Many people have asked me if it’s a good idea to travel to Mexico with kids. The short answer is yes. There are many places you can visit with them and that they will find amusing. You will find a vast array of activities to choose from. Some places will offer more activities than others, but it’s just a matter of looking.

Mexico is extremely family-oriented. Families are very important in Mexican society. That’s why it’s not hard to find places and activities that suit them.

If you have an upcoming vacation and you were searching for good places for your kids, you’ve come to the right place. I will provide you with some guidelines to consider for your next trip.

Eco-parks in Cancún

Several people having fun in the water at some park in Mexico.

You will always see Cancún in Mexico travel guides. It’s a favorite among national and international tourists alike. With its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, nature, and plenty of activities for all ages, Cancún is always a good option.

Remember Cancún comprises other areas such as Riviera Maya, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, etc. For practical purposes, we usually refer to it as simply Cancún.

Of course, some people just book all-inclusive resorts where there’s no need to venture outside. Those places have lots of activities to keep their kids entertained. Nothing wrong with that. However, if you’re like me and prefer to explore your surroundings, there are plenty of places you can visit with your kids.

For instance, there are really cool eco-parks in the area such as:

Xcaret. Activities include snorkeling, swimming in underground rivers, Maya performance, night shows, a butterfly pavilion, swimming with dolphins, among other things. You can easily spend a whole day here.

Xel-Ha. Activities include snorkeling, zip-lining, cliff jumping, just to name a few. Oh, there is also a kid-friendly obstacle course. It’s another great option for kids.

Xplor. Activities include zip-lining, amphibious vehicles, exploring caves, and, of course, swimming in underground caves.

Other Parks You Can Visit

Close up of Parque Fundidora with a bridge to the right and the Cerro de la Silla in the background.

Mexico has many different parks for its visitors. Some of the most famous ones are:

Parque Fundidora (Monterrey). It’s one of the most important parks in the north of the country. Activities include biking, an aviary, paddle boats, museums, playgrounds, among other things. Spend a whole day of fun with the little ones!

Parque Bicentenario (Querétaro City). An amusement park with rides and water-related activities.

Parque Explora (León). Activities include bike riding, an IMAX 3D movie theater, and an artificial lake.

Bosque de Chapultepec (Mexico City). One of the largest parks in all of Mexico. You can visit the only castle in Latin America. Your kids will love it!

Parque de Aventura Barranca del Cobre (Chihuahua). Adventure park that features zip-lining, rappelling, climbing, and a cable car.

There are way more parks we could mention. Remember amusement parks are another excellent option for the whole family. Keep these in mind:

  • Six Flags (Mexico City) Yes, there’s one in Mexico!
  • Bosque Mágico (Monterrey)
  • Kidzania (Mexico City and Monterrey)
  • Mundo Divertido (Tijuana)
  • Selva Mágica (Guadalajara)

Zoos and Aquariums

Young man kneeling down and taking a close picture of a shark at the aquarium.

They never get old. Kids love watching animals, interacting with them, and learning about them. The good thing is, you can usually find a zoo or an aquarium no matter where you go. Some of the most popular zoos are:

  • Chapultepec Zoo (Mexico City)
  • Zoofari (Cuernavaca)
  • Africam Safari (Puebla City)
  • Bioparque Estrella (Montemorelos)
  • Zacango Zoo (Toluca)
  • Masi Mara Safari (Guadalajara)
  • Tuzoofari (Pachuca)

The cool thing is, some of them are not the traditional zoo you might visit. Bioparque Estrella and Africam Safari, for example, offer interactive activities for kids where they can pet and even feed the animals.

With such a long coastline, it shouldn’t come across as a surprise that there are many aquariums throughout the country. You might want to check these out:

  • Inbursa Aquarium (Mexico City)
  • Veracruz Aquarium (Veracruz City) The most famous of its kind in Mexico
  • Interactive Aquarium (Cancún)
  • Mazatlán Aquarium (Mazatlán)
  • Guadalajara Aquarium (Guadalajara)
  • Acuario del Bajío (León)

If you go to any of the cities mentioned above, don’t miss out! You will have a blast with your kids.

Museums

Little kid showing both of his palms painted in different colors.

What? Museums? I know they may not be the first thing to spring to mind, but trust me, they can be an excellent option. There are museums designed exclusively for kids. They will learn new things and have fun at the same time. Isn’t that great?

These are some of the most visited museums for kids:

Papalote Museo del Niño (Mexico City, Cuernavaca, and Monterrey). Divided into several sections, kids will be able to explore with their senses and express themselves artistically.

Anahuacalli Museum (Mexico City). Exhibits featuring pre-Hispanic life. Kids will be able to learn about Mexican culture, folk art, and legends. There are also workshops for the whole family.

Museo del Chocolate (Mexico City). Kids will be able to learn about the chocolate-making process.

Museo del Juguete Antiguo (Mexico City). Collection of Mexican toys from times long gone. Your kids will love it!

Museo El Rehilete. (Pachuca). Activities include a planetarium, an archaeological site, a botanic garden, and a dino park! There are real-size dinosaur figures. How cool is that!

Museo Bebeleche (Durango City). Your kids will experience virtual travel to natural ecosystems and even outer space!

Museo La Burbuja (Hermosillo). Your kids will learn about ecology through the exploration of open/closed spaces, buildings, shapes, and colors.

As you can see, there are plenty of options. You may have noticed that Mexico City has a lot of kid places. Yes, that’s true, but it doesn’t mean other destinations don’t have any options.

Some museums were not exclusively designed for kids, but you might still find something. There are museums with cool exhibits that kids will find interesting. So, don’t discard the museums altogether.

Eating Out

Eating out with kids can be challenging. Kids can be really picky when it comes to food. When they go to a different country, it may be hard for them to try different foods. Many a time I have seen kids throw a tantrum because they don’t want to eat or didn’t like what they were served.

Luckily, you will always or almost always find foods you are familiar with. There are international chains like McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, among others. They may not be the healthiest choices, but they can be a life-saver.

Many restaurants in Mexico offer kid’s menus. This can be a great option, although even in a few cases I’ve seen kids reject the food because it tastes different from what they’re used to. If your kids are that picky, your best bet will be to bring your own food and cook yourself.

A Few Recommendations

Planning a trip with kids is totally different from traveling with adults only. There is a myriad of situations you have to foresee. So, what are some things to keep in mind?

  • Make sure to bring all the legal documents required. If your kids are traveling with one parent only or with another relative, you will need a notarized consent letter. This will save you a lot of trouble and inconvenience.
  • Ask your doctor about any vaccinations or medications your kid needs. Kids are more vulnerable to diseases. Prevention is key.
  • Bring a tablet, a coloring book, and/or toys to keep your kid entertained during the trip. Kids tend to get bored during long trips.
  • Don’t forget some snacks!
  • Travel insurance is of the essence, especially when traveling with kids. Kids are more susceptible to diseases due to different foods, changes in temperature, etc. Hopefully not, but you might need to see a doctor abroad.
  • Watch your kids at all times. If they break anything, you will have to pay.
  • Be creative! If the weather is not good outside, you can go to a museum, the movies, or another closed space. Make the most out of your vacation!

It’s important to understand kids and adults are different. Kids have different needs and preferences. It’s hard for them to remain seated the whole time. They tend to get bored easily. They might also want to eat several times a day. If you have a baby, it can be even harder to know why he’s crying. It can be frustrating for adults when kids keep crying or don’t stop running around. Patience, my friends!

Bottom Line

Traveling with kids is doable. It requires some extra planning on your part, but it’s certainly not impossible. I understand it can be overwhelming at first, but luckily there are many resources at your fingertips.

Mexico is a very family-oriented destination. Some places like the Cancún area and Mexico City have lots of options for the little ones. Whether you go to one of those places or somewhere else, you will always find a park, a museum, an aquarium, or something else to have fun.

Travel is all about experiences. Do it with your family. Discover new places, embark on an adventure, try something different, learn something new. You will cherish those memories in the future.

That’s it for now, my friends. Feel free to drop a comment or ask a question below. See you soon!

Book your trip now!

Book your flight

The first thing you have to do is find cheap flights. But where do you find those? There are many search engines, but the one I highly recommend is Skyscanner. Here you can compare fares from all over the world and pick the one that suits you best.

Book your accommodation

The next thing you have to do is secure your lodging. Whether you prefer a hostel, a guesthouse, a B&B, or a hotel, you can find them all on Booking. You can find lodging of all kinds ranging from cheap to expensive and somewhere in between. Many people have scored good deals using it.

Another popular option is Hostelworld. This website focuses on hostels as opposed to hotels.

Book a tour

In some places, you might want to hire a tour. Not all places are equally accessible to visit by oneself. It helps enormously when you visit with a local guide who can show you around and answer any questions you might have…all in your native language. My to-go place is Viator as they offer tours of all kinds and have a presence all over the world.

Rent a car

Public transportation is usually cheaper than renting a car, but it’s sometimes more complicated and time-consuming. That’s a reality. In some cases, it’s more convenient to rent a car. My recommendation is Rentalcars.com. Here you can compare rates and choose the one that fits you best.

Book your bus tickets

You can save money by booking bus tickets online. My favorite site to do this is Busbud.

Get travel insurance

Never travel without a travel insurance policy, especially these days! Travel insurance can save your life. My recommendations are World Nomads and Insured Nomads. Both companies cover COVID-19 related incidents, which is crucial these days.

More resources

Just click on the “Plan your trip” tab at the top of this page, and you will find more resources like getting Mexican insurance for your foreign car, buying travel accessories, and learning Spanish. And, of course, don’t forget to check back often to read more tips on Mexico travel.

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16 Replies to “Mexico with Kids – Yes, It’s Doable”

  1. I couldn’t imagine going on holiday without my kids, so Mexico like all other places should have plenty of family activities, just like the ones mentioned in this post. 

    Funnily though, I have never pictured Mexico as a place to visit, but now this post has whetted my appetite, especially when I read that there are amusement and adventure parks.

    The only thing that was worrying me is that my kids are so fussy, but at least there are places they will recognize to eat like McDonalds.

    1. Hi, Michel,

      Traveling with kids can be hard, but it’s certainly doable with the appropriate planning.

      I’m glad you found this information useful. That motivates me to continue doing the best I can.

      Lol, yes, some kids are picky eaters, but fortunately, there are so many options for them. You will always find something for them to eat.

      Hope you visit soon.

  2. Hi there

    Coming from Africa, I’m absolutely fascinated by the idea of traveling to Mexico. I’m amazed how fantastic your photographs look. My kids are young teens and it sounds as if they will be very much entertained! 

    Is Mexico in general an affordable option? I assume the private beaches etc will be very expensive, but what if we do as the locals do? 

    Also, is the food from street vendors generally safe? 

    Its a life changing experience for kids to experience a different culture first hand. 8ve even taken my kids out of school for a week or two to travel. I believe they learn more on the journey than they can possibly learn in school for that time. 

    Thanks so much for your article. 

    1. Hi, Sam,

      Your comment is much appreciated. Your children will love Mexico, I’m sure.

      Answering your question, yes, Mexico is affordable. Of course, it depends on where you go, where you stay, where you eat, etc. There are plenty of options for all budgets. If you’re willing to sacrifice a few things, you can save up a good amount of money.

      Regarding street food, you can follow a few guidelines. For instance, when requesting a drink, ask it without ice or make sure it’s made with distilled water. If the weather’s too hot, you might want to avoid any dairy products on your food/snacks. Observe the vendors carefully, see what they do. Or just do as the locals do. If a place is crowded, it must be good. The truth is, while it’s usually preferable to eat at a restaurant, you can still get sick there. Don’t discard street food altogether.

      I hope you can travel with your teens soon. Let me know if I can be of assistance.

  3. Hello Enrique, thank you for sharing this post to clear our worries and give answers to our questioning whether we should visit Mexico with our kids. And of course, I love the fact that it is doable. I love the fact that this is as a result of so many facilities suitable for kids and many places that were built with kids in mind. So I am sure kids will have a great time visiting those parks, zoos and aquariums, museums and even have nice time in places where food are sold. Thanks for sharing your recommendations.

    1. Hi, Biizy,

      Thank you very much.

      Traveling with kids can be challenging, but fortunately, there are many options for them. Depending on your destination, your budget, and your preferences, you can plan a super fun vacation with the little ones. It’s just a matter of looking.

      Feel free to come back for more tips and info on Mexico. Bye!

  4. My kids are a bit older now (my oldest is 16), but I still have a young one, on the autism spectrum, that is 10 years old. He is definitely a handful! Vacations were always difficult for us as a family because of the sensory overload issues. Interestingly enough, he loved Six Flags, which we took him too here in Texas. I had no idea there was one in Mexico as well. I have always wanted to go to Mexico…honestly we are not that far away being in Texas. Your article was amazingly thorough and filled with great info. Thanks!

    1. Hi, Adam,

      I can only imagine. My cousin has an autistic child, so she has to be creative when traveling. It can be challenging but not impossible.

      We only have one Six Flags park in Mexico, but we have other amusement parks as well. I’ve never been a fan of rides and the like, but it can be an excellent option for the whole family.

      You don’t live that far. There are many direct flights to Mexico at affordable prices. Hope you visit soon.

  5. Hello Enrique, 

    It really doesn’t take much to realize that indeed, Mexico is very family-oriented. Some stories of family adventures I’ve come across in the past, coupled with the the above list of family friendly parks, which by the way, reinforces my belief that traveling to mexico for a family holiday can be quite the experience for the kids. I think it’ll be more beneficial to explore the surrounding areas with the kids as opposed to just booking resorts which eliminates the need to venture outside. Nice post.

    1. Hi, Leo,

      Glad to hear. Travel is all about experiences and good memories. I cherish all and each one of my trips with my family.

      I do agree with you. I’m into exploring my surroundings, meeting new people, discovering new things, etc. I don’t like to stay indoors the whole time, but I understand we all have different concepts of what a perfect vacation is.

      Thanks for commenting.

  6. Hi! I have liked the idea of going to Mexico for a long time. I know Mexico has a lot of things to do with all the family and its culture is very family driven. We’re planning to go to Monterey and Parque Fundidora Is one we want to visit. We have seen pics from that park and it’s incredible.

    1. Hi, Henry,

      That’s great! Yes, the family is very important in Mexico. You will find lots of options for your kids.

      You will love Parque Fundidora. It’s one of my favorite places in Monterrey. Let me know how it goes. Thanks for commenting.

  7. I think it is important to realize that the children will tire out easily as well.  I would allow for ample time to do each of the activities and not be rushing the family to try to do everything.  Enjoy the time with your family and get the most out of every activity, because that is what vacation is for.  If one day you are running around to multiple locations, maybe the next day you spend at the beach and spend time together relaxing and enjoying beach activities.  

    1. Hi, Andrew,

      You made some excellent points there. We may feel more active on a certain day and prefer to venture out, while other days we just want to relax. Nothing wrong with that. As long as we spend time together, the rest doesn’t matter.

      Have you ever been to Mexico? I’d like to know. Thanks for commenting.

  8. Hi Enrique,
    You have a really nice website here, I love Mexico and I love to visit it, I’m currently living in Canada, but I visit Mexico once every year at least, I go to Puebla, Mexico City and Toluca, but I’m currently planning a vacations maybe in Cancun or Los Cabos…

    1. Hi, Alex,

      Thank you very much. Your words motivate me to continue.

      Where in Canada do you live? I went to Montreal a couple of years ago and I loved it! I’d like to return soon.

      Mexico has lots of beaches. Hope you can make it. Feel free to check my other posts for more tips and info.

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