Vacation Suggestions with a 5 month old baby

[sabad66]

Would like to take the wife to an all inclusive vacation for her birthday in mid March and would be bringing our 5 month old baby with us.

Anyone ever vacationed with their young baby and have any recommendations for specific resorts? Would like to keep it around 1200 per person for either 5 or 7 days if possible. Ideally would like to go to Cancun but i think PV area may be more do-able in our price range.

Let me know if you have any suggestions! thanks in advance

[03ozwhip]

Anywhere you can drive home quick. Everyone is different, but even my 7 year old(at the time) on the plane had some serious ear pressure issues and was in terrible pain for a whole day.

IMO I absolutely can't stand having a young baby on board a long flight, I've never had good experiences. I can't tell you where to go, but good luck man.

[Buster]

::shudder::

[ExtraSlow]

With a kid that young, you won't be making use of any of the kid friendly amenities, so you could go to a more adult oriented resort if you don't mind the other guests hating you.
Mexicans love babies, so the staff will love you everywhere.

Babies on planes are very hit or miss. When it goes wrong, it goes very wrong.

[prodigydud]

The best trip is wherever the grandparents are going. :thumbsup:

[ercchry]

I’ve never understood this... the kid is too young to remember anything, you won’t be able to unwind fully, you will fully disturb the general public around you that are also trying to relax. Why not just dump the kid off with in laws? Get a real vacation :dunno:

[speedog]

I’ve never understood this... the kid is too young to remember anything, you won’t be able to unwind fully, you will fully disturb the general public around you that are also trying to relax. Why not just dump the kid off with in laws? Get a real vacation :dunno:

At 5 months of age, yupp, you'd be dumping the kid off.

[ercchry]

At 5 months of age, yupp, you'd be dumping the kid off.

I’m just going to assume this is sarcasm...

If the kid is on formula, I don’t see an issue here... what’s more neglectful? Kid spending the week with grandma and grandpa? Or a 5 month old immune system on an airplane, and in a second or third world country?

[sabad66]

Baby is still breastfeeding and even then we don’t want to leave him for a week this young. He’s actually a pretty good baby and doesn’t cry much. He has been in an airplane already when he was 15 days old so I’m not too worried about the flying part.

Mostly just want a place that isn’t too much of a party resort, kids wading pool, good food. Did some preliminary searching and looks like we have to increase budget to 1500 for a decent place

[taemo]

Our baby is due in May and we already have flight and hotel booked for Hawaii in October.
At that young of age, the baby will not remember anything so just pick a resort that you and your wife wants to go.

[Buster]

Our baby is due in May and we already have flight and hotel booked for Hawaii in October.
At that young of age, the baby will not remember anything so just pick a resort that you and your wife wants to go.

your first?

[taemo]

your first?

yes our first

[ExtraSlow]

Congrats, enjoy it, and don't let anyone else tell you what's right for your family.

[bjstare]

Baby is still breastfeeding and even then we don’t want to leave him for a week this young. He’s actually a pretty good baby and doesn’t cry much. He has been in an airplane already when he was 15 days old so I’m not too worried about the flying part.

Mostly just want a place that isn’t too much of a party resort, kids wading pool, good food. Did some preliminary searching and looks like we have to increase budget to 1500 for a decent place

If you're looking for vacation spots with good food, why on earth would you go to all inclusive? I've been to a couple, one of which was an expensive one that had high ratings, and the food was all garbage :dunno:

[speedog]

I’m just going to assume this is sarcasm...

If the kid is on formula, I don’t see an issue here... what’s more neglectful? Kid spending the week with grandma and grandpa? Or a 5 month old immune system on an airplane, and in a second or third world country?

Not sarcasm. I'm not at the grandparent point in my life yet but taking care of a 5 month old is a whole different thing than a toddler.

[blitz]

5 month olds are easy to travel with, it’s 2 year olds that are the real bastards.

[thinmyster]

We just got back from Dreams Huatulco with our 4 and 2 year old. Its exactly what you described you are looking for.

I kinda agree with the other posters. 5 months is probably a perfect age to fly with. They are small, light and generally agreeable on the plane. Try rocking a cranky 2 year old for 6 hours straight on a 8pm to 2am flight. Not fun.

[speedog]

Fwp

[sabad66]

If you're looking for vacation spots with good food, why on earth would you go to all inclusive? I've been to a couple, one of which was an expensive one that had high ratings, and the food was all garbage :dunno:

from reading reviews, some Mexican AI resorts do actually have decent food. Even the 3 star party resort i went to in Cabo last year was not bad considering it was all inclusive. i'm not looking for michelin star type of food, but just want a resort that has a lot of options and won't be sick of it by the 3rd day. i have heard that Dominican and Cuba is horrible for food, so that's why we are aiming for mexico.

Which resort did you go to so that had garbage food so that i can be sure to avoid it?

- - - Updated - - -


We just got back from Dreams Huatulco with our 4 and 2 year old. Its exactly what you described you are looking for.

I kinda agree with the other posters. 5 months is probably a perfect age to fly with. They are small, light and generally agreeable on the plane. Try rocking a cranky 2 year old for 6 hours straight on a 8pm to 2am flight. Not fun.

i tend to agree... many of my parent friends have told me about the sweet spot between 4-10 months where it's a good time to fly. Once they get too old/big it's rough i hear.

thanks for the tip on Dreams Huatulco, will take a look!



also just realized that March is spring break time... will be crucial to pick a resort that isn't known for partying. Funny how about 5 years ago we would have been looking for the exact opposite :angel:

[mo_money2supe]

We went to PV last Aug when our little one was 7 months old. It was his first plane trip and he was actually quite the relaxed little bugger even in the summer heat. It was the 3.5 y/o daughter that whined every single day and refused to sleep on the plane even though she even said she was tired. She had flown a handful of times before too so it wasn't like it was her first time flying.

Anyway, we stayed at a 4.5 star AI with direct access to the beach. The place was called Sunset Plaza (https://www.hotelsunsetplaza.com/en) and was a newly renovated facility right in the heart of PV (not north into Nuevo Vallarta). Within walking distance to everything too! The building itself was only some 12 stories tall with some 8 units per floor (all with full kitchens but we opted for the AI package) so fairly small resort, and 100% of the rooms directly faced the ocean. Our 10th floor suite had better views than even our honeymoon suite some 8 yrs ago to St. Lucia and for less money! The food was absolutely amazing too (before kids, we were self-proclaimed foodies). The best part, FREE (no hidden costs) room service!!! I did tip well though. We had many meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) directly on our balcony while watching the beach festivities either starting up or watching the sunset directly in front of us. We stayed in a full suite, which costed about $5,000 (taxes in) for all flights, full AI, on our full week there. But they had the standard rooms (still directly ocean front) for $3,500 taxes in. Keep in mind, there were 3 flight tickets for us, so OP I'm sure you can easily get under your $1,500/person all in price. Now that I'm reminded of it, I think I might start looking into returning for another trip there! By the way, we met a few families there who were there on their 3rd, even up to 5th trip to the same place (and these are ones WITHOUT a timeshare)!

Here are a photos from the balcony:
81261
81262
81263

[lasimmon]

I find people who complain about the food at a resort go to a low quality resort and actually expect amazing food.

When I got to lower level resorts the food usually sucks.

When I have paid for much better resorts the food is much better.

But hey, I actually do research and prepare accordingly.

[bjstare]

I find people who complain about the food at a resort go to a low quality resort and actually expect amazing food.

When I got to lower level resorts the food usually sucks.

When I have paid for much better resorts the food is much better.

But hey, I actually do research and prepare accordingly.

Maybe. I'm one of the ones that complained about food, but also did research and spent the money for a nicer resort (nearly $2k/pp). :dunno:

[Manhattan]

Leave your kids at home with grandparents and put the money you would've spent on them for a trip they won't remember or appreciate into a RESP.

[sabad66]

We went to PV last Aug when our little one was 7 months old. It was his first plane trip and he was actually quite the relaxed little bugger even in the summer heat. It was the 3.5 y/o daughter that whined every single day and refused to sleep on the plane even though she even said she was tired. She had flown a handful of times before too so it wasn't like it was her first time flying.

Anyway, we stayed at a 4.5 star AI with direct access to the beach. The place was called Sunset Plaza (https://www.hotelsunsetplaza.com/en) and was a newly renovated facility right in the heart of PV (not north into Nuevo Vallarta). Within walking distance to everything too! The building itself was only some 12 stories tall with some 8 units per floor (all with full kitchens but we opted for the AI package) so fairly small resort, and 100% of the rooms directly faced the ocean. Our 10th floor suite had better views than even our honeymoon suite some 8 yrs ago to St. Lucia and for less money! The food was absolutely amazing too (before kids, we were self-proclaimed foodies). The best part, FREE (no hidden costs) room service!!! I did tip well though. We had many meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) directly on our balcony while watching the beach festivities either starting up or watching the sunset directly in front of us. We stayed in a full suite, which costed about $5,000 (taxes in) for all flights, full AI, on our full week there. But they had the standard rooms (still directly ocean front) for $3,500 taxes in. Keep in mind, there were 3 flight tickets for us, so OP I'm sure you can easily get under your $1,500/person all in price. Now that I'm reminded of it, I think I might start looking into returning for another trip there! By the way, we met a few families there who were there on their 3rd, even up to 5th trip to the same place (and these are ones WITHOUT a timeshare)!

Here are a photos from the balcony:
81261
81262
81263
awesome - thanks for this.

did some research on tripadvisor and almost all the recent reviews are 5/5... don't see that too often at all. It's around 1600pp for 7 days but i think we can stretch the budget considering how promising it looks. ocean view from every room is awesome.

[bigbadboss101]

When our daughter was 11 months old we went with another couple to Mexico. It was an enjoyable trip. Keep it mind you will not be as flexible with a little one by your sides. If you like to suntan you might need to stay in the shades more than you liked. If you like to drink and play water volleyball having a baby with you will reduce the amount of time you can do that.
Reality it's no different in general we need to put our LO's needs ahead of many other things.

[sabad66]

Leave your kids at home with grandparents and put the money you would've spent on them for a trip they won't remember or appreciate into a RESP.

the vacation is for us, not for the kid....we don't care whether he remembers the trip or not. But being 5 months we can't leave him away from us for a week.

there aren't additional costs as far as i'm aware. Flight is free for him if he sits on our lap and i can't imagine the resort charges extra for < 1 yr olds

[mo_money2supe]

awesome - thanks for this.

did some research on tripadvisor and almost all the recent reviews are 5/5... don't see that too often at all. It's around 1600pp for 7 days but i think we can stretch the budget considering how promising it looks. ocean view from every room is awesome.

We would have given them 6 stars if we could. Trust me, you will not be disappointed, even if you feel it stretches your budget a bit. The food is the same for whichever room package you get anyway, which again, was amazing! You will probably even be recommending the place to everyone you know afterwards (yes, even those food complaining Beyonders... ;))!

[RawB8figure]

[QUOTE=mo_money2supe;4714374]We went to PV last Aug when our little one was 7 months old. It was his first plane trip and he was actually quite the relaxed little bugger even in the summer heat. It was the 3.5 y/o daughter that whined every single day and refused to sleep on the plane even though she even said she was tired. She had flown a handful of times before too so it wasn't like it was her first time flying.

Anyway, we stayed at a 4.5 star AI with direct access to the beach. The place was called Sunset Plaza (https://www.hotelsunsetplaza.com/en) and was a newly renovated facility right in the heart of PV (not north into Nuevo Vallarta). Within walking distance to everything too! The building itself was only some 12 stories tall with some 8 units per floor (all with full kitchens but we opted for the AI package) so fairly small resort, and 100% of the rooms directly faced the ocean. Our 10th floor suite had better views than even our honeymoon suite some 8 yrs ago to St. Lucia and for less money! The food was absolutely amazing too (before kids, we were self-proclaimed foodies). The best part, FREE (no hidden costs) room service!!! I did tip well though. We had many meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) directly on our balcony while watching the beach festivities either starting up or watching the sunset directly in front of us. We stayed in a full suite, which costed about $5,000 (taxes in) for all flights, full AI, on our full week there. But they had the standard rooms (still directly ocean front) for $3,500 taxes in. Keep in mind, there were 3 flight tickets for us, so OP I'm sure you can easily get under your $1,500/person all in price. Now that I'm reminded of it, I think I might start looking into returning for another trip there! By the way, we met a few families there who were there on their 3rd, even up to 5th trip to the same place (and these are ones WITHOUT a timeshare)!


Do they have high chairs and cribs for your room?

[kenny]

the vacation is for us, not for the kid....we don't care whether he remembers the trip or not. But being 5 months we can't leave him away from us for a week.

there aren't additional costs as far as i'm aware. Flight is free for him if he sits on our lap and i can't imagine the resort charges extra for < 1 yr olds

We had to take our 5 month old to Mexico for a wedding and since he was still on the boob at the time it was super easy and probably one of the most relaxing vacations we've been on since we had kids. They sleep a lot at that age and when he is awake they aren't really moving around much.

Unless you plan on leaving the resort to go sight seeing (so you don't need to travel as far each time), and to do stuff I don't think it really matters what resort you go to.

[mo_money2supe]

We went to PV last Aug when our little one was 7 months old. It was his first plane trip and he was actually quite the relaxed little bugger even in the summer heat. It was the 3.5 y/o daughter that whined every single day and refused to sleep on the plane even though she even said she was tired. She had flown a handful of times before too so it wasn't like it was her first time flying.

Anyway, we stayed at a 4.5 star AI with direct access to the beach. The place was called Sunset Plaza (https://www.hotelsunsetplaza.com/en) and was a newly renovated facility right in the heart of PV (not north into Nuevo Vallarta). Within walking distance to everything too! The building itself was only some 12 stories tall with some 8 units per floor (all with full kitchens but we opted for the AI package) so fairly small resort, and 100% of the rooms directly faced the ocean. Our 10th floor suite had better views than even our honeymoon suite some 8 yrs ago to St. Lucia and for less money! The food was absolutely amazing too (before kids, we were self-proclaimed foodies). The best part, FREE (no hidden costs) room service!!! I did tip well though. We had many meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) directly on our balcony while watching the beach festivities either starting up or watching the sunset directly in front of us. We stayed in a full suite, which costed about $5,000 (taxes in) for all flights, full AI, on our full week there. But they had the standard rooms (still directly ocean front) for $3,500 taxes in. Keep in mind, there were 3 flight tickets for us, so OP I'm sure you can easily get under your $1,500/person all in price. Now that I'm reminded of it, I think I might start looking into returning for another trip there! By the way, we met a few families there who were there on their 3rd, even up to 5th trip to the same place (and these are ones WITHOUT a timeshare)!

Do they have high chairs and cribs for your room?


Yup, both were available upon request (no additional charge). The crib was even a full wooden crib too, not your standard pack 'n plays other hotels use. They even changed the bedsheets in the crib daily too!

[friedn00dles]

We took our 5 and half month old daughter to Royalton Riviera Cancun back in December, this is our 2nd time at this resort and loved it each time. Newer resort (2 years old).

She slept most of the time and when she was awake all she wanted to do was be in the pool. Food is amazing (including the buffet), rooms are quite large (pay a little more for ocean view with terrace Jacuzzi) so you can relax in the evening with the little one. Cost was $1600/person with sunwing. If you decide to fly with sunwing, i would pay for the Elite for express check in. Each time we were leaving Cancun, the line was about an hour wait.

[RawB8figure]

We took our 5 and half month old daughter to Royalton Riviera Cancun back in December, this is our 2nd time at this resort and loved it each time. Newer resort (2 years old).

She slept most of the time and when she was awake all she wanted to do was be in the pool. Food is amazing (including the buffet), rooms are quite large (pay a little more for ocean view with terrace Jacuzzi) so you can relax in the evening with the little one. Cost was $1600/person with sunwing. If you decide to fly with sunwing, i would pay for the Elite for express check in. Each time we were leaving Cancun, the line was about an hour wait.

Did you get the diamond club? was it worth it? We are probably going to book this resort any tips or recommendations?

[dirtsniffer]

Easy to tell here who has no idea about kids but still feels the need to input hahah.

[sabad66]

Did you get the diamond club? was it worth it? We are probably going to book this resort any tips or recommendations?

you finding decent pricing for this one? when I looked into it, lowest I could find was 2100 pp for 7 days in March but maybe it's a high demand season with spring break.


we ended up booking sunset plaza for 6 days... came out to around 1550 pp for the regular room. will inquire when we check in to see how much more it will be for the 1 bedroom with Jacuzzi. 3 weeks away, can't wait!! thanks for the suggestions everyone

[sabad66]

Yup, both were available upon request (no additional charge). The crib was even a full wooden crib too, not your standard pack 'n plays other hotels use. They even changed the bedsheets in the crib daily too!

what did you do for baths? we're using a little infant tub thing but don't want to pack that. may just buy a cheap one there if we need to.

also did you find you needed a stroller / car seat for your baby? we are considering just not bringing them at all... it would just be the ride from airport to resort without a car seat and thinking to just carry him in the baby sling around the resort

[mo_money2supe]

Awesome, glad you made the jump. You won't regret it!!

Right...forgot the standard rooms didn't have tubs. We had a suite that had the jacuzzi in it so we just had nightly bubble baths with the kids. They loved it! We have since learned to take showers with our little guy by holding him up in one arm while using the handheld sprayer on him; you could always try that method.

We took along out travel stroller, which is really just a fancy umbrella stroller. The wife picked it up used for like $40. We did also bring the front carrier along too but don't forget, we've got two kids, so the stroller was handy for the older one. Around the resort, you won't even need the carrier/stroller but if you venture out, the carrier will make you sweat like you've never sweat before. If you have a travel stroller, bring it. We didn't bring along any car seats for either. I just kept the little guy in the carrier on me while sitting in the back of the transport to/from the resort/airport. It's only a 5 min ride anyway. We also went offsite a few times to the Malecon and to swim with dolphins. Did the same thing each trip, just strapped the little guy into the carrier. Their driving style is more aggressive than here but it's what I called control chaos. Aggressive drivers but with control and skill. Way better than you'll ever find here.

By the way, the price difference between the standard room and the suite was ~$1,500 total for us, so that comes out to just over $200 CAD more per night. Bit of a premium but we loved having the kids in a separate room than us for some ba-chicca-wow-wow privacy...and the jacuzzi, yes, the jacuzzi....

[friedn00dles]

Did you get the diamond club? was it worth it? We are probably going to book this resort any tips or recommendations?

Never went Diamond Club, Didnt really see the need for it as the resort is very large and you wont have trouble finding pool side cabana's or beach chairs.

Avoid Building 9 (far walk)
Building 7 & 8 facing the main pool is very loud at night due to the daily shows.
i recommend building 7 or 8 facing their other pool/ocean.


what did you do for baths? we're using a little infant tub thing but don't want to pack that. may just buy a cheap one there if we need to.

also did you find you needed a stroller / car seat for your baby? we are considering just not bringing them at all... it would just be the ride from airport to resort without a car seat and thinking to just carry him in the baby sling around the resort

i would recommend this travel stroller. https://www.amazon.ca/Summer-Infant-Convenience-Stroller-Black/dp/B00OZJ6MQI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1519659914&sr=8-2&keywords=infant+travel+stroller

[redline]

I never thought about asking the hotel/ resort for a crib... I did this today for our trip to Mexico... life saver... thanks