Traveling to Mexico with Little Ones: What I wish every parent knew

Are you about to travel to Mexico for the first time with your baby or toddler and don’t know what to pack or how your little one will behave during the flight?

I’m a mom to a two-year-old girl, and despite her young age, we’ve already traveled to a few countries together. Here, I’m sharing some of the things I wish I had known when I first traveled with her.

1. Bring only the essentials on the plane, but always keep them handy Passports, boarding passes, two changes of clothes, enough diapers and wet wipes, a few toys, any medications you might need, and, of course, snacks.

In my case, I packed a light outfit to change her into upon landing in Cancun, and warmer clothes for the flight. It seems like a minor detail, but arriving prepared for the temperature change makes a huge difference.

Most airplanes have a baby changing table in at least one of their restrooms, so you don’t need to carry too much with you.

And something that usually worries us a lot when traveling for the first time: baby milk and food. If you are departing from a European Union airport, baby food, milk, water, juice, and medications needed for the journey can exceed the standard 100 ml limit, although they may be inspected at security. The Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, for example, also has priority access at security checkpoints for passengers traveling with children, as well as play areas and family spaces.

My advice: always check the rules of your departure airport, as they can vary.

2. Can I drink tap water in Mexico? For a traveler, especially if you’re traveling with little ones, my recommendation is simple: use bottled or purified water for drinking.

You’ll easily find large water jugs (garrafones) and bottled water in supermarkets, and most hotels and tourist accommodations provide purified water.

You can also ask your accommodation before you arrive how they handle drinking water. It’s one of those little things that are worth having sorted out from day one.

3. Do I need a car seat in Mexico? If you’re going to travel by car with children, plan ahead on how you’ll handle the car seat situation.

In Quintana Roo, home to Cancun, Tulum, and much of the Riviera Maya, state law requires the use of child car seats for children under five and mandates that minors must ride in the back seat.

You can travel with your own car seat. If you want to use it on the plane, confirm with the airline beforehand that it is approved for aircraft use and that their policy allows it on board.

If you prefer not to travel carrying it around, ask in advance. Many car rental companies offer child seats, and there are also local providers that rent them by the day.

An important piece of advice: don’t wait until you get to the airport to request one. Reserve the right model for your child’s age and size at the exact same time you organize your transportation.