Cancun with Kids

Water
It is very important to keep children hydrated during all day; use bottled water for baby formula or just for drinking. Use water hotel for washing the teethes, hands, etc. Feel safe using the ice cubes from the hotels, they have their own purifying treatments and have never heard of someone getting sick from ice cubes. If kids do not want water you can use 1 or 2 lemons and mix them with water or use natural bottled juices, you can find many of the USA brands at Cancun supermarkets.

Strollers
If you think in bringing yours, try to bring an umbrella stroller so it will fold and unfold easily and wont be to big for the plane, taxi, bus, etc.

Cribs
All the chain hotels buy cribs that meet all the safety USA measures. However I always travel with my own baby sheets and pillow cover as well as laundry detergent and fabric softener to assure that baby will not be allergic to new products and will sleep well (Resting is a must in a vacation for everyone in a family)

Medicines
Even if you can find most of the pediatricians recommended medicines here, you will feel more safety and comfortably bringing them with you, the most important ones are: Fever, stomach, diarrhea and any other prescript drug needed.

Car Seats
It is not necessary to bring yours unless renting a car, most buses and taxis will not have the belts to put them in place.

Sun
Never underestimate the power of sun, even in a cloudy day apply a lot of sunscreen and re apply after a long swimming, sweating or every three hours, cover the face of kids with a baseball cap, a hat or anything that he or she will accept. Double check that the sunscreen is hypoallergenic, protect against UVA and UVB and is paba free, water resistant and 30 or more SPF.

Food
All the hotels cooked food is safe to eat (try it first to be sure it is not hot, specially meat and poultry) as well as fruits, if you want to take an extra precaution take the fresh fruit to your room and wash it with water and whatever product you use to disinfect or just peel it.

If your kids are under 6 and not use to tropical fruits as mango, melon, guayaba, papaya, pineapple, etc. Then try one at a time until you know baby will tolerate it well.

Kids Activities
Some HZ have special things for kids, the ones that I most recommend are: Come and Eat or the Aquarium at La Isla Shopping Center, Sr. Frogs kids event every Wednesday, Wet and Wild for kids 8 and up, Rain Forest specially the Sunday breakfasts. VIP movie theaters for a rainy day or Recorcholis inside playground and arcade games at Plaza Las Americas.

Comfort
Bring any baby toy or plush toy that will make him comfortable at night (I always carry his colorful pillow cover). If the baby uses a pacifier, give it while the airplane takes off or landing so you will avoid ear and noise pain.

Diapers (same brands as USA) can be bought at any supermarket in Cancun as well as baby food and juices. Never leave children unattended near water, in a pool, Jacuzzi, bath tub or at sea.

Sea
The friendly sea for children is from Km 1 to 9 of Hotel Zone. Why? Because we have Isla Mujeres in front so it is not open water and there are no waves. Remember that there is no safe sea and kids shall never be unattended.

Beach
Try to find shade (palapa) or umbrella for kids while laying in the sand, have a handy bottle of clear water to use in case sand or water get into the eyes. Try to keep children with water socks while walking in the sand or pool paths to avoid a feet burn or a scratch for something through a night before. If there is no wind, use a sun screen with repellent even more if you stay at the lagoon side.

Pediatrician
The most well known is Cancun is Dr. Jose Ramon Campos, he attend at Hospital Americano and is the head of the Pediatric Unit.

Mexican Toys
If you have a baby do not buy him/her snakes, maracas, panderetas and all that stuff sold on street or at downtown markets (28, etc) because they are not under government laws and inspections making sure that the paint is free of lead, children safe, etc. You can buy a lot of Mexican toys in supermarkets that are tested to be children safe.