The Mayan Riviera in Mexico is a well-liked vacation spot with households and for good cause. There may be a lot extra to do than simply seashores, when touring to Mexico with a toddler. In case you are trying to escape the winter this yr, put the Riviera Maya in your listing of locations to go for your loved ones trip.
It’s a spot we’ve been to a number of occasions earlier than children and twice with our youngsters as toddlers. With so many choices within the Riviera Maya, we predict it’s among the best locations to journey in Mexico with toddlers.
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The primary time we went to Mexico with a toddler was when our daughter was 18 months previous and I used to be pregnant with our son.
We stayed for per week at an all-inclusive resort that was among the best Mexico resorts for toddlers as a result of there was a lot to do, a lot in order that we didn’t even really feel the necessity to depart the resort.
A couple of years later, we returned to Riviera Maya with a toddler (our son was 2 years previous and our daughter was 4 years previous). This time we stayed for a month in a trip residence rental rental in Playa del Carmen, together with a automobile rental in Mexico that allowed us to discover the whole area.
Let’s get the primary query out of the best way first…
Is it Secure to Take a Toddler to Mexico?
Sure, you possibly can safely take a toddler to Mexico on a household trip with some precautions.
7 Suggestions for Safely Taking a Toddler to Mexico:
1. Speaking to your pediatrician is all the time a very good place to start out, particularly relating to sunscreen, bug spray and the best way to deal with any tummy points.
2. Go to a journey clinic to know any obligatory vaccinations for Mexico.
3. Convey a solar hat, rash guard and even a seashore tent to offer your toddler the perfect solar safety.
4. Preserve your baby effectively hydrated and know the indicators for dehydration in your toddler.
5. Convey a stroller with a very good cover for excursions.
6. If you happen to aren’t snug staying in a rental condominium, discover a kid-friendly all-inclusive resort that caters to toddlers. A number of the greatest household resorts are capable of present wholesome meals choices focused at your baby.
7. Learn all of our solar security suggestions for toddlers.
The place to Keep within the Riviera Maya with a Toddler
There are such a lot of decisions for households relating to deciding the place to remain in Mexico, from trip residence leases (like Airbnb or VRBO) to family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The world you select may also have an effect on what you see and do, particularly in the event you don’t have a automobile rental.
It’s greatest to determine your price range and what you wish to do within the time you’ve got, then determine which space fits your loved ones trip greatest. Within the Yucatan Peninsula, there are numerous glorious locations to remain similar to Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and all the pieces in between.
One factor to bear in mind, particularly when travelling to Mexico with a toddler, is the gap of your resort from the airport. Although most all-inclusive resorts will present shuttle service, it might not go on to your resort leading to an extended journey than you had anticipated. If this can be a concern, a very good (and surprisingly inexpensive) various is to get a non-public switch to your resort from the Cancun airport.
On our first time in Mexico with a toddler, we stayed on the Grand Palladium Kantenah all-inclusive for per week. With solely per week, we selected a toddler-friendly resort with a children membership. This household trip was all about leisure and preserving a busy toddler occupied.
The second time we stayed in Mexico for 4-weeks, so we wished an condominium the place we may do laundry, have separate bedrooms and cook dinner a few of our personal meals. Our authentic plan was to remain in a spot the place we may get to the seashore and not using a automobile rental and the place we may stroll all over the place we wished to go.
With its central location throughout the Yucatan Peninsula, Playa del Carmen ended up being your best option for us. We ended up renting a automobile and our plan to have a quiet time simply hanging out on the seashore become one thing very totally different. We ended up discovering all of the greatest issues to do with a toddler in Mexico!
Meals and Water Security in Mexico
In case you are taking your toddler to an all-inclusive resort, you’ve got little or no to be involved about. Bottled water can be supplied and a good resort will take all the mandatory security precautions with the meals.
In case you are staying at a self-catering condominium, it’s good to be extra conscious of meals poisoning and water high quality dangers. Don’t let this scare you although – with correct schooling and consciousness, chances are high superb your loved ones may have no points in any respect.
Renting a Automobile in Mexico
Earlier than deciding to lease a automobile, think about how lengthy you’ll be in Mexico and what you propose on doing. If you happen to plan on spending most of your time at your resort and/or on the seashore, you possibly can simply forgo the automobile rental and easily be part of a few excursions on the times you propose to enterprise out.
If you may be in Mexico for longer and the excursions, taxis or public transportation aren’t an possibility for you, then ensure to learn up on driving across the Yucatan Peninsula.
If you happen to do lease a automobile in Mexico, you possibly can both journey with your individual automobile seat or lease one while you get there. It’s simple to lease toddler gear for journey (like automobile seats) from a child gear rental firm (like Riviera Maya Child Gear for Hire) as a substitute of the automobile rental company. If you happen to determine to fly along with your automobile seats, remember to hold them protected in a automobile seat bag.
If you examine automobile rental costs in Cancun, don’t get too enthusiastic about how low cost they appear. The costs virtually by no means embody obligatory Mexico insurance coverage. For extra on what it’s good to know, learn up on frequent scams when renting a automobile in Mexico.
Greatest Issues to do in Riviera Maya with A Toddler
And now for the enjoyable half, the listing of issues to do with a toddler in Mexico!!
The 6 Greatest Seashores in Mexico with a Toddler
One of many causes Mexico is among the greatest nations to go to with a toddler are its world-class seashores. Certainly, seashores can be a big portion of your time in Mexico with a toddler. We cherished all the general public seashores round Playa del Carmen and located there was sufficient selection to maintain us pleased for a month in Mexico with a toddler and preschooler.
It’s laborious to think about something extra enjoyable than a day at a seashore with a toddler. Make your seashore time the perfect it may be with these toddler seashore necessities.
1. Xpu-Ha Seaside
Xpu-Ha seashore simply turned considered one of our favourite toddler-friendly seashores in Playa del Carmen and we returned there a number of occasions. About half-hour exterior of Playa del Carmen, we had been lucky that having a rental automobile made it simple to frequent this seashore.
There are a few resorts behind Xpu-Ha Seaside, however it all the time felt so quiet. The water at Xpu-Ha seashore is sweet and shallow for a good distance out and the waves are comparatively small, making it the proper seashore in Mexico with a toddler.
There are additionally some rental gear locations alongside Xpu-Ha seashore, making it a enjoyable place to attempt stand-up paddle boarding along with your children.
2. Punta Esmeralda Seaside
You’ll additionally discover Punta Esmeralda within the ‘Cenotes with a toddler‘ part beneath, because it additionally has a cenote in the course of the seashore. The contemporary water bubbles up right into a lagoon which has a stream that runs into the ocean.
Punta Esmeralda is such a enjoyable Playa del Carmen seashore for toddlers who can play within the shallow, waveless water of the cenote. The added bonus is the ocean is correct subsequent to the cenote too. It’s the perfect of each worlds!
Although Punta Esmeralda continues to be a native’s seashore, there are a few resorts close by and also you’ll discover different vacationers right here. You possibly can this toddler-friendly seashore to be a lot quieter than the seashores in central Playa del Carmen although.
3. Playacar Seaside
Playacar is a gated Playa del Carmen group with costly properties and likewise some giant all-inclusive resorts close by. The seashore in entrance of the properties is comparatively quiet, apart from the big quantity of pedestrian visitors (i.e. resort goers) who’re strolling the seashore.
The actual advantage of Playacar Seaside is you’ll nonetheless have the ability to discover seashells right here which is enjoyable factor to do in Mexico with toddlers.
4. Primary Public Seaside in Playa del Carmen
The principle seashore in Playa del Carmen stretches from the ferry pier to Calle 10 Nte. With its proximity to the primary vacationer space of Playa del Carmen, it’s busy as you’d anticipate, however don’t let that flip you off. The seashore and water are beautiful and also you’ll haven’t any bother discovering locations to eat.
Proper close to the ferry pier, you may also cease at Fundadores Park the place there’s a terrific playground for little children.
5. Playa Mamitas Seaside
Playa Mamitas is a vigorous Playa del Carmen seashore that could be a 22 minute stroll from the primary ferry pier. Benefit from the stroll down the pedestrian-only Calle Quinta Avenida (5th avenue) after which entry the seashore at Calle 28 Nte.
Playa Mamitas seashore was clear with loads of sand to play in and no rocks to journey up little toes. The day we had been there, the water was calm with very small waves, although this will range each day.
Behind the seashore, you’ll discover the Mamitas
Seaside Membership which has solar beds for lease, a restaurant and a household space with a
child’s pool.
6. Coco Seaside
Coco Seaside is one other Playa del Carmen native’s seashore and also you’ll discover method much less vacationers right here. The seashore has a extra pure really feel to it as it’s backed by jungle as a substitute of resorts. The draw back of that is that resorts usually clear the seashores, whilst you’ll be extra prone to discover some rubbish on Coco Seaside.
To get to this seashore you’ll want discover the trail on the far facet of the Reef Coco Seaside Resort (previous the gate on the entrance to the resort and the guard station). Although Coco Seaside was dirtier than the remainder, it wasn’t horrible and it’s all the time good to spend a day away from the crowds.
The three Greatest Mayan Ruins with a Toddler
A day journey to the Mayan ruins is among the most enjoyable issues to do with a toddler close to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The Mayan ruins are an ideal excuse to a break from the seashore and provides your children a enjoyable cultural expertise.
When you have a rental automobile you possibly can simply do a self-guided tour of the ruins or rent a neighborhood information while you arrive. Alternatively, you possibly can guide a family-friendly Mayan ruins tour that features transportation.
Every of the Mayan ruins close to Cancun will present a unique expertise, so in the event you solely go to one select the one that provides the kind of expertise your loved ones is searching for. Additionally, when visiting the ruins with little children, plan your go to early within the day when there are much less folks and it’s not fairly so sizzling.
1. Chichen Itza
Being one of many “New 7 Wonders of the World”, Chichen Itza is among the prime vacationer points of interest in Mexico. Regardless of the crowds, it’s price a go to to see Chichen Itza’s iconic pyramid, El Castillo.
To be taught extra about these unimaginable Mayan ruins, you possibly can rent a non-public information with transportation. Keep away from visiting Chichen Itza on a Sunday, when locals get free admission and it will get even busier. Once more, it can get highly regarded at Chichen Itza so don’t overlook these solar hats, sunscreen and loads of water.
If you happen to don’t have your individual rental automobile, these top-rated day journeys to the Mayan ruins can be a terrific possibility.
2. Tulum Ruins
The place the Coba ruins will provide you with that sense of being deep within the jungle, Tulum will wow you with its Caribbean Sea location. In case you are extra focused on a lovely seaside setting over a stroll within the jungle, then plan a day at Tulum along with your toddler.
The Tulum ruins are set excessive up on a cliff overlooking the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The dearth of jungle bushes signifies that you’ll discover little or no shade right here and it’ll get sizzling.
The Tulum ruins are the third most visited web site in Mexico; it’s not a really huge advanced, so it may possibly really feel very crowded. Attempt to arrive early along with your little ones to beat the crowds.
Questioning which set of Mayan Ruins to go to? Right here’s one other good run down of the Mayan Ruins within the Yucatan that will help you selected.
3. Coba Ruins
The Mayan ruins of Coba are set deep within the Yucatan Peninsula jungle and is the one one of many three the place you’ll nonetheless have the ability to climb the pyramid. The Nohoch Mol pyramid in Coba is the tallest Mayan temple in Mexico and you’ll climb the 120 steps proper to the highest.
The steps to the highest of the Coba pyramid are worn from a lot visitors and could be fairly slippery. It doesn’t take lengthy to get to the highest, so if you’re not snug taking your toddler to the highest, it’s simply as simple for one father or mother to attend on the backside, after which take turns.
We advocate going straight to the Nohoch Mol pyramid as quickly as you arrive to Coba with children, as that’s while you’ll discover it to be the least crowded.
Visiting Coba with a toddler is usually a actually enjoyable expertise, your toddler will love getting a journey on one of many bikes! Simply be ready with loads of water and mosquito repellent!
The 4 Greatest Mexico Cenotes with a Toddler
To chill off after your go to to the Mayan ruins, plan a enjoyable cease at a close-by cenote! Cenotes are pure sinkholes triggered when the limestone bedrock collapses, which then fill with groundwater. Usually you’ll discover the bottom water to be surprisingly chilly, particularly when it’s not uncovered to the solar.
Lots of the Riviera Maya cenotes can be in giant caves, which is a enjoyable expertise however if you’re visiting with a toddler, they might not wish to be within the chilly water for very lengthy.
When visiting Mexican cenotes with little children, we advocate visiting cenotes the place one father or mother can keep on the facet along with your toddler and which can be simple to get to the water. Some cenotes are very deep and should not have a shallow space for little ones to play in.
We additionally advocate bringing your individual life jacket to the cenote on your toddler, because it’s unlikely you’ll have the ability to get one sufficiently small.
1. Punta Esmeralda Cenote
Punta Esmeralda is a good place to go to in Playa del Carmen with a toddler because it has each a seashore part and a cenote. It’s a little bit of a journey from the primary vacationer space in Playa del Carmen, however definitely worth the time to get there.
This Punta Esmeralda cenote is open-air and has among the glorious shallow areas for a toddler to play in, particularly since there are not any waves! There’s a small present the place the cenote water flows into the ocean, so hold a detailed eye in your toddler.
2. Kantun-chi Eco-Park
In contrast to among the different toddler-friendly cenotes, Kantun-chi is in a extremely developed eco-park. In Kantun-Chi eco-park, there are 4 cenotes that are all appropriate to take a toddler.
Three of the Kantun-Chi cenotes are underground or in giant open caves, the place one is totally uncovered to the solar. There are additionally kayaks out there at three of the cenotes.
3. Choo-ha Cenote
After you household enjoys exploring the jungle across the Coba ruins, cool off on the Choo-ha cenotes that are solely a ten minute drive away. The native Mayan group owns and operates these three cenotes and your entry payment helps to assist the native folks.
There are 3 cenotes right here however we solely visited Choo-ha because it appeared essentially the most toddler pleasant cenote of the bunch. After the lengthy staircase down (greatest to hold little ones down these stairs), there have been loads of locations our toddler may splash round and enter the water as a lot (or as little) as he wished.
4. X-keken Ecopark
In case you are visiting Chichen Itza, you possibly can skip the super-busy cenote that’s a part of that advanced and are available to this eco-park with two cenotes as a substitute as you’ll discover it much less busy. There’s a giant space within the Dzitnup cenote the place you possibly can sit alongside the sting, making this cenote a very good place to go to with a toddler.
The water within the Dzitnup cenote is deep and the doorway is kind of rocky, however you could possibly nonetheless get into the water with a toddler right here.
We advocate having a life jacket of some type on your little ones right here. We additionally advocate having towels as you’ll really feel chilly in that underground cave while you come out of the water!
The 5 Greatest Eco-Parks in Mexico with a Toddler
You would possibly suppose that visiting among the eco-parks within the Mayan Riviera received’t be price it with a toddler, however that isn’t the case. If you end up searching for one thing enjoyable to do with children in Mexico with children, apart from play on the seashore, listed below are among the greatest Mexico eco-parks to go to along with your toddler.
1. Xcaret Ecopark with a Toddler
With out query, Xcaret was the greatest eco-park for toddlers in Mexico. There was a lot to see and do at Xcaret there that we had no points filling up our day. Between the butterfly pavilion, the ocean turtles and the Youngsters’s World, our two children had been in absolute heaven.
2. Xel-Ha with a Toddler
Xel-Ha is one other glorious kid-friendly Yucatan Peninsula eco-park. Whereas there are numerous points of interest withing Xel-Ha which aren’t appropriate for toddlers, however there’s nonetheless loads of enjoyable stuff for little children to simply fill a day. The river tour was our toddlers favourite attraction at Xel-Ha, apart from the enjoyable playground and small swimming pools, after all.
Remember that the Xel-Ha park is huge, so having a stroller or service on your toddler will assist you to get round simpler. For toddlers, packing a toddler service can simply assist you to carry your toddler when these little legs get drained!
3. Akumal Monkey Sanctuary
Seemingly the place each our youngsters keep in mind most from household trip to the Yucatan Peninsula is the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary. Dwelling to many rescue animals, most who had been unique pets, this place has a lot extra for teenagers to see than simply monkeys.
The tour by way of the Akumal Monkey Sanctuary begins with feeding goats and deer, strikes to holding macaws and boa constrictors then ends with feeding the cutest little spider monkeys.
The employees was superb at ensuring our youngsters felt snug with the animals and didn’t encourage or push the animal encounters on anybody who didn’t really feel one-hundred p.c snug.
Akumal Monkey Sanctuary Tickets
4. Aktun Chen
We additionally visited Aktun Chen to offer our daughter an opportunity to go ziplining for the primary time. Our toddler was too younger (clearly) to go ziplining, so he and Dad explored the eco-park whereas the ladies loved a high-adrenaline journey.
Since we had been already at Aktun Chen, we additionally did the cave tour, which ended up being numerous enjoyable and each children actually loved it.
5. CroCo Cun Zoo
CroCo Cun Zoo is a enjoyable and interactive zoo close to Cancun, crammed with native animals like parrots, iguanas, crocodiles, spider monkeys and hairless canines.
In case your toddler loves animals, the CroCo Cun Zoo is a good outing. It’s additionally a very good place to get out of the solar, because you’ll spend more often than not within the shade of the jungle. Simply don’t overlook the bug spray.
Going to an ecopark with a toddler is an excellent expertise for your loved ones trip to Mexico. If you’d like extra information, take a look at my put up on these prime eco-parks within the Mayan Riviera.
Greatest Day Journeys on the Mayan Riviera with a Toddler
Day journey to Isla Mujeres
If you happen to aren’t staying on Isla Mujeres, then think about going there for a enjoyable household day journey on the Riviera Maya. There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do on Isla Mujeres with children, together with renting golf carts to tour the island. Your toddler is assured to like using round on the golf cart!
Tortugranja, a turtle farm, is a enjoyable place for teenagers on Isla Mujeres. It’s not a big facility, but when your child loves turtles they’ll see loads of them right here.
Subsequent, drive as much as Punta Sur, the southernmost tip of Isla Mujeres. It could not sound like a lot however it ended up being my favourite a part of our day journey. The surroundings at Punta Sur is unimaginable and the stroll by way of the sculpture backyard is numerous enjoyable.
There’s an extremely scenic path that goes down beneath the Punta Sur sculpture backyard alongside the rocky cliffs, simply hold your toddler shut as there are not any security guards alongside the edges of this path (higher but, this can be a great place for a shoulder journey!).
Lastly, a stroll by way of the vigorous city and
a cease on the stunning Playa Norte will replenish the remainder of your time on Isla
Mujeres with children earlier than heading again to the ferry terminal.
Day journey to Cozumel
We did a day journey to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen and actually loved our stroll by way of the city, however as a result of we hadn’t deliberate on doing any snorkeling excursions there actually wasn’t a lot else for us to do there.
Greatest locations to eat within the Mayan Riviera
Playa del Carmen Eating places
Learn this put up for all our favourite family-friendly eating places in Playa del Carmen, however one which you shouldn’t miss is El Fogon. Our children cherished their bean soup!
Isla Mujeres Eating places
Throughout our day journey to Isla Mujeres with children, we stopped for lunch at Inexperienced Verde. It was a small kid-friendly restaurant however the Mexican meals was scrumptious!
Coba Eating places
In between our go to to the Coba ruins and our time swimming within the Choo-ha cenote, we had a easy, but scrumptious lunch at El Cocodrilo overlooking Laguna Coba.
Akumal Eating places
For genuine Mexican meals, don’t miss El Taco Maya in Akumal. It’s a small locals restaurant, however we cherished the pork tacos a lot that we made a return journey!
What to Pack for Mexico with a Toddler
I’ve talked about a number of really helpful toddler journey gear all through the put up, however it’s simpler to try my listing of toddler journey necessities I received’t depart residence with out. In case you are wanting particularly for a Mexico packing listing for teenagers, take a look at my put up with a tropical trip packing listing for teenagers.
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Celine Brewer is the proprietor of Child Can Journey. Not solely does she have years of expertise touring with infants & toddlers, however she’s helped thousands and thousands of recent dad and mom journey with their infants and toddlers for over a decade. Along with writing on her child journey weblog, she has shared her experience on touring with a child or toddler by contributing to articles about touring with a child with the Washington Put up, USA Right now, the Lonely Planet journal and Being pregnant & New child journal.
Celine additionally writes about household journey on the positioning FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns together with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her ardour about her residence and journey to Banff Nationwide Park and space on their web site TravelBanffCanada.com.
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