Is it Safe to Take Your Kids to Cancun?
If you are thinking about visiting Cancun with your kids, but you are uncertain because of reports you’ve heard of violence, drug wars, or H1N1, it is my opinion that those things are very localized and have been exaggerated in the name of sensationalism. By all means, do your homework if you’re concerned, but I would not hesitate to visit Cancun or plenty of other Mexican destinations, even with my kids. In fact, this summer I had a fabulous time in both Acapulco and the Mayan Riviera.
Know Before you Go
If you are taking your kids to Mexico, each person requires a passport. Even infants. If you don’t currently have a passport, apply for one as far in advance as possible. It is possible to get an expedited passport if you absolutely need to, but it will cause you money and stress.
Avoid that. Apply early.
There are a ton of fun things to do while visiting Cancun, but make sure you know why you are going. If you want to hang on the beach, eat at TGIFridays, and visit some ruins, perfect. If you want to “eat where the locals eat”, see authentic Mexico, and get by cheap, probably not.
Cancun was built specifically for tourism, and that’s exactly what you will get. Block after block of hotels, resorts, and restaurants. The majority of other people you will encounter will be other tourists. The only locals you’re apt to see will be employees of the hotels, and restaurants.
The Mayans Are Cool Again
OK, I’m not sure if the Mayans were actually cool in the past, but they’ve gotten on the map now with that whole, end of the world in 2012 thing. Teens, and even tweens, are aware of them now thanks to all of the apocalyptic scenarios being played out on TV and in movies, so you can take advantage of that to educate them about the real history of the Mayan people. And it is a fascinating story. Chichen Itza is my personal favorite among the ruins, but there are a handful of sites you can visit, all within a couple of hours of Cancun by bus.
Give Me the Details
Cancun is located at the very tip of Mexico. When you look at a map , (Couldn’t find a good one. Sorry) the tourist section where you are likely to be is along the edge in the shape of a “7″. It runs all along Kuklukan Boulevard. Along that strip you’ll find resorts along the waters edge where you can line up activities like horseback riding, 4 wheeling, speed boat rides, parasailing, and snorkling. If it’s a water activity, I’m sure it’s available somewhere. Personally, I thought the 4 wheeling in the sand dunes was a blast, although I’m not sure I’d want my kids to do it. Maybe in a couple of years, except for the youngest, who I will never want to witness doing things like that. It would probably give me a heart attack.
Cancun Weather
Gorgeous, hot, very strong sun, just like the rest of Mexico. Take plenty of SPF 1000 sunscreen and reapply it several times a day.
My stubborn son learned this the hard way when we visited Fort Lauderdale last June. His sunburn was a total wet
blanket on that trip, but I’ll mention again that it was his OWN FAULT!
My favorite thing about the weather is that it is hot and steamy even in the early morning. Often, rain will break out during the day and be gone before you know it. Obviously, there is a hurricane season, and I usually see the swirling circles on the news in late summer and fall, so there’s a reason you’ll find cheap digs at that time of year. Decide for yourself if you think it’s worth it. Maybe you’re a storm chaser. If so, yay for you!
Tip Well and Often
Cancun’s main industry is tourism, as is much of Mexico’s. When you are doing your travel planning and budget, be sure to allot generously for tipping. This means having a pocket full of $1, $5, and $10 bills. Tip everyone who does something for you, even if you could have done it for yourself. Even if it’s handing you a paper towel in the bathroom. Mexico is our neighbor, which makes it’s citizens our neighbors. Treat them well when you are a guest in their country.
The same can be said for haggling. If you like to haggle for sport, that’s great, but then pay the merchant $8.00 for the item they just sold you for $4.00. The economy sucks even worse there than it does here. If you can afford to take your family to Cancun for vacation, me thinks you can afford to be a generous tipper.
Also, it sets an excellent example for your kids. And we are all about kids around here.
Thank you to Delicious Baby for hosting another excellent Photo Friday:)
Image – Itza’s Kukulcan Temple by kyle simourd
About the author: Debbie Ferm is the founder of Travel Dither. She did not take the two gorgeous photos of Cancun, but definitely took the photo of the handsome boy in the post. Get more from Debbie on Twitter.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Cancun sounds like pretty touristy but sometimes these big resorts can be great for families – I’m not sure about the tipping ethic – I like to support the local economy but in Europe we tip a little extra if we get extra good service not in order to ensure that we do!
Hi Heather,
Thanks for stopping by. Cancun is very touristy, but it is sunny and gorgeous, and touristy doesn’t have to be bad:)
My point with the tipping is that it is a part of the culture in places that rely on tourism. They treat us well, and should be rewarded for it.
this is a great article. i’d not known about the tipping, but it makes total sense. and probably we would NOT head to cancun – prefer more “like the locals” kind of travel. thank you!
I’ve learned that there are great things almost everywhere. You just have to know what you’re looking for:) Thanks for stopping by!
About tipping, yes people in Cancun expect tips (around 10-15%) but thay are also aware of europeans customs and they understand it very well, so they do not feel bad if they do not receive a tip from european visitors or from any nationality, as they know that there will always be visitors that give tips and visitors that do not, and normally they get very good tips from the people that do tip them. So do not worry and do what ever your custom is.