Traveling to Mexico with My 3.5 Year Old

We have brought our young kids to Mexico about a half dozen times starting when they were one. It is one of our favorite places to vacation and get away from the everlasting Minnesota winter.

Check with your insurance. For some health insurance plans, they are not valid outside the US. So, you may or may not be covered. If you are really worried, you could always purchase supplemental travel insurance. The only time we had a health emergency was when we were in the Cayman Islands. We ended up in the ER and between the pediatrician there and our MD back home, we managed to come up with a treatment plan for my 3 year old. So, I strongly suggest having a cell phone with international calling so you can contact your stateside Pediatrician if need be. Our insurance did not cover it so we just paid out of pocket. However, when we left the resort to go to the ER, we did bring our passports and were prepared to go to the airport and take the first plane to any major US city with a children's hospital if we did not feel comfortable with the care. Luckily, we did not need to.

The only other thoughts are to bring plenty of sunscreen. Get UV protection rash guard shirts for your daughter. We always bring immodium, tylenol, benedryl, bandaids, a thermometer, etc. in our carryons with us in case of any issue but have never had to use any of it.

Have fun.

My daughter is 4 and has been to Mexico 3 times. All to smaller towns 40+ minutes to the larger cities. It's a good idea to know where there might be a 24 hour doctor available. This is what I could easily find about your destination:

"Health ...Our Centro De Salud, a local hospital and the Red Cross are equipped to take basic care of emergencies and has an ambulance to take patients to the primary care hospital in La Paz or Cabo San Lucas. Visitors can be assured that basic good health care services are available. Both cities have modern medical, dental and eye-care facilities. There is a dentist and a local Doctor in town. Holistic Health Practioners are also available."

Pharmacies have most things you need but I always travel with Children's Motrin, Advil (for me), thermometer and sunscreen. I had to buy diaper rash cream once. That was kind of hilarious because I was trying to explain and show (on myself). We never drink the water and soak all fruit and veggies in iodine solution/ water mix before we eat them.

I have never called re: insurance but I would call the number on the back of your card.

Above all, RELAX and HAVE FUN! ;-)

We took our son to the Riviera Maya when he was not quite one. No problems with water or anything, although we were at a resort pretty much the entire time. I would just check with your insurance company to ask what you would need to do if you are out of the country. Most minor things would be able to be treated in Mexico, I would think. However, you may have the option of Medevac or something similar for a major emergency. Hopefully finding out a little more should put your mind at ease so you can enjoy your vacation -- Baja is a great place to vacation!

It's about 12 degrees in the Kansas City area as I write this... wow, does a trip to Mexico sound good!!

I would check in with your insurance company to see what they suggest. Different companies, different policies, it's best to get it straight from the source.

When we went to Mexico with our kiddos (two years ago), we stayed at a resort that had a doctor/mini healthcare facility on the resort property. It was fully staffed and open 24 hours. You may want to check this out, many resorts provide this service.

I was paranoid about the water, I admit it. I took imodium for kids with me and we all brush our teeth with bottled water (issued by the resort). Overreaction, I know, but we made it out with no tummy issues.

Unsolicited advice: take lots of $1 for tipping, etc. Many of the people that we bought things from preferred American dollars to pesos. Also, use as much of their native language as you can - even if it is just "please" and "thank you". It is appreciated.

Have fun! Mexico is beautiful and friendly. Enjoy the warm weather!