Carribean/Mexico/Latin America Somewhat Secluded Beach House

You can definitely find this in Costa Rica. We also rented a house that was near Puerto Vallarta once that fits what you are seeking. There was a post here on TD a while back saying that the poster had a house in the Tulum area of Mexico that he would rent that may be worth looking into.

I also recommend a Bahamas out-island. We have visited Eleuthera 10-12 times. We have stayed central, and the carribean sea side and also on the Atlantic side. We also spent a couple of weeks up North on Spanish Wells.

It really doesn't matter where you stay, you will find: very few people, beautiful waters, beaches enjoyable by young and old, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling -- all exceptional. However, something very important to know, NoSeeUms are way worse on the Caribbean side, mostly because you get a better evening breeze on the Atlantic side.

Our favorite place is Winding Bay -- it is right in the middle between Rock Sound and Tarpum Bay -- both communities have decent grocery stores (for Bahamas standards) and several nice restaurants and are less than 15 minute drives in each direction. There is a brand new VRBO on Winding Bay that I was told was being built. I just checked and it looks like it is completed and live on VRBO: Winding Bay, Eleuthera VRBO -- looks like it would be perfect for group your size. We have stayed many times at the place just a couple of houses down.

Winding Bay itself is paradise -- about 4 miles of pristine beach that is protected by a reef -- meaning, very little waves (just enough for the little ones to have fun). Looking out the back door, you will see beautiful sunrises, looking out the front door, sunsets.

Venture to your right, just a 3 or 4 minute walk down the beach, you will find a "cut" or canal that cuts from Winding Bay to a flats area and ultimately dumps into a larger, but shallower bay -- this area is a Sea Turtle haven. (easy to see what I'm talking about on Google Maps). If you want the little ones to get excited about nature, and especially the ocean -- let them go see hundreds of sea turtles bobbing up and down and swimming past your kayak to investigate what you're up to.

The mouth of the cut and the point of winding bay holds huge schools of bonefish. Take a couple of rods and reels -- buy some frozen squid and have fun. Want to take the older kids for some excitement? Kayak them through the canal/cut and over to the mouth of the adjacent bay at slack tide and stand on the far-side beach just as the tide starts moving in (this is really important, don't go when the tide is high and starts to turn out -- you'll wear yourself out fighting the current trying to get home). On the far-side beach, as the tide starts to run over the reef at the point you're at, dozens of reef sharks will start cruising the banks. Don't worry, they don't want to eat you, they're looking for fish feeding on whatever the tide is bringing in. Your kids will be able to watch from just a couple of feet as 4 - 6-foot reef sharks cruise the banks looking for an easy meal. Just make sure to Kayak back through the cut over to Winding Bay before the tide turns.

There are many beaches all within an hour drive (some just minutes away) -- IF you get bored with the one right out your back door. There are also several blue holes and caves to go exploring. The closest Blue Hole is in Rock Sound -- there is a platform where you and the kids can jump in for a freshwater swim. There are also many areas where you can explore the Mangroves where you'll find juvenile lemon sharks, barracuda, mangrove snapper and tons of other marine life. Always take a rod and reel and/or hand-line -- you never know where you'll see a fishing spot that looks interesting. There are several other cool items of interest, Glass Window Bridge, and the Queens Baths, for instance. Google, man.

Getting there:
Option 1: Fly to Nassau or FLL on the cheapest fare possible, then fly Bahamas Air or Pineapple Air to Rock Sound (less than 15 minutes from Winding Bay).

Option 2: Fly AA or Delta directly into Rock Sound.

Option 3: Fly to Nassau then take a General Aviation charter to Rock Sound (Glenn Aviation has been reliable for us).

Option 4: Fly into North Eleuthera Airport. It's a bit longer drive, about an hour, but may have better flight options. Of course, if you find a place on the North End, North Eleuthera Airport is the way to go.

Rental Car: just ask the person you're renting the house from. They will set you up.
Boat Rental: same as car rental.

Some important things to know:
If you see someone hitch-hiking, feel safe to pick them up if you have an empty seat. I've done it many times and I always enjoy the conversation (a few times, I ended up receiving some fresh Mangos delivered to me at the rental and once, some fresh fish).

Lastly, and maybe most importantly:
In my opinion, Kalik is better than Sands. However, if you're watching your girlish figure, Sands Light is better than Kalik Light. Also, Sammy's Place in Rock Sound has the best Mac-n-Cheese you will ever eat. Damn good grouper fingers too. Cracked Conch is over-rated. Conch Fritters are manna from heaven. Do yourself a favor and stop at the Conch Salad shack right on the roadway on the North End of Rock Sound. Best ever.