10 days All Inclusive in Mexico with a baby

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Getting to Mexico

For our daughters first flight we opted for Mexico. We were both in need of a break and some time in the sun. The flight time is about 10.5 hours so quite long. However, we were fairly confident that she would be ok – this didn’t stop me being very anxious leading up to it though!

Where we stayed in Mexico

We decided to stay in an All Inclusive resort, Occidental at Xcaret in Riviera Maya. We aren’t usually ‘all inclusive’ kind of travellers – preferring to explore local eateries and travel around a bit. But for this holiday our aim was to make it as easy as possible.

The flight went really well. Our daughter slept for a good chunk of it (in the basinet provided by British Airways) and actually only cried when we went to change her nappy in the toilet (I don’t think she liked the bright lights!)

We had taken our car seat with us so that we could use it during transfers and if we wanted to visit anywhere during our stay. This did prove invaluable as we took a day trip to Chitzenita (more on that later).

The resort was beautiful. It was large and full of meandering pathways shaded by palm trees. We had a large studio apartment with a balcony. This was the trip where we learnt (the hard way) that having our own living room/kitchen would really benefit us with children. We were reluctant (probably too reluctant) to take the baby out in the evening so we often either went without food or went one at a time. And then, once the baby was asleep we couldn’t watch the tv or anything as she was asleep nearby.

What we did

The hotel was adjoined to the Xcaret Park which gave us the opportunity to see turtles and swim with them, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Our daughter dipped her toes in the caribbean but that’s as much as she did. We did enjoy the trip but to be honest it probably wasn’t worth the admission with a baby. With an older child it would have been great.

Chitzen Itza

We decided to hire a car from the hotel and drive to Chitzen Itza. A Mayan site which is one of the new 7 wonders of the World. The hire process was easy (but not cheap!) and the car was great. The drive was pretty much just one straight road and it was in good condition.

It was a hot day but such an incredible sight and an amazing thing to see. The Kukulkan Pyramid in Chichen-Itza which is also known as “El Castillo” (the castle) is the most recognised sight but there are loads more dotted around to explore too.

We went to a few local towns during our stay which were great to see. We took a portable fan so that nap time was a bit more comfortable in the heat.

It was UK Mothers Day whilst we were out there (my first!) so we took a visit to a restaurant recommended on TripAdvisor and it was great. Full of locals, serving lovely food in the sunshine.

Summary

It was only at the very end of our holiday, when Reception called us to ask why we’d not checked out yet, that we realised we’d been on the wrong time zone for the entire holiday. They had recently changed it so that that part of Mexico was an hour ahead of the rest of Mexico – allowing them to enjoy more sunshine in the day.

Our Pilot hadn’t told us the time upon landing so we’d just gone with what our phones changed to….and this was wrong! There had been a few instances in the holiday where we’d wondered what was going on. But it was only when our hotel pestered us to check out (as we were, unknowingly, an hour late) that it dawned on us 🙂

Anyway, apart from that minor drama the holiday was very smooth sailing and a pleasant introduction to travelling with a baby. However, we didn’t take full advantage of what the hotel had to offer and it confirmed to us that, for now at least, all inclusive isn’t really for us. There’s no doubting Mexico is beautiful though, that coastline was simply stunning.

If you’d like to read more about foreign holidays with young children then check out our road trip in New England, USA here.