Where do exhausted parents of a 1.5 year old go? We used to be massive adventurers, foodie travellers, but can't imagine dragging the little one on that type of excursion. We would love to hunker down somewhere affordable, where you can entertain yourselves, and have some great affordable meals (without regretting it a couple hours later).
Looking at November, somewhere warm.
I know this must have been asked and answered a hundred times but searching for it seems very complicated.
Thanks!

Doing all inclusive in Mexico that has daycare.

Eric do people do this? Cause my kid is so attached he would NOT let me leave him with strangers. So it wouldn’t be a vacation for me knowing my kid is stressed and scared and likely crying the whole time

Misty I think it definitely depends on the temperament of your kid. I never did this but I know that kid #1 would have been fine, while kid #2– never in a million years

Nope mine didn’t use it at that age.

Misty when my kids were young the kids club was near the pool. We sat just outside the kiddy area where they could see us while they played. As they got older they were very happy go.

Stacey but kids club are usually over 3 yrs old . Check that before booking.

Misty mine was fine with it at that age. We only used it a few times but they had tons of activities and were super good.

Eric my kids are stage four clingers. I had a mother’s helper come to our house so I could do laundry and the little guy cried mama just because a stranger (that he knew!) was in the house. Kids lol

Eric 1.5 year olds need momma! Mum will be relaxed and watch them play in the sand on a beach and can always hire a baby sitter when the exhausted peanut is sleeping at 8pm. 2 hours of restaurant time or strolls on a beach. Or is they are à napper, baby-sitter at nap time. My aunt hired me one summer to Tahiti along them so they have some respite. Worth thinking about a sister, a niece…
Vacations are a must for young parents! They are my best times -better than just the two of us.

Maui

Mumaiza Maui very laid back, beautiful and relaxing for family holiday.

Mumaiza totally agree! Most areas are very accessible, lots of food options, relaxed vibe, safe, calm beach areas where you could wade in a bit with a baby/toddler, no language barriers (if that’s a concern), lots of condo accommodation options, which would be nice to have with a little one.

Jen oh and there’s a baby beach too in Lahaina.I seem to have a baby with me every time we go there
but yeah for past years as soon my kid would turn 6 month we would all go on a vacation and Hawaii (Maui) is our first choice. In 2019 right before the pandemic we tried Honolulu when baby #3 was 6 months but prefer Maui.

We loved staying on the Island and renting a cabin. Nature humbles and no agenda is healthy for a youngster and new parents.

We love cruising with our kids. If it’s within your budget and you can get a balcony room you can sit out when they’re sleeping. It also allowed us to see different places without having to pack and unpack over and over again.

Brandon MB

Following.

My first thought is a Thai island. If you can get though the plane ride and jet lag with a toddler, there is amazing food, beautiful beaches, great healthcare and a culture that generally loves kids. We've also taken our kids to Samara in Costa Rica (rented a car and stayed in Playa Carrillo next door). It's a touristy area and there were lots of restaurants from other cultures as well as local Costa Rican options and the beaches were beautiful. Bonus, no time change.

Jessica I was going to say this as well! We loved koh lanta! Or if you can find a nice rental on the beach in Hawaii and make most of your own meals?

Raelene yes, we love Hawaii as well. An air bnb on the North Shore of Oahu is heaven!

Raelene we did Koh lanta for a month with a 10 month old and 3 year old. It was perfect. Tons of little kids around and no one was too fussed about meltdowns. With the restaurants all open air it was easy to just take them outside if they were having a hard time.

Whitney yes! I could totally see that working well!

Jessica I love Thailand- but it’s a long flight - not realistic with a 1.5 year old- hard on him and hard on you.

Laurna I've had several friends take their very little ones, but usually stay for several weeks to make it worthwhile. You can also layover somewhere to ease into it. It just depends on the child and how much time you have.

Laurna we actually did not find the flights too terrible with two little ones. The long layovers were worse.

Palm Desert
Stay at one of the Golf Course condos with a heated pool and hot tub. You can fly out of Bellingham with Allegient

We took our son to Costa Rica when he was 10 months old. It was really fun! Different kind of trip with kids but still fun. We did early morning and then late afternoon adventures, nap in between.

FDR resort in Jamaica. Each room comes with its own nanny.

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Palm Springs area! Before Covid we took our daughter three times before she was 18 months. Relaxing, fairly inexpensive, good food!

Oahu Island is like the best place for kids, and parents.

BALI. But the flight is long, I went alone with my son around that age and it was great. Cheap monthly rentals for villas, lots of activities for little kids and good mix of culture, beach and relaxing. Super easy to travel around with a baby, there are tons of families traveling with little ones in Bali.

We had success taking our son to an all inclusive in Cuba around that age. We were in Cayo Santa Maria and the beach there was extremely shallow and calm which was perfect, and the all inclusive aspect made meals and nap times easy (although we brought most of my son’s food with us).
For US destinations, we did both Palm Springs and San Diego with him. We took him to lego land actually and the rides there are geared more for the younger kids and he just loved the displays and the water park there.

We took our 1.5 year old to SF and had a lot of fun. Not super cheap to stay there, but loads to do and see. Always a good time.

Maui or Honolulu. I took my son when he was 2.5 to Honolulu with my parents. We stayed in Waikiki only 1.5 blocks from the beach and lots of affordable food options and shuttle to Ala Moana Mall that has Target too. We have previously stayed on Kihei in Maui and I liked the slow relaxing pace.

A condo in Maui! Super family friendly. Laid back restaurants. Lots of “baby friendly” beaches to explore. Rental car an absolute must. Kihei has a great playground.

Do all inclusive. We took out 1.5 year old to the crown paradise in PV Mexico.
They have a baby club there, we would take our little one to the buffet for dinner then drop her off at the baby club and the hubby and I would book a nice dinner at the resort.

Exhausted parents deserve an all inclusive, you can easily do day trips if you want to venture out. Quite a few different countries to choose from.

Your back yard

Mexico all Inclusive- Try the Ibero Star Resorts in the Mayan Riviera. Excellent family oriented entertainment

How long can you go for?
We took our 1.5yo to Oaxaca Mexico. Amazing food, easy excursions, lots of kids stuff, flat, walkable, great weather. No jet lag.
Just no beaches in the city but you can fly to the coastline and it's lovely.

Waikiki

Grenada (Caribbean)

Disney cruise. Daycare. Adult only spaces. Nap time in your room is just a few minutes away no matter what you are doing.

Becky noooo -never leave a 1.5 yr old out of your sight! Remember Madeline McCann??!

Anywhere, I travelled with my children at that age.

all inclusive at the Melia resort is great for relaxation and kiddy care is great

should have said Melia in Puerto Vallarta

Last year and a half ago.. before pandemic,we decided to try Mazatlan....
We rented an air b and b a bit out of the main areas, super cheap ,gorgous 3 bedroom. It was such a good deal, used the bus system , very easy. And took a pullmona ( how ever you spell that)s at night.
There was a pool in the center of the condo place with bbq and the hosts were so good to deal with.you have a full kitchen for cooking if you want, but food is so cheap and good.
We fell in love with the easy flow of life there, beach walks for morning coffee, cheap great food ,we met tons of people, and I don't have a toddler but try it with a 15 yr old girl almost the same!!
We flew from Abbotsford swoop.. and it was easy and so affordable.i knows swoop is running from large centers again I have heard.
We are going back, the people are wonderful, and I don't feel like I am in California, which the cabo side put me In more mind of.

Tammy do you know the airbnb you rented. Looking for one. This sounds lovely

Carroll Curious as well. Although I have no foreseeable plans, unfortunately

Carroll I will check once home

Carroll mexico is so affordable especially if you are renting a place and doing your own cooking. The people are friendly. I love Mexico. Going back in the early new year to avoid the snow

Tammy we love it there too.

Tiffany Donovan Holkestad

I took my two year old to Costa Rica for two weeks. 12 days in Playa Ocotal and two near La Fortuna.
Stayed in an airbnb that had private pools for the residents and each unit had a kitchen. Stocked up at the local grocery store and also went out into town a bunch.
I can dm you some links...highly recommend the area and kid friendliness of the complex. Lots to do around there with a young one too.

We did Honolulu as a first family trip. We were able to walk everywhere, and the little one (9 months at the time) would nap/start her night in the stroller so we'd be able to enjoy a quiet dinner
. We did Maui as a couple, and there was a LOT of driving involved to be able to get to places to visit.

Aurélie Marvasti eighth? Waikiki is walkable, there are great restaurants and the beach is supersafe.

Rent a cabana on Hopkins Beach, Belize. It is fabulous for little ones, as it is shallow for a very long way out. No surf, and most often no waves, and delightfully warm. It's a Garifuna fishing village, full of local music and culture, and really good local and international food. Book early as Nov 19 is a local holiday, and Hopkins specifically gets booked out. westjet will be flying direct out of Calgary, and AC out of To. Alaskan is also starting a new route from Bellingham direct.

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Travel with a babysitter or family member that can help out so you can get to relax a bit. Travelling with littles can be amazing but not really relaxing

Thanks everyone. There are some places mentioned that we have been before baby that we didn't really consider.
We will dive into some of the recommendations

most cruise ships have a kids camp/babysitting service during the day and a fee offered evening babysitting service. And a child that age is usually free to board the ship.

Grenada. Grand Anne's Beach.

Roratonga

Go to Hawaii… I travelled with both my kids at that age, play all day, walks and because of the time difference they be asleep early and we could enjoy quiet dinners

An all inclusive if you're really tired.
But If you can handle the jetlag and get a GB pockit stroller or similar or your kiddo tolerates being in a backpack, my suggestion would actually be Japan. There's tons of kid friendly activities, playgrounds and kid infrastructure (hello baby seats in the public bathrooms). You can buy cheap food on the go (convenience store food there is actually delicious), most of the good restaurants are cheap (under$12 per meal) and if you stick to major cities, there's enough English to make getting around pretty straightforward. It's super safe. And kids loooove the trains.

All Inclusive all the way. You don’t worry about food or even soiled towels. We went to Cuba when LO was 6 months and naps were on the beach on a lounger in the shade. Puked once on a towel and we just got a new one.

I would suggest an all inclusive that has babysitting and excursions or at the very least get out for a few hours on your own

We travelled extensively when our kids were babies. We used airbnb and would go to small towns in Mexico and just relax. I highly recommend it! Good luck!

How about dropping them off at Nana's ?

Puerto Rico! Did this for my little ones first birthday and we loved it!

The Dreams resorts are all over Mexico and the Caribbean and they have good food, good service, no wristbands, free internet, and fantastic accommodations for young children

I love the Riviera Maya in Mexico but their Covid-19 numbers are high these days! I am hopeful things will improve soon.

I went to Paris/ Barcelona with my 1.5 we had the best time . In the evening we could put him to sleep on the stroller and have tapas and wine before heading to the hotel . Also there are playgrounds and green areas water parks everywhere . We had a kids backpack for the subway and umbrella stroller for the evening. It was easier than my 11 now he doesn’t want go anywhere

We did a house exchange with someone in New Zealand one January (they came to ski). It worked out really well with young kids!

Lisa, house swaps are my grand plan...when we aren't living through renovations

Dana right! It did force us to actually finish some projects that were being neglected!

Water park

Maui, South Kihei area in a condo, for a beach vacay.

Definitely all inclusive, no stress with meals, cleaning etc and all the fun for adults and kids
It was really a fun time for everyone as the biggest decision of the day was whether to start in the pool or on the beach lol. There are so many restaurant options to choose, we sometimes did room service for breakfast, beach bbqs for lunch and a different restaurant every night for dinner. There are lots of kids activities and shows every night too.

Singapore.

Be bold. Children adapt

Paul, I'm not worried about that. I just need an actual vacation...which is very different from how I am used to traveling.

Waikiki beach! He has the sand pail and you have the Mai tai!

Yes, indeed! Children do adapt. If their parents are on edge about entertaining them, the child will pick up on this and become restless too. Why not take your child on an adventure all the while talking about what all are seeing/doing?

Bonnie, our child free plays with the entire world around him, all day every day. We live in Whistler where adventure is around every corner. What we are looking for is an actual vacation for two exhausted parents whose travels have only been grand adventures but for the first time ever we current work, parent a toddler, and are in the middle of doing a reno.
I don't have it in me to do a grand adventure...with or without a toddler hurtling himself towards death at every turn.

Samara Costa Rica or an all inclusive. Maui is awesome, Samara is a little more tropical!

I started doing all inclusives with my daughter when she was three. She never did get to one of the daycare/playgroup sessions but after the first couple trips, she knew the drill. Breakfast, swim, snack, swim, lunch, siesta, swim, get ready for dinner...all with someone else making beds, washing towels, and planning meals. Sometimes that's enough. She's a little older now and we've travelled the globe together but I'm sure grateful for the all ins when all I was wanting a time out!

We took my (then) 20 month old son to Maui in February 2020, and rented a villa that was part of a resort. It was wonderful! I also used the Nanny Connection to hire a babysitter so we could have a few nights kid free… That was a game changer!!

Palm Springs is not too long of a flight, warm weather and good restaraunts? Maui is great as well…

Is your little one walking and pretty active? We took our 14 month old to Europe (Paris, Bruges, Amsterdam, and London). It was a great trip! He literally started walking the weekend before we left. So he was just barely walking. Now that he's 3 and a little tornado of energy, there's no way we could take him on a trip like that again.
I'm not sure how you feel about all-inclusive but it sounds like a Mexico could be perfect if you looking for something warm and super easy.

Janelle, he is running at full steam. We need some wide open spaces.
Luckily we did a Europe trip right before covid hit.

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I would recommend an all-inclusive resort in Mexico BUT I would do my research first. Some kids clubs are amazing and others are, well quite honestly, atrocious. The best kids club I ever experienced was in Puerto Vallarta at the Dreams (Puerto NOT Nuevo Vallarta). The staff was so engaged, kids loved it and they offered a buzzer that parents kept with them so neither parent nor child was ever “too” far away. El Cid in Puerto Morellos is a close second. You should research # hours the kids club is open daily, whether the programming changes hourly & on a daily basis, if the kids club takes kids to eat their meals (lunch & dinner), what type of activities are offered, location of kids club & pool/rooms for example
These types of resorts offer opportunities for family meals, family time plus occasional adult time if desired. My experience is that most kids love kids club. All inclusive offers you opportunity to relax without shopping for, making & cleaning up meals on a 24/7 schedule

Debbie, this provides some great insight into kids clubs. Thanks

~f

Big Island or Maui Hawaii - you can relax in a condo, spend days on the beach under an umbrella, and not worry about tummy issues like in Mexico. Only a 5 hour flight from YVR. Would not take a kid to Mexico until hep A vaccinated. And not in November this year.