Incredible beaches, a proud culture, opulent resorts, and a rich history reaching back to the Mayans, make Mexico an awesome destination for your next family vacation.

But in your daydreams of white sand and blue water, be sure to factor a dose of reality. When traveling with children, minor problems can quickly become all-out mayhem. What if your flight arrives in lovely Cancún and you find your checked baggage is lost? You and the kids have only the toothbrushes and spare pairs of underwear you hopefully stashed away in your carry-on. Allianz Travel Insurance can protect you with benefits such as reimbursement of expenses due to covered baggage loss and damage. And if your trip is completely grounded by your kid catching a school-yard bug, Allianz Travel Insurance may allow you to cancel or pause your trip, and recoup enough of your vacation funds to plan another adventure. To find out how Allianz Travel Insurance can protect your family, get a quote.

Now back to the fun part: Here are four stunning places in Mexico to add to your family’s wanderlust list.

Playa del Carmen

Ranked #2 Best Place to Travel in Mexico by the U.S. News & World Report, and #4 for Best Beaches in Mexico, the coastal town is one of the most popular destinations on the Yucatán Peninsula. There’s plenty of white sand and turquoise waters, but Playa del Carmen also appeals to traveling families because it's small enough to get most places by foot. Explore La Quinta Avenida, a pedestrian boulevard that runs along the shore, flashing and buzzing with the sights and sounds of street performers, vendors and off-beat shops. In Fundadores Park, there’s family-friendly shows. Playa del Carmen is also a great jumping off point to explore nearby sites, such the Mayan ruins in Tulum and Río Secreto, an underground system of rivers and caverns.

Where to stay: Paradisus La Esmeralda resort has three pools and borders a beach where you can spend the afternoon snorkeling. There’s a kid’s club for toddlers ages 1-4 and another hangout for ages 5-12. The accommodations are also spacious, with numerous family suites and upgrades available.

The Occidental at Xcaret Destination, part of Barcelo Hotel Group, is an all-inclusive resort located along Riviera Maya, on a private cove. Even the pickiest young eater can find suitable grub at the resort’s 11 restaurants. Splash along river beds, in the resort’s cove or seven swimming pools. The nearby Xcaret eco-archaeological park, features activities related to culture and art, and marine landscapes, such as cenotes.

Cozumel

A tropical enclave solely accessibly via a 40-minute ferry ride from Playa del Carmen, or small plane, Cozumel is home to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef; the second largest living reef in the world. Easily the best snorkeling and diving you’ll find in Mexico, the reef has plenty of safe spots for young, beginning snorkelers. The San Gervasio Ruins – where Mayan women paid tribute to their goddess of love and fertility – is a fascinating day trip for history lovers. Incredible, but not as renowned as Chichén Itzá, the less crowded San Gervasio site could be easier to navigate for families with young children. Punta Sur Ecologial Park nature preserve covers the southern tip of the island and has some of the island’s most beautiful wildlife, mangrove marshlands and natural beaches.

Where to stay: El Cozumeleno Beach Resort has minigolf, a kids club, five pools and bicycle tours. The resort also offers boat rides to Playa del Carmen via a private pier. Royal Club at Occidental Grand Cozumel is a boutique property located on the grounds of the Occidental Grand Cozumel, with a wide array of suites to choose for families that need lots of space. Guests of the Royal Club also have access to a personal concierge who will make all of their bookings, in addition to recreation amenities offered to all hotel guests.

Chiapas

Mexico is rightfully celebrated for its amazing coastline. But the state of Chiapas shows there’s more to the nation than gorgeous beaches – though the region has those, too. Mexico’s southern-most state is filled with Mayan jungle ruins and natural wonders. As home to the country’s largest indigenous population, Chiapas showcases Mexico’s vibrant culture. Visit one of the most thoroughly studied Mayan ruins, Palenque. The site’s remarkably intact temples, palaces and pyramids are surrounded by verdant jungle, within a national park. And unlike many other ancient sites in Mexico, you and the kids can actually scramble up the stairs of Palenque’s pyramids. Chiapas contains a multitude of natural wonders, such as the Misol-Ha waterfall, the Agua Azul waterfalls and the Sumidero Canyon; impressive and as old as the Grand Canyon. A Chiapas fun fact: The region farms 60 percent of Mexico’s coffee and ranks second among Mexican states in the production of cacao, used to make chocolate. You can arrange tours of the farms responsible for all of that rich and fragrant coffee.

Where to stay: The Marriott Tuxtla Gutierrez Hotel has easy to access to the Sumidero Canyon and other cultural and natural attractions. During your downtime, take advantage of the hotel’s spa and three landscaped pools.

Mexico City

The metropolis has a reputation for being loud, big and busy. But Mexico’s capital actually has much to offer families. Kids can learn about sustainability and earth-conscious business practices at the MIDE Museum, the world’s first museum dedicated to finance and economics. Through play, kids learn how their daily lives are intertwined with the economy and begin to ponder the impact of their carbon footprint. Chapultepec Park, the largest city park in the world, is a natural retreat smack-dab in the middle of the city. In fact, it is twice the size of Central Park in New York City. Within the park is Chapultepec Zoo and the National Museum of Anthropology.

Where to stay: JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Santa Fe is a great homebase for exploring Mexico city’s museums, parks and cultural sites. The hotel’s spacious rooms sleep up to eight. Amenities include an indoor pool, spa, and fitness center.

Hopefully, Mexico has won you over and you’ll be there soon with kids in tow. Allianz Travel Insurance can help make your get-away stress free. Download the Allianz TravelSmart App for iPhone and Android, which allows you to quickly access 24-hour assistance, file and follow up on a claim, and view real-time information such as flight delays, and locations of nearby medical facilities. It’s a useful tool for when you have your hands full.

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