How to Ensure a Peaceful Trip With Your Family in Mexico (Without Needing to Be Rescued by a Federale)

Mexico—a land of remarkable food, blistering heat, sun-soaked beaches, and enough tequilas to start an in-family feud before you've even left the hotel. Now, taking your family there may seem like a splendid idea when you're browsing glossy travel brochures, with beaches in the Yucatán glistening brighter than your old sunburned British uncle at a wedding. But let's be honest: adding a family holiday to this equation could be about as pleasant as driving a three-wheeled Peugeot through a monsoon.

The truth is, there are ways to avoid disaster in Mexico (and no, not just by canceling your flights and hiding at home). If done right, a family trip to Mexico can be a memorable experience for all the right reasons—sun, sand, smiles, and not a single raised voice. But only if you heed these essential rules.

1. Choose Your Destination Like You’re Casting a Hollywood Film

When it comes to Mexico, "anywhere" isn’t good enough for family tranquility. There’s Cancun, of course, if you fancy rubbing shoulders with spring-breakers in neon vests shouting "YOLO!" at breakfast. Then there’s Tulum, the boho-chic paradise filled with vegan smoothie bars and wannabe influencers, perfect for anyone who feels the need to sprinkle chia seeds on their holiday. But the secret gems lie further afield.

Try Merida if you fancy a charming, sun-drenched city full of colonial history and manageable crowds. Oaxaca’s perfect for the “I want culture, but I also want cocktails” crowd. And San Miguel de Allende is so picturesque you’ll wonder why every family holiday hasn’t been a sepia-toned Instagram filter. Choose wisely, as the wrong destination could have you turning into the Hulk after an hour.

2. Forget the Tiny Car; Go Full-On Tank

A word about cars. Renting a subcompact in Mexico sounds sensible, especially if you've ever tried parking in an actual Mexican city. But when you’ve got kids and their thousand suitcases of snacks, toys, swimsuits, snacks, and stuffed animals (did I mention snacks?), you need space.

So here’s my tip: rent the biggest car you can find. If it looks like something you’d use to cross the Sahara, you’re on the right track. Mexican highways aren’t exactly blessed with world-class signage, and navigating with kids chanting “are we there yet?” as you play musical chairs with the sat-nav is an experience in chaos. Get something with air-conditioning that could refrigerate a small warehouse, and you’re set.

3. Don’t Let Your Kids Go Mad at the Buffet

The Mexican buffet—land of 50+ salsa varieties and taco options that’ll make your head spin. But be warned, because this is the place where your children will embrace “freedom” in a way that’s both glorious and horrific. Pile upon pile of cheese-laden quesadillas, endless servings of guacamole, churros to infinity—it sounds marvelous until you’re waking up at 2 a.m. to the unmistakable sound of stomach distress.

The answer here is simple: rationing. Give them the guacamole, sure, but maybe not three bowls. And unless you want to see how long it takes to explain “no habaneros” to a child who believes they're invincible, monitor the chili intake. This goes for you, too—one too many tequila shots over dinner, and your dream of a peaceful trip will dissolve faster than a margarita on a hot day.

4. Embrace the Siesta or Be Doomed

Mexico has given us many great things: tacos, mariachi, and the art of the siesta. Now, I know the thought of a mid-day nap might seem foreign, particularly if you come from the “let’s-see-it-all” school of vacationing. But in Mexico, temperatures at midday are hotter than a pizza oven, and the locals have wisely decided it’s better to take a breather.

Insist on a family siesta. Make it law. This is when you’ll all retire to your air-conditioned hotel room, collapse on the bed, and decompress. This hour or two of downtime keeps everyone’s sanity intact. You’ll avoid the inevitable heat-induced toddler (and adult) meltdowns, and you’ll even have the energy to get out and explore again in the cooler evening hours.

5. Prepare for the Sun Like You’re Facing a Small Nuclear Device

I love the sun as much as the next person. But the Mexican sun is on another level entirely. You don’t so much tan here as you do transform into something resembling a baked tortilla. It’s unforgiving. And if you’re not careful, you’ll spend the holiday rubbing aloe vera on every inch of your family, and nobody wants to come home looking like a boiled lobster.

Go for sunscreen that’s thicker than paint and an SPF so high it might as well be made of Kevlar. Reapply every hour, on the hour. Hats are mandatory, and shade is your new best friend. If your children complain, remind them of the alternative: an uncomfortable flight home covered in blisters.

6. Learn the Basics of Spanish Beyond Ordering Beer

The Spanish language—melodic, expressive, and, in Mexico, an absolute life-saver. Knowing a handful of words will get you a long way, especially with your kids in tow. “Dónde está el baño?” will prevent them from urgently announcing their needs in the middle of a market stall, while “No pica, por favor” will reduce the likelihood of them taking a bite of something hotter than the surface of the sun.

Plus, Mexicans are remarkably accommodating when you make an effort. Even a few attempts at “gracias” or “buenos días” will be met with a warm smile. Suddenly, your family’s not just a group of foreign tourists but travelers genuinely invested in connecting with the culture.

7. Avoid the Souvenir Trap—Your Kids Will Want Everything

Mexican markets are brilliant. They’re bustling, colorful, and filled with handicrafts that make your average British gift shop look like a dull day at the office. But here’s the thing—children in markets are like magpies. They’ll be drawn to every shiny, colorful object in sight, be it a handwoven poncho, an oversized sombrero, or a parrot on a stick.

Set a limit before you go. One souvenir per child, and make it small (you’ll thank me at the airport). Otherwise, you’ll find yourself hauling an entire Aztec temple replica back to your hotel, complete with matching figurines. And yes, your child will have lost interest in it by the time you’re halfway back to the room.

8. Remember: Go with the Flow and Loosen Up (A Little)

Yes, I know this sounds counterintuitive, but Mexico runs on something the locals call “Mexican Time.” It’s a peculiar phenomenon where schedules have a certain… fluidity. Your dinner reservation might be ten minutes late, the tour bus may arrive “in five minutes” (which in reality means twenty-five), and someone will inevitably lose track of time.

Here’s where you have to let go. Complaining or getting stressed will only ruin the experience. Instead, relax, take a breath, and realize this is part of the charm. Sipping a cold cerveza or juice in the sun while you wait isn’t exactly a hardship, and the sooner you accept the pace, the sooner your holiday will actually feel like one.

In short, Mexico can be the land of family holiday dreams—or the place where you finally understand why some people travel solo. Stick to these rules, and you’ll find yourself on the right side of paradise. And remember, at the end of the day, you’re in Mexico! Where there’s always sunshine, a beach, and one more delicious taco waiting just for you.