Skip to main content

7 Top All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts With Kid-Friendly Beaches

By U.S. News & World Report

The Caribbean’s best all-inclusive resorts offer an exceptional value for families with kids. With on-site kids clubs, meals and drinks rolled into one reasonable rate and a dizzying array of entertainment options geared toward travelers of all ages, parents with kids can enjoy themselves without worrying about being nickel-and-dimed. Plus, parents can sit back and relax on vacation, and let the kids amuse themselves in the surf and sun.

[See: 10 All-Inclusive Resorts Where Kids Stay Free.]

Still, some Caribbean all-inclusive resorts are especially well-suited for family vacations thanks to their calm, nearly wave-free beaches that are ideal for young kids. And let’s face it: There’s nothing worse than arriving in a tropical locale only to find rough waters that your little ones can’t play in. Before your next family vacation, check out these all-inclusive properties where you can expect clear waters, a calm surf and plenty of family-friendly amenities.

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Village & Spa
Turks & Caicos

Beaches Resorts are known as one of the best luxury brands for families and Turks & Caicos is known for its amazingly calm and clear waters. What do you get when you put them together? A family-friendly all-inclusive resort that caters to adults and kids alike. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Village & Spa offers everything a kid could want — a 45,000-square-foot water park, a 12-mile beach ideal for swimming or sandcastle-building, spacious rooms and even supervised clubs with gaming stations and Sesame Street character experiences.

Moon Palace Jamaica Grande
Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Moon Palace Jamaica Grande offers an ideal location that’s perfect for families seeking a safe, wave-free beach. And the hotel itself features spacious rooms (many with minibars and 24-hour room service), multiple pools and hot tubs and nightly shows for kids. The property also boasts a supervised kids club with its own water park, along with nonmotorized watersports like kayaking.

Barceló Maya Beach
Riviera Maya, Mexico

Barceló Maya Beach sits on prime oceanfront property, perched between a tropical jungle and a coveted white-sand beach in the Riviera Maya. The water is crystal clear and free from waves that make water play challenging for little ones. Kids of all ages can also take advantage of an on-site water park, a theater with nightly shows and a separate Kids Spa offering treatments and hair-braiding for children. A teens-only disco club and numerous sports facilities round out the offerings for children. And because the hotel is part of a larger complex, while on vacation, you and the kids can also enjoy entertainment offerings at nearby affiliated resorts.

[See: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico 2017.]

Colony Club by Elegant Hotels
St. James, Barbados

If you’re looking for kid-friendly digs in Barbados, try the island nation’s Platinum Coast. This side of the country offers incredibly clear waters with gentle waves. The Colony Club offers a prime location on a beautiful beach with cerulean waters. An on-site pool can keep kids busy, while the seasonal Kid’s Korner club offers games, crafts and activities during peak-holiday periods. Plus, complimentary watersports and organized recreation also keep kids, teens, and parents happy. What’s more, “cupcake wars” and beach cricket are also available.

Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay
Montego Bay, Jamaica

The Holiday Inn Resort in Montego Bay was practically made for families with little kids. The property not only offers an expansive pool with a splash pad, but also a tiny private island that shelters the shore from water activity. Tucked between the island and beach, the surf is gentle and well-suited for youngsters. Aside from kid-friendly waters, the property offers an on-site kids club and numerous activities for children. What’s more, kids under 12 can also stay and eat for free with full-paying adults.

Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino
Willemstad, Curaça o

Sunscape Curaçao offers an “unlimited fun” experience perfect for the young — and the young at heart. In addition to a gentle beach, the resort also offers numerous activities, including diving, snorkeling and pool games. Sunscape Curaçao also has special clubs designed specifically for kids and teens, along with spacious rooms and suites that cater to families. Food as well as drinks are also available 24 hours a day, making this a convenient choice for families with large appetites.

[See: 9 Top Caribbean Resorts for Families.]

Barceló Aruba
Noord, Aruba

Barceló Aruba is yet another Caribbean all-inclusive resort perfect for beach lovers. Located on the shores of beautiful Palm Beach, this property offers some of the calmest, most family-friendly waters in Aruba. Beyond the sand, families can relax in the gorgeous swimming pool, play beach volleyball or tennis, participate in watersports and enjoy nightly entertainment. And since the property offers six restaurants and three bars, parents won’t have to fret about any family member going hungry.

More from U.S. News

9 All-Inclusive Resorts With Special Amenities for Teens

8 All-Inclusive Hotels to Stay in This Summer

10 All-Inclusive Resorts Debuting in Mexico and the Caribbean in 2016 and 2017

7 Top All-Inclusive Caribbean Resorts With Kid-Friendly Beaches originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote