Last week we spent six nights in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula with our two kids (ages 8 and 12) and our dog Penny. This was our second international family trip, so we’re far from expert travelers, but like our previous Costa Rica trip, we wanted to share practical details for anyone considering a similar vacation — especially first-timers to Mexico. Below are answers to common questions, plus where we stayed, what we ate, and how we traveled with a pet.
No part of this trip was sponsored. We covered flights, lodging, food, and activities ourselves, mostly using saved credit card points to book flights and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Why Mexico?
After our family trip to Costa Rica in 2020, we hoped to travel internationally more often with our kids, but the pandemic put plans on hold. This June we felt ready to travel again and chose Mexico because it’s close, varied, and easy to navigate for families. It offers incredible nature, interesting wildlife, colorful art, and outstanding food — from tacos to ceviche. We enjoyed every meal and found Mexico to be tourism-friendly, with welcoming people and lots of lodging and activity options.
Where did you go in Mexico?
We split our time between two Airbnbs in two towns: Akumal and Tulum. We flew into Cancun and planned to stay in Tulum, but we found an affordable, dog-friendly place in Akumal en route to Tulum and ended up loving Akumal the most. Splitting our stay let us experience two different areas of the Yucatán.
Did you rent a car? What was driving like?
We rented a car and definitely recommend it. It gave us freedom and flexibility and was far easier than relying on taxis or shuttles. We booked through Hertz at the Cancun airport. Note that U.S. auto insurance typically doesn’t cover you in Mexico, so you’ll need to purchase insurance from the rental company.
Driving felt no more difficult than in the U.S.; local drivers were often polite. Expect some surprises like unmarked speed bumps (topes), and be mindful of local speed limits. Overall it was straightforward and stress-free for us.
Was there a language barrier?
We’re beginners in Spanish and managed just fine with smiles, gestures, and a few learned phrases. Many locals — including our Airbnb hosts, guides, and restaurant staff — spoke English, but using simple Spanish phrases was a fun part of the trip and locals welcomed the kids’ attempts. We also used Google Translate for quick translations and voice-to-text when needed; its camera translation feature was helpful for signs and menus.
What about currency?
Mexico uses the peso. We arrived with some pesos for small purchases like snacks and tipping and used credit cards for larger expenses. We ordered pesos from our bank before we left. The conversion was easy to work with — about 20 MXN per 1 USD — and a simple trick (drop a zero and halve the result) helped our kids estimate prices quickly.
Did you feel safe?
Yes. People were kind and we never felt unsafe. We used normal travel precautions like locking the car and watching valuables. Walking in parts of Tulum sometimes required caution because sidewalks aren’t everywhere, and many properties have gated or fenced perimeters. We tended to be back at our rental by early evening to avoid driving unfamiliar roads in the dark.
Any tummy issues?
No one had stomach issues. Both Airbnbs had filtered water and most restaurants offered bottled or filtered water. We ate widely — food trucks, seafood, ceviche, smoothies — and everything tasted great.
Airbnbs we stayed in
In Akumal we stayed at ARKAH, a small dog-friendly complex of duplexes around a pool. It was affordable, quiet, and relaxing, with lush walkways and a simple kitchen. In Tulum we stayed at Villa Lu’um in La Veleta, a nicely decorated townhouse with a retractable glass wall, private pool, and walkable access to town restaurants and shops. La Veleta is still developing, so roads can be bumpy, but the location was convenient.
Activities we enjoyed
We kept the trip relaxed but did a few great excursions:
Turtle Bay snorkel tour in Akumal
This was the highlight. We booked an early private tour with Akumal Ecological Guides and, guided by Angel, saw seven giant sea turtles in a protected roped area. The tour provided life jackets and snorkels, and Angel took underwater photos for us — an unforgettable experience.
Swimming in a cenote
We visited Cenote Cristalino near Akumal at opening to avoid crowds. The clear water and cave-like surroundings were beautiful. Admission included life jackets and snorkels were available. It was refreshing and peaceful.
Holistika Art Walk
Near our Tulum Airbnb, Holistika’s Art Walk is a collection of large murals on freestanding stone walls in the jungle. It’s colorful, interactive, and peaceful — a memorable, family-friendly outing if you go early to avoid bugs and crowds.
Tulum ruins
We visited the Tulum ruins early to avoid the heat. We skipped a guided tour for flexibility, but felt we might have learned more with one. It’s a compact coastal archaeological site that’s worth visiting if you enjoy history and scenic views.
Shopping in Akumal & Tulum Town
Browsing outdoor shops and markets was a family favorite. We loved MexicArt for colorful souvenirs, and both towns have many open-air stalls and galleries that are easy to explore with kids and dogs.
Note: We didn’t make it to the beach during this trip — it was hurricane season and the water was choppy with sargassum. If you’re planning a beach-focused trip, consider seasonality when booking.
Where did you eat?
We loved the food. We usually made one simple meal at our Airbnb and ate out for the other meals, sampling a mix of restaurants and food trucks recommended by hosts and locals. Favorites included La Cueva del Pescador and La Buena Vida in Akumal, Turtle Bay Bakery & Cafe, Burrito Amor and TacoBish in Tulum, and Aldo Gelato for dessert. Asking locals for recommendations led to some of the best meals and conversations.
How did you bring a dog? Was Mexico dog-friendly?
We brought our 3-year-old chihuahua‑yorkie mix, Penny. Flying with a dog from the U.S. to Mexico is straightforward: we had an official health form from our vet within five days of departure showing vaccines and good health. At Cancun customs Penny had a quick visual inspection. Many restaurants and shops were dog-friendly; we only brought Penny into outdoor dining areas and carried her into small or crowded stores. For activities where dogs aren’t allowed — snorkeling, cenotes, and the ruins — we left Penny at the Airbnb where she happily chilled on cool floors.
Was Tulum kid-friendly?
Tulum and Akumal are family-friendly in the sense that there are cenotes, ruins, snorkeling, and outdoor activities kids enjoy. We didn’t see many other children in Tulum, but our kids had a great time. If returning, we’d spend more time in Akumal, which felt more laid-back and had more kid-oriented attractions nearby.
That’s our overview of a relaxed, family-friendly week in the Yucatán. Gracias por leer — thank you for reading!
Other family trips we’ve taken
If you’re planning family travel, you might also enjoy our posts about weekend and weeklong trips to destinations like New Orleans, Charleston, Palm Springs, St. Petersburg, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and more.
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