Mexico has a wealth exciting options and activities for children.
When you travel with your children to Mexico they, too, will enjoy a worthwhile travel experience.
One of the first things that parents seem to notice when they travel with their children is that Mexico welcomes them with open arms. Restaurants, attractions, coffee shops and, indeed, most public places will gladly accept children and make them and their parents feel welcome.
When you travel with your children to Mexico they, too, will enjoy a worthwhile travel experience.
One of the first things that parents seem to notice when they travel with their children is that Mexico welcomes them with open arms. Restaurants, attractions, coffee shops and, indeed, most public places will gladly accept children and make them and their parents feel welcome.
Restaurants and diners in Mexico have children’s menus on the table; if not, you can ask for a children’s menu and one will be brought to you. Many chain restaurants and diners also offer children’s play areas.
Family is a pivotal element of Mexican society and culture and it’s quite usual to see three or four generations sitting at a restaurant table enjoying a meal: especially at the weekends.
Children are loved and adored in Mexico; something which is reflected in the fact that children have their very own day in Mexico on April 30th, (like mother’s and father’s days), known simply as Dia del Niño; it is customary to give children presents on this day.
Mexican children don’t tend to go to bed early during weekends and school vacation periods, so you’ll frequently see children out enjoying themselves with their parents and (extended) families well past 10pm.
Generally speaking, children over the age of 6 will benefit more from a trip to Mexico than those younger than this age. This is partly due to the long flights (especially if you are traveling from Europe) but also because Mexico is a country filled with culture, and slightly older children may gain more from the experience than young infants would. This said, plenty of parents with infants travel successfully in Mexico and your infant children will be just as welcome.
Lone Parents Traveling to Mexico with their Children
If you are a lone parent, or if you will be traveling to Mexico with your children and without your spouse or partner, you are no longer required to produce a notarized letter to enter Mexico with them. However, your children will require their own passport, the rules changed in January 2005: Before January 1st, 2005 it was necessary for single parents or parents traveling without their spouse or partner to have a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent, giving permission for the child/children to travel. It was also necessary for unaccompanied minors to have a notarized letter from both parents giving them permission to travel. Widows/widowers needed to carry certified copies of death certificates; and those with estranged partners needed a court order granting custody of the child/children as proof of legal custody of the minor/s they were traveling with.
With effect from January 1st 2005 it is no longer necessary for single parents, unaccompanied minors, widows/widowers or parents with estranged partners to produce notarized letters or other supporting documentation. Instead, each child MUST have his/her own passport. As with adults, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure. If you are in any doubts, contact your nearest Mexican Consulate for advice.
Traveling to Mexico with Food Allergies
If your child suffers from food allergies (e.g. diary, wheat, egg), then you may want to pack some soy milk and other non-wheat/egg/dairy snacks in your checked luggage for their use. Foods which come sealed in a container or air-tight package and intended for personal use should be allowed through customs. If you are questioned, explain that your child/children require them.
Soy milk is now widely available in Mexico: ask for “leche deslactosada”; it may be purchased at convenience stores, pharmacies, supermarkets and most hotels offer leche deslactosada as an option for guests.
Some supermarkets in Mexico are also beginning to stock gluten free, wheat-free and dairy-free foods and snacks; they are usually clustered together on one of the aisles or on a sales island: ask the attendant.
There are some health and practical matters to be mindful about and we have a list of significant issues for you here:
Age of Children Traveling in Mexico
Older children are likely to get more out of a trip to Mexico than young babies or toddlers. This is not because younger children are not welcome - they are - but because Mexico’s attractions revolve around sights and culture, and children aged six years and up may benefit more from a trip to Mexico and will be better prepared for the long journey (especially if you’re traveling from Europe or Australasia) and the active, fun-packed days.
Baby Sitters and Child minders in Mexico
Baby sitters and child minders may be arranged if the adults want a night out; ask at your hotel for details.
Baby Consumables in Mexico
Diapers and the usual basket of basic necessities (clean wipes, generic moisturizing creams, etc) are readily available in Mexico at pharmacies, many of which are open 24 hours.
Traffic and Children in Mexico
The presence of road traffic, whether in big cities or smaller towns, is a safety hazard for children in Mexico. If you’re exploring local areas, keep your children well away from busy roads and keep a constant eye out for traffic movements when you are walking near any road traffic -- even local residential traffic. Most major roads have foot bridges crossing them; underground pathways are less common. In colonial cities, cobbled-stone streets keep traffic speeds down, although there are many blind corners and when it rains, the cobbles become particularly slippery.
Sun Care for Children in Mexico
Children accustomed to living in a temperate climate will burn severely in Mexico’s blazing sun without adequate protection. Ensure your children are fully protected by making them wear high-factor suntan and sun block lotion especially around midday. If you forget to pack a hat for them you can buy one locally. The impact of Mexico’s sun, especially in exposed areas like archaeological parks (pyramids) and beach locations, cannot be over-emphasized. Even on cloudy days, UV rays penetrate the clouds and will burn you and your children. Sun creams (and after sun lotions including gels like Aloe Vera) may be purchased at pharmacies throughout Mexico.
Family is a pivotal element of Mexican society and culture and it’s quite usual to see three or four generations sitting at a restaurant table enjoying a meal: especially at the weekends.
Children are loved and adored in Mexico; something which is reflected in the fact that children have their very own day in Mexico on April 30th, (like mother’s and father’s days), known simply as Dia del Niño; it is customary to give children presents on this day.
Mexican children don’t tend to go to bed early during weekends and school vacation periods, so you’ll frequently see children out enjoying themselves with their parents and (extended) families well past 10pm.
Generally speaking, children over the age of 6 will benefit more from a trip to Mexico than those younger than this age. This is partly due to the long flights (especially if you are traveling from Europe) but also because Mexico is a country filled with culture, and slightly older children may gain more from the experience than young infants would. This said, plenty of parents with infants travel successfully in Mexico and your infant children will be just as welcome.
Lone Parents Traveling to Mexico with their Children
If you are a lone parent, or if you will be traveling to Mexico with your children and without your spouse or partner, you are no longer required to produce a notarized letter to enter Mexico with them. However, your children will require their own passport, the rules changed in January 2005: Before January 1st, 2005 it was necessary for single parents or parents traveling without their spouse or partner to have a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent, giving permission for the child/children to travel. It was also necessary for unaccompanied minors to have a notarized letter from both parents giving them permission to travel. Widows/widowers needed to carry certified copies of death certificates; and those with estranged partners needed a court order granting custody of the child/children as proof of legal custody of the minor/s they were traveling with.
With effect from January 1st 2005 it is no longer necessary for single parents, unaccompanied minors, widows/widowers or parents with estranged partners to produce notarized letters or other supporting documentation. Instead, each child MUST have his/her own passport. As with adults, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure. If you are in any doubts, contact your nearest Mexican Consulate for advice.
Traveling to Mexico with Food Allergies
If your child suffers from food allergies (e.g. diary, wheat, egg), then you may want to pack some soy milk and other non-wheat/egg/dairy snacks in your checked luggage for their use. Foods which come sealed in a container or air-tight package and intended for personal use should be allowed through customs. If you are questioned, explain that your child/children require them.
Soy milk is now widely available in Mexico: ask for “leche deslactosada”; it may be purchased at convenience stores, pharmacies, supermarkets and most hotels offer leche deslactosada as an option for guests.
Some supermarkets in Mexico are also beginning to stock gluten free, wheat-free and dairy-free foods and snacks; they are usually clustered together on one of the aisles or on a sales island: ask the attendant.
There are some health and practical matters to be mindful about and we have a list of significant issues for you here:
Age of Children Traveling in Mexico
Older children are likely to get more out of a trip to Mexico than young babies or toddlers. This is not because younger children are not welcome - they are - but because Mexico’s attractions revolve around sights and culture, and children aged six years and up may benefit more from a trip to Mexico and will be better prepared for the long journey (especially if you’re traveling from Europe or Australasia) and the active, fun-packed days.
Baby Sitters and Child minders in Mexico
Baby sitters and child minders may be arranged if the adults want a night out; ask at your hotel for details.
Baby Consumables in Mexico
Diapers and the usual basket of basic necessities (clean wipes, generic moisturizing creams, etc) are readily available in Mexico at pharmacies, many of which are open 24 hours.
Traffic and Children in Mexico
The presence of road traffic, whether in big cities or smaller towns, is a safety hazard for children in Mexico. If you’re exploring local areas, keep your children well away from busy roads and keep a constant eye out for traffic movements when you are walking near any road traffic -- even local residential traffic. Most major roads have foot bridges crossing them; underground pathways are less common. In colonial cities, cobbled-stone streets keep traffic speeds down, although there are many blind corners and when it rains, the cobbles become particularly slippery.
Sun Care for Children in Mexico
Children accustomed to living in a temperate climate will burn severely in Mexico’s blazing sun without adequate protection. Ensure your children are fully protected by making them wear high-factor suntan and sun block lotion especially around midday. If you forget to pack a hat for them you can buy one locally. The impact of Mexico’s sun, especially in exposed areas like archaeological parks (pyramids) and beach locations, cannot be over-emphasized. Even on cloudy days, UV rays penetrate the clouds and will burn you and your children. Sun creams (and after sun lotions including gels like Aloe Vera) may be purchased at pharmacies throughout Mexico.
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