Anne-Charlotte PasseraLet’s be clear, staying in an all-inclusive along the Yucatan Peninsula doesn’t mean you’re going to experience Mexico. Not at all.
However, when you’re a single mother of two, one of whom is a toddler, an all-inclusive in Mexico may seem like a good idea. But is it?
I’ve been to Mexico several times, but I only stayed in all-inclusives. You’re probably thinking: oh, lucky girl. That’s one of the advantages of living in North America. We are closer to the Caribbean and “exotic” places. Often, it’s cheaper to go to an all-inclusive than to buy a plane ticket and manage on the spot.
Here in Quebec, they say “going down south”. Generally, they’re talking about going to Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic and all-inclusives. For me, growing up, going down South meant going to Nice or the French Riviera. At least, it was in the same country!
Although Canada is not known for its beaches, take a trip to Nova Scotia. You’ll find that there are actually beautiful wooded sandy beaches where the water is warm. (Discover Ingonish)
So, what is an all-inclusive in Mexico like? In this article I tell you about our experience and some tips on how to avoid pulling your hair out!
Getting ready for an all-inclusive in Mexico
During the summer of 2011, a few months after my separation from Blondie Bear‘s father, I went to Mexico alone with my two children (11 and 3 years old).
I was apprehensive about the trip, as we were leaving in the evening and returning in the night. While putting it into perspective, I thought Blondie Bear might sleep through the trip. Hmmm, not really. Looking back, I could have approached this trip in a different way.
I wasn’t worried about flying alone with the kids. I had done it before, but with only one at a time. My concern was more about logistics. What to bring without overburdening myself, getting through security, waiting at the airport, etc.
To go on an all-inclusive trip, you usually have to go through a website like Sunwing or Air Transat to book everything. This includes the hotel, transportation from and to the airport of your destination, as well as the plane. As a result, you will not have control over the flight schedule. Traveling with young children and not being able to keep up with their routine can be problematic when you are on your own.
To prepare yourself and your young child for the trip, I talk about it in more detail HERE.
For a more upscale all-inclusive option, there is always Club Med.
Our trip
The outbound trip went well because Blondie Bear actually slept. However, our flight made us arrive very late at night. By the time we got off the plane, got on the bus, checked into the hotel and got to our room, it was 4 a.m.
We immediately went to bed together in a king size bed. It was very comfortable with Junior‘s arm and Blondie Bear‘s leg in my face.
However, the return trip was a bit difficult. Blondie Bear was overexcited at midnight in the airport when everyone was tired.
I did what I could despite the fatigue to keep him busy without disturbing too much the people around us. I didn’t really have a choice in the matter since I was all alone with my two kids. It’s surprising, but I still managed to keep my cool. I had brought along some toy cars to distract him and some alphabet cards that he liked.
The advantages of an all-inclusive
My first time in Mexico, I was barely 21 years old. I went alone. My mother dropped me off at the Philadelphia airport at 4 a.m. I went for 4 days, right after New Year’s, before going back to college. It was all I could afford at the time.
Going to an all-inclusive can be cheaper than organizing everything yourself.
Staying at an all-inclusive resort means you don’t have to worry about logistics and making multiple reservations. At the click of a button, everything is booked for you.
On site, meals are prepared for you in buffet style for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also the option to eat in restaurants with different themes and à la carte. However, reservations are required. Drinks are also included in the price of your all-inclusive package.
Entertainment
During the day and in the evening there are all kinds of entertainment for both adults and children to enjoy. Generally, there is a children’s club. It is a bit like a day care center. There are animators and they do activities with or at least supervise the children. It’s free babysitting during the day! Although, I don’t really see the point of putting the kids there for a whole week. After all, you’re supposed to be spending the vacation with them. However, it is convenient when you are traveling alone and have children of different ages. This was my case, because Blondie Bear was still napping and Junior was not. So, in the afternoon, Junior was at the club while Blondie Bear was napping in the room or by the pool.
In the evening, there is usually a show or music. It’s a great way to end the day without having to stay up too late. Anyway, alone with children, you won’t be able to.
To sum up, all you have to do is pack your bags and think of nothing else. You’ll have everything right there and no need to spend money if you don’t get out of your all-inclusive.
Spending the day in an all-inclusive
Our first day, despite the lack of sleep, we were the Three Musketeers, toes in the water at 9 a.m. It was fantastic. The water was already warm, the white sandy beach super soft with a beautiful sun. Unfortunately, I had no one from the adult world to share it with. Traveling alone with kids can be a bit sad sometimes.
I enjoyed our stay at Sunset Princess, an all-inclusive in Mexico, not far from Playa del Carmen. Admittedly, I’ll be honest, there were some difficult moments. I didn’t meet or talk to anyone. I was a single woman with two children, and I didn’t see others like me.
However, the activities offered can keep you entertained. Besides making sand castles or playing in the pool at Marco Polo, there is aqua-gym, salsa classes, boat rides, or a game of mini-golf to keep you busy. It all depends on your hotel of course. While the concept is the same, the amenities offered are not the same everywhere.
Evenings can be short, but you can still enjoy a happy hour after the beach in the main square. A margarita for you, and a colourful juicy drink for the kids. Listen to the bands play or see some great shows after the meal, screw the routine. However, for us, it was usually bedtime afterwards for everyone, of course, no babysitter.
Other options
If you are like me, you may not be able to spend the day doing nothing, other than taking care of the kids of course. Personally, I like to move around and visit. I can’t stay by the pool or on the beach for a whole week, I’d go crazy. I always have as a goal when I go to an all-inclusive to do at least 2 or 3 excursions including a cultural one. Even alone with children, it is possible. These excursions are extra and can be expensive. You have to budget at least 80$ USD per person per excursion. Children sometimes get a discount and depending on their age, it can be free for them.
Places to visit
My first time in Mexico, I went to Cancún. Please don’t go there! There are only tall buildings along the beach and it’s very Americanized. If you want to see a bit of “Mexico” you can venture into old Cancún. Go by bus, it’s not expensive. I did it by myself. However, with children, I don’t see the point.
Playa del Carmen
Although I didn’t go to Playa del Carmen with my kids, I did stop by there on my way to Belize.
It is very lively. There are lots of restaurants and stores. It reminded me a little bit of the south of France, I did say a little.
The beach is ok. But if you’re looking for a little more excitement and less isolation, an all-inclusive just outside of Playa del Carmen might be a good option for you. Look for an all-inclusive in Playacar. It’s very nice there and right next to Playa del Carmen.
Chichen Itza
We went to visit one of the new 7 wonders of the world: the pyramid of Chichen Itza, and a cenote (cave). Chichen Itza is also a UNESCO site.
The bus ride to the pyramid is a bit long. You will arrive a little before noon, visit and then eat. Bring water, snacks and a hat. There is little shade on the site and it is very hot. It is no longer possible to climb the pyramid. Anyway, with young children alone, I don’t recommend it. The ascent and descent is abrupt.
The site of Chichen Itzá is a must visit when you are in the Yucatan area. Is it worth it to go with children? Why not?
The site is large and interesting with a guide. Mayan history is rich and fascinating. Before you go, check out some books in the library on the subject with your children. This will make their visit a little more interesting. After the visit, you can draw the great pyramid with them or try to reconstruct it on the beach.
Cenote
After the tour and lunch, we went to one of the many cenotes (indoor water caves) that dot the peninsula. The Maya used them to perform ceremonies. We attended one of them at the water’s edge. The kids loved it. Junior was able to swim because he was not afraid of the depths while I kept his brother on the edge. The cave was huge and deep. To reach it, we had to go down a long staircase.
The cenotes are chasms that form when the ceiling of the underground networks collapse, causing access to underground lakes and rivers. Most of the cenotes in the Yucatan were formed 10,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age.
ABSOLUTE ADVENTURE MEXICO
The 7 wonders of the world
At the moment I can say that I have seen 4 1/2 of them, since the Statue of the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, I have seen it, but from afar. It was a choice, it was boring to go all the way up to see it. By the way, we saw a similar one in Havana, Cuba. That did the trick. Junior has already seen 5 of them thanks to his trip to China for a school trip. He studied Mandarin at school. Blondie Bear has seen 3, 4 if you count him being in my belly for the Colosseum in Rome. I don’t think we will manage to see all 7.
Ruins of Tulúm
Another “cultural” excursion and not as far away as Chichen Itza are the ruins of Tulúm. If you are the adventurous type, you can arrange your own trip there. The site is much less interesting and impressive than Chichen Itza. However, it is the only Mayan ruins close to the ocean. On site you can access a beautiful beach. The sand is white and soft, the water is clear. It is perfect for swimming. However, be careful with your belongings, there are often thefts. There is no food on site.
Xcaret
The Xcaret park is GREAT and is part of UNESCO. There are plenty of things to do and see. You can spend the whole day there without getting bored. At the end of the day there is a beautiful show that you can’t miss which represents a bit of Mexican history and culture.
Although I didn’t have a stroller with me, I managed to get through it.
When booking this tour, be sure it includes meals. Otherwise, it may be difficult for you to find something to eat or at least it will be more complicated. You cannot bring your own food on site.
It is still very expensive to get in, but well worth the cost given all you can see and do. By booking through your hotel, you might be able to get a discounted price.
Activities
If you don’t want to pay to see the dolphins, simply borrow one of the inflatable buoys at the beach (free). Then, swim with the buoy to the fence of the water park. That way you can see them up close.
There are also Mayan shows during the day, a horse show, animals to see and hammocks to relax in. The hammocks can be convenient for a nap. There is plenty of entertainment to keep you and your children entertained.
The old Mexican cemetery is a must see. It may sound gloomy, but the graves are colorful and beautiful. From the top of the church you can get a great view of the site.
We took a boat ride on a river and also went snorkeling in underground passages. It’s really nice. I must admit that I didn’t enjoy it very much because I had to take care of Blondie Bear. I had to swim and push him in the water in our flotation jackets. However, Junior enjoyed it and Blondie Bear found it funny, of course he didn’t have anything to do. We had a great time and there was no crisis.
Our little tips
Always plan for the unexpected. I learned that the hard way.
Our trip to Chicken Itza started very badly. We ate too close to the start. As a result, Blondie Bear expelled his breakfast as we were leaving in the bus, on me! Oh the joy! I had to improvise, no choice. I didn’t panic, I stayed calm. Thank goodness I had my bathing suit underneath my T-shirt. Blondie Bear and I made the outbound trip in our bathing suits. People must have thought I was a bit frisky when they saw me walking around in my bikini top on the bus. Fortunately, I had brought my sarong. We used it as a cover because the bus was air-conditioned and we were freezing.
We arrived on the site around 11:30 a.m. and we started directly with the visit. BAD IDEA. I didn’t have any snacks on me for Blondie Bear because I couldn’t take anything food out of the hotel.
As a result, Blondie Bear had an apocalyptic crisis in the middle of the site. At first, he didn’t want to join us in the shade, although it was almost 40 degrees! Then, he didn’t want to put on his hat, nor take off his T-shirt that had dried on the bus. I left him there while I went in the shade with Junior. I didn’t want to get heatstroke and couldn’t take it anymore. After what seemed like eternity, a miracle happened. A lady in my group offered me some saltines to give to Blondie Bear. HALLELUJAH! Everything was back to normal. We were able to fully enjoy the rest of the tour while waiting to eat. I learned my lesson well.
Tips
- Always have something to snack on and water. Either bring some with you in your suitcase or sneak some out of the hotel. Otherwise, there is always the option of going to the supermarket, but you have to find one nearby.
- Travel light. Bring only the minimum amount of stuff so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Forget the nice, heavy beach towels. Instead, bring microfiber travel towels or Turkish towels. They are much lighter and take up less space in your bag.
- If you don’t pack a checked bag ($), bring travel size sunscreen. Otherwise, buy some on site.
- Bring a sarong or a light blanket because the air conditioning is cold on the plane, in the hotel and in the tourist buses. It can also be very humid in Mexico.
- An anti-UV shirt will be useful to protect your child from the sun and will avoid you to have to put sunscreen on all the time. In addition, you will have one less shirt to bring. Shoes for the water will be useful because there may be rocks in the water. Finally, a hat will be necessary, because the sun can be strong down South.
- Always bring a change of clothes for the excursions. Accidents can happen quickly (vomit, pee, poop, nosebleed).
Entertainment
- Foldable buckets are great. The hotel does not usually provide them. If you want your children to play on the beach, it will be convenient and doesn’t take up much space in the bag. Also, bring a Frisbee. Even if your child isn’t old enough, it can help as a scoop. Also, as a ball, use inflatable ones. These also don’t take up much room in the bag.
- Don’t forget a small backpack that your child can carry to put some toys, books, pencils in. It will keep him busy at the airport, on the plane as well as in your room. Don’t bring anything that makes noise, it gets on your nerves or valuable toys. If you do, and the toy is lost, it will be a crisis.
In summary, traveling alone with children to Mexico in an all-inclusive is possible and surmountable. Just don’t forget food to feed your beasts if you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere!
