Planning A Family Vacation to Riviera Maya, Mexico

Before You Leave

If you or those traveling with you do not have a passport, apply for your passports at least 4-6 months in advance. You cannot use a Real ID to travel to Mexico from the US. Your passport is valid for 15 years.
Reminder: Children’s passports are valid for only five years.
Check expiration dates on existing passports. Some countries require your passport to be valid for six months after your travel dates.
Buy a passport holder to keep all important documents together with less chance of getting lost.

Choosing A Resort

Consider a resort closer to the airport for a shorter ride to the resort when traveling with children. Hopefully, the return trip to the airport from the resort will not be too early. My suggestion is the Iberostar in Riviera Maya.
Do you prefer a large or small resort? If you want to do excursions, you may want a small resort if you plan on sightseeing in Mexico rather than enjoying the beach, pools, and activities at your resort. Here’s a post to help you decide.
How do you find a good deal? Check out my post to learn how.
Join the Facebook Group for the resorts you are considering visiting to learn more about the resort and ask questions. Here’s the link for the Iberostar Facebook Group.
Do they have a kids club, plenty of pools, a nice beach, water sports that are included, activities like minigolf, volleyball, and archery?
Do you have dietary restrictions, or allergies, gluten free? Most resorts have alternatives but check the resort and the Facebook page to see what’s available.

What To Pack

You know the basics, but here are the extras that may make your trip easier.

More than one bathing suit and coverup. Clothing doesn’t dry as quickly in the humidity, so you may want to switch back and forth between them and wash them between use.
Swim diapers for young ones.
Floaties for the kids and adults. Many resorts will inflate them for you at no cost. You can buy them there, but you will pay a premium.
Pack an extra charging block or stick for electronics while traveling. These are helpful when there are delays at the airport or in transport to and from the resort. Make sure all devices are fully charged before you leave.
Bring a surge protector because many resorts only have a few outlets in the room.
Underwater phone covers are perfect for those who want to take their phones to the pool or beach. You may wish to purchase them for water-based excursions.
Insulated mugs for adults and kids, sippy cups for the little ones.
Leave large purses at home, take a small purse for dinner to carry a cell phone and tip money, and a lightweight cross-body (fabric or plastic) for excursions or short trips to the coffee shops, hikes, etc.
Pack a change of clothes for the first day at the resort in your carry-on bag. Include your bathing suit and flip-flops. You can use a changing room when you arrive at the resort if your room is not ready. Then you can use the pools, have lunch, and have a drink.
Sundresses for girls serve as a cover up or they can wear it to dinner rather than packing shorts and tops and separate dresses.
Rash guards for both adults and kids. Many have an SPF of 50. While having fun, you may not remember to apply sunscreen. Or if they are useful if you want to spend more time in the pool.
Separate bottles of suntan lotion for kids to take in backpacks while they are at the resort. Especially if they will be in different groups at the kid’s club during the day.
Detangling brush for those with long hair. After a day of beach, sand, pools, and sun, those locks can get knotted.
Chewing gum for takeoff and landing to help avoid ears popping
First aid items like Band-Aids, Tums, allergy medicine, cold medicine, Benadryl, and after-sunburn products.
Take plenty of $1 and $5 for tipping.

At The Resort

Download WhatsApp to communicate with resort personnel.
Download the resort App for additional information about activities and to make reservations.
Give everyone enough downtime including the kids. You want to be well-rested in order to enjoy your vacation.
If you prefer to have dinner at the a la carte restaurants, make your reservations for the week with the concierge on the day you arrive.
Meet for dinner at the a la carte restaurants or buffet to talk about your day and touch base with each other.
Take lots of photos and video to remember your trip. Appoint more than one person to take photos to ensure everyone is included. If there’s not a photographer in your group, ask your waiter to take photos at dinnertime, or there are usually photographers on the beach that will take a series of pictures for you to choose from.

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