I’m so pleased to share this post from Stacey about her vacation in Puerto Vallarta with baby. It was her first family vacation. I was delighted to help her book their first trip with their 8-month-old daughter in tow. I was even more delighted at how wonderfully it went!
Read on for Stacey’s great tips and advice for Puerto Vallarta with baby.
Our First Family Vacation: Puerto Vallarta with Baby!
We travelled for the first time with our 8 month old daughter to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We stayed at the all-inclusive Dreams Vallarta Resort & Spa (formerly known as Now Amber Puerto Vallarta). Read on for our trip to Puerto Vallarta with baby!
Puerto Vallarta with Baby – The Flight:
We flew direct from Ottawa with Sunwing. We upgraded to Elite Plus which gave us an extra 6 inches of leg room, afforded us an extra baggage allowance, and gave us priority check-in at the airport. Yay for no line-ups! In my opinion these three “perks” were well worth the cost of the upgrade. A lap infant takes up more room than I realized and we took full advantage of our extra baggage allowance.
Our flight was supposed to depart at 3:30pm but upon arrival at the airport we learned it was delayed 3 hours (and later an additional 2). We checked our bags at the counter and took the baby back home for a proper nap before heading back.
Our Flight, Take 2
Back at the airport, we went through security and then watched the departures monitor as our departure time inched forward little by little. In the end, we were delayed about 5 hours in total. Needless to say, the Little Miss was exhausted by the time we boarded.
Our daughter was overstimulated and fussy. Despite it being waaay past her bedtime she did not want to fall asleep on the flight. We were able to keep her fairly content by standing, sitting, bouncing, singing, pointing out new things, etc. We also brought a few small new toys for her to play with. They entertained her for only a short time, but I’m still glad we brought them.
More Carry-On Must-Haves…
We packed an arsenal of disinfectant wipes and wiped down everything within her reach as soon as we boarded (and boy did she reach!).
Little Miss finally passed out from sheer exhaustion at around the 3 1/2 hour mark. She slept for about 45 minutes. It was long enough so that when she woke up there wasn’t too much left of the 5-hour flight. The flight was anything but relaxing, but we hadn’t expected it to be.
Breastfeeding on a Plane
One thing I hadn’t planned on was not being allowed to breastfeed during take-off and landing to help with baby’s ears. I had counted on this after having read countless trip reports on travelling with a baby.
It surprised me when they said I had to hold her against me in the “burping” position. I suppose it makes sense. However, I do think her ears bothered her during take-off and landing, particularly on the way home.
Another Flight, Another Delay
The flight home was far less eventful. There was a 1 1/2 hour delay but they were able to shave some time off the flight itself so we only arrived home an hour late. Aside from the crying during take-off (and boy did she cry), Little Miss slept the whole way…on me. No pee breaks for Mommy, but it was worth it to have a quiet, sleeping baby.
For that return flight, despite having paid for the seats with more leg room, I discovered a few empty rows near the back of the plane. After take-off, I went back and chose a row. I lifted all the armrests and cozied up as best I could for the long haul. My husband checked on us often and helped me with my meal so that the baby could keep sleeping. After all, happy baby, happy parents!
Tip: I learned quickly to keep my seatbelt buckled at all times so as not to risk waking a sleeping baby when the seatbelt sign comes on and the flight attendants come around to make you buckle up!
Towards the end of the flight I moved back up to my seat in the 3rd row so that we could be first off the aircraft and avoid the line-up at customs. *Something to consider if you’re flying with a lap infant: on Sunwing and on most aircraft the armrests don’t lift up in the first row. On the Sunwing 737 aircraft the first row on the right hand side of the plane is actually labelled “Row 2”).
Changing a Diaper on a Plane
I changed my baby’s diaper once on the plane. I used the change table in the bathroom. It was doable but a bit of a challenge to fold down and disinfect one-handed while holding the baby. Those bathrooms are so disgusting, I couldn’t bring myself not to wipe down whatever she could reach.
If I were to do it again I’d have my husband hold her while I set up/wiped down the change station. Potentially I might even use an empty row of seats if that were an option.
Puerto Vallarta with Baby – Travel Gear:
We plan to travel often with our little one so these purchases made sense for us.
For starters, we brought a car seat just in case we had to ride in anything other than a bus in Mexico. We bought the Cosco Car Seat on sale specifically for travelling so as not to risk damaging our Britax. Before the trip we practiced installing and removing it at home, and packed it in a duffle bag. It gave me great peace of mind having it with us even though we didn’t end up using it.
Travel Stroller Splurge
We also decided to buy an UPPAbaby G-luxe umbrella stroller specifically for travel. It was worth every penny. We found ourselves singing its praises several times on this trip, starting at the airport.
And we splurged on the G-Luxe travel bag as well.
We kept the stroller with us until we boarded the plane and then put it in its protective bag and gate checked it. The bag probably wasn’t necessary but if the stroller was damaged on the aircraft while in the bag, UPPAbaby would fix/replace it free of charge.
It took all of 30 seconds, if that, to get the G-Luxe in and out of the bag. While not in use, the bag fit into the basket under the stroller. The sun shade on this stroller is superb and we love that the seat back fully reclines.
Baby Carrier for Travel
We also tucked a small soft-structured baby carrier (the Beco Butterfly) into our carry-on bag. This particular carrier can be used front and back. It can also be rolled up and clipped around your waist like a fanny pack. If you wear the “fanny pack” to the side, your baby can sit on it and you can carry her on your hip without having to use any muscle power. This is handy if you’re standing around with an antsy baby but don’t want to go so far as to strap them into the carrier.
We found the front-carry option particularly handy upon arrival at the airport in Mexico at 2:00am. Our daughter was tired and fussy and just wanted to be held. It allowed us both to be hands-free so we could collect and carry/drag/push all our bags and gear.
More Handy Travel Gear
While you can hardly call it “gear”, these silicone spouts deserve a mention here as they turned out to be the most used items on our trip. They are a pair of different sized sippy cup-type nozzles that screw on to water bottles so your baby can stay hydrated on the go. Fantastic and inexpensive.
Even less expensive but equally handy were the plethora of large ziplock bags we brought. They held everything from snacks to wet bathing suits and they were especially handy for toting diapers, wipes, and bum cream around inside a sandy beach bag.
Puerto Vallarta with Baby – The Resort:
The Dreams Vallarta Resort & Spa, located 10-15 mins from the airport, was nothing short of excellent. Beautiful, modern, spotless and service-oriented. This place has it all.
When we arrived at 2:30am, check-in was quick and painless. No bracelets, no fuss, no muss.
A Couple of Hiccups…
There were a few hiccups when we got to our room, the biggest one being no crib. Of less immediate importance, the electronic safe wasn’t working and there was no remote for the TV.
We called the front desk and within minutes there was someone there setting up the crib. Then someone else delivered the TV remote and a third person repaired the safe. By 3:30am we were in bed, lights out, and snoring.
We were very impressed.
Housekeeping Requests
The only other hiccup, though not much of an issue for us, seemed to be the unpredictability of the housekeeping. Some guests said it was 5:00pm before their room was cleaned. On our first day they showed up at 2:00pm.
We simply asked if our room could be cleaned earlier so we could come back to the room with the baby to nap in the afternoon. They were very accommodating.
Our room was cleaned before noon every day and only once did we need to prompt them.
Dreams Vallarta – Guestrooms
Guest rooms were beautiful and very spacious. They also offered free (thats right, free!) in-room calling to Canada and the U.S., no strings attached. The hotel even had its own app you could download where you could check out the day’s activities, review your room charges, and even transfer your room phone in order to place and receive calls from your mobile device for free. Very impressive.
Our room was equipped with a fully stocked mini-bar, including 4 bottles of water daily. We drink a lot of water. On more than one occasion we called down to ask for 10 bottles to get us through the day. It was never an issue. Bottles of water were also readily available at all the resort’s bars.
Dreams Vallarta — More on the Guestrooms
The bathroom in our hotel room was huge. It had a separate tub and large walk-in shower with a bench seat and an adjustable shower head that you could remove and hold to rinse off.
We found this to be the easiest way to bathe the baby as she tries to drink the bath water at home. We were not willing to risk her getting a mouthful of water down there. It was a two-person job but it did the trick.
Food at Dreams Vallarta
There is a buffet and several a la carte restaurants on the property, none of which required advance reservations. Some restaurants are adults only, but there are always multiple options for families for dinner. We were always offered a high chair, although we usually just left her in the stroller as she seemed content. Don’t mess with a good thing, right?
And let’s not forget the 24 hour room service, which turned out to be our friend on more than one occasion. After a day of adventure off the resort it hardly seemed fair to ask a tired 8-month-old to then sit through dinner. Room service had a 30 minute guarantee, which they actually adhered to (shocking, I know!) It was so much appreciated as we needed the food to get there in a jiffy to get a tired baby to bed without interruptions.
Kids and Baby Amenities at Dreams Vallarta
Our munchkin was a bit young for the kids’ “Explorer Club” but it looked great. They had tons of activities and a fantastic looking, well-shaded kids area with all the very best equipment. I noticed that they even had a program where you could drop your little ones off for dinner and a movie while you enjoy a Mommy/Daddy dinner date.
Their teen area (the name escapes me) had rave reviews as well. It was basically a teenager’s hangout paradise, with all the latest gadgets.
Dreams Vallarta – The Grounds
The hotel grounds are beautiful and grand. And the property is small enough that you are never too far from your room. This is much appreciated with baby in tow. There are 3 pools and a hot tub on the property. The kids’ pool is complete with a water slide, and the beach front pool has a swim up bar for thirsty mommies and daddies.
The pool and beach-side drink/food service was great. The pools were kept very clean. We saw technicians there daily, both day and evening, checking to ensure optimal quality of the pool water.
Checking Out
Check-out at the hotel was very simple. Nothing to sign, no towel cards to turn in or bracelets to cut off. Simply turn in your keys and away you go.
Check out was at noon but our airport transfer was at 6:30pm. For $10/hour we were able to keep our room until we left. It was well worth it to have a place for baby to nap and to wash the sand and sunscreen off before the trek home.
Dreams Vallarta Resort & Spa was a great choice for a vacation in Puerto Vallarta with baby.
Puerto Vallarta with Baby – The City:
Puerto Vallarta with baby is beautiful. It’s very easy to get around both walking and by bus (which you catch on the main street outside the hotel).
Taxis are also plentiful and inexpensive but we didn’t want to be bothered installing and then dragging around the car seat. We weren’t comfortable riding in a cab with the baby on our laps, although it seems to be commonly done down there. So we walked and took the bus everywhere. Hold on *tightly* if you’re trying out the bus. It’s quite a ride.
Downtown Puerto Vallarta
The downtown area and beautiful seaside “malecon” (boardwalk) is about a 20-25 minute walk from the hotel. Watch your step though! The roads and sidewalks tend to want to jump up and bite you. Walk all the way south along the Malecon until it ends (around Los Muertos Beach) and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Old Vallarta, with fabulous restaurants and artisan shops aplenty.
You’re in luck if you need baby supplies while you’re in Puerto Vallarta with baby.
Finding Baby Supplies in Puerto Vallarta
Just outside Dreams Vallarta is a local department store called Coppel that is great in a pinch if you need clothing or baby gear. Prices are pretty well the same as North America. Down the street about a 5-minute walk is a WalMart-esque store called Mega. It has a larger selection and brands that you’re more likely to recognize (e.g. Pampers). They also sell groceries and alcohol.
Final Thoughts
All in all, our first trip with baby could not have gone better. As a result we’re already planning our next adventure. The key for us was learning to go with the flow, which I’ll admit was a bit of a struggle at times. But we kept reminding each other of the best two pieces of first-time baby travel advice that we received:
 1. Relax! Babies feel your stress. If you’re fretting about the flight, baby will know. Of course, do whatever you can to keep baby happy in the air, but if a meltdown ensues and the other passengers are giving you the stink-eye, remember that you paid for your ticket just the same as they did and try to roll with the punches. It wont last forever; and
2. This vacation will not be like your pre-baby vacations where you had the freedom to come and go as it pleased you. Go with baby’s flow, accept the slower pace and embrace it, because the moment you do it all gets easier.
Happy travels!
Have Baby Will Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates/Influencer Program. If you make a purchase through this site, we may receive a small commission. Click here to check out our Amazon Store.
See Also:
- Tips for Visiting Mexico & the Caribbean with Babies & Toddlers
- Is it Safe to Visit Mexico with a Baby?
- How to Bathe a Baby in Mexico
- Tips for Flying with a Sick Baby
- Travel Vaccinations for Babies & Toddlers
- Beach and Sun Safety for Babies & Toddlers
- Beach Vacations with Babies Travel Essentials List
- Best Resorts for Babies & Toddlers
- Resorts with Baby Clubs in Mexico and the Caribbean
- Best Baby Travel Cribs & Sleep Gear
- Baby Travel Gear
Wow, those hotel rooms look amazing. It’s always good to read such detailed information on resorts when you are travelling with a baby, so you can really imagine what it will be like and be well prepared, especially on a first trip with a baby.
I was surprised to read that you weren’t allowed to breastfeed. We, like many others, recommend mothers allow baby to swallow in some form on take off and landing – be it drinking or a dummy, but I’d not heard of it being not allowed. I must look that one up.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
It’s always amazing when you take that first adventure with baby. It helps to stay in a nice, all-inclusive resort in places like Mexico, where safety and cleanliness are a concern. We took our 2-year-old to Cabo San Lucas and had a great time at an all-inclusive. http://beachforbaby.com/cabo-with-kids/1381
Please tell me how you got from the airport to the resort. We are going with our 10 month old daughter and I am not willing to transport without a car seat unless it is a bus.
Hi Amber! If you’re booking a package your transfers will likely be by bus. If you’re worried, just bring your seat. We’ve never regretted bringing ours, even when we hardly used it.
We will also be traveling to the Now Amber resort and have an 8 month old. All of this information is very helpful. Do you recall if the crib was a pack n play? I would like to bring my own sheets for the baby and need to know what size. I have reached out to the hotel but have not gotten a response
Hi Kristyn!
I believe they said it was a wooden travel crib, but I don’t recall exactly. I do know they liked it so much that they went back!
We are bringing our 14 month old in May. Did you use any babysitting services? You mentioned some restaurants are adult only, how did they accommodate your baby? Thanks!
Hi Tiffany!
I don’t believe they used any babysitting services, and if a restaurant is considered adult-only, that usually includes infants too. Would love to hear about your trip!
Did you have any concerns re pool water..i.e. baby potentially drinking pool water? Thank you !
Hi Krissy!
I was more worried about bath water than pool water, to be honest! Of course I would try to limit it as much as I do here at home 🙂
Hi we are looking at going away with our 8 month old to an all inclusive , but are worried about the food for him! How did you find feeding your little one?! Thanks x
At 8mos., it’s probably easiest to bring along a few favourites and not introduce anything new while you’re there. But at buffets you can’t go wrong with mashing up some fruit, as well as bread or toast fingers. My little ones enjoyed the yogurt there as well, and practicing picking up single peas as well. You might find this post helpful too: Feeding Your Baby on Holiday Have a great trip and let us know how it goes!
Hi there! Sounds like an amazing trip! We are currently getting ready for a trip to Punta Cana with a 2.5 year old and 6 month old – we’ll be at the resort the entire time, so will only be commuting back and forth from the airport to the resort. Do you recommend bringing a carseat and installing it in a taxi OR do most people hold their children on the bus service provided by the travel company?
Hi Caroline!
If you don’t think you’ll be leaving the resort at all, you’ll be just fine taking the travel company’s provided bus transportation. Car seats aren’t required on coach buses. If you think you might do a few outings in a car or taxi, then it’s worth it to lug along the seat. Have a great trip!!
Hi can we take an infant (1 year old) in the asian restaurant if it’s adults only?
Hi Anna! I would double check with the hotel, but I would imagine not.
I have been to Puerto Vallarta multiple times but this will be my first with my 2.5 year old. After you gate checked your stroller where did you pick it up? Did they have it outside the plane for you or did you have to get it after immigration? I will be travelling alone so I am really nervous about my stroller as that is a must for me. He is too big to carry that far to baggage claim!
I can’t speak to Puerto Vallarta specifically, but with very few exceptions, when we deplane on the tarmac they’ve had the strollers waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Once or twice they brought them to baggage claim, which wasn’t a terribly far walk. Have a great trip!!
Hi! Did you have any issues with using a stroller at Now Amber? Did the resort have accessibility ramps for those who have strollers? We are staying there soon with two kids and we will be bringing a double stroller. Thanks 🙂
Hi Ann!
The Now Amber has a number of fully-accessible rooms, so I imagine the entire resort is, at least, somewhat accessible. Have a great trip!