what to do with a toddler

[allyinclwt]

We will be bringing a 2 year old to the Lindo.  What is there to do with a 2 year old?  Should we bring beach/sand toys?  Is milk easily available?  Are there refrigerators in the rooms?  Are there high chairs in the ala carte and buffet restaurants?   ---Allyson

[CoralReef]

Yes, I would bring your own toys if you want them. The resort only supplies "adult" toys (sailboats, snorkel gear, windsurfing boards, etc.). There are some kid toys in the gift shop in case you can't find any at home this time of year, but they are more expensive than at home.

Yes, there is always milk on the buffets. Usually both whole and low-fat.

There are small refrigerators in the rooms, stocked with water, soda, and beer.

I've seen high chairs in the restaurants and buffets.

[allyinclwt]

Thanks for the info.  What is there to do with a 2 year old other than pool and beach?  What is there to do if it rains?  Do I need an electrical adapter for a portable DVD player and blow dryer--or do our plugs fit in their sockets?  How big are the cribs?  I have a very tall 2 year old--will he fit in a crib?--he sleeps in a full size bed with rails at home.  Is it buggy there?  Should I bring bug repellant?

[CoralReef]

I hope some of the parents will chime in here-- I have no idea what to do with a 2 year old!

When it rains in the Yucatan (other than during a tropical storm), it is usually for a couple of hours in the afternoon, not all day. You can check the activity board to see what's happening that day, or ask the concierge or Starfriends. If it rains more than a few hours, they usually set up some games and activities in the ice cream parlor and/or theater.

U.S. plugs will fit in Mexican sockets. They provide a blow dryer in the bathroom. The Maya provides DVD players, but I'm not sure about the Lindo.

If your 2 year old is too big for their cribs, he can sleep on the daybed. It doesn't have rails, but you could turn it to face the wall. They will make it up with sheets for you.

Bug repellent with DEET or picaridin is a good idea any time you travel in the tropics. The rainy season is about to wrap up, so you shouldn't see horrible numbers of mosquitoes, but there may be some-- especially away from the ocean breezes and around vegetation.

[sunnin]

There is a place in Puerto Morelos called Croconun Zoo.  Any cab driver should be able to get you there, we're planning on doing this with our 4 and 6 yo next week.  It is an interactive zoo that lets you hold baby crocodiles, snakes, etc.  You probably don't want your 2 yo holding them, but he would proabably enjoy seeing the animals.  Another suggestion is the Xaman-ha aviary in Playacar.  Birds, birds, more birds.  Apparantly this is where the free iberobus drops you off to go to Playa Del Carmen.  You could spend some time there, then go to Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal for a few hours for some change in scenery and some different pools/lunch, etc.  Also, I have heard that Puerto Aventuras is like one big giant aquarium.  You could take a cab there and watch people swimming with the dolphins, etc.  It costs money to participate, but is free to watch.  I haven't done any of the above mentioned things, it's just things I've read that I thought would be appropriate for my 2 kids, and should be appropriate for a 2 yo as well.  Enjoy

[CoralReef]

The Iberobus used to drop off at Xaman-Ha Aviary, but a few months ago they changed to a location several blocks closer to town, the parking lot across from Plaza Antigua. Unless they've changed it back again!

[George]

All-Inclusive Resort Vacation with Toddlers:

Bring a travel kettle to boil tap water to wash your kids sippy cups, plastic cutlery etc. Put a small amount of dish soap in a Tupperware dish and use that for soap.

- Even if your hotel room tap water says it is drinkable don't drink it. Sometimes just a change in water even safe water can send toddlers and some adult’s stomachs/bowels for a turn. Therefore brush and rinse your teeth and tooth brushes with bottled water too. Just keep getting extra bottles in your mini fridge.

- Bring lots of their favorite dry snacks from home for munching in the hotel room and by the pool or beach.

- Eat fruit that has to be peeled e.g. bananas, pineapple, mangoes, oranges etc.

- It can be nerve racking experience if your toddler is a fussy eater. Do not worry; they will manage fine on fruit, crackers, toast, pancakes, yogurt, ice cream, French fries, muffins, hot dogs and pizza; not ideal but it is only for seven days.

- Bring along a large pack of juice drink boxes, the single serving applesauce and mini Oreos and mini cereal bars.

- Milk tastes a bit different in Mexico, so your child may not like it. All-inclusive resorts always have fresh juices and if you bring your drink boxes you will have those too.

- Bring along lots of extra baby face cloths as you go through them very fast. You only get a couple of face cloths in your room.

- If you are worried about high chairs or other eating surfaces bring along a pack of bacterial wipes.

- Bring the rubber bath mat from your tub to stop slipping in the shower or tub at the hotel.

- Bring a large mesh laundry bag as you will have a fair amount of damp laundry and it can get smelly or moldy. if you have a balcony keep the bag outside.

-if you don't have walky-talkies consider getting a set. It will make your life much easier when you need to locate each other if one of you is in the room and the other at the pool etc.

- Bring many more diapers then you think. You would need them as changes in food bring changes in bowel movements and frequency of them.

- For fun bring small bucket and shovel for sand and collecting sea shells, inflatable water toy and some books and items for in the room, a portable DVD player and child's favorite DVDs for the flight and for in the room.

A small medical kit is very helpful should children become ill when traveling. The kit should contain medications for illnesses that children experience at home and for potential travel-related illnesses, and it should contain the telephone numbers of all the children’s health-care providers. Choosing a destination where there is no ready way of communicating with competent medical professionals adds an element of risk to the trip.

A typical medical kit should include the following:
• Medications that the child has used in the past year
• Antiseptic wipes, thermometer, gauze bandages
• Insect repellents and sunscreens
• Packets of oral rehydrating solutions
• Antibacterial soap
• An antibiotic for general use or travelers’ diarrhea (azithromycin, cefixime)
• An antihistamine (Benadryl)
• Antibiotic and antifungal ointment
• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Hydrocortisone ointment
• Syrup of ipecac
• Malaria prophylaxis and standby treatment, as required by itinerary

You will have a great time, but be warned vacationing with a toddler is definitely not a relaxing adult vacation.