The charming seaside village at Club Med Ixtapa feels like an authentic adobe hacienda with traditional terracotta tile roofs. Paths through lushly landscaped gardens with over 200 types of flora pave the way to the main dining room, theater and dance floor at the village center. 

People who love people love Club Med, and since most teens like to hang out with others their own age, the social nature of this resort along with its spacious and safe grounds satisfies this hard-to-please age group's requirements for vacation fun. 

There are organized children's programs for 2-17s, and with Club Med's tropical-summer-camp-meets-MTV atmosphere of nonstop action there's plenty to do for teenagers, their parents, and siblings. The Baby Club (available at Club Med's North American properties only here and their Sandpiper resort in Florida) offers infant care by a trained staff and a special baby chef for ages 4 to 23 months.

Activities are organized and carried out by enthusiastic French-Canadian, American, Mexican, and French "GOs" (gentile organisateurs). There's sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing along a fine stretch of sand, plus tennis, aerobics (both in and out of the pool), archery, soccer, and a circus program with trampolines and a high trapeze with rigging and nets.

The food is surprisingly good for an inclusive resort. Club Med caters to North American, Mexican, and French vacationers, so you'll find an international variety of dishes alongside hamburgers, hot dogs, fresh tropical fruit, and ice cream cones. Every evening has some sort of "Hey kids, let's put on a show!" entertainment featuring the staff or children of guests. 

Accommodations have been upgraded with new furnishings and now offer airconditioning, televisions and telephones. Excursions to nearby Zihuatenejo can be arranged.

One price (teens pay adult rates) covers accommodations, meals (including beer and wine at dinner), and most activities on site (800/CLUB-MED).  
  
  
 

Club Med, Ixtapa, Mexico www.clubmed.com;  800/CLUB-MED $$$$$    A    A-    A    B Extra Credit: They know how to feed a crowd with flair. Comments:  Watch the weather: late summer can be very hot and humid.