Traveling to Playa del Carmen With Kids: What I Wish I Knew Before Our Trip

Traveling to Playa del Carmen, Mexico with kids can definitely be a lot of fun — but there are a few things you’ll want to know ahead of time that could seriously make (or break) your trip!

Back in 2019, I took a solo trip to Playa del Carmen with my 2-year-old — and whew, let’s just say it almost took me out.😅

There are so many little things I wish I had known before that trip.

Since then, I’ve traveled back to Playa on my own as well, and with each visit, I fall in love with it even more.

Playa del Carmen is absolutely beautiful — the beaches, the culture, the food — and it’s an amazing place to visit with little ones or for a solo getaway.

During that first trip, we were only there for a few nights, and honestly, it wasn’t nearly enough time to explore everything Playa has to offer. If you’re planning your trip, trust me — give yourself a couple extra days if you can.

In this guide, I’m sharing all the tips, lessons learned, and real-mom advice you need to know before traveling to Playa del Carmen with kids — so your trip can br nice and easy.

How To Pack

Pack Light

When traveling with kids, packing as light as possible will make a huge difference for you.

I know packing light may sound a little overwhelming to you – especially if you’re used to traveling with lots of luggage (you know who you are). It’s definitely more challenging when you are traveling with kids. As a mommy, we tend to pack “just in case” items – which means we usually overpack. I highly suggest you start packing early and only pack what you will actually need.

When you’re traveling with kids, packing light can seriously make or break your trip. I know it sounds overwhelming (especially if you’re like me and love to pack just in case for every possible situation 😅), but trust me — the lighter you travel, the easier your whole trip will be.

Real talk (for real for real):
Packing light is harder when you have little ones because, as moms, we naturally want to be prepared for everything. (Because let’s be honest — toddlers are unpredictable!)

Here’s what helped me:

• Start packing early:
  Don’t wait until the night before. Start a few days ahead so you’re not throwing random “maybe” items into your bag out of panic.
• Only pack what you’ll actually need:
  Think about what you use on a daily basis — not what you might use once. If you haven’t needed it in the past few trips, you probably won’t need it now.
• Use packing cubes:
  These are a total game-changer for staying organized. If you don’t have packing cubes, Ziplock bags work great in a pinch!
• Stick to one carry-on and one personal item per person:
  For this trip, I somehow managed to fit everything into one carry-on, our JuJuBe diaper bag, and a small backpack purse. (Miracles do happen. 😅)

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Packing Essentials When Traveling with Kids

Packing smart can make your whole trip so much easier — especially when you’re traveling with little ones! Here’s what worked for me:

✔️ Use packing cubes:
These are a total lifesaver for keeping everything organized. If you don’t have packing cubes, Ziplock bags make a great backup for separating clothes, snacks, and small essentials.

✔️ Stick to one carry-on and one personal item per person:
Trust me — the less you’re lugging around, the better. I waited until the last minute to pack (don’t be like me 😅), and still managed to fit everything into one carry-on suitcase, our JuJuBe diaper bag, and a small backpack purse.
If you start packing early, you’ll have a much better shot at avoiding overpacking.

✔️ Pack your medicine kit:
No matter where we go, I always pack a travel medicine kit — and let me tell you, it has saved me more than once. Kids are unpredictable (and travel only makes it more interesting).

Here are some of my recommendations for packing when traveling with your kids:

• Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Motrin
• Face Masks
• Thermometer
• Diaper Rash Cream
• Vaseline
• Q-tips (or just buy a small travel contianer and throw some in there)
• Any daily medications for you or your little one
• Allergy meds or anything your doctor recommends for travel

When you’re traveling abroad, especially with kids, it’s way easier to have your essentials on hand rather than trying to hunt down a pharmacy in an unfamiliar place.

How To Get To Playa del Carmen

Getting to Playa del Carmen with kids is definitely doable — you just need to plan ahead a little to make it as smooth as possible.

Here’s what you should know:

• Fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN):
  This is the closest major airport to Playa del Carmen. Once you land, you’ll still have about a 45-minute to 1-hour drive to get to Playa.
• Choose kid-friendly transportation:
  ➔ If you’re traveling light and want an affordable option, the ADO bus is a lifesaver — clean, air-conditioned, and budget-friendly. (Bonus: Kids love looking out the big windows)
  ➔ If you have a lot of luggage, a stroller, or just want to make life easier, pre-booking a private shuttle might be your best bet. They’ll pick you up right outside the airport, help with your bags, and get you straight to your hotel — no extra stops.
  ➔ Renting a car is another option if you plan to explore beyond Playa, but just know juggling a toddler and rental logistics after a long flight can be a lot. (Ask me how I know 😅.)
• Timing is everything: Try to book flights that land earlier in the day if possible. Arriving late at night with kids — when everyone’s tired, cranky, and hungry — is just a different level of no thanks.

Mom Travel Hack: Always pack your medicine kit and a change of clothes for you and your little one in your carry-on — just in case your checked luggage decides to go on its own vacation.

Where to Stay

When you’re traveling with kids, where you stay in Playa del Carmen can make a huge difference in how easy (or stressful) your trip feels.

Where you book will also give you a pretty good idea of what food options you’ll have available — and if you have a picky eater (like I do 🙃), this matters a lot.

Here are a few things to think about:

• All-Inclusive Resorts:
  If you’re worried about food variety or just want easy access to meals without leaving the hotel, an all-inclusive might be your best bet.
  👉🏽 Bonus: Some all-inclusives even have kid-friendly buffets or special menus.
• Hotels or Airbnbs:
  If you’re not staying at an all-inclusive (we didn’t), just plan ahead by bringing plenty of your own food and snacks for your little one.
  I packed things like:
  • Instant oatmeal
  • Cereal bars
  • Veggie and fruit pouches
  • Crackers
  • Juice boxes
• Room Service:
  Always check ahead of time if your hotel or resort offers room service — and peek at the menu online if you can. It can be a lifesaver when you’re too tired to venture out after a long day of beach fun.

Because my daughter is a super picky eater, I made sure to have plenty of her favorite foods packed and ready. Even though we didn’t stay at an all-inclusive, we had zero drama when it came to meals — and that alone made the trip way smoother.

How To Get Around

Once you have a rough idea of what you want to do while you’re in Playa del Carmen, it’s important to think about how you’ll get around — especially when you’ve got little ones in tow.

Here’s the deal:

• If you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort:
  You probably won’t need to leave the property much (if at all). Most families who stay at all-inclusives spend the majority of their time on-site — between the pools, restaurants, and activities, there’s usually more than enough to keep everyone happy.
  ➔ In this case, you might not even need a stroller.
• If you’re not staying at an all-inclusive (or you plan to explore):
  If you’re planning to wander around Playa, check out local shops, or take day trips — definitely bring a stroller.
  ➔ Playa del Carmen is a very walkable city, but those little legs will get tired fast, especially in the heat.
  ➔ Plus, it’s just easier to have a stroller when you’re moving around with snacks, sunscreen, and all the toddler gear. 😅

Bottom line:
Think about your plans ahead of time. A lightweight, foldable stroller can be a lifesaver if you’re doing any real exploring around town!

Should You Bring a Stroller to Playa del Carmen?

Short answer: YES. But let’s be real — it’s not always going to be the smoothest ride. 😅

When we were in Playa del Carmen, I had a total love/hate relationship with our stroller.
We did a lot of walking, and having a stroller was absolutely necessary — but Playa isn’t exactly the most stroller-friendly city.

Here’s what you should know:

• Sidewalks aren’t always accessible:
  Most sidewalks don’t have those smooth little ramps you’re used to. Instead, you’ll often run into high curbs, meaning you’ll have to physically lift the stroller up and down every time you cross the street. It’s a workout, for sure!
• Walking in the street:
  Some people just skip the sidewalks altogether and walk along the edge of the street — but honestly, it’s not the safest option, especially with kids.
• Why it’s still worth it:
  Even with the extra hassle, bringing the stroller was one of the best decisions I made.
  • It was super hot outside — and no way was I carrying a sweaty toddler around all day!
  • The stroller gave her shade and a cool spot to relax.
  • She could nap on the go — at the beach, at lunch, even while we were just out exploring.
  • It made getting through the airport and long days out so much easier.

Bottom line . . . Bring a good travel stroller — lightweight, easy to fold, but sturdy enough to handle a little bumpiness. Your arms (and your sanity) will thank you later.

Mommy Travel Hack: If you’re bringing a stroller, make sure it’s lightweight and durable enough for cobblestone streets. Some areas in Playa del Carmen (especially around 5th Avenue) have uneven sidewalks and bumpy spots — so a basic travel stroller with good wheels will save you a lot of frustration!

The Takeaway

Traveling to Playa del Carmen with a toddler (or any little one) definitely takes a little more planning and patience — but it is so worth it. From the beautiful beaches to the colorful streets, there’s so much magic to experience as a family.

Yes, there will be challenges — the bumpy sidewalks, the heat, the occasional meltdown (from kids and maybe even moms) — but with the right mindset, the right essentials, and a little flexibility, you’ll create memories that are truly priceless.

I hope this guide gives you a real glimpse into what traveling to Playa del Carmen with a little one looks like — and helps you feel more confident, prepared, and excited for your own adventure.

If you’ve been to Playa del Carmen with kids — share your favorite tip or memory in the comments.

I’d love to hear your story.