When planning our family getaway to Mexico City, I had every intention of maximizing our precious six days. As a travel-loving mom of two, I’m always conscious of making every moment count, but what Mexico City taught me about the true luxury of travel had nothing to do with itineraries and everything to do with intention.
The Rush Before Takeoff
Our journey began like many family trips, with the chaos of last-minute packing and early morning stress. At 7:37 AM, I texted my best friend: “Good morning, we just got to the airport. You know my anxiety is through the roof.” Her response? “Not like you. Traffic?” To which I had to reply, “No, David.”
Between my husband tossing things into his suitcase that morning, dropping my car off at Acura for service, and discovering the departures ramp at JFK closed due to construction, my stress levels were skyrocketing. We had to detour through arrivals, check our bags, and pray we’d make our 9:15 AM flight.
Thank goodness for CLEAR and TSA PreCheck, we made it through security with just enough time to spare. And yes, I absolutely had a glass of red wine at 10:30 AM courtesy of our Delta Comfort+ seats. No judgment, please!
Related: Mexico City Family Travel: Finding Balance When Your Prep Time Disappears
The First Day Temptation
There’s such intense pressure when traveling internationally to hit the ground running. I’ve read countless posts on travel blogs and groups that outline perfect itineraries down to the hour. And trust me, I was tempted. Mexico City has incredible restaurants and cultural experiences around every corner. And it has so many green spaces!
But there’s a fundamental difference between how my husband plans trips and how I approach them. He’s team “wake up and conquer,” while I’ve learned that easing in pays dividends, especially when traveling with kids to a city at 7,350 feet above sea level.
My friend from Mexico City later apologized for not mentioning preventative medication for altitude sickness. My Apple Watch data didn’t lie: low oxygen levels, elevated heart rate, and respiratory challenges hit us harder than expected.
Choosing Rest as the First Luxury
Instead of cramming our arrival day with sightseeing, we checked into the Hilton Mexico City Reforma, let our youngest swim in the pool as she requested, and pushed our dinner reservation to later that evening. We dined at Ling Ling, where the food and views were so spectacular we returned for lunch later in our trip.
This slower pace wasn’t my original vision for our Mexico City adventure. But that strategic decompression helped my family reset after travel and start our vacation from a place of joy rather than exhaustion.
When “Less” Becomes “More”
Unfortunately, the wisdom of taking it slow became painfully obvious as our trip progressed. Our second day was packed with the Chapultepec Zoo in 80-degree sun, followed by dinner at Entremar in Polanco. Then on our third day, we headed to Coyoacan early for the Frida Kahlo Museum, spending most of the afternoon exploring the neighborhood. By evening, my husband, youngest daughter, and I were experiencing serious stomach issues and breathing difficulties. My daughter needed her nebulizer for the first two days.
The combination of altitude, air quality, and intense sun proved challenging for our bodies. We ultimately canceled our food bike tour with Food Hood; something I’d been looking forward to for weeks, because our bodies said “no.”
As my friend later pointed out, we should have given ourselves a full day or a day and a half to acclimate. Sometimes the universe forces rest when we need it most, even when we resist.
The Mexico City Luxury of Slowing Down
Both my husband and I grew up in NYC (I’m originally from Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn), so we’re accustomed to urban intensity. But Mexico City offered lessons that even seasoned city dwellers need to hear:
1. Rest isn’t wasted time, it’s an investment in enjoying what comes next
2. The luxury of travel isn’t just where you stay or what you see, but how present you are
3. By slowing down, we created space for genuine connections with each other and the city
Our youngest was more affected by the altitude and tired earlier in the day, but the slower pace meant we could adjust rather than push through discomfort. We learned to listen to our bodies rather than our ambitious itineraries.
Tips for Parents Planning International City Escapes
If you’re planning your own luxury urban getaway with kids, here’s what our Mexico City experience taught me:
- Schedule intentional downtime on arrival day – A nice dinner, hotel relaxation, and simple explorations near your accommodation are perfect first-day activities.
- Pack for wellness– We usually bring electrolyte packets, but forgot this time. My husband had to find an Oxxo for Gatorade when we got sick.
- Plan your “light day” first – Save major attractions until everyone’s adjusted to the time zone and setting.
- Consider altitude effects – Research elevation changes and how they might affect your family, especially children.
- Embrace flexibility – True luxury travel means having the confidence to adjust when needed.
When Rest Becomes the Itinerary
Our unexpected “day of rest” turned into sleeping on and off in our hotel room, hydrating constantly, and letting our bodies recover. While this wasn’t in my carefully researched plan, it became essential to salvaging the remainder of our trip.
The experience reminded me that motherhood and travel share this truth: the best memories often come from moments of presence rather than perfectly executed plans. As a Black millennial mom balancing career, family, and wanderlust, I’m learning that slowing down isn’t admitting defeat; it’s strategic wisdom.
Sometimes the greatest luxury isn’t the boutique hotel or the exclusive reservation; it’s giving yourself permission to experience a destination on your own terms and at your own pace.
The Beauty in the Bump
Mexico City reminded me why I started Beauty and the Bump NYC in the first place. Travel isn’t just about checking destinations off a list; it’s about the journey, the bumps along the way, and how these experiences keep us grounded and connected.
As a mom who loves luxury experiences and meaningful adventures, I’ve learned that the most valuable souvenirs aren’t things but realizations: that self-care sometimes means saying no, that family bonding happens in quiet hotel moments as much as at famous attractions, and that cultural immersion requires presence more than pace.
Next time you plan an international family adventure, remember that your first luxury should be time to adjust, breathe, and ease into the experience that awaits. Your body, your children, and your memories will thank you.