Out of all Caribbean destinations, Puerto Rico is arguably the best for traveling with small children. There are nonstop flights from many continental U.S. cities, and the island is a safe destination filled with entertainment alternatives for kids. A little planning is all you need to enjoy a great family vacation.
Flights – Choose nonstop flights as often as possible—that way you’ll spend less time at airports. Nighttime flights are best because your children can get some sleep and not be too restless on the plane. Children weighing between 20 and 40 pounds should use a child restraint system while on the plane, as recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Children over 40 pounds should use the safety belt provided by the aircraft. If your child requires a child restraint system, make sure it’s approved by the FAA and labeled “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Check that it isn’t over 16 inches wide or it will not fit on the airplane seat. Child restraint systems must be placed in a window seat so they will not block the escape path in an emergency. When buying your plane tickets, choose first-row seats; this way kids will have more room to move around and are less likely to bang the seat in front of them and disturb other travelers. Visit www.faa.gov for more information on FAA regulations and baggage restrictions.
Airports – Talk to your child about airports and explain what they’re like; tell them about the long lines they may have to wait in and about the baggage-check process. Let your child know that bags and shoes must go through an X-ray machine and that these items will be returned when the security check is over. Speak to security personnel and ask for a private check for your family if you notice the process is making your child nervous. Please have your airplane tickets and I.D. papers on hand. A birth certificate is needed for children on all flights departing from the continental U.S. (this requirement will change effective summer 2009), or passports on nondomestic flights. Bringing a stroller is a good idea in case your child gets tired in line prior to boarding. You can check in your stroller at the boarding gate and the crew will return it to you when you deplane.
On the plane – Since boarding is sometimes a long process, it might be a good idea for a parent to remain at the gate with the toddler while the rest of the family as well as the other passengers aboard the plane, store their carry-on luggage, and occupy their seats. This will save your child some 30 or 45 minutes inside the plane. This strategy allows your toddler to walk around a bit and gives you the chance to take your child to the bathroom or change his or her diaper more comfortably than in the airplane lavatory. It’s important to give your child something to chew or suck on during takeoff and landing, as changes in pressure may give them an earache. Give your child some juice or water, a lollipop or chewing gum. Children should drink plenty of liquids during the flight as they become dehydrated much more quickly than adults.
Bare Necessities – Always bring along a bag with toys and other forms of entertainment, as well as healthy snacks, disposable wipes, baby formula, and juice (for information on which liquids are allowed visit http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/ formula.shtm) . You can bring along a portable DVD player with your kid’s preferred movies, his or her favorite toys, and new, gift-wrapped toys as rewards for good behavior. Bring coloring books and jigsaw puzzles (some have magnetic pieces to avoid losing them).
Safety – Make sure your hotel room is childproof, keep the room’s door closed at all times, and explain what your kids should do if they accidentally become separated from the rest of the family in a public place. Always have a recent photo of your child available in case of an emergency.
Accessories – Li’l Travelers de Puerto Rico rents a wide range of items that children need, but are impractical to travel with. Strollers, car seats, bed guardrails, and highchairs are just some of the items available. Visit www.liltravelers.com, choose the items you want to rent, and the company will deliver them directly to your hotel. Call Joseph Brancato at 787-889-4642 ext. 8010 for more information or send an email to j.brancato@liltravelers. com. 
Activities – When traveling with children, it is not advisable to schedule too many activities for any given day. It’s best to leave early and take an afternoon nap to avoid tantrums and grouchiness due to exhaustion. Discuss the day’s schedule with your children and tell them what they will do, where they will have lunch, how much time they will spend traveling by car, and at what time they will take a nap. Allow some flexibility in your plans and you will be able to survive traveling with kids and keep everything fun and enjoyable at the same time.
Illness – Bring all prescriptions as well as a first-aid kit. Mild ailments can be taken care of by consulting a pharmacist at any local drugstore or a drugstore chain such as Walgreens (for a store near your hotel visit www.walgreens.com). If your child becomes gravely ill, San Jorge Children’s Hospital (at 258 San Jorge St. in Santurce, 787-727-1000) can take care of him or her, as well as handle any emergencies involving toddlers, children, and teenagers. Pediatricians on the island speak English as well as Spanish, so communication won’t be a problem.
Childcare and Babysitting – Most hotels offer some kind of childcare service. In order to hire a sitter, please call your hotel’s concierge service 48 hours in advance. This service is usually provided at the guest’s room so the child can feel more at ease. Costs can vary between hotels but the rate is usually about $10.00 per hour. Hotel sitters are certified and some of them are nurses, but parents should always ask for credentials. Most hotels’ kids clubs or camps are designed for older children, so they are not a viable option for families with children under the age of four. If you prefer a childcare center, visit http://www.metrodaycare/. com for a list of available facilities in Puerto Rico.
Where Should You Go with Your Toddler in Puerto Rico?
For children and adults alike, the island’s beaches are the main attraction. The beaches in the Isla Verde and Condado areas are excellent and offer miles and miles of surf and sand. Located in the Condado area, La Playita (“The Little Beach”) is a small patch of sand—and shallow water—near Condado Plaza Hotel & Casino that is favored by many families. Waterproof sunblock is essential year-round, and so are sandals for walking around the beaches of Puerto Rico since the sand can become quite hot. Some toddlers will refuse to put their feet on the sand when they go to a beach for the very first time. They may not like the sand’s texture at first, but they will soon get used to it. We recommend you bring a beach umbrella, towels, and a pillow so your kids can rest for a while and take a nap in the shade. You must apply sunblock on your children even if they remain in the shade because the glare of the sun can still burn their delicate skin. Hotels don’t allow diaper-wearing children to use their swimming pools, so bring along some “swimmers” (water-resistant disposable pants) if you want to take your toddler to the kiddy pool.
Old San Juan’s Delights
Don’t forget to include Old San Juan in your schedule, especially if your family is visiting Puerto Rico for a short time. There is a small square in front of Third Millennium Park that features water jets where your children can get wet and cool off . The grounds spreading in front of San Felipe del Morro fort are so vast that many families come here to fl y kites. A street vendor selling a variety of kites in different styles and prices is often present at the beginning of the walkway leading to El Morro.
El Morro is a fabulous place to spark your children’s imagination, especially since they quickly become fascinated with the fort’s cannons and passageways. In an instant, they turn into fearsome pirates taking the island by storm or into valiant solders fighting off pirate attacks. There is a small store on the first floor that sells children’s books and pirate gear, a great complement to their fantasies.
Right after leaving El Morro, you can head to the Children’s Museum (at 150 del Cristo St., 787-722-3791), an interactive museum where kids can learn through educational activities. The Pigeon Park—at the end of del Cristo Street—is a legendary place that hundreds of birds call home. At the gate and for just $2.00 you can purchase a small bag of bird feed. Some birds are quite bold and will fl y straight to your hands to feed, thus providing a great photo opportunity. You shouldn’t leave Old San Juan without trying a piragua, a cup or cone full of shaved ice topped with your choice of flavored syrup. Kids love its refreshing and sweet flavor. You should also know that there are clown and puppet shows, games, and music along Paseo La Princesa every Saturday. Call 787-721-2400 ext. 3901 for more information.
