ArcaMax

At the Iberostar Playa Mita, Win Cooper, 13, has been busy trying archery, playing ping pong and water polo. "I like that there is so much to do and I don't have to be with my parents all the time," the Ontario, Canada teen said.

His younger sisters, meanwhile, were happy to hang out at the pool with their parents, grabbing soft-serve ice cream whenever their mom allowed. "Even for breakfast," said Ruby, 9.

Troy and Melanie Cooper were delighted to be able to relax -- no navigating from place to place, no figuring out where to eat or how to entertain their three kids.

The requisite buffets offer all variety of eats, including Mexican choices like local fruits, ceviche, freshly made churros at breakfast, tamales and plenty of meat and chicken to craft into Mexican-style tacos.

Kids were wide-eyed at the Japanese Hibachi, as the chef chopped and diced and tossed dishes of rice. "How could you not like that?" said Melanie Cooper.

And despite a recent U.S. State Department warning about travel to certain parts of Mexico, the Coopers and the other families I met didn't seem at all worried about bringing their kids to resort areas in Mexico.

Leigh Needham, traveling with her husband and 6- and 8-year-old from San Diego, said this was her fourth trip to Mexico in the past 18 months. "We feel totally safe," she said.

Of course, many of these travelers rarely, if at all, leave the confines of the resort, even though there are wonderful sites and experiences to be had (more about that in another column), lament local tourism officials.

Families like the Coopers explain they just want to relax. "I just want everyone to have a good time," said Melanie Cooper.

And that, after all, is what vacation is supposed to be.

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow "taking the kids" on www.twitter.com, where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments.)

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