Quick Comparison: Top Family-Friendly Picks for July 19-26
At-A-Glance Decision Matrix
| Destination | Budget Fit | Kid Activities | Beach Quality | Adventure | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Lucia | ✅ Great | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Medium |
| Grenada | ✅ Great | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Very Low |
| Antigua | ✅ Good | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Low |
| Costa Rica | ✅ Great | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
| Aruba | ✅ Good | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Medium |
| Turks & Caicos | ❌ Over | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Medium |
| Curaçao | ✅ Great | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Low |
My Top 3 Family Recommendations
1. 🏆 Coconut Bay Beach Resort, St. Lucia
Est: ~$1,800/person | ⭐ 4.0/5 TripAdvisor | Booking.com | 8.9/10 US News
- ✅ Within budget
- ✅ Largest water park in St. Lucia - lazy river, slides, splash zones
- ✅ Kidz Klub (ages 3-12) included
- ✅ Paintball course for teens
- ✅ Pirate ship playground
- ✅ Beautiful Piton views
- ✅ Strong reviews - clean, spacious, great value
- ⚠️ South coast location (farther from airport)
2. 🥈 Royalton Grenada
Est: ~$1,600/person | ⭐ 4.0/5 TripAdvisor | 7.7/10 Booking.com
- ✅ Under budget
- ✅ 1 child + 1 teen stay FREE in family suites
- ✅ Splash park for kids
- ✅ Two beaches on property
- ✅ Only 5 min from airport
- ✅ Very low tourist crowds - authentic Caribbean
- ✅ Beautiful beachfront, friendly staff
- ⚠️ Less "resort activities" than mega-resorts
3. 🥉 Riu Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Est: ~$1,400/person | ⭐ 3.0/5 TripAdvisor | Booking.com (2025 renovation)
- ✅ Best value option
- ✅ Splash Water World water park
- ✅ RIULand kids club with activities
- ✅ Combine beach + adventure (volcanoes, zip lines, wildlife)
- ✅ Only 25 min from Liberia airport
- ✅ Major 2025 renovation just completed
- ⚠️ Lower rating - mixed reviews on food/service (may improve post-renovation)
- ⚠️ Rocky beach at resort (visit other beaches nearby)
- ⚠️ July = wet season (afternoon showers, but lower prices)
Honorable Mentions
| Resort | Price | TripAdvisor | Booking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westin Reserva Conchal (Costa Rica) | ~$2,200 | ⭐ 4.0 | 8.6 | Premium experience, use Marriott points |
| Royalton Saint Lucia | ~$1,800 | ⭐ 4.0 | 7.3 | Kids-stay-free, great location |
| Divi/Tamarijn Aruba | ~$1,600 | ⭐ 4.0 | View | Calm waters for small kids, guaranteed sun |
| St. James's Club Antigua | ~$1,900 | ⭐ 4.0 | View | Spacious villas, two beaches |
| Royalton Antigua | ~$1,700 | ⭐ 3.0 | 6.8 | Beautiful beach ⚠️ Lower reviews |
Questions to Help Decide
- Water park priority: Want slides & splash zones → Coconut Bay or Riu Guanacaste
- Beach priority: Pure beach relaxation → Royalton Antigua or Aruba
- Adventure priority: Want excursions → Costa Rica (volcanoes, wildlife)
- Budget strict: Must stay under $1,600 → Riu Guanacaste or Royalton Grenada
- Uniqueness: Somewhere different → Grenada (spice tours, less touristy)
- Kids stay free: Maximize value → Royalton properties (St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua)
Family-Size Considerations
| Family Size | Best Options |
|---|---|
| 2 adults + 1-2 kids | Royalton properties (kids-stay-free deals) |
| 2 adults + 3+ kids | Coconut Bay or Riu (larger room options) |
| Multi-generational | St. James's Club Antigua (villas with kitchens) |
Weather Note for July
☀️ Best weather guarantee: Aruba (outside hurricane belt, minimal rain) 🌧️ Afternoon showers likely: Costa Rica (wet season = lower prices) ⛅ Typical Caribbean summer: St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua (occasional showers, mostly sunny)
Next Steps
- Pick top 2-3 resorts
- Check specific prices with your exact dates + room needs
- Compare flight costs/times to each destination
- Look at kids-stay-free promotions
- Check Costco Travel for package deals