Family Vacation Planning: July 19-26, 2025
Overview
Planning documents for a family trip: 9 people (5 adults + 3 teens + 1 child) departing from St. Louis (STL) with a budget of approximately $2,000/person for all-inclusive resorts.
Quick Navigation
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick Comparison | Start here! Top 6 picks with decision matrix |
| New Destinations | Detailed options for places you haven't been |
| Familiar Favorites | Mexico, Jamaica, DR - places you've visited before |
| Group Pricing | Detailed cost breakdown for top 7 resorts |
| RIU Resorts | All RIU options with free flight promotion |
Top 6 Recommendations at a Glance
| Rank | Resort | Location | TripAdvisor | Booking.com | Est. Cost (Accurate) | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | Coconut Bay | St. Lucia | 4.0/5 | 8.9 US News | ~$2,066/person | Largest water park in St. Lucia, great for families |
| 🥈 | Riu Palace Riviera Maya | Riviera Maya | 4.0/5 | 8.3/10 | ~$2,050/person | Caribbean beachfront |
| 🥉 | Riu Palace Bavaro | Punta Cana | 3.0/5 | 8.6/10 | ~$2,000/person | Arena Gorda beachfront + Splash Water World |
| 4️⃣ | Riu Palace Punta Cana | Punta Cana | 3.5/5 | 8.5/10 | ~$1,900/person | Arena Gorda beachfront, 11 pools |
| 5️⃣ | Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas | Los Cabos | 4.0/5 | 8.4/10 | ~$2,0000/person | El Medano beachfront |
| 6️⃣ | Royalton Grenada | Grenada | 4.0/5 | 7.7/10 | ~$2,150/person | Kids stay free, uncrowded, great value |
Document Breakdown
Quick Comparison
Best for: Making a fast decision
- At-a-glance decision matrix comparing destinations
- Top 6 family recommendations with pros/cons
- Honorable mentions
- Questions to help decide
- Weather considerations for July
New Destinations (Vacation Options)
Best for: Exploring somewhere new
- Costa Rica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Aruba, Antigua, Turks & Caicos, Curacao
- Flight estimates from St. Louis
- Detailed resort breakdowns with ratings
- Kid-friendly features for each resort
- Links to TripAdvisor and Booking.com reviews
Familiar Favorites
Best for: Comparing new vs. familiar destinations
- Mexico (Cancun/Riviera Maya)
- Jamaica
- Dominican Republic (Punta Cana)
- Often cheaper flights and better value
- Water park comparisons
- Links to all resort reviews
Group Pricing Estimate
Best for: Detailed budget planning
- Top 7 resorts with full cost breakdowns
- 9-person group estimates (4 rooms)
- Per-person and total costs
- Resort amenities comparison
- Value ratings
RIU Resorts - Free Flight Promotion
Best for: Taking advantage of RIU's free flight deal
- 18 RIU resorts across Caribbean and Mexico
- Special promotion at packages.riu.com
- TripAdvisor and Booking.com ratings for all
- Sorted by destination and price
- Free flight opportunities
Budget Summary
| Category | Target |
|---|---|
| Budget per person | ~$2,000 |
| Group size | 9 people |
| Total budget | ~$18,000 |
| Dates | July 19-26, 2025 |
| Rooms needed | 4 |
Key Findings
Best Value Options (Under $1,600/person)
- Riu Guanacaste - Costa Rica (~$1,400)
- Royalton Grenada - Grenada (~$1,600)
- Royalton Riviera Cancun - Mexico (~$1,550)
Best for Kids/Teens
- Coconut Bay - St. Lucia (water park, paintball, kids club)
- Royalton Splash Punta Cana - DR (Caribbean's largest water park)
- Moon Palace Cancun - Mexico (FlowRider, huge playground)
Kids Stay Free
- Royalton properties (Grenada, St. Lucia, Antigua, Cancun, Punta Cana)
- 1 child + 1 teen free in family suites
Best Weather Guarantee
- Aruba (outside hurricane belt)
Next Steps
- Pick top 2-3 resorts to compare
- Check exact pricing for July 19-26 dates
- Compare flight costs to each destination
- Look for package deals at:
- Costco Travel
- RIU Packages (free flight promo)
- Verify kids-stay-free promotions apply to your dates
Research compiled January 2025. Prices are estimates and may vary.