Playa del Carmen with Teens: A Week of Sun, Snorkeling & Swim-Out Suites

I adore Mexico

The resort itself is beautiful—modern, airy, and set right on the turquoise Caribbean. The staff couldn’t have been friendlier; every single person we encountered went out of their way to make us feel welcome. The “more inclusive” feature was a real game-changer: they arranged safe, reliable transportation any time we wanted to leave the property, which made our excursions effortless.

Catamaran sailing and snorkeling

Now, for full transparency—traveling with teens made our stay feel a bit limited. The family side of the resort offered six restaurants, but Jade and Haab were very niche in their menus and not favorites for repeat visits. The Palms was perfect for breakfast and lunch, but it wasn’t open for dinner. This left Chef’s Market as our main dinner option each night. While the theme changed daily, it began to feel repetitive after a few evenings. In contrast, the adults-only side (El Dorado Royale) boasted 15 restaurants, a gelato shop, and the only iced lattes I could find—but my 17- and 16-year-olds weren’t allowed access. That meant my sister and I either had to make the trek for gelato and coffee ourselves or ask our concierge to bring them over. Room service was also a bit hit or miss— orders often took a while and didn’t always arrive as requested. Still, these small hiccups didn’t overshadow the overall beauty of the property and the warmth of the staff.

A day at Xcaret

One of our favorite off-property days was visiting Xcaret. It was easy and convenient to get there from Generations, and while Xcaret also operates as a resort with eco-themed parks, I had read many reviews from travelers who were underwhelmed by staying on property. That’s why we decided to keep our home base at Generations and simply enjoy the park for the day. While I can’t compare our visit to staying overnight there, I can say we really appreciated the flexibility. We did everything we wanted—explored the park’s attractions, enjoyed the delightful dinner, and had reserved seating for their incredible evening performance. By the end of the night, it felt wonderful to retreat to our calmer, less crowded resort for a peaceful sleep.

Xcaret

The highlights

• Maroma Beach: This place deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. Powdery white sand, calm waves, and that postcard-perfect turquoise water.

• Snorkeling excursion: We explored colorful coral reefs teeming with fish. The guides were knowledgeable, and the water was warm and crystal clear.

• Tulum ruins, reef snorkeling, cenote & caves tour: My absolute favorite day. We started with snorkeling (perfectly timed to beat the crowds), then explored the incredible Mayan ruins in Tulum. I could have spent hours learning about their architectural precision, scientific understanding, and cultural history. The day ended with a refreshing swim in a cenote—cool, clear water surrounded by limestone walls and jungle greenery.

Ruins

Cenote swimming

For a family who loves mixing history, culture, and beach time, Playa del Carmen was a hit. And while the family-friendly side of the resort had a few limitations for us, the setting, service, and excursions more than made up for it.

We left with sun-kissed skin, happy hearts, and a list of things we’d love to do next time. From the turquoise waters to the warm hospitality, this trip was a perfect mix of relaxation and exploration.

If traveling with kids under 18, plan for some adult time on the El Dorado property. Reciprocal use is included with the stay, and they had many different pools and peaceful areas to enjoy beach views and soak up the sun that never seemed to be crowded.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Playa del Carmen page.