Iberostar Tucan Family Activities

Pools and Beach
The large, free-form main pool draws families and kids. Thatched palapas (umbrella-like awnings) shade many of the lounge chairs, something we appreciate since our family burns rather than tans. With the resort at about 70 percent of capacity, we find it easy to get a spot. However, with a full house it may be more difficult to obtain a lounge chair. Despite the fact that signs remind guests not to save seats, people do. When the resort is nearly full, it might be wise to get up early, grab a lounge chair and go back to sleep poolside.

A minor quibble: your pool card allows you only one towel at a time, which when wet, you exchange for another. Our kids frequently use two towels after each swim -- one to dry off that gets dragged in the sand and one for the chaise lounge. This isn't possible at this resort. Oh well, they can share. The wide stretch of soft sandy beach is inviting, and the sea is typically mild.

Lucy's Club
For ages 4 to 12, the resort hosts Lucy's Club from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The colorful, roofed, one-room, open-air facility is surrounded by a yellow and blue picket fence. At the facility, kids whack pinatas, paint, create crafts and watch movies. Counselors take the children to splash in the one-foot deep kiddie pool, play on the tennis court and run relays on the beach. Like many programs that group young kids with older ones, this one seems best for kids ages 4 to 10.

Each day the Star Friends, the resort's recreation and entertainment staff, lead activities from water aerobics and yoga to volleyball and beach games. Older teens, (not easily embarrassed) might like participating. Otherwise, teens need to create their own fun times. You and your kids can also play tennis (court reservations required), ping pong table and billiards.

Grounds
Iberostar's unexpected delight, the "jungle" is a section of palm trees and other vegetation that separates the pool and beach end of the property from the dining areas and lobby. You can walk around this area, but most people don't. We enjoy admiring the flamingoes in the pond, the white swans in a cenote converted to a waterfall, the toucans in a large enclosure, the peacocks preening in the undergrowth and the troop of monkeys that swing through the tree canopy.

We also like the jungle for its greenery. Many budget-oriented, large, all-inclusive resorts can be sprawls of concrete more reminiscent of shopping malls than resorts. We appreciate Iberostar's commitment to maintaining a lush landscape.

Live Shows
In the evening, the staff puts on a musical show. Forget about sitting on backless benches as at other resorts. The theater, a nicely laid out space with marble floors and bamboo chairs, is comfortable.

The 8 p.m. show targets families. In front at the edge of the dance floor is a semi-circle of children's chairs, a nice touch. After all, kids want to sit upfront and Iberostar invites them to do so. The show at 9:30 p.m. is geared to adults.

Playa del Carmen
For families the Riviera Maya offers a wealth of off-property outings and adventures. From Playacar, it's a short cab ride -- or a long walk from Iberostar -- to Playa del Carmen, the shopping area. Along Avenida 5 (Fifth Avenue), the pedestrian-only area, shops sells silver jewelry -- lots of it -- as well as pottery, Mexican tablecloths, wall hangings and blankets, as well as T-shirts, hats and other items. This is the place for your kids, especially teens, to buy their souvenirs. When you tire from browsing, enjoy a snack at the many cafes or try a churro -- a deep fired pastry sold by local street vendors.

Ecoparks
If you haven't visited Xcaret, then go. At the eco-adventure park, you can swim with dolphins or in a natural pool, as well as view flamingos, jaguars, turtles, tapirs and other local critters. Try to avoid visiting when cruise ships are in port as Xcaret becomes packed. That's why an evening visit might be best. The park hosts a demonstration of Pok-Ta-Pok, the ancient Mesoamerican ball game, with players adorned in traditional body paints and regalia. Following this, there's an entertaining folkloric show.

At Xplor, another eco-theme park, you glide along zip lines, drive an amphibious vehicle through mud and creeks (the driver must be at least 18), and swim or raft through an underground river. Lunch is included with your fee.

Take older teens looking for adventure to Rio Secreto, a cenote, or underground river, that you enter by walking. As you go further through the cave, dappled with stalagmites and stalactites, the water rises. At one point, you must swim to enter another chamber. Although the tour company allows children 6 and older who can swim to visit, we suggest this outing for adventurous kids ages 9 and older.