The Riviera Maya is an awesome place to travel with littles.
Sun. Beaches. Culture. Sightseeing that toddlers will actually like. Margaritas! (You know, to make traveling with kids a bit more enjoyable…)
Whether you’re heading to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, or elsewhere on this wonderful chunk of the Yucatan Peninsula, you’ve made a great choice. The Riviera Maya is an easy, fun, family-friendly getaway.
Here are some things to know before you go!
Mexico has awesome resorts.
I bet you knew that already!
If you’re into resort-style travel (which can be great when your kids are little), you’ll be spoiled for choices in Mexico. The tourism industry in the coastal cities of Mexico has been around a long time, and they’ve got it figured out. Many of the resorts are huge, and you will have options for kids clubs, water activities, tours to major attractions, and so much more. You can realistically plan to stay for your whole trip at the resort with just day trips on the resort bus, if that’s what you’re into.
Keep in mind that most resort kids clubs have a minimum age, usually 5. But resorts often have a babysitter on staff or a list of background-checked and trusted babysitters. Here are some other options for childcare while traveling that you can consider.
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But resorts are not your only option!
Have you considered getting an Airbnb or other short-term rental while in the Yucatan Peninsula? While the resorts in Mexico are great, I actually prefer this option. I like to have a kitchen, laundry, and a little more space. I also like to stay in the action in town, and resorts are generally far away from the towns or very insulated in their own little bubble.
It’s not right for everyone, but if you’re considering something other than a resort, you can read all about staying in Airbnbs with babies or toddlers here!
Even if you’re not staying in resorts, you will benefit from the longstanding history of tourism in Mexico. I’ve never experienced any difficulty booking trips, getting information, finding baby supplies, or any number of other things that prove challenging when traveling to less developed areas.
You can also get day-passes at most resorts, meaning you can still visit and get the experience, without staying there for the whole trip.
Think about bringing your car seat.
You will not be required to use a car seat in taxis in Mexico, but you’ll probably still want to. When you travel to Europe, you don’t need a car seat – you can get almost everywhere by train. That is not the case in Mexico. You will likely either rent a car or rely on taxis or shuttles to get around.
If you use a shuttle service, you can call ahead to see if they will lend you a car seat. Many will, but you are not guaranteed that it’s going to be the right size, that it hasn’t been in an accident, been barfed in, etc. If you’re only going between the airport and the resort, and planning to just use tour buses to go anywhere else, that might be a fine option. Likewise if you’re staying in a very walkable area and not expecting to drive anywhere.
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TRANSPORTATION ON VACATION: Getting Around with a Baby or Toddler
We rented a car when we went with our 13-month-old. We used the car seat provided by the rental car agency, and it was fine. It was an American brand we were used to, it looked clean, and they gave us one that was appropriate for her size and age. I would trust this option more than a shuttle company which may just have one car seat for the whole fleet, but it is still a gamble.
Don’t plan ahead. (Too much.)
In Cancun and Playa del Carmen, it is incredibly easy to book tours, activities, day trips, restaurant reservations – anything. You don’t need a lot of advance notice, and it’s not going to save you a ton of money to book your excursion to Chichen Itza before you leave for your trip. That makes it really easy to adopt a flexible schedule while you’re in Mexico, and if you’ve ever traveled with a baby before, you know how important that can be.
This is something that I do not do for most places that we travel. In Asia and Europe, I find it saves a lot of money and hassle to book ahead of time. But in Mexico, they make it incredibly easy to go with the flow!
Should we explore ancient ruins today? 
Or just hang out in the hammock??
I highly recommend making a list of the things that you’d like to see, and maybe even the operators that you’d like to use. Also note anything that might impact your booking, like if the attraction is closed on certain days. Then schedule a day or 2 ahead while you’re there, so if your plans get completely side-tracked (I’m lookin’ at you, food poisoning!), you can readjust the rest of your trip as needed.
Seriously, don’t drink the water.
Ahh, speaking of food poisoning: let’s talk about water. I’m sure you already know that you are not supposed to drink the tap water in Mexico, but let’s dig in a little deeper. A lot of resorts and high-end hotels will actually purify their water, and it will be completely safe to drink. (Your resort will let you know if this is the case – don’t just assume.)
If you are staying somewhere that does not purify their water, or when you are out and about, do everything with bottled water – and make sure it is sealed when you buy it. That includes brushing teeth, washing out bottles, and of course mixing formula.
Most restaurants in the major tourist areas will use purified water, purified ice, and clean their fruits and veggies well. But if a restaurant looks unclean, consider moving along.
I am, unfortunately, one of those people who got food poisoning from ice. It was from a jam-packed dance club (pre-baby days), and let me just say that it thoroughly ruined the next few days of that trip. Luckily, since traveling with kids, we have stuck to decent restaurants and been fine.
Get ready to haggle.
The Riviera Maya has some incredible landmarks that you absolutely must visit, but prepare yourself for the overwhelming amount of people trying to sell you things. And you very well may want to buy some of those things! Because while there are a lot of cheap Made in China trinkets available, there are also a lot of gorgeous, local, handmade crafts.
But don’t buy from the first hawker you see.
When you arrive at Chichen Itza (or any of the other sites where people sell to tourists), you’ll see some beautiful stuff outside. Don’t buy it. You will find the same exact items – at a much lower price – inside.
And even then, you’ll want to haggle with them. It’s not being rude, or cheap – it’s what they expect. Try to enjoy the game! I personally hate haggling and am awful at it, so either my husband does it or I end up paying just under full price.
Do watch out for some of the bait and switch tricks the vendors will use. They’ll pull you over to their stalls by advertising with big $1 signs, but then once you’ve taken the time and picked out the one you want, they’ll inform you that it’s actually much more. There is one tiny trinket somewhere on the table that is $1… sorry for the confusion!
Breastfeeding or formula – you’re fine either way.
Mexico has a staggeringly low rate of breastfeeding. There is a prevalent belief that formula is a healthier option, and therefore most Mexican women choose to bottle-feed from the get-go.
That being said, breastfeeding is generally not seen as a taboo. Local women and tourists can nurse publicly without confrontation or concerns of being kicked out of an establishment. As with many places, if you are staying in a tourist hotspot, there is a bigger risk of getting comments or stares from other vacationers (and really, just us Americans, sadly).
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BREASTFEEDING WHILE TRAVELING: 12 Tips for Baby-Friendly Trips
Bring a cover if that makes you more comfortable, but know that Mexican women breastfeed their babies in public places. Do what feels right for you.
If you bottle-feed your little one, you can rest assured that formula is easy to find in Mexico.
Families are valued in Mexico.
You will not find any place (short of night clubs) where your little ones are not welcome. This is a culture where children are not considered a burden – they go where you go.
People are super friendly toward babies and toddlers, although in general they stop short of taking photos and asking to hold your baby – something that we have experienced countless times across Southeast Asia.
Restaurants, shops, tours – even if you are going at weird hours (hey there, baby jet lag!) you can bring your baby and no one will fault you for it.
Unlike many places in Europe and Asia, high chairs are commonplace at restaurants. Hotels usually have cribs. Streets and shops are more stroller-accessible.
Mexico, in general, is a great place to visit as a family. But the Riviera Maya has something a little extra special. If you need a completely relaxing and sunny getaway, you’ve chosen the perfect place.
I would love to hear from you in the comments! Questions? Other experiences? Let me know!
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3 thoughts on “Riviera Maya with a Toddler or Baby: Know Before You Go”
Hello! Traveling to Riviera Maya (Hard Rock). I’m wondering if the resorts carry diapers. We’re trying not to pack too much but because we’ll be a distance from the city it makes me nervous to under-pack.
Thank you !
I don’t know about the Hard Rock specifically, but I have found that more often than not, resorts don’t have diapers (but that’s not to say always… I think it depends a bit on the size of the resort). I would shoot the concierge an email – they’ll be able to tell you! If the answer is no, you’ll want to swing by a minimart before you head to the resort. If you’re taking the resort bus straight from the airport, that could be tricky. The concierge will have a good recommendation for you, though!
We are roadtripping from Riveria Maya to Merida in December for a friend’s wedding. I’m so intimidated by the horrible reviews for basically all rental car agencies around Cancun. Any tips or suggestions?? I cannot imagine arriving in Cancun after a long day of travel only for our LO to sit on line at the car rental agency for hours!