Anyone see this on their FB feed? I think I no longer want an all inclusive in Mexico!

[johnsontrio]

We have been going to a quiet, family centered, no spring breaker, not all-inclusive place in Mexico since 2001. I can tell you even with no emphasis on the party scene, we have had to be vigilant that the bartenders and servers provide virgin drinks to our DD. We noticed the year she turned 13 that if we didn't remind them with every order, at the time of ordering and at the time of serving, that occasionally there would be a "mocktail" with alcohol. They have a very different perception of alcohol there and you have to be careful. She's legal now, here and there, so no longer my problem, although we don't allow her to go out to the clubs on our family vacation. Too much worry.

 

[katie111]

We stayed at the Barcelo Maya Palace about 8 years ago during Spring Break. We're from Boston and our kids were little so we had no idea that this was a spring break destination (esp since it's a pretty high end resort). This was by far our WORST experience. Why? Because of all the drunken high schoolers & their drunken parents from Minnesota. We are not prudes by any means and like to have a few cocktails on vacation. These people were completely out of control. The parents would sit at the pool bar all day and be smashed by dinnertime (I"m talking falling down drunk). Then the kids would take over. They'd be in all the bars drinking and be totally obnoxious at dinner time. Bedtime for us was the worst. The rooms open to the outside and they would be running up and down the outdoor corridors screaming all night long.

Kids were bad, I think the parents were even worse. I am not surprised at all that this happened. Hell, I would have loved for some of them to get arrested while we were there, maybe it would have calmed down the rest of them. They completely ruined our vacation. We always wondered how many teen moms come out of these trips.

We had been to Mexico the year prior and have been 3 times since (but never again in March). We love it there and would not hesitate to go back. We always stay at an all inclusive but always leave the property and visit the local towns and tourist sights. Almost all of the people we have encountered have been wonderful.

 

[mnrose]

Try Cozumel. We didn't encounter ANY spring break groups and we were there peak season. Just families and couples. It was pretty laid back. And, quiet. It's harder to get to (and a little bit more expensive airfare), so it keeps the uber budget "spring break" crowd down. Plus, resorts are much smaller. Very little night life anywhere on the island.

And, I know what you mean about some Minnesotans on spring break. It's embarrassing. If it helps any, there are many of us who hate that as much as you do.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Ok, but Minnesota State High School league rules will ban you from any sport or extracurricular activities for ANY alcohol or drug use. Period. I just looked that up. I thought I remembered that (we have to sign something every year saying we've read the rules and understand them...as does my daughter), and just looked it up. There is no 'exception' for "it was legal where we were at." It's the rule. Violate it at your own peril as a high school student. I've seen it happen in my kids' high school, and completely not worth the risk for me.

I'd say many if not most states have similar rules like this for HS athletes. Indiana does but it is mostly left up to the individual HS for the punishment. I know at the high schools around me there is some minor differences but, if you are an athlete and seen at a party where alcohol was served to minors via word of mouth or picture, you will be suspended whether you drank alcohol or not. That is from school and from your sport. Usually it is 1/3 of the season, then the whole season, then you are done period the 3rd time it happens.

I also think there is more to this story that isn't being told, too.