2025 Family Vacation Trends & Ideas: The Bahamas, Caribbean & Mexico

Did you know that The Bahamas has over 700 islands and cays, along with 16 unique island destinations? All of this is located just 50 miles off the coast of Florida. Bahamas Tourism announced that 2024 was its best tourism year ever, with Grand Bahama Island and Abaco as the top destinations.

TravelZoo reports that while the famous swimming pigs and electric-turquoise waters have long drawn visitors to this sun-kissed archipelago, 2025 brings even more compelling reasons to visit. They note, “beyond simple sun-seeking, there are more substantial reasons to travel to the Bahamas. The country has committed solidly to preserving its protected parks (32 in total, spanning 2.2 million acres) and offers tourists the chance to forge authentic cultural connections through its 50-year-running People-to-People program.”

You can learn more about this program on The Bahamas website, which says, “This immersive cultural experience pairs inquisitive travelers with volunteer locals who generously open their hearts and homes to share their love of these islands.”

Mexico’s Grand Costa Maya region is emerging as an exciting new destination for 2025. TravelZoo describes it as “a gorgeous expanse of Mexico’s Caribbean coast that may well be the next big thing, but for now, feels under-the-radar, authentic and — with its Mayan ruins, soft-wave beaches and lush lagoon systems — ripe for exploration.”

Thanks to the new Tulum Airport, access to this region has become significantly easier this year. TravelZoo notes it provides “an ultramodern and convenient new gateway to the region, with direct service by a number of U.S. carriers.” They point out, “Gone are the days of the mandatory two-hour drive from the Cancun airport to get to Tulum and points beyond.”

Turks & Caicos is on Travel & Leisure’s Best Places to Go in 2025 list. They say, “The sun always seems to be shining in these islands, where average temps hover around 80 degrees year-round and the vibes are always right. The British overseas territory is getting several noteworthy luxury hotel and resort openings.”

Salterra, part of the Luxury Collection, will open in February 2025 in Turks and Caicos. According to Travel Pulse, the resort will feature “100 rooms and suites, a kids club, a wellness spa inspired by the natural surroundings, six food and beverage concepts, and unique experiences like culinary masterclasses led by the resort’s chefs.” It is in South Caicos, known as the island of white gold, which now offers nonstop flights from Miami.

The Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort in the Dominican Republic will debut this summer as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. Situated in the Miches region near Redonda Mountain, this resort will offer “500 rooms, suites, and beach bungalows” along with “over 11 dining and drinking options, cultural activities, kids’ and teens’ clubs, a rooftop pool, a water park, a fitness center, a spa, and much more.”

Dreams Playa Esmeralda is opening in this same area in April, part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. The family-friendly resort will feature nine restaurants, seven bars and lounges, a water park, and an Explorer’s Club, offering a variety of engaging activities for kids ages 3-12. At the same time, teens can hang out at the Core Zone.

The new Fiesta Americana Funeeq Punta Cana will debut in the Dominican Republic in May. Travel Pulse reports that this family-friendly all-inclusive resort will feature “496 rooms and focus on providing entertainment throughout the day and night, including a kids’ club, water park, sports courts, arcade, bowling center, and theater.”

Trip Advisor’s Travel Choice Awards Best of the Best Beaches is out.

Bavaro Beach in the Dominican Republic ranks #7 on the list. “The waves are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, thanks to the natural barrier reef.”

And they rank Eagle Beach in Aruba as the #3rld Beach in the World. It’s one of Aruba’s “less crowded beaches that still boasts the same soft white sands, warm waters, and spectacular views that the island is known for.

While many consider these tropical destinations for Peak season, mid-December to mid-April, shoulder season (late April to mid-December) can also be great, with better rates and still excellent weather. Although hurricane season runs from June through November, they can still be great early summer destinations.

Remember that the Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao islands are outside the hurricane belt, as they are north of Venezuela.

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Be sure to check out the other 2025 Family Vacation episodes in this series, which include International destinations, the U.S., and Cruising.