McDonalds is shitty.

How are the drug wars impacting the tourist experience in Mexico? Is it pretty insulated and unaffected, or have there been problems? Are you getting good deals now because people are less enthusiastic about going? I haven't really followed that story line.

Varadero Cuba is a nice spot. I'd like to take my kids there when they're a little older.

Wait...are you guys allowed in Cuba?

Ironic.

I just got back from Cancun last night.

The wife, myself, and a couple of friends of mine spent 5 days and 4 nights at Grand Cocoa Bay.

All inclusive. Fairly cheap for an all inclusive in Mexico. That said, I would give it 4 out of 5 stars.

http://www.grandcocobay.com/

I think we can go but we have to go way of Canada or another country to fly in.

The baseball scouts get there somehow. :)

Technically, no. However, the trick is to enter from another country. A Mexican friend of mine has been trying to talk me into going, and I must admit that it's tempting. I'd love to see that place.

I'd take your wife to Cabo San Lucas, & you can take your kids to disneyland, we would all have fun. :D

why not just keep taking them to Florida? Maybe just a different area. We take the kids so Santa Rosa Beach every year. Mine are about the same age as yours. Close enough to Destin for some fun and entertainment, fishing, shopping, etc., but far enough removed that it is very quiet and we can ride bikes, swim, hang at the beach, and chill out. We will probably keep doing it until the kids quit asking "how much longer till we go to Florida again?" I'd ask them. We rent a house through VRBO and spend about $800 to $900 for a week within a block of the beach in a killer house complete with back yard, grill, gated community, and even a garage for the car.

Or, since you are talking about summer, what about a cabin in Colorado or Wis or Minn? If you like outdoorsy stuff and the kids do too, there is fishing, hiking, canoeing, whitewater rafting, etc. The last place I'd take my kids at that age would be mexico.

Cancun not for kids and I wouldn't go to Mexico for free. Was there is 1985 and it's turned into the Hispanic Jersey Shore

Bahamas have great deals right now because they used to get a lot of traffic from Florida but it's hurting.

Jamaica, Bermuda and Virgin Islands too adult.

As bad and as much as I hate Florida, they are giving away the farm on airfares and trips because they are so depressed and you can rent a great condo for $600-700 for a week on the beach.

Many other places like Hawaii are too far and too expensive for a "quick trip"

I was there in 2005 in March for my honeymoon and we loved the place. I enjoyed it much more than Punta Cana and Cancun. Going to Havana for the Tropicana show and touring the rum and cigar factories were a blast. I'm also a big mojito fan after visiting that place.

I don't think it's as bad as you make it sound in all resort areas. There's nothing wrong with Florida, but snorkeling, excursions, etc... just something different.

We looked at Atlantis as well in the Bahamas - pretty pricey though.

MHM haven't you seen the barrage of BP tourism adds? The gulf coast is all cleaned up now. Why do you want to take your vacation dollars across the border? What do you America or something? :D

Mayan Riveria if Mexico.

I would look into Atlantis in the Bahamas. That is probably the funnest place on earth for a kid. Seriously.