental care. The program is divided into three age groups: 4-7, 8-12 and 13-17. Some of the activities your children will explore include testing their culinary skills with a cooking program; discovering their artistic side by forming teams to recreate works of art; putting their senses to the test, just like in the trendiest restaurants, guessing the ingredients in the dishes featured in the Sensory Menu; filming their own short movie; becoming journalists or publicists for the day or staring in their own impromptu video clip; crossing an obstacle course while blindfolded with only their fellow team members for help; taking an eco-friendly hike; dreaming up and creating a robot; or figuring out how to get out of a Roomscape. One day a week will be dedicated to learning about marine science and the ocean.
Club Med Cancun Updates
The Aguamarina expansion at Club Med Cancun Yucatan is now complete and features 60 all-new oceanfront family rooms, including 30 Club Rooms and 30 Deluxe Rooms with connecting 
rooms available. There is also a new pool dedicated solely to families with water games, relaxing lounge areas and outdoor activities for all-day entertainment. The pool area also plays host to La Marina, a new family bar that features a dedicated children’s corner with a beverage and snack menu. The friendly resort showcases three restaurants, water and land sports (including archery, fitness classes, beach tennis and the flying trapeze), kids’ and teens’ clubs, nightly family-friendly entertainment and various celebrations throughout the day. The property underwent a full resort enhancement at the end of 2017, including upgrades to the exclusive 5-Trident Jade area; a full renovation of all rooms; all-new wellness experiences and more!
Kidz Bop at Hard Rock
The Kidz Bop Experience is coming to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Punta Cana. The program, which launches this month, is included in your all-inclusive rate at the hotel. Your children, ages 4-12, can live out their pop star dreams in an interactive space with themed activities. At the Pop Star Lounge, children will work with a tour manager to create a custom band name, learn their favorite dance moves, put together a red carpet-worthy look, take an A-list photo and perform on stage. The lounge also has a Listening Studio loft. In addition, your children can write their next big single with Hit Maker, learn dance moves with Step It Up, sing karaoke tunes and design an album cover at the Creation Station. The Kidz Bop Kids will also visit the resort August 20-24 where they will headline a live concert on August 22 and attend exclusive fan events!
