What to Expect When Visiting Hot Destinations with a Baby (and How to Keep Cool)

There’s something magical about hot destinations, especially when it’s the middle of winter where you live. Palm trees sway, the air smells like sunscreen and mangoes, and everything feels like a postcard… until you realize you’re sweating through your shirt, your baby is crying, and you’re starting to question every life decision that brought you to this exact moment. But don’t panic—I’ve been there.

Traveling to hot places with a baby is entirely possible, and even enjoyable, if you go in armed with a few sanity-saving tips. Here’s what I’ve learned, usually the hard way, about keeping everyone cool, calm, and mostly collected.

1. Timing is Everything: Embrace the Dry Season

Hot destinations tend to have two modes: mildly unbearable and so humid it feels like you’re breathing soup. This is where the dry season comes in. Whenever possible, plan your trip for the least sticky, bug-filled time of year. Dry seasons tend to be less buggy, less humid, and—if you’re lucky—just hot enough to feel exotic without melting into a puddle. I find Thailand to be perfect in the dry season.

If you’re traveling to Thailand or Singapore, that means it’s best to avoid April – September. If visiting Bali, that means avoiding November – March. If visiting Mexico, November – April is your best bet. Shoulder seasons can be a little less sticky and buggy, but if you want it to be as dry as possible, it usually means visiting during peak season. You might splurge a bit more, but in my experience with a little one, comfort > anything else.

On our trip to Thailand in January, I realized the genius of this. No mosquitoes swarmed my baby, and we could walk to dinner without feeling like we’d run a marathon. Compare that to my April trip to Thailand (pre-baby), where my friends and I would casually stroll through 7-11s so we could have a few moments of air conditioning as we walked down the street in the brutal heat. Lesson learned.

2. How to Keep Your Baby Cool Without Completely Losing Your Mind

Babies, as adorable as they are, have the internal thermostat of a 1990s desktop computer. They overheat fast. Here are my non-negotiables for keeping my little one from turning into a sweaty mess:

• Portable fans: These clip-on wonders are worth their weight in gold. I attach one to the stroller, the car seat, or sometimes just hold it directly at my face because I deserve nice things too. You can also bring a portable ‘air conditioner’ which blows air off of ice cubes.
• Cooling towels: A damp cooling towel draped over your baby’s legs is a lifesaver. Bonus: They work for grown-ups, too.
• Breathable clothing: Skip anything synthetic and go for lightweight cotton or bamboo. If it’s not soft and breezy enough to double as a cloud, it’s not making the cut.
• Shade, always: Whether it’s an umbrella or a stroller canopy, keep your baby in the shade as much as possible. It’s hard to beat the canopy of the Joolz Aer, the stroller we bring on most of our trips, which also fits in the overhead bin of an airplane.

3. Hydration is the Name of the Game

Hot destinations are sneaky. One minute you’re marveling at a gorgeous beach, and the next you’re wondering why your baby is cranky and your own head feels like a deflated balloon. Hydration, my friends. It’s so simple, yet so easy to forget when you’re distracted by ocean views.

• For the baby: Keep those bottles, sippy cups, or nursing sessions coming. I bring an insulated water bottle to keep water cool because lukewarm liquids feel like a betrayal in the heat.
• For you: Drink water every time your baby does. You’re in this sweaty boat together.
• Electrolytes: Travel-size electrolyte packets are my secret weapon for combatting heat exhaustion—for both me and the little one. Just keep in mind these taste so good your kiddo is likely to chug it down and need the bathroom or a diaper change promptly.

4. Bugs Love Heat, but They Hate Preparation

Bugs are the worst kind of travel companions. They don’t pay for their own seat, they’re constantly in your personal space, and they’ll ruin your baby’s mood faster than a missed nap. Luckily, there are ways to fend them off:

• Baby-safe bug repellents: I use one with natural ingredients because I’m not about to douse my kid in chemicals, but I also value my sanity enough not to skip this step entirely.
• Mosquito nets: These make your stroller look like a royal carriage, which is the energy I’m always striving for. In case your accommodation doesn’t have one for your baby’s crib, they are good to have on hand.
• Timing your outings: Dusk is peak mosquito hour, so I try to be back indoors or somewhere breezy by then.

5. Book the Room with A/C

Let’s be real: no matter how prepared you are, you’re still going to have moments where the heat feels unbearable. Being able to escape into an air conditioned room or go for a dip in a pool can change everything.

On one particularly sweltering day in Thailand, I found myself walking on the side of the road in the sunshine midday to find us some street food (a guilty pleasure of mine in Thailand). My son was fine—chilling in his crib in an air conditioned room while my partner hung back at our pool —which I was this close to throwing myself into fully clothed once I got back.

6. The Rewards of Traveling to Hot Destinations with Your Baby

Despite the sweat, the bugs, and the occasional meltdown, there’s something magical about exploring warm, sunny places with your little one. Babies seem to thrive outdoors, and there’s nothing quite like seeing their wonder at a sparkling ocean or a colorful sunset. Plus, warm-weather destinations often come with perks like beach days, fresh fruit, and the kind of laid-back vibe that makes you forget you’re covered in sunscreen and possibly some mystery yogurt.

So pack your portable fan, book that dry-season trip, and don’t be afraid to embrace the chaos. You’ll survive the heat—and make some amazing memories along the way.

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