Best Family Stays in Santa Teresa Beach

Casa Calocita suits families who like a shared, homely stay close to the sea. The air-conditioned rooms have private bathrooms and look onto the garden or a terrace, and guests can use the shared kitchen and the barbecue facilities. Carmen Beach is a short walk away, while Montezuma Waterfall and Tortuga Island are within reach for day trips. Expect a communal atmosphere rather than hotel service. It scores 9.8 out of 10 across 71 reviews.

I would suggest Blooma to families who want a boutique stay two minutes from Carmen Beach. Family rooms open onto a terrace or balcony facing the pool or the garden, and the year-round outdoor pool has a hot tub. The restaurant serves kosher meals and cocktails, which makes it a practical option for families who keep kosher. Spa facilities and a sun terrace give parents a calmer corner.

For a surfing family or a couple who want to walk from bed to the water, the location is the whole argument, and it holds: the break faces the gate, the outdoor shower and board rack keep sand out of the rooms, and the kitchen spares you a drive for every meal. It is not a hotel, and I would not book it expecting one. There is no front desk, the pool is shared, on the roof and open only at set hours, and Villa #1, the two-bedroom unit, has a single bathroom for up to five guests. The beaches here are prone to rip currents, so I would keep young children in the rock pools at low tide rather than in the surf. Travellers who want room service, a spa or staff on hand at night should look at a resort instead.

I would suggest Casa Cecilia Beach Front to families who want the sand at the door. The property has direct beach access and a private beach area, and air-conditioned rooms with sea views and balconies. A garden, a terrace and picnic spots give children room outside, an outdoor fireplace suits evenings, and a lounge and free WiFi cover the indoor time.

I would suggest Horizon Hotel & Yoga Center to families who want a pool and a short walk to the beach. Rooms have air-conditioning, private balconies, kitchenettes and free WiFi. There is an outdoor pool with a view and an indoor pool, so children have two options, and a family-friendly restaurant and a coffee shop are on site. Carmen Beach is a five-minute walk, and yoga classes give parents a calmer hour.

I would suggest Hotel Santa Teresa by the Beach to families who like a short walk to the sand. The renovated boutique hotel is steps from Playa Carmen and has a swimming pool and air-conditioned rooms. A Costa Rican breakfast is served, rooms come with in-room espresso, and the 24-hour reception helps with late arrivals. Fiber optic WiFi is handy for parents who need to check in with work.

Hotel Fermata is above all a hotel for adults who surf, yet it does plan for children. King rooms can be set up with twin beds, daybeds or a pack-and-play cot, rooms can connect, and a jungle-to-beach programme keeps children busy. The two-bedroom villa, with two king bedrooms and a kitchenette, is the most practical base for a family of four. Families with teenagers who will actually get in the water gain the most, since the surf school teaches every level from the hotel's own beach. With small children, remember that Santa Teresa is a surf beach where rip currents can be strong, so the pool will do most of the swimming work.

I would shortlist Hotel Nantipa for families who want a five-star base in a well-regarded part of Santa Teresa Beach. Rooms are air-conditioned with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom, and the garden and terrace give children room outside. A restaurant and bar are on site, and an à la carte breakfast is served every morning rather than a set buffet. The front desk is open 24 hours.

Lua Villas offers private villas in Santa Teresa Beach, each with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen and a private bathroom. Terraces, balconies or patios look onto the pool or the garden, and an outdoor Jacuzzi and a yoga deck are available for personal practice or private lessons. A 9.1 rating from 257 reviews is strong. I would book it for a self-catering, wellness-minded stay, for families or small groups who like having their own space.

Ventura Santa Teresa is a four-star property a three-minute walk from Carmen Beach, with family rooms built around a saltwater pool, a lush garden and a coffee shop. The restaurant serves Mexican, Spanish, Tex-Mex and international dishes, so families with different tastes are covered. The property runs its own yoga classes and arranges hiking and cycling. I recommend it for active families who want the beach and a pool close together.

Mal Pais Surf Camp works well for families who want an active stay rather than a quiet one. Family rooms have private bathrooms, air conditioning and a balcony with garden or pool views. The property offers a private beach area, a year-round outdoor pool, a fitness centre, a sun terrace and a children's playground, and Carmen Beach is a five-minute walk. Guests give it 9.1 out of 10 across 21 reviews.

I would suggest Peace Lofts and Apartments to families who want a kitchen and some space in Santa Teresa. There are two choices: lofts with a private pool, king-sized beds, a fully equipped kitchen and a living room with a sofa bed, or two-bedroom apartments with air conditioning and a kitchenette, without a pool. The apartments are a two-minute walk from the beach, so check which suits your priorities.