If you want to travel with the kids to islands abroad, I congratulate you and I want to encourage you to keep going. Some of the best memories are made when revisiting those moments later in life. It is a wonderful gift to travel and let the kids see other types of people, eat different things and explore different environments wherever you decide to take them.
These pictures were taken on my adventure travels with the family to my home country in Panama. We stayed in Isla Grande, Colon, and had a private day tour to a small deserted island that was perfect to spend the day. I cherish these memories and all the ones to come.
I was able to learn so many things along the way, but looking back at my family’s island travel journey, my favorite family travel tips when taking kids with you abroad to any island abroad are:
Family ISLAND Travel Tips
Here are some of my suggestions based on how we travel, while trying to maximize each location for as many adventure as we can squeeze in, in between naps and meltdowns.
1. Expose them to other cultures and foods
Encourage them to try some local foods and try different flavors. Starting with a refreshing beverage! How about some real coconut water that may or may not be cold, depending on the vendor. Many small islands offer fresh off the palm tree.
2. LEARN A few words in the foreign language and encourage KIDS too
Do you learn how to ask for the basics when traveling abroad. Like, “Hello”, Thank you, please, but also where is the bathroom, or how much does this cost?”
These are all basic words that are helpful for everyone in the family to participate in learning how to say. It can help to write it down, along with how to pronounce certain words, as you actually hear them. Forget about the spelling for now.
Consider downloading DuoLingo App before the trip in case you want to practice before you depart and brush op on your Spanish, perhaps.
3. wander around and explore nature
Part of traveling is the ability to get out and wander around to explore what is around you. It is an opportunity to walk around new places and explore parks along the way. Find a quiet place or beach to stop and let the kids out of the stroller to wander and have a few snacks or picnic along the way.
4. Try unique cultural experiences at destinations
Try different modes of transportation and see how the locals get around and try it too, like rideshare boats, water taxis, pedal bikes. On an island, your best best is a local boat. They should offer you life jackets and discuss pricing beforehand. Be ready to pay in cash in the local currency.
You can get around anywhere you go however you decide to experience it. Nowadays, you can use Google Maps offline, Rome2Rio, or Tripadvisor and bookmark where you want to go and see what are the transit options to arrive there. Many places offer Uber but check this beforehand, just to make sure.
In Panama, the traditional island hoping vessel is a traditional boat, called “lancha” and is usually operated by locals and you pay for it in cash. You should negotiate private and group tours in advance for best experience.
5. Take KIDS pictures at historical sites to save for later
They will not remember this a few years later, so it will be great to show them how they were at the place they may be learning about in school a few years down the road. T makes for a great and personalized way to story-tell their own experience at different locations. My son now can read about the history of places he has visited years ago and years later, is able to truly appreciate those places.
There are so many ways to get to Panama using points and miles. check out my instagram page for easy to ready, savable posts here.
What are your favorite family travel memories? Have you experiences any of the islands in Panama?
