• admin -
• Travel Tips

March break is the one week a year when many Canadian families can all get away together, and after a long winter, a beach is the obvious goal. It is also the most expensive and busiest period of the sun season. With the right destination and resort, though, a family trip south can be easy, fun and good value. Here is where to go and what to look for.

What makes a destination family-friendly?

• A short, direct flight: four or five hours is very different from a connection with tired kids.
• Calm, shallow water for young children.
• Resorts with kids clubs, splash pads, family suites and flexible meal times.
• Good medical care nearby and simple entry formalities.

1. Punta Cana and Bávaro, Dominican Republic

Reef-protected beaches with gentle water, large resorts with water parks and kids clubs, and some of the best all-inclusive prices in the Caribbean. Punta Cana is often the first choice for Canadian families from Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

2. Riviera Maya, Mexico

Between Cancún and Tulum, family resorts are close to easy, memorable day trips: swimming in cenotes, snorkelling with turtles in Akumal and visiting eco-parks like Xcaret or Xel-Há. Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen have calmer beaches than Cancún’s hotel zone.

3. Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

Nuevo Vallarta, just north of Puerto Vallarta, has wide, flat beaches and many family resorts with big pool complexes. Families from Western Canada appreciate the shorter flight, and March is still whale-watching season.

4. Orlando and the Florida coast

If your kids care more about roller coasters than snorkelling, Orlando’s theme parks are the classic choice. Combine a few park days with a beach stay on the Gulf coast or in Fort Lauderdale. Remember that Florida in March is also busy with US spring break, so book early.

5. Montego Bay, Jamaica

Several family resorts in Montego Bay and Ocho Rios offer kids clubs, water parks and nanny services. After Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, most resorts have reopened; check that yours is fully operating before booking.

6. Aruba

More expensive, but Aruba’s Eagle Beach and Palm Beach have calm water, reliable sunshine and a safe, easy-going atmosphere. It works well for families who prefer a condo or apartment-style hotel over an all-inclusive.

How to choose the right family resort

• Room setup: look for family suites, connecting rooms or two-bedroom units. Many standard rooms only fit two adults and two children.
• Kids club age range: some start at 4 years, others offer babysitting for toddlers, and teen clubs are less common.
• Beach and pool: a shallow kids pool and a calm beach matter more than a fancy infinity pool.
• Restaurants: à la carte restaurants that require reservations or have dress codes can be tricky with kids. A good buffet and a casual snack bar are a must.
• Distance from the airport: a 20-minute transfer is much easier than a two-hour one after a flight.

How to keep the cost down

• Book early: for March break, the best family rooms are often gone by early fall.
• Check kids-stay-free offers: many resorts in Mexico and the Dominican Republic offer free or discounted stays for children.
• Look at the shoulder days: leaving on the Friday before the break or returning the Monday after can change the price significantly.
• Compare packages: flight-and-hotel bundles often beat separate bookings for families.

Paperwork for families

Every child needs their own valid Canadian passport. If a child travels with only one parent or with another adult, the Government of Canada strongly recommends a signed consent letter from the other parent, and airlines or border officers may ask for it. Get travel insurance that covers every family member, and read our travel insurance guide for what to check.

Ready to plan your March break? Compare family resorts and flights on Expedia or start with the search box below.