Whether there is frost in the air, snow on the horizon, or it’s the middle of summer, the new all-inclusive Panama Jack Resorts Cancun is your perfect family friendly beach vacation. Once you check into Panama Jack Cancun, your family will discover your next favorite beach vacation. And there are so many reasons why — white sand beaches, turquoize blue ocean, kids club, family-friendly accommodations, and more. Read on as Traveling Grandmom shares her Panama Jack Cancun reviews.
7 Reasons Your Family will Love the All-Inclusive Panama Jack Resorts Cancun Mexico
1. Family-Friendly & Budget-Friendly Oceanfront Resort
2. Family Friendly Accommodations
3. Pools at Panama Jack Resorts Cancun
4. White-sand beaches and the Turquoize Caribbean Sea
5. On-Site Kids’ Club
6. Activities Included at Panama Jack Cancun
7. So Many Family-Friendly Things to do In Cancun
Thanks to Playa Hotels & Resorts for providing accommodations and activities for our review; opinions expressed are my own.
Formerly the Gran Caribe in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, one year ago this Mexico all-inclusive hotel was remodeled and relabeled as the Panama Jack Resorts Cancun. This collaboration between Playa Hotels & Resorts and beachwear brand Panama Jack brought their fun and “retro-hip” brand to Cancun — and families love it! Here are 7 reasons why your next family vacation should be booked at the all-inclusive Panama Jack Cancun Mexico.
1. Family-Friendly & Budget-Friendly Oceanfront Resort
I’ve been a fan of Mexico beach vacations since my now adult children were younger, and I’ve since visited multiple times with my multigenerational family including under age 5 grandchildren. So I know a great Mexico all-inclusive family-friendly resort when I see it — and that is exactly what the Panama Jack Resorts Cancun is — perfect for families and budget friendly as well.
When I stepped into the lobby of Panama Jack Cancun, several other families were also checking in. One Mom had a baby on her hip and firmly held the hand of her toddler while Dad checked. Another family had three children in tow, approximate ages between 5 and 10. Yet another family had tweens and teenagers. Although I wasn’t able to bring my grandchildren this time, I witnessed so many families roaming the halls, swimming in the pools, and building sandcastles on the beach.
Like many resorts in Mexico, the rooms are spread out across the property, and the activity is focused in the center of the resort. During my stay, the hotel was still undergoing its multi-million dollar renovation, so some of the restaurants were closed, but now all five restaurants are open serving buffets, Mexican and Italian cuisine. And did we mention room service is also included!?
Adults can also take advantage of several bars including the beachfront one tucked underneath the building with welcome shade from the Cancun heat. (And these bars are also family friendly serving non-alcoholic drinks too.)
FREE WiFi throughout the resort including your room!
Yes, you read that right. Free WiFi! Some of the others traveling with me reported sketchy WiFi in their rooms, but I did not have that problem.
TravelingMom Tip: If you really can’t disconnect completely on your vacation, I discovered the strongest WiFi signal (and quiet zone) in the lobby in the seating above the Panama Jack Coffee Co. Be sure to listen for the bell to ring signaling fresh cinnamon rolls.
2. Family Friendly Accommodations
One of the biggest problems this Traveling Grandmom experiences when bringing the grandkids or the entire multigenerational family is the rooms are just too small for bigger families. Not so, at the Panama Jack Resorts Cancun. I loved the two levels of even the junior suite, with the top level the beds and then step down the stairs to the sitting area and out onto the patio.
But there’s more to love about the family-friendly accommodations at this all-inclusive Cancun resort. Choose from standard rooms to expansive family junior suites that include king size bed AND bunk beds, or you can even splurge on a Presidential Suite!
3. Pools at Panama Jack Cancun
When I mention “pool” to the grandkids, I get a unanimous “let’s go on vacation, Grammie” from everyone. My grandkids are little fishies and would spend every waking moment in the pool, and I’m guessing that your kids are the same, right?
The Panama Jack Resorts Cancun offers several pool options. The main pool overlooks the Caribbean sea and white sand beaches with access to the sundeck, restaurants and the pool bar hut. The second pool is off the main lobby bar and near the Pirate ship splash pool and water slide area.
During my visit, neither pool was crowded as the hotel wasn’t at full occupancy, but I’m sure during high season you’ll need to get to your preferred pool early.
4. White-sand beaches and the Turquoize Caribbean Sea!
The Panama Jack Resorts Cancun has beach location tied up in a pretty sandy bow. Did I say miles and miles of white-sand beaches? Um, yeah, this Cancun beachfront location will have your kids jumping up and down — and likely you will too. Located in the Mexican Caribbean, the incredible white sand beaches always stay cool due to its composition of fragments of coral and shells and because its ivory color reflects the solar rays. What does that mean for you? You and your kiddos can walk on the sand and build sand castles and the sand is not hot!
TravelingMom Tip: Do let your kids splash in the Caribbean Sea with caution and watch for the colored flag warnings when allowing kids into the ocean.
- Green Flag: Water conditions safe and ok to swim
- Yellow Flag: No immediate danger, but use caution when swimming.
- Red Flag: Dangerous conditions! Although swimming with much caution is allowed, I’d avoid any swimming with children.
- Black Flag: Highest warning level with real danger. Do not swim!
5. On-Site Kids’ Club
I already mentioned the Pirate Splash Park located just off the lobby park and next to the second pool. This splash park is part of Camp Jack / Oki Jack Club and includes seven waterslides and two splash zones.
But there is a whole lot more to the Kids’ Club at Panama Jack Resorts Cancun, open from 9 am to 6 pm and providing supervision by trained staff, certified by the Red Cross. From movie nights to magic shows and live entertainment, ocean view mini-golf course, and multiple activities, Camp Jack offers parents some time out together, and kids the opportunity to hang out with other kids. There is also a teen program (#Hashtag) for kids ages 13-17 open 9am-9pm.
For an additional charge, after hours babysitting service is also available for ages 4-12.
TravelingMom Tip: While the kids are at Camp Jack, go ahead and splurge on a spa treatment!
6. Activities Included at Panama Jack Cancun
In addition to Camp Jack for the kids and spa treatments, discover endless activities for all ages — without ever leaving this resort. Panama Jack Cancun provides with a complete calendar of events — all free to registered guests, including yoga, beach and pool volleyball, surfing contests, salsa lessons, cooking classes and more. In addition, each evening in the hotel lobby bar, bring the family to enjoy live entertainment.
Also, the hotel features “surprise” entertainment throughout the day, such as the Mime walked through the hotel greeting guests.
7. So Many Family-Friendly Things to do In Cancun
With its prime location in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, steps outside of the Panama Jack Cancun resort are so many family-friendly things to do. From beaches to aquariums, snorkeling to fishing, and shopping, you’ll find more things do in Cancun than you have time.
Some of my multigenerational family-friendly things to do include:
- Souvenir shopping
- Ride the local bus (just $1 US per person!)
- Interactive Aquarium Cancún
- Captain Hook Dinner Cruise (touristy but kids loved it!)
- Catamaran Cruise
- All day trips to Xel-Ha or Xcaret
For more family-friendly and affordable things to do in Cancun, check out Conquering Cancun with Kids.
Not sure what to pack? We’ve got you covered with this Ultimate Family Beach Vacation Packing List.
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