Mexico may have been getting a bad rap in the media lately, but the tourist areas are generally insulated from the violence and if you take a trip to Mexico with a baby, chances are you won’t be driving through Chiapas at four in the morning. As a family vacation, I love Mexico for babies and toddlers, and wouldn’t hesitate to visit with my family.
Mexico Resorts With Baby Clubs:
Maybe you don’t think you’ll use it, but having the option of a little bit of couple time while your baby plays for an hour or so might tempt you…
How Do I Bathe My Baby In Mexico:
Although the water is mostly fine, I totally get being nervous about Mexican tap water getting into my baby’s mouth. Here’s a few tips for keeping bath water out of baby’s mouth!
Puerto Vallarta With Baby:
I love sharing this wonderful story of a family’s first vacation with their baby to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
And since Mexico is a big country with lots of destinations, here’s a low down on some the the places you can go.
Located in western Mexico, the Pacific coast region stretches across 1,700 kilometers (1,054 miles) of beaches, mountains and valleys, spanning from the state of Sinaloa to the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in the state of Oaxaca. The climate is hot and tropical (temperatures range from 15° C, or 59° F, to 32° C, or 90° F) along the coast, while the zone that makes up part of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range gets much cooler.
Imagine how pleasant it would be to go swimming in the waters of the beautiful beaches of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, on the Pacific coast. There your entire family can go scuba diving or take a ride across the waves on a banana boat. You can also swim with dolphins in fabulous aquatic parks.
Another interesting destination you can visit is Oaxaca, a cosmopolitan city with strong native traditions which are reflected in the customs, crafts and contemporary art. In the markets, you and the family can enjoy Oaxaca’s exquisite regional cuisine, which has pre-Hispanic influences.
The Yucatan Peninsula, located in southeastern Mexico between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, has a year-round hot and humid climate, which is ideal for enjoying its Beach Resorts and natural paradises.
Merida, the state capital of Yucatan, is where you can take a ride on a horse-drawn carriage and admire the gorgeous palaces and buildings lining the Paseo Montejo, the city’s main avenue. In Merida’s surrounding areas you can take the kids to the sinkholes, haciendas and Mayan archaeological zones.
Located on the eastern side of the Yucatan Peninsula, Quintana Roo offers the beautiful waters of the Caribbean Sea, top-notch tourist resorts, white-sand beaches, marvelous ecological reserves and ancient Mayan ruins.
Here you can visit Cancun, an important destination for national and international tourists, which has a 30-km (19-mi) stretch of beaches and an impressive hotel zone. Isla Mujeres offers all kinds of tourist attractions, including pre-Hispanic ruins, the remains of an old hacienda and a modern aquatic park where you can go snorkeling among hundreds of colorful fish that inhabit the coral reefs. Nearby lies Cozumel, Mexico’s largest island, where you can go kayaking through mangroves and scuba diving along the Great Mayan Reef, the second largest reef system in the world. The reef runs through the Parque Marino Nacional de Arrecifes de Cozumel and the Parque Natural de Chankanaab.
Along the Caribbean coast, in the direction of state capital Chetumal, you’ll find numerous tourist attractions in the Mayan Riviera, which is lined with luxurious resorts, exclusive spas and golf courses. In this region you can visit the archaeological zones of Coba and Tulum, a walled city overlooking the sea. At Playa del Carmen, the Mayan Riviera’s cosmopolitan city, you’ll find excellent tourist facilities at ecotourism parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and at the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
Located in the northwest region, the Baja California Peninsula borders the United States on the north, and lies east of the Pacific Ocean and west of the Sea of Cortez. The peninsula has an ideal climate, with sunny days throughout most of the year and average temperatures ranging from 15° C (59° F) in the winter and 30° C (86° F) during the summer.
Central Mexico is one of the country’s richest regions in culture and natural beauty. Its territory extends from the outer limits of a high plateau in the north to the edge of the Sierra Madre range in the south. Temperatures are moderate throughout most of the year, ranging from –3º C (26º F) in the winter to 30º C (86º F) in the summer. The climate can vary considerably depending on the geographic zone.
If you’re interested in history and culture, Puebla is an excellent option. There you can admire the splendid architecture of the city’s most important historic buildings, including the Cathedral and the Palacio del Alfeñique. In Puebla’s environs, there’s plenty of fun waiting for you at the national parks and a famous zoo.
Finally, in Mexico City, you’ll find just about everything: tourist avenues, hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, museums, theaters, stadiums, amusement parks and a wide array of stores and shopping centers where you can buy things for the whole family.
For more information on travel to Mexico please check out www.visitMexico.com
Great information – especially about the Yucatan. The kids are excited to visit that one in the future. Just got back from a family vaca in Los Cabos. Ever tried a rental home instead of a hotel? We travel in a large pack and LOVED the home we rented with http://www.elitedestinationhomes.com. Highly recommended!
Best place for family indeed.
We might be visiting for a summer vacation in Mexico.
This is a very informative blog! Thank you for sharing this article.
I also found these helpful Tips on bringing the kids to this seaside city on Mexico’s pacific coast.
http://www.gonomad.com/5656
What about immunizations?
I consulted my doctor before our trips, and so long as we/they are up to date with their regular vaccination schedule, there is no need for additional immunizations. If you’re concerned you should speak with your doctor about it.
I have been leaning towards the Yucatan for quite some time. Looks like a beautiful group of cities/towns with awesome scenery and culture. Bring on that white saaaaand 🙂
What do you do about diapers when traveling to Mexico? Do you bring enough diapers for the entire trip? We are taking our first trip with our 3 month old and I am perplexed as to how to pack enough diapers. Thanks for your help!
Hi Ashley!
It depends on how long your trip is. If it’s only a week and heading out in search of diapers would be a pain in the butt, then it’s worth the suitcase space to cram in as many as you think you’ll need, plus a few extra. Luckily, diapers for three-month-olds don’t take up much space and don’t weigh much, and you won’t have to worry about bringing them back. However, if you’re going for longer and know that there will be a Wal-Mart nearby (Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, for example) you can set aside some time to head out for supplies. Sometimes hotel gift shops sell diapers, but there are no guarantees about quality or sizing or quantity availability. Have a great trip!
I love that you addressed the issue of drinking bathwater! That was one of my major concerns before spending six weeks with my family in Mexico City. He was 19 months at the time so understood “no drinking” a bit better than a younger baby, but we still had to spend the whole bath time reminding him. I’m sure he consumed some small sips during the time we were there, but he never had any problems. Looking back, it definitely isn’t something to worry about!
Also – for anyone in the future looking for information about buying diapers in Mexico – they are everywhere! You can get them at every corner store or pharmacy. And they are cheaper than in the U.S. Huggies is the main brand sold there. Chicolastic is also super common. They aren’t the best quality, but are very cheap and you can buy them in small packages if you just need to supplement your supply. I’d just bring enough for your flight and first day, and then buy the rest when you get there.
Thank you, Megan!
hi Corinne,
we will be traveling for the first time with our infant to playa de carmen (she’ll be 4 months old). I feel that eating/bathing her will be simple at this age, as she is breastfeeding takes <1 bottle formula/day and i can sponge bathe her to keep water away from her mouth. My main concern (questions) is about car seats, strollers, and crib. I cannot decide what we need to take.
Stroller: We will not be doing very many tours as we are attending a wedding, therefore unsure if we need the stroller.
Car Seats:Have you ever rented car seats with a car rental? How do you usually get from airport to resort?
Cribs: What is your experience withe the cribs from the resort. I am not a huge germafobe, however the idea of renting a car seat and crib (that another baby could have spit or had an accident in) freaks me out a little. But I'm also overwhelmed at packing- clothes, diapers, etc, PLUS stroller, car seat, and pack n play.
Thanks!
Tori
Hi Tori!
First of all, breathe! This will be fun. You may not need to use a car seat at all, depending on what your airport transfers are. If you are traveling via a package, it is likely you will be transported via coach bus, where a car seat is not necessary. But the best case scenario is you bring along her infant carrier car seat (gate check on the plane) that snaps into a stroller via an adapter (Like the Baby Jogger City Mini) so you’ll only have to gate check two items and baby can ride in her car seat snapped into the stroller, but while you’re out and about you can store the car seat and adapter in your room.
So obviously I’m recommending bringing the stroller! She will need a safe place to rest and you will need a safe place for her to do so whether that’s in your room or out and about in the resort. It will be too hot for both of you to wear her or even hold her for long periods of time, and the stroller can help cart about all the things you will need–not to mention your own beach bag, etc. I miss the stroller days for that reason!
I am sure the crib or pack n play the resort provides will be ok. I always bring along my own crib sheet, and even if it seemed clean I always felt better going over it myself with a soapy cloth. You’ll have dish soap with you anyway for cleaning her daily bottle, right? 🙂
Don’t sweat it. I know it seems like a lot but you will all have a great time and every trip will get easier as you grow together. Have a wonderful trip!