Sometimes called “Arizona’s Beach,” Puerto Penasco is a destination that will surround your toddler with excitement while fighting the summer heat with endless water fun. Also known to Americans as Rocky Point, this area is gaining popularity as a year-round vacation spot for visitors from the United States as well as Mexico. It lies on the north shore of the Sea of Cortez, only a couple hours from the Arizona border.

Las Palomas

The resorts in Puerto Penasco form a line of 14 hotels along the sandy beach. Instead of hotel rooms, many are condominiums, privately owned and used as vacation homes. When the owners are not visiting, the resort rents them out to vacationers.

Near the middle of the line is Las Palomas Beach Resort. Your children will feel right at home with the cozy couches and fully equipped kitchen. The owners stock their condos with supplies and most take special care to consider who may visit so you will often find a shelf full of Disney VHS tapes. These may come in handy as you are cooking meals or putting your toddler to sleep after a long day in the sun.

The resort also offers a “Kid’s Club.” An adult must accompany children under 5 so it’s the perfect opportunity for you to have some fun with your toddler. The club provides indoor games, arts and crafts, karaoke and water volleyball.

Poolside paradise

Be sure to bring some floaties and pool toys because your child will want to explore all the aquatic activities. The heat is intense in the summertime, but once you set foot in the water, you will forget that entirely. Toddlers will go crazy over the winding waterslide, their cries echoing through the tropical air—“Again! Again!” The gentle flow of the lazy river will calm them down after a couple hundred trips down the slide.

After all of the water adventures, swim across the infinity pool to have lunch at the pool bar. Your toddler can stand on the underwater stools while you snack on heavily seasoned fries or chicken tacos.

Your own private beach

Your toddler will also want to explore the resort’s private beach. Instead of swimming, take a chance to experience something new. This area is known for its banana boats, long yellow boats shaped like—what else?—bananas! They wait along the shore so flag one down and after you pay, he will help you put on life vests. Then just climb onto the banana and hold on tight; the driver will take you on a wild ride across the waters of the bay.

After your adventure on the banana boat, stop by the vendors that sit on the sand. There, your toddler can get their face painted or their hair braided with beads. He or she can also get a temporary henna tattoo. They will be delighted to return home to show their friends the fun they had on the beaches of Mexico.

As the day draws to an end and the tide is low, you and your toddler can examine the tidal pools. This area is filled with sea creatures that will excite children—from crabs and starfish to sea cucumbers, octopi and possibly even stingrays. You can also hunt for seashells as the sun is going down. The sky in Puerto Penasco is an array of purples, pinks and oranges during sunset so it is a beautiful setting for beach exploration.

Although Puerto Penasco is not the most popular travel destination in Mexico, it is the perfect place to take your little ones. They will be begging you to go back whenever they are reminded of all the fun they had on your trip.

For more information visit:
Puerto Penasco
Las Palomas