My husband and I have always loved traveling, and we’re excited to continue exploring even with little ones in tow. We recently took a trip to Mexico with our two kids, aged 1 and 2. Despite their young ages, we made unforgettable memories. By leveraging credit card points, we made this trip possible without a hefty price tag. In this post, you’ll discover what we did in Mexico with our young children and how we leveraged credit card points to reduce the cost.
How We Got There and Where We Stayed
Traveling as a family of four can get expensive, but we covered most of this trip using points. It’s crucial to use credit cards responsibly. Please read this quick explanation for the basics of travel credit card points and top rules for maximizing credit card points responsibly. For a deeper dive into using credit card points, check out this beginner’s guide or take this free course.
We flew from Omaha to Cancun on Southwest Airlines, using 71,961 points for three round-trip tickets. Our youngest flew as a lap child, saving us the cost of a fourth ticket. We earned the points using our Southwest Premier credit card. We love that Southwest offers great perks like free checked bags and no change fees—perfect for traveling with kids.
For our stay, we split time between the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen (non-all-inclusive) and the Hyatt Ziva Cancun (all-inclusive). Although switching hotels was a lot of work with young children, we wanted to compare experiences. We paid 29,000 Hyatt points per night at the Grand Hyatt and 45,000 Hyatt points per night at the Ziva. Typically, the points rate at an all-inclusive only covers two people, but we didn’t have to pay anything extra for our children since they were under 3 years old. We earned and transferred points using our Chase Sapphire Preferred card and our Chase Ink Unlimited card. The Sapphire Preferred card allows us to transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards to Hyatt. Overall, we preferred the non-all-inclusive option for its flexibility, as we enjoy exploring local food and culture and don’t drink enough alcohol to justify the increased price of the all-inclusive.
Our Mexico Itinerary: Balancing Relaxation and Adventure
Arrival and Relaxation
We arrived in Cancun at night, staying at an airport hotel for a quick rest. The next day, we took a transfer to Playa del Carmen, checked into the Grand Hyatt, and spent the day enjoying the beach and pools.
Cenote Adventure and Mayan Ruins
The highlight of our trip was a guided tour of Mayan ruins near Coba, followed by swimming in two cenotes. Our guide, Heriberto, was fantastic, especially with our young kids. The open cenote was chilly but stunningly clear, while the underground cenote had impressive rock formations. We took turns snorkeling and soaking in the unique atmosphere. On our way back, we stopped for delicious tacos at a local spot.
All-Inclusive Fun at Hyatt Ziva Cancun
We switched to the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, enjoying their family-friendly amenities, including multiple pools, beach areas, and even dolphins on the property. We appreciated the convenience of an all-inclusive resort, and loved soaking up the sun and beautiful weather.
Departure Day
We caught an early flight home, enjoying lounge access at the airport thanks to this credit card, which provided nice bathrooms, free food, and a comfortable space to relax before boarding.
The Joys of Traveling with Young Children
Some might feel that having kids means giving up the hobbies you love, but we believe it’s about finding creative ways to enjoy them together as a family. Traveling with small children isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. We love escaping the cold weather back home for sunny beaches, and the time spent together as a family is priceless.
Our kids may not remember the trip, but we cherish moments like watching our daughter’s excitement as she watched the dolphins or our son’s joy as he toddled around the pool making new friends. These experiences remind us why it’s worth staying active and prioritizing the things we love, even as parents.
Traveling can be physically demanding, from carrying luggage while also managing small children to exploring ruins with a toddler on your back. I’m grateful for a strong, healthy body, which allows me to fully enjoy these adventures with my family.
Plan Your Own Dream Family Vacation Using Points
This trip to Mexico allowed us to create lasting family memories while keeping costs manageable. Credit card points made it possible, and staying active allowed us to enjoy every moment to the fullest. Ready to start planning your own adventure? Click here to sign up for the travel rewards card we used and begin earning points today! Ready to turn your travel dreams into reality? Get a free personalized credit card consultation here!
