A Kombi Road Trip with Kids in the Riviera Maya
Each Kombi sleeps two adults and two children, with the second bed in the pop-up roof. Plan short driving days, campsites with toilets and lots of swimming breaks. If you're travelling with children, contact us before booking so we can talk through ages, seats and your route.
For a lot of kids, a pop-up roof is the best bedroom in the world. A Kombi trip through the Riviera Maya can be a family adventure they’ll talk about for years: swimming in cenotes, breakfast outside, falling asleep under the canvas roof. It’s also a classic van, with no A/C and no bathroom, so a little planning goes a long way. Here’s how to do it well.
First things first: contact us before booking
Each Kombi sleeps two adults and two children: the main bed below and a second bed in the pop-up roof. If you’re travelling with children, please contact us before booking. We’ll talk about their ages, what they need for the journey and the route you have in mind, so you can decide together with Martin whether a Kombi is the right fit for your family.
You can see the two vans on the Kombis page. The Orange has a fixed kitchen with a sink, which some families find handy for meals.
Plan short driving days
The Kombis cruise at up to about 70 km/h, and kids don’t love long stretches in a warm van. Keep it simple:
- One or two short drives a day, with a swim or a walk in between.
- Drive in the cooler hours: morning and late afternoon. Midday is for shade, snacks and the hammock.
- Arrive before dark so you can set up the beds calmly.
- Stay in Quintana Roo, where the Kombis are meant to be driven. If you’re thinking of Chichén Itzá or Valladolid, tell us before your trip.
Sleep at campsites
With no bathroom on board, campsites make family life much easier: toilets, electricity and space to play. Places real guests have used include:
- Chamicos in Bahía Solimán, by the sea and about 20 minutes from Tulum. A good first night.
- Xpu-Ha and Paa Mul, on the coast.
- Camping Xkopek near Valladolid, with a pool and a cenote, which children tend to enjoy.
More options in our guide on where to sleep in a campervan in the Riviera Maya.
Things kids usually love
- Cenotes. Many have shallow areas and steps into the water; ask on site which ones suit your children’s swimming level, and use life jackets where they’re offered. Cristal and Escondido are close to Tulum.
- Snorkelling in calm water, such as Yal-Ku in Akumal.
- Ruins with space to walk, like Cobá, surrounded by jungle.
- Cooking together on the gas stove and eating outside.
- The solar shower at the end of a beach day.
- Stars from the campsite, far from the town lights.
Our cenotes near Tulum guide has more ideas.
What to pack for children
The Kombi already includes bedding, pillows and blankets, cookware for four, a cooler and USB charging. Add:
- Sun hats, long-sleeve swim tops and biodegradable sunscreen.
- Insect repellent suitable for children.
- Water shoes for cenotes and rocky beaches.
- A light sweater for the evenings.
- Plenty of snacks and drinking water in the cooler.
- Small games, books and a headlamp each (kids love them).
- A basic first-aid kit and any medicine they take.
- Any travel seat or equipment your children need; mention it when you contact us.
Our full Kombi road trip packing list covers the rest.
Keep expectations honest
- Heat: without A/C, plan around shade, water and cool hours.
- Space: a Kombi is cosy. Pack soft bags and keep things organised.
- Safety: we can’t promise a risk-free trip anywhere. Travellers describe the Riviera Maya as a relaxed place to drive by day; use common sense, supervise children closely around water and roads, and follow the local rules at each site.
- Sargassum: it varies by year. Check before you go and keep cenotes as your plan B.
A gentle 3-night family route
- Night 1: pick up in Tulum Centro, short drive to Chamicos.
- Day 2: Cristal and Escondido cenotes, then on to a coastal campsite.
- Day 3: Akumal and Yal-Ku, a quiet afternoon.
- Day 4: back to Tulum by midday with a full tank.
Make your own way, as a family
A family Kombi trip is slow, simple and full of small moments. Before you book, write to Martin with your children’s ages and your plans, and then check dates on the booking page.
Frequently asked questions
How many people fit in a Kombi?
Each Kombi sleeps two adults and two children: the main bed below and a second bed in the pop-up roof. If you're travelling with children, please contact us before booking.
Do I need to tell you before booking if I bring children?
Yes. Write to us before you book so we can talk about your children's ages, what they need for the journey and the route you have in mind.
Is a Kombi trip a good idea with small children?
It depends on your family. The vans are classics with no A/C and no bathroom, so families who enjoy outdoor, simple travel tend to love it. Short driving days and campsites with toilets make it easier.