There are some for whom the Caribbean doesn’t necessarily come to mind as a possible vacation destination when family trips include young children. Some parents might think that tropical vacations are only for couples or the wealthy. In reality, the Caribbean is incredibly family-friendly, and you are guaranteed a high level of satisfaction particularly if you choose the right island and the right resort. If you are planning a family trip to Saint Lucia, here are some travel tips to make traveling with small children as fun and stress-free as possible.
Winning Them Over
Getting the kids to your destination, especially one that is far away is not going to be pleasant for anyone if they’re not looking forward to it. But you’ve picked a great destination in Saint Lucia; and at Coconut Bay Beach Resort Spa, there will be plenty for them to be thrilled about.
Long before your trip, get the kids involved. Show them pictures of our resort and all the adventures that await. From paintball to turtle watching, to an amazing waterpark, there will be enough to get them excited about this family getaway. Get them involved, by having them discuss and plan activities. Don’t forget to mention our CocoLand Kidz Klub, with tons of fun and educational activities designed just for them. Your kids will absolutely fall in love with the Coco Corral Animal Sanctuary. You don’t have to worry, however, because with free admission for resort guests, they can visit their adorable new friends as often as they’d like. Yes, Coconut Bay will be an easy sell, and they’ll be counting the days!
Double-Check the Kids’ Passports
Remember that every child traveling overseas will need a valid passport. So remember to submit all applications in time. The application process for children — defined as those under the age of 16 — is the same whether your child has had a passport before or not. This will have to be done in person at a passport agency or authorized passport application acceptance facility. If your children already have passports, double-check them to see if they will need to be renewed. Remember to allow enough time for processing so you can have passports ready in time for your trip.
Surviving the Flight
Depending on where you live, you and the family may have to do quite a bit of flying to get to Saint Lucia. Sitting still for extended periods of time can be challenging for young kids, so take a proactive approach. Before you go the airport, pack your kids’ backpacks with games, toys, and activities that you know they love, but also throw a few new things in there. When the kids tire of their old favorites, you can surprise them with a new book, toy, iPad app, crayons, etc.
Children’s Playground
Your children will have lots from which to choose, including movie night on the lawn, hayrides, bonfire with s’mores, and family tie-dye session. Your children will also appreciate tours like the Green Giant Jeep Safari or the new Black Magic Pirate’s cruise, a fun experience for the whole family.
The Caribbean isn’t just a romantic adult getaway. Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa offers the best of both worlds — plenty of appealing amenities for Mom and Dad and family-friendly accommodations and activities for the kids. Then you can see what Saint Lucia has to offer with scenic land and sea tours and other thrilling excursions.
So whether it’s an exotic adventure or a more modern twist, Saint Lucia and Coconut Bay have something for the entire family. Our resort has been awarded the 2015 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Family Choice Award and listed among the 2015 Top 10 Hotels for Families in the Caribbean. Let’s just consider those as young family travel tips from the experts.
