Should you go to Rocky Point with Baby?

As beach loving Arizonans, we are always trying to get to the ocean as frequently as possible. Our favorite spot to book a last minute beach trip is Rocky Point, Mexico. Many people are skeptical though, Is it Safe to go to Rocky Point, Mexico? And an even bigger question is- Should you go to Rocky Point with Baby? Or young children? And if so, where’s the best place to stay, what should you do while there, what do you need to bring??

Luckily, we have been down to Rocky Point with our toddler and newborn and have lots of tips for you! We have had nothing but positive experiences traveling there. Hopefully you can too and will find guidance in the tips we share below.

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Entering Mexico

Since Rocky Point, Mexico is the closest beach from Phoenix, many travelers cross the border by car daily. Beautiful beach front resorts, powdery white sand, and warm salt water all await only an hour past the border! It’s that one hour drive through Mexico though that many feel anxious about. 

Every time we have driven down there we make sure to go during the day. It feels more safe when it is broad day light, you can see your surroundings clearly, and there are other people on the road. I would encourage you to avoid driving past dusk. Plus, on the way back, the border into the US closes at 8pm and if you haven’t made it through by then they will close it until the next day.

What to Bring to Rocky Point with Baby

Since you will be driving into another country, you will want to be sure and bring your valid US passport. Many of the resorts require them upon check-in, and you will need to show them to get back home. If you are bringing a newborn baby, usually a birth certificate is sufficient. This is what we did and there were no issues. But if that feels uncomfortable for you, you can always apply for an expedited passport for your new baby. 

Worried about packing & maybe forgetting something for baby? I’ve got you covered with my 5-Day Tropical Vacation Packing Lists for the family. Luckily, if you do forget anything there are stores in town that have all the necessities as well as plenty of pharmacies if you need medications. 

Since most places in Rocky Point can be booked through Airbnb or Vrbo, many hosts have pack n’ plays, beach toys, and beach chairs already there for your use. Make sure to clarify this with the host before arrival. The resorts on Sandy Beach aren’t like most hotels in the US that will provide cribs or pull away beds. 

When we went this last time, the host did not have a crib or pack n play so we had to bring ours with us from home. We also decided to bring a bed rail for our toddler because she is not used to sleeping on a bed raised off the ground. Unfortunately, services like BabyQuip are not currently available in Rocky Point, Mexico so you have to bring your own gear if the host doesn’t already have it.

Accommodations in Rocky Point 

As I mentioned above, most places can be booked through Airbnb and Vrbo. You will hear a lot of people talk about the different resorts down there (Las Palomas, Sonoran Spa, Las Palmas, Casa Blanca, etc), but typically you don’t google the resort name and book through their website like you might for any other trip. 

Rather, individuals purchase the condos at the resorts and then rent them out. So each condo will be unique to the host and their interior design preferences. This also means the nightly rate and what is included may vary. 

We have stayed at Sonoran Spa multiple times now, and I have to say it is one of my favorite resorts down there for families! The rooms have exquisite views of the ocean, the pools have perfect shallow wading areas for kids, and there’s even a fun water slide! The vibe is very family oriented. Our toddler has made friends at the pool every time and we have met really nice people.

I also would recommend Las Palmas for families because it too has a fun water slide area. The slides are not as close to the beach as Sonoran Spa’s water slide, but it is a fun addition to the resort. They have large condos that are floor level for bigger groups too which would be ideal for families with young kids or babies. 

We know people who venture out and stay at houses in other areas off Sandy Beach, but I feel like the safest place to be is at the resorts. They have security guards and everyone there is a tourist. I am not familiar with the other areas, but if it is your first time visiting Rocky Point, I would definitely stay at one of the beachfront resorts on Sandy Beach.

Things to Do in Rocky Point with Baby

Beach

Obviously, the main draw to going to Rocky Point with baby is to get in some beach time close to home! You will not be disappointed as you walk out onto Sandy Beach. The beautiful turquoise blue water will invite you in with it’s calm waves. 

Since your room is just steps from the beach, this is an ideal vacation for families with young babies. Spend time in a shade cabana with baby listening to the relaxing sounds of the ocean while sipping on a freshly made pina colada or snacking on a spicy mango! If for any reason baby isn’t having it out on the beach, you can easily take them up to the room to calm them down and attend to their needs. 

If you are concerned about keeping your baby cool and protected from the sun at the beach, here are some helpful tips! Read my post on How to Keep Baby Cool at the Beach for my advice! There are some vendors on the beach who offer chair and umbrella shade rentals if you do not bring your own down.

Even though you are bringing baby to Rocky Point, that doesn’t mean you can’t still indulge on some fun activities yourself! Not only are there vendors on the beach trying to sell you handmade items, there are also plenty experiences for purchase. 

Take the opportunity to switch off watching the baby with your spouse so you can go out and have some fun on a jet ski in the ocean! Or ride on a banana boat or parasail! During the summer months, there are tons of options for fun to be had at the beach for adults as well as the kiddos. 

Pool

The other advantage of staying at the resorts in Rocky Point is that they have really nice pools to enjoy. My husband is a big fan of pools that have ocean views because he still get the beach experience without all the sand (lol). 

After a couple of days in the sun on the beach, you may also be looking for a shaded option. In the mornings and evenings, the pools are usually shaded by the resort buildings. This is a great time to enjoy the pool and hot tubs. 

The pool areas are also great because you can more easily find shade for baby under the umbrellas surrounding the pool chairs. We spent a lot of time under the umbrella shades at the pool with our little one.

La Choya

If you are looking for a little adventure, you can drive out to La Choya at low tide and do some exploring! Here you can often find sand dollars, other unique looking shells, and maybe even sea creatures like slugs or urchins. Look up when the low tide is while you are there, wear baby in a backpack or carrier, put on your Tevas, and go for it! 

Who says you can’t adventure in Mexico with a baby? (definitely not us!)

Where to Eat in Town

Some people are skeptical about leaving the resort during their stay in Rocky Point, but this is one of our favorite things to do because the tacos in town are incredible. And affordable. 

If you stay at the resort and eat at the restaurants there or nearby, you will be paying American prices for average food. We have always enjoyed going into town, but we do feel safest doing so before it is dark. I wouldn’t say it’s dangerous to be there past dark, but I think generally you feel more safe in daylight. And if you are weary about being in a new place, its a good rule of thumb to go new places during the day. 

Our absolute favorite tacos are at Tacos Gus. We have yet to find anywhere else that we like better. If you aren’t feeling tacos though, Lucas Chicken and The Argentina Empanadas & More are also a great option to switch it up.

Other Things to Know:

Don’t drink the water in Mexico. ONLY drink purified bottled water! That goes for ice too. Make sure it is purified and not just from the ice maker. You will regret it if you don’t follow this guidance! Trust me 😅

Bring as much food from home as you want to. We like to bring a cooler of breakfast, lunch, and snack foods so that we only have to worry about eating tacos in town. Sometimes we will also go to the local supermarket, Super Ley, to get those items, but typical foods for Americans can be very expensive there. Things like shredded cheese are WAY more than in the US, so just bring your basics and favorites from home. That way you know your baby will eat while you’re there too (if they are eating solids)!

Overall, we feel really safe going to Rocky Point with our kids. We speak Spanish which I think also gives us another layer of confidence going down there, but it is not necessary. Plenty of the locals understand the basics when you’re at restaurants or stores. You can always brush up on your Spanish vocabulary to help though! My mother-in-law has basically taught herself Spanish by using Duolingo. Sometimes the beach vendors will even give you a little discount if you speak to them in Spanish (shhhh)!

If you’re still unsure, find another family who wants to go down there and caravan! Traveling in a group to a new destination can help you feel safer, plus then you can have someone with you to trade off watching the kids. 

We hope you have a wonderful time going to Rocky Point with your baby and family. We love it down there and will maybe see you there next time! 😉