Thinking about taking your kids along on your next Mexican getaway? The first thing to remember is that children of all ages love the exotic sights, sounds, and scents that are uniquely Mexico. The adventure and cultural experience you give them will last a lifetime. In addition, Mexico is one of the best family values around! I have been traveling for 17 years with my children to Mexico and through the years, I have delighted in sharing my love of Mexico with them and exposing them to the wonders of the country, culture and people. Along the way I have learned things that may be helpful for traveling with your children to Mexico. Preparation: 1.Prepare your children for the difference in cultures and language. Buy an age appro- priate Spanish dictionary to learn words or phrases in Spanish. Use them every day around the house, and once you get there as well, to have a fun and learning experi- ence. For older children, learning a little Mexican his- tory can spark their interest in finding out more about the country and sharing it with you while they are there. 2. Sunscreen is the most im- portant item to bring to pro- tect your children. The sun is much stronger in Mexico and it doesn’t take long for a burn to occur. Bring a va- riety of SPF numbers along with a complete sun block like zinc oxide. Even in the shade, children should wear sunscreen as reflected sun can cause painful sunburn. Babies should always wear a hat and protective clothing as well as sunscreen as their tender skin is much more likely to burn. 3. Sports Equipment: Bring at least 2 swimsuits for ev- ery child-one to wear and one to dry out. Don’t pack towels or beach toys as your hotel usually provides tow- els and beach toys or towels are inexpensive to purchase. There are life vests, boogie boards, and snorkeling equipment for rent on most beaches, so avoid the extra bulk of bringing these along 4. Travel Days: Days of travel are the most stressful part of your trip, so be pre- pared for a LONG day. Pack a few books, games, or toys to occupy children during the trip and while you’re there for down (nap) time. Relax when you get there and don’t schedule any tours or big events for that day. For your return trip, pack up most of your things the night before you are scheduled to depart, so you can spend that day relaxing before your trip home. Be sure to pack a swimsuit in your carry-on luggage. Documentation: Entering Mexico: Children of any age will need to have a certified copy of their birth certificate from the county (not hospital) in which they were born. If both parents are not traveling with the child, you need further documentation. A notarized letter signed by the absent parent(s) is needed stating that the child is permitted to travel with you to a specific dest-ination during specificdates.

If that is not possible due to divorce or death, alternate documentation is required. If parents are divorced, proof of sole and physical custody must be presented. If one parent is deceased, a death certificate is required. (In my case, my husband was deceased, and although I always carried the necessary papers, I was never required to present documentation to any Mexican official. I was required to show it at the check-in for the airlines in the United States at least 80% of the time.) This is to prevent parents from abducting children to Mexico, and although it is the law, Mexican officials will normally only require it from you if someone comes looking for you. The airlines are responsible for making sure that your documentation is correct, so they can deny you boarding if you don’t have the proper documentation. If you are not sure what you need, ask your travel agent or airlines. Relaxation: Remember the important thing is that you are there to have fun with your family so don’t try to do too much. One or two sightseeing trips in a week is plenty as you’re much more likely to spend time in the pool or at the beach. Take it easy in the sun the first couple of days. The sun is the strongest between 11am and 3pm, so try to avoid being in the direct sun at that time. Take care when swimming in the ocean, and always have an adult swim with children. Flags at the beach will tell you if it is safe to swim or not. Stay away from too much fruit or fruit juice, which can cause stomach problems, especially in young children. Check at your hotel front desk to make sure the water in your room is purified. If you are in doubt, buy bottled water. Bring a few of their favorite packaged snacks along from home for a treat. Try to get your children to try at least one new Mexican food a day, making it a game. There are enough fast food places now (sigh) in Mexico that you will always be able to find something for your children to eat. Dining in Mexico is later (8-10pm) than in the US/Canada, but you may find that your children are too tired to dine late and fall asleep in their soup. Make sure you alternate between what you want to do and what your children want to do, so that everyone has a chance to have fun. I suggest allowing each person a day of their own to plan one thing that is important to them and everyone has to go along with it. If someone becomes ill or needs medical attention, contact your hotel front desk for the name of an English-speaking doctor. My daughter was seriously ill in Mexico and the doctor that helped us was the best one she ever had. (Thank you, Dr. Marco!) Avoid walk-in emergency clinics unless recommended, as they may be very expensive. The best thing to remember is to relax and enjoy yourself and your family during the trip. You are on Mexican time, so the only thing you have to worry about is having to leave!