Costa Rica Travel Posts

Traveling in Costa Rica with Children Tips

By Stacey Reid ⋅ January 16, 2009 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Traveling with children can definitely start and finish your vacation off in chaos. By considering how your travel plans will affect your children and take all those aspects into consideration you can however make your trip a much more enjoyable one for everyone. Since the beginning and end of a vacation can break your memory of all of the great things that happened in the middle, the airport seems like a great place to start.

Things to consider when traveling with infants and toddlers

• Always leave yourself plenty of time at the airport for check-in and connecting flights. Consider how much longer it took you to pack and how much longer it takes you to do anything once becoming a parent, expect that you will always need extra time and then some just to be sure. You will be less likely to stress or panic in situations knowing that you are not in a hurry.
• When checking in, ask if the flight is full. If not you can request to have a vacant seat next to you, something that is particularly valuable when traveling with infants and children under 2 especially when there is limited space and you have not purchased a seat for your baby.
• If you are unsure as to whether or not you will need to purchase the extra seat for the car seat consider this. If you are planning on traveling by car at your destination you are going to need the car seat anyways. Although many car rental companies offer car seats for rent you never know what condition the seat is going to be in. Not all countries have the same regulations that we are accustomed to, and the seats may not be safe at all. However, you can still forgo purchasing the extra ticket, as many airlines will transport the seat below as part of your luggage. Check with you airline carrier for more details.
• Try to stick to your daily sleep routine as much as possible during the flight. It may be easier to travel on the cheaper red-eye flights that way you and your children can sleep en route and hopefully arrive at your destination well rested. If this will not work for you and your family then try to book a flight that will cross “naptime”, this way at least you can hope for some needed quiet time during the flight.
• Make use of your umbrella stroller. Many flights will allow them onboard, which means that you get to use them right up to the point when you board your flight and they are also there for you right when you get off. They will not only make your transfers that much faster but it will also make your time in the waiting lounge a bit easier as well. They will also serve you well during your trip, acting as both carrier and a highchair when needed. Their compactness makes them easier to use in many Central and South American destinations in comparison to the bulkier and much heavier strollers, especially when wandering the markets and narrow sidewalks.
• Another excellent tool to remember is your baby carrier or sling. This too will make many tasks much easier for you while en route. Although many airlines do not allow you to use them during flights, just imagine the possibilities of being hands free at the airport!!! The check-in process can be that much easier and don’t forget collecting your luggage after as well. This is a must have, especially if you are bringing the heavy duty stroller which must be checked-in with the rest of your luggage.
• Try to get your children changed and comfortable while waiting to board the flight. Not only will the restrooms at the airport be more comfortable then those on the plane but you will have much more space in which to complete the task.
• For infants, it is best to either bottle or breast feed them during take-off and landing, as this will help their ears adjust to the changes in cabin pressure. This may save your sanity and the disgruntled looks that other passengers may send your way. I always try and ignore those passengers but it is not always as easy as it seems.
• Make sure that you pack plenty of your children’s favorite toys and books for flights. You can save some of their stories onto your iPod as audio books, that way you may be able to take a 5 minute breather. You can also visit your local dollar store before the trip and purchase some inexpensive toys and craft ideas for your flight. You can also make this more entertaining by wrapping up the toys like gifts and using them throughout your flight as rewards.
• Be sure to pack a change of clothes for you and your children as nobody wants to arrive covered in food, milk or even worse.
• If traveling with your partner you may want to consider booking your seats apart from one another as this will give one of you the opportunity to rest while the other one entertains the children. Make sure to be fair and take turns!!!

Consider all of the above points and how they can be incorporated into your travel routine. They could mean the difference between loving or loathing traveling with your family. While the trip there and back may not be as great as being at your destination hopefully it won’t prevent you from wanting to take next years family vacation.