Family friendly  : Cozumel, Mexico

Not as glitzy as Cancun, this small jewel-shaped island (47 kilometres long and 15 kilometres wide) has been a Mecca for scuba divers and snorkellers because it is surrounded by coral reefs, but these suffered recent hurricane damage. The downtown area has both tourist shops and some authentic feel. There's a swim with the dolphins program at the Marine Park, fishing, beaches, shopping, dining and a very minor Mayan ruin. There is jungle in the interior and limestone shore surrounded by clear turquoise water. Expect high humidity in the rainy season (June to October). It's a 40-minute ferry ride to Playa del Carman, the older town near the new tourist area called the "Mayan Riviera".