Knowing that one pays almost nothing for flights for babies below the age of 2, we decided to travel as far as possible before our firstborn’s second birthday in February 2017. Back then, the destination of choice was New Zealand.
With the second child’s upcoming second birthday approaching, I wanted to take advantage of the “free” flights and so we find ourselves soon about to travel with 3 kids to: Canada, Mexico, Colombia and Panama. (The baby is 2.5 months old)
Some statistics:
4 countries
2 continents
5 cities/different accommodations
2 X 65L backpacks
2 X 44L Cabin Zero hand luggage bags
1 sling handbag
1 stroller
2 Ergobaby carriers
3 kids (aged 2.5 months, 23 months and 3 years)
What is in your luggage?
For the airplane:
Extra clothes for everyone
Snacks (rice waffles & chocolate bread)
2 X water bottles
Crayons
Sticker activity book
1 small ball & 1 stress ball
6 small toy cars
Diapers
Wipes
Spanish phrase book
3 small books (palm sized)
Thin hand towels (should baby throw up)
Diaper changing mat
3 Squishy microbead pillows (a travel luxury item I cannot sleep without)
For the beach / pool / cenotes:
Swim diapers
Swim shorts/suits
2 X sarong (to lie on at the beach / towel)
3 Floats
Goggles
2 Diving sticks
2 shovels, 1 rake
2 X sunscreen (spray & stick)
Waterproof bag
For the kids:
Diapers
Wipes
up to 15 tops and 6 shorts per kid
15 Boxer shorts
Suppository for the baby
Portable travel toilet seat
For the adults:
10 tops and 5 shorts/skirts/jeans
Ample undergarments
2 kaftans
Toiletries:
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Floss
Shampoo, soap and facial soap bars from LUSH
Conditioner
Contact lenses and what comes with that
Nail clipper
Shaver
Body Lotion
Hair bands
Comb-brush
Others:
Sunglasses & hat
Cameras & chargers
Flip flops/sandals
Adaptor
iPhones & charger
Chocolates (as will meet friends & family – will be getting books & clothes for the kids from them to take home)
Luggage weighing scale
Telekung (for prayers)
Travel journal
Advil
Make up
Passports
Cash, Revolut debit card & credit cards
Tupperware (for kids’ snacks on daytrips)
USB Fan
Hand fan (I don’t deal well with the heat)
Breastfeeding cover
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If we weren’t bringing as many diapers as we will and all those chocolates, we could probably do it with just one 65L backpack and two Cabin Zero bags.
How much research was involved?
A whole lot!
To keep flight prices within budget of around 2000usd per person, I had to play around with many destinations.
I would have loved to go to Ecuador but flights from neighbouring country Colombia were too expensive, so that was not happening.
I’ve had to research for kid-friendly cenotes in Mexico and other things to do in all destinations.
As Cartagena has been a dream destination for so long but also one that everyone has said we shouldn’t spend more than 3 nights at (we’ll be there for 6!), I’ve had to look for different day trip options we can do from there.
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Do you have any must-travel-with items I haven’t mentioned that you would recommend?
