Now Jade Riviera Cancun Family Activities

Beach and Pool
As at most Caribbean resorts, the beach and the pool are the big draws. Now Jade has an alluring soft, white sand beach, a series of three free-form pools adjacent to each other and a kids' pool. Alas, as at many big beach resorts, when the property is busy, there just doesn't seem to be enough chaise lounges. Guests show up before their morning coffee to plunk down towels to save lounge chairs in prime spots by the sea and the pool, especially since the main pool's design allows for fewer chairs than is typical. Preferred members have a separate quiet pool and a separate section of the beach.

While the beach is wide enough, rocks in the water make it difficult to swim in some spots. Don't give up. Walk along the beach until you find an area where the underwater ledge is relatively rock free. You and your kids can participate in staff organized water aerobics, volleyball and other group activities. Kayaks and Hobie catamarans are also available at no additional fee. For an extra charge, families can go on sport fishing, windsurfing and scuba diving trips. Most nightly beach shows appeal to all ages, such as the Mexican folkloric show with swirling dancers in colorful clothing and the Circus show with performers.

Kids' Club
At the Explorer's Club, kids' ages 3 to 12 enjoy a range of activities from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parents can ask for pagers. Children splash in the kiddie pool, do crafts, compete in sandcastle building contests and watch outdoor movies under the stars. As with most kids' clubs that group younger kids with older ones, Now Jade's program attracts kids' ages 5 and up.

Excursions
The Riviera Maya is a great destination for families. Staying in Puerto Morelos puts you within a reasonable drive of many of the region's eco-adventures and interesting attractions. You can walk -- or take a cab -- to the local town, Puerto Morelos. Despite the blossoming of resorts along the shore, the town, in places, still has the heart of a Mexican fishing village. Often you can spot locals fishing from the town pier. The main street is lined with souvenir shops.

Playa del Carmen is the region's shopping hub, offering blocks and blocks of pedestrian streets lined with stores and cafes.

Rio Secreto is a walk-in cenote, a sink hole that is part of a cavern with an underground river. Visitors can walk into Rio Secreto, instead of jumping off a rope. As you walk in the cave, the river gets higher, in one place reaching above your heads, while you swim across. Along the route there are stalactites and stalagmites.

Eco Parks
At Xplor, an eco-adventure park, you can drive an amphibious vehicle through mud and creeks, glide along zip lines and raft an underground river. The park is a memorable outing for any family.

Make sure your family visits Xcaret, an eco-adventure park. During the day the property offers snorkeling and swimming with dolphins. Among the critters on view are flamingos, scarlet macaws, sea turtles, jaguars and spider monkeys. Stay or return for the evening shows. The first is a demonstration of Pok-Ta-Pok -- the ancient Mesoamerican ball game. Players come adorned in traditional body paints. The game is usually followed by a lively folkloric show.