TULUM WITH KIDS

“It wasn’t exactly love at first sight. I was sceptical, tired from the recent family trip to Mexico, ambivalent about going to the same country yet again, with expectations quite low and very different from what it ended up being. Tulum won me over, and made me fall in love head over heels.” I wrote these words about Tulum 3 years ago. Since then we’ve been to Tulum 6 times. The first time we came to Tulum when Leo was 8 months old. We came back shortly after, in March, just before Leo turned one. The following year we came for the whole month of January and half of February (Leo was 18 months old), and I even brought Leo’ grandparents from Russia with us. We went there again in April 2018, just before Leo’s 3rd Birthday, and shortly after to celebrate my Birthday in September. For a person who loves travelling to new places coming to the same one 6 times within 3 years is something I can only explain like feeling at home there. Tulum has become my 3rd – tropical – home, with dear friends and places I love, and just this incredible energy you feel in the air. Below is my lengthy love letter and everything I know about Tulum to answer all your possible questions.

I’ve never experienced Tulum as a single person (which – I am sure – is a lot of fun!) but I sure did it all as a mom, adjusting our experience every time according to Leonardo’s age. On each of these 6 trips, we got to see and live through slightly different Tulum – mainly because this magical place is so alive, and grows and changes as fast as Leonardo does. Thus, this article has been updated and slightly modified after each trip according to our growing experience, but most information has been written based on the very first impression of our very first trip. It’s as lengthy as “War & Peace”, but you can also jump topics following caps lock captions (see below).

I do get asked a lot about some health concerns many parents have when considering a trip to Mexico. My detailed answers and recommendations, including the list of local meds and doctors, can be found here:

Tulum/Riviera Maya with kids (part 2): How to stay healthy and enjoy the trip

THINGS I WISH I KNEW ABOUT TULUM BEFORE I CAME

Ironically, this long-term love affair with Tulum started with a disappointment. The first time we came here we rented a chic looking apartment in town thinking that it’s close to the beach (or so it looked on the map). We were wrong.

It would help to avoid disappointment if I knew that Tulum was divided into 2 sections: the town (pueblo) and the beach (playa). They are about 5 km apart. The only way to get to the beach is an empty and uneventful road – Coba Avenue – through a yet inhabited jungle. The beach strip is split by this road in two as well: the left side has rocky picturesque beaches and brings you all the way to famous Tulum ruins, and right side boasts fine white sand beaches and ends up in the unique biosphere with unique wildlife, Sian Kaan. There are no private properties on the beach (or so they say), only cabaña-style hotels, which are cramped tight next to each other, while stores and restaurants are mostly spread out on the jungle side of the road.

THINGS TO DO

You can find a lot of information online about must-see and must-do things in Tulum and around, be that ruins, cenotes (sinkholes with fresh water), snorkelling with turtles or water adventure parks. I will omit the obvious – of course, you need to see it all if time and circumstances permit. For us, the time we had plenty, but our circumstances were defined by travelling with Leonardo (respectively when he was 8mo/11mo/18mo/23mo/2,5yo/3yo), so I can only share my personal tips and likes in regards of exploring Tulum with an infant/toddler/little boy. Here we go!

Mayan ruins:

An absolute must-go, with or without the kids. It will be easier to do with a baby carrier, but some people were bringing their jogging strollers. The most famous ones around Tulum are Tulum ruins, Coba, Chichen Itza, Ek-Balam, Muyil. So far (updated in 2018) we’ve been to 3 of them.

We rented a car to go to Coba ruins – large and very well-organized park, sort of an open-air museum of ruins. There is a lot of shade, so it’s a great place to spend even a hot day afternoon. There are tricycles at a very decent price that can take you all around the park, which was fun. We did the first part of the park on foot, and then we took a tricycle to the Nohoch Mul (main pyramid with stairs up) and back, and it was a very pleasant and enjoyable even for Leo.

TIP: bring mosquito repellent, there are quite many in the jungle!

Tulum ruins are within a short taxi ride from the town and will only take an hour or two to explore. Be prepared for the sun and/tropical rain – there is no shade or shelter to hide whatsoever. I would recommend going there either really early (8 am) or just before closing (4 pm), also to avoid crowds of tourists coming from all around in big buses. Also, try to avoid going there on Sundays when locals have free entrance to the ruins, thus the crowd wandering around multiplies times.

TIP: bring a light-colored explorer hat for your LO if you have him in a carrier or a swaddle for the stroller to cover him up from the sun.

We especially loved Muyil ruins because there were literally no tourists and we could walk around this fascinating outdoor complex all by ourselves. It is just 20 minutes by shuttle bus or taxi from central Tulum, and worth the trip.

Cenotes:

For those not familiar with the word, a cenote is a natural sinkhole with fresh water, and they are in abundance in Riviera Maya. All cenotes look very different: some look like an underwater cave with stalactites and bats flapping around, others more like pretty little ponds with beautiful flora, others are like underground rivers. Sadly, we missed this attraction during our first trip because we were told by many that it would be difficult – if not impossible – to enjoy with the little one. But luckily during our second trip, we decided to try Grand cenote and we fell in love. Not only it was perfectly kids-friendly (most big sites have free life jackets that come in all sizes, starting from baby size), it was also such a refreshing (literally!) and interesting way to spend a hot Mexican afternoon hidden in the cool shade of trees and rocks. So during our trips to Tulum #2-6 we managed to visit so many cenotes – from big and famous ones like Dos Ojos where we went twice, to the tiny unnamed ones hidden in the jungle, like the one across from Las Estrellas hotel at the Playa (jungle side) or a gorgeous tiny cenote at Tankah beach. Every cenote is a little adventure on its own, and traveling with kids you do need to take some precautions.

Below is a list of things I would recommend having with you when you take a trip to cenote:

1) water shoes (the bottom of cenotes are often rocky)

2) biodegradable sunblock (regular sunblocks are not allowed because they pollute the pristine fresh water of cenotes)

3) rashguard (mostly for comfort in the cold fresh water, also to wear under the life jacket)

4) snorkel gear (most big cenotes offer snorkeling gear rental but if you are going to less famous cenotes you will need to bring your own)

5) waterproof camera

6) towel (there is a lot of shade and a lot of chill from the rocks and underground fresh water, so towel after swimming will keep you and your LO cozy and warm) I personally love Tesalate towels – they are super compact, water-absorbent and also very pretty 🙂

7) mosquito spray (they are in abundance around cenotes because of the shade and close proximity of water)

8) floaties for your little one (as I mentioned earlier, big cenotes like Dos Ojos or Grand cenote offer free life jackets, but for smaller sites, you would need some help with your wriggly LOs who can’t swim by themselves just yet. you can buy floaties at a local supermarket)

Sian Ka’an:

This unique Biosphere Reserve is definitely a place to go to enjoy a quiet day at a beach – the further you drive, the more chances to be there absolutely alone, tet-a-tet with nature. The road is bumpy and when it rains I assume it can get pretty difficult to drive. The first time we went to Sian Ka’an we didn’t rent a 4-wheel-drive and went there in a small Nissan, which served the purpose thanks to my husband’s skillful driving, but we only went about 5-7km in. If this is your case too, I recommend driving at least to the bridge where you can see the famous crocodile who lives just under.

At the very first beach in Sian Kaan you can also rent a boat that will take you on a 2-hour tour around the lagoons where you can see exotic birds nesting in mangroves, manatees, and crocodiles. We did it and we loved it, but there are a couple things I wish I knew and prepared for:

– it gets uncomfortably windy and chilly on the boat, especially on the way back, so no matter how hot is the day, bring windbreakers for you and smth warm for your little one (we used Mexican poncho as a blanket to cover Leo up)

– they have kids life vests, but they are for toddlers. With an infant, your best bet would be a carrier inside your windbreaker.

– while boat ride during sunset sounds like a good idea, chances are you will only see birds getting back to mangroves for the night. Other species will be probably hiding somewhere by the time the sun goes down, so you might not see much besides pretty sunset sky.

During our third trip to Tulum we rented an all-roads Jeep and took a day trip all the way to Punta Allen – the largest fisherman village in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve at the end of the Boca Paila Peninsula. The drive was long and uneventful, but very picturesque, with lots of pristine wild beaches. If you make it that far be sure to have a lobster feast at Punta Allen’s local restaurant (There are quite a few of them right at the beach)

Adventure parks:

Riviera Maya boasts many adventure water parks around, like Xel-Ha, Xplor and Xcaret (which all belong to the same developer). I’d say that Xel-Ha and Xcaret are perfectly suitable for little children. Yes, as a grown-up you won’t be able to experience all they have to offer, but both parks have well-designed areas for the little ones, with kiddie pools and super fun playgrounds, and simple water slides, plus a lot more to see and explore. It’s a whole day trip but the parks are organized so well that you don’t need to worry about bringing anything in particular: all day food (and alcoholic drinks for parents!) are included in your entrance ticket price (usually around $80/adult; kids younger than 5 – free of charge), and they provide you with everything you might need, from one-time use biodegradable sunblock to towels, snorkeling gear, bicycles, and rental strollers. I especially loved the scannable bracelet that was triggering pre-installed camera shot in the most photogenic places of the park – so you don’t even need to bring your camera. Yes, it’s an amusement park which comes with its pluses and minuses. Expect crowds and souvenir shops, but at the same time enjoy and explore the natural setting of the park – they are built in nature, and you will see a lot of wildlife from colorful Guacamayas to manatees and dolphins in their natural habitat. Leo and I had a wonderful long day full of water splashes and laughter at Xel-Ha during our last trip, and I am definitely curious to see Xcaret during our next visit.

Tulum best-kept secrets:

Apart from places that everybody knows and many people love, Tulum has its best-kept secrets that he reveals only to locals or people who make friends with them 🙂 Thanks to our local friends I learned about these 3 places that are off tourists’ radar though being truly amazing.

1) Chamico’s beach aka “Tulum’s secret fish shack”: Though NY Times has been repeatedly blowing off the secrecy cover of that wonderfully simple beach joint, it’s far away and unclear location still makes it hard to get to, and thus it is still not too crowded. It’s located about 10km from Tulum towards Playa del Carmen. To get there, turn off the highway onto a small dirt road (look for the sign for the Jashita Hotel) and drive down to Soliman Bay. There is a quiet bay perfect for toddlers’ bathing, beach playground in the shade of the palm trees where mostly local kids play, and a run-down fish shack serving freshly caught seafood and beers. You can spend a whole day here in the shades of the palm trees, nap in a hammock or climb with your camera over the abandoned graffiti-decorated boat at the beach.

2) Caleta Tankah beach club. Another close-by getaway from Tulum crowds, it’s a beautiful white sand beach club with restaurant and chaise-longs overlooking the rocky ocean, and the most picturesque little denote in a short walk through the jungle. TIP: Watch out for the strong current in the ocean – it’s not safe to swim alone.

3) Kaan Luum lagoon. A peaceful little spot for locals where kids can always bathe in the calm turquoise water. TIP: Bring mosquito spray and sunblock, there is no shade around water.

PLACES TO STAY

[DISCLAIMER: Since Tulum is growing at an incredible rate, with new developments popping up almost monthly, this info might be relevant only for a very short time, so please keep in mind that it was written in Spring 2018.]

When considering where to stay in Tulum you basically have to choose between:

– beach: that is, hotel stay. there are plenty of hotels from 2 to 5 stars at the Playa, but during busy seasons most of them are fully booked despite steep prices.

– Aldea Zama: new luxury development in the jungle in between Tulum town and beach area advertising both on Airbnb & booking.com. it takes about 20min by taxi or by bike to get to the beach. The area is quite spread out and not meant for strolling around.

– Tulum town: could be either home rental or hotel. Taxi/bike ride to the beach takes approx. 30min.

The options listed in the order from most expensive to least expensive (top to bottom), but there are many variants within each and you will need to do your own research. 3 times out of 6 trips to Tulum we stayed in rental homes, and while home rental has been always my first choice when it comes to traveling (because it allows me to experience local life, do groceries, cook Leonardo’s favorite food, host home parties, etc) while in Tulum I would still prefer a hotel stay simply because it means you are staying right at the beach. Alas, prices for hotels in Tulum are not cheap and quite often simply unaffordable, especially for a longer stay. I recommend checking booking.com for information about availability and rates and then contact hotels directly to see if they can offer you a better deal (in most cases they do).

HOTELS

The beauty of Tulum itself is all about this magic beach strip along the jungle road, but for the most part, you can’t access it unless through a hotel. Every hotel has their own arrangement for the beach area; some are dreamy and stylish, others are rustic and simple; most of them are open to the public, some are only for guests of the hotel or restaurant, quite a few are adults-only. So which ones to go to when you travel to Tulum with your little one? Here is our list of all-time favorite kids-friendly places at Tulum Playa:

The right side of the beach:

– Los Lirios: We stayed at Los Lirios twice and now this places simply feels like home. If you are staying someplace else you can still come here to have breakfast on the terrace overlooking the sea and stay after to enjoy the kiddies’ pool (next to the grownup pool and chaise-longs), and the little wooden playground at the beach. The staff is very friendly and extremely professional, we always got the best experience there. The restaurant at the hotel got recently renovated, and it’s a wonderful dining experience that can accommodate a romantic dinner or a big party.

– La Zebra: Probably the best hotel to stay (if your wallet allows $$$) and/or hang out with kids during the day. Their beach playground is huge and creative, with boats, hammocks and climbing rope walls, and there are always sand toys and body boards for kids at the beach courtesy of the hotel. Try Trez Leches pancakes for breakfast and their signature coffee.

– Zulum: boat-like elevated cafe overlooking the beach with huge slide and swings, plus cozy little pool on the back and one grumpy but cute donkey named Pancho (don’t forget a treat for him!) There is a napping area with shade and hammocks on the beach. And always amazing music, especially during sunsets.

The left side of the beach:

– Poc-na: Vast beach property in the midst of lush jungle (they kept it wild which is beautiful) with lots of options from concert houses to bamboo cabanas just a few feet away from the sea. We stayed there in one of the beachfront cabanas during our last trip (September 2018) and it was my favorite stay of all. This side of the beach has way fewer tourists, and there is no commerce going on neither (not a single shop and just couple restaurants around) so you can enjoy the pristine nature of Tulum at its best. It felt secluded, romantic and magical. It was way less expensive than hotels on the “right side” of the Playa.

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– Diamante K: Balinese inspired, this hotel is my second favorite on the “left side” of the Playa. It’s worth coming even if just for a stroll among all the beautiful Buddha sculptures and for a pizza dinner overlooking the sea. It has its own private little bay beach. (the rest of the area is rocky and not for swimming)

Other hotels that we liked and recommend visiting for food/drinks/sightseeing are:

– Ahau: The best passionfruit margaritas at the Playa, courteous stuff, cool people hanging out (many New Yorkers!), coziest jungle café on the back, Temazcal (Mayan sauna) and water tower that makes a wonderful sunset watching spot if you want to see the jungle from above. Ahau has been our most favorite place in Tulum where we spent many days though never stayed there.

– Nomade: Located at the end of the beach strip, this place is an architectural masterpiece that looks like a dreamy beach fairytale. Loved by celebrities and other VIPs, it’s not open for public but you can visit it after 12 pm to enjoy a drink and snack at the beach.

– Azulik: Located at the very beginning of the beach strip, this place is a direct competitor to Nomade in its architectural splendor, and is a must-see. Not kids friendly because of the hanging bridges and tree-houses.

– Casa Malca: Supposedly once the property of Pablo Escobar, it’s a boutique hotel that is whimsical and exciting, with velvet sofa hanging on big chains as an oversize swing, a café painted a la Keith Harring, underwater tunnel under the huge swimming pool and swooping views of the jungle from the viewing tower (most probably, the best view from above in Tulum). The entrance is hard to find – look for a railroad cross and semaphore, or ask a local taxi.

– Mi Amor: beautiful boutique hotel on the left/rocky side of the beach where you can enjoy sunset cocktails and infinity pool.

PRIVATE ACCOMMODATIONS

IMPORTANT: While choosing a place and checking its location on the map please keep in mind that there is ONLY ONE ROAD to the beach for now, and it’s called Avenida de Coba. It might appear that your house just a short distance from the seashore, but there is no way to get to it through the mangrove. The closest area to the beach would be Aldea Zama – because it’s the closest one to Avenida Coba. There are many places in La Veleta (which appears even closer to the sea than Aldea but you actually need to driveway from the water line towards the town, cross it all the way, turn on Ave de Coba and then  drive along the seashore) There are even more places in town, and even further (close to Holistika center which marks the end of Tulum town) These are all about 15-20min drive to the beach.

If you are travelling with a group of friends or lots of family members, renting a house in town (Aldea Zama, La Veleta or pueblo) with a pool might be a better option than staying at the hotel. There are so many options, and most of them are nothing short of being luxurious for a fraction of the price of a hotel. One of my favourite places is called Villa Lagu – you can find all the information about it here: https://www.instagram.com/villalagutulum/ It’s a 5 bedroom house with an outdoor private pool in the living room overlooking the jungle. Each bedroom has its own bathroom and the places is spacious enough for a large group to enjoy it.

PLACES TO EAT

So many choices! The food, in general, is very good, so it’s hard to go wrong. We tried everything from street stalls (you better speak a little bit of Spanish!) to some fancy establishments at the Playa, and this is our list of favourites, in 2 parts:

part 1, in town

the town definitely has cheaper and often better food (especially if you’re looking for authentic Mexican). even with cab fare to town and back dinner will be times cheaper in town then at the beach.

– Del Cielo: slightly Americanized breakfast café in town. Good coffee and pretty food arrangements.

– Burrito Amor: a picturesque outdoor shack in the heart of the town, a favorite hang-out place for local expats and tourists. Note for parents with kids: The sittings are mainly on tall bar stools, and no high-chair for kiddos are available. If you have a stroller or can manage lap time while you have your food – the place is great.

– Batay: Cute little bar where the chef will match your appetizer with the drink (try passion fruit tacos & mojito!) TIP: while parents indulge in exotic taste matching, entertain your LO with a sugar cane stick you can request from a bartender – best organic pacifier ever! (you might want to bring a bib to save yourself from the laundry)

– La Flor de Michoacan: Hidden local gem with a cosy backyard. Fresh fruits and traditional Mexican breakfast for unbelievably reasonable prices. TIP: ask to make your fruit shake without water or ice! (just to be on a safe side)

– Tres Galeones: The most romantic taqueria you can imagine. The food and service deserve multiple Michelin stars, and on weekend nights you can enjoy it while listening to some really sophisticated dance tunes. (and even do a little dance of your own if those tacos don’t leave you motionless in the corner)

– La Colifata: Cosy Argentinian parrillada in the middle of the jungle in Aldea Zama. Outdoor sitting, and because it’s in the jungle away from busy roads of the town you can let you LO run freely while you dine. My son loved the chupa-chups tree they bring you at the end of the dinner, so many times we came back just for candy *)

– Street food: best tacos and quesadillas you can imagine, made by locals, with love. again, you need a little bit of Spanish in your arsenal.

part 2, at the beach:

– Casa Violeta – great pizza and cosy beach setting for sunset dinner.

– The Real Coconut – beach restaurant at Sanara hotel, with plant-based all organic vegan-friendly cuisine.

– Hemingway – quiet all-white beach restaurant with sophisticated Italian good and great service. TIP: They can make any pasta as kids portion.

– Posada Margherita – cosy candle-lit atmosphere and delicious Italian food with dreamy wooden houses at the beach. They do offer kids portions too.

– Casa Banana – jungle side of the road with amazing drinks and nice appetizers. But don’t forget mosquito repellent!

– Cenzotle – also jungle side, romantic and posh, with traditional Mexican food.

– Gitano – the most fashionable spot to hang out, see local Boheme, and dance until sunrise while sipping mind-blowing cocktails (personal favorites: Kisses in the car and Red Dragon)

– Nomade – amazing parrilla (grilled meat), nomadic settings (low tables and sitting cushions on the sand). If you are lucky, you might hear a beautiful live music performance or even spot Javier Bardem with Penelope Cruz dining next to you.

– Hartwood – owned and run by New Yorkers, it’s THE most famous place to eat in Tulum. They only take reservations in person starting from 4 till 6 pm, so you need to be ready to stand in an hour-long line under burning afternoon sun to get a table for the same night. It’s cash only. The food will leave you speechless during dinner while making you talk about it again and again after.

SHOPPING

There are no kids stores in Tulum (yet) so you better don’t forget your carrier or travel crib at home – you won’t find it in Tulum. For everything else there is Chedraui supermarket. This is THE place, whatever you need to buy for your casual everyday needs: diapers, flip-flops, mosquitos repellent, sunblock, etc. sort of like a huge American pharmacy; nothing fancy but useful.

Mur Mur: in case if you are in the mood for a little more sophisticated fashion shopping, check out this little street on the jungle side of the playa with several cute boutiques. our favorite was Wanderlust store where you can find stylish jewelry and gypsy style clothing to go out at night.

La Llorona: 2 floors building with beautiful souvenirs, textiles, local craftsmanship and antiques. checkout colourful stuffed wool animals made by Tsotsil, indigenous artisans from Chiapas (Leonardo got a whole zoo!) as well as brightly colored wool “pueblo” overalls for kids.

GETTING AROUND

Tulum has become everybody’s favourite destination not only because of its beauty but also because travelling to Tulum is relatively easy and inexpensive for anyone coming from USA. Once you land in Cancun you are only 1,5 hours drive away from the beach-side paradise. The following transportation options are at your disposal:

– Bus/shuttle: cost is per person, and its probably the most reasonable option if you don’t want to deal with the car rental, but the waiting for departure could be long. If so, use the time to enjoy refreshments at the nearby outdoor cafe.

– Private taxi: The fastest way to Tulum because you don’t need to wait for other passenger nor fill-in application/pickup a car rental, but the cost can be steep and directly depends on your negotiating skills. TIP: When you take a private taxi from Tulum to Cancun airport it usually cost from $70 to $100 USD.

– Car rental: If you are planning to rent a car while in Tulum you might as well do it from Cancun, and save on the cost. TIP: make reservations in advance, the price always comes out cheaper. At the airport, they have all major car rental from Avis to Fox.

When already in Tulum…

Taxis:

Local Tulum taxis are in abundance, and most taxi drivers speak or understand basic English. The average cost of the trip from the town to the beach is 120-150 pesos, but taxis can take you anywhere from sightseeing landmarks (ruins, cenotes, adventure parks) to far away beaches and even towns, including Cancun airport (usually cost USD$70-100 from Tulum town)

For those using WhatsApp, here is contact info of Taxistas Tiburones Tulum:

+52 1 984 120 2664.

They work 24/7, speak English and you can order your taxi at any time within 15 minutes of your travel time (they do NOT take advance reservations)

Renting a car:

If you plan to go around and see ruins, cenotes, turtles, crocodiles and such, you will be better if renting your own car. Most of the car rental places are located on a short strip of Coba avenue, close to the intersection with Tulum Avenue. It’s better to reserve your car online in advance (you will get a better price for sure) but be on time for the pickup, as they don’t wait for you when there is a walk-in demand.

Fox car rental is the cheapest (starts as low as $18/day) but they have no car seats for your LO; forward facing (only) car seats can be found at Hertz, Avis and America. However, if you plan to rent car for several days, I would suggest bringing your own car seat – it would be easier, cheaper and better quality.

Renting a bicycle:

Bikes are everywhere in Tulum and it’s probably the easiest and most fun way to get around. The rent cost about 120-150 pesos a day ($8-$10). There’s a bike path from town all the way out to the beach, but there is no bike path on the beach road, so you are going right next to the cars which feels a bit unsafe. However, traffic doesn’t go very fast and biking is safe before sunset (there are no lights on the road, so at night it’s pitch dark).

There are many bike rentals on the beach, and even more in town. They do have back seats for toddlers, and cub trailer for biking with a sitting infant, but they are very few and tend to get rented fast. TIP: The do not rent kids helmets so bring your own if you plan to bike around and worry about LO’s safety.

I bet this is you right now after reading this far (see picture above) 🙂 Thank you for your patience, and just to summarize the lengthy post above 

ALL KIDS-RELATED TULUM TIPS:

– keep in mind that there are no kids stores so plan accordingly. you can get basics at Chedraui supermarket, but don’t expect to buy a car seat or baby carrier if you forgot it at home.

– if you plan on bringing a stroller – bring one with bigger wheels for sand and off roads.

– always have layers of clothing for the night: the weather is capricious and it gets pretty windy and chilly at times.

– be aware of adults-only establishments when you are booking a hotel or making reservations for dinner. surprisingly, there are quite a few places that won’t let you in even at the reception area when you come with a kid. I had a pretty unpleasant episode at Be Tulum, where we came for dinner with friends,and the manager didn’t let us even under the entrance roof despite the rain (it’s kind of ridiculous and made me question – do I really want to go to a place that allows discriminating people with kids? the answer is NO)

– consider bringing a car seat if you are planning to drive around a lot

– consider bringing a bike helmet for your LO

– mosquito repellent and footed long sleeve PJs are a must! always have it with you, especially during dusk.

– light-color cotton long sleeve onesie & explorer hat (with visor and ear flaps) is the best protection from the sun for your LO.

KIDS GEAR to bring on the trip:

– pack&play: useful both as a night bed and as a safe area to hang out at the beach. some hotels might have them but supplies are limited and designs are ancient and questionably comfortable
– baby carrier: IMHO, it’s a must during all the travels and can be used on many occasions. for tropical places I always preferred cotton/mesh carriers as they are more breathable/less hot for the baby
– travel booster high-chair: while many restaurants have high-chairs available, they are pretty old and clumsy, and are made for toddlers, not infants. I wish we brought our own – it would make our family meals more relaxed and enjoyable.
– fresh food feeder and bib: food sack is my new favorite Leo-item in general, and I think it’s particularly great for traveling. you can easily engage/entertain your LO during your grown-up meal times, and let him applied local food with you. works as a perfect pacifier but can damage the clothes, that’s why should be accompanied by a bib.

– baby powder travel pack: the most useful tip I learned from a local mama is that you can use baby powder to remove sand from your LO’s face and eyes –  just smack a good puff of it between your hands and wipe the areas you want to rid of the sand. Voila!

– beach towel: a pretty beach towel is a must for any vacation. sand-free, lightweight and water-absorbent one, like the ones by Tesalate, are even better – you just can’t go wrong with those beautiful and functional mandatory beach accessories. I always carry two with me, one for myself and another one for Leo. they work as a day bed, light blanket, towel, sarong, pretty photo prop – you name it!

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Thank you for reading THIS far! (to be continued 😉