Mexico (Quintana Roo)

🌴 Where It All Began: Quintana Roo, Mexico – The Start of Our Family Adventure!

Back in January (2024), with suitcases packed and hearts full of anticipation, we took a leap into the unknown—and landed in Quintana Roo, Mexico. This wasn’t just the first stop on our journey—it was where it all began! The start of a new chapter, a new way of life and a dream in the making.

Why Mexico? Logistically, it made perfect sense. With accessible international flights and a prime position for overland travel through Central America, Quintana Roo offered a launchpad that was not only practical but also incredibly inspiring. It was also an area that was quite well known for being a ‘holiday location’ to us back in the UK so it didn’t seem like such a heavy transition to start the journey! I now know that the Mexico that is portrayed on travel companies brochures (pretty beaches and all inclusive holidays) is not the reality that we experienced as a full time travelling family- the further you read into this blog you will see why we felt this way!

The sunsets were amazing though!

Our first few days didn’t exactly match the postcard-perfect images we’d imagined. Instead of clear skies and calm seas, we were greeted with stormy clouds and long hours of rain. But rather than retreat indoors, we embraced the weather and ventured out to explore local neighborhoods, raincoats on and spirits high. There was something exciting about seeing it all under a dramatic sky—it reminded us that adventure doesn’t wait for sunshine.

The sea during January and February was too rough for snorkeling, which we’d been excited to try, but we didn’t let that stop us from enjoying it. The water was still warm and inviting, so we waded in, splashed around, and jumped the waves. The beaches were breezy—but the wind was a welcome balance to the heat that came in. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real, and it kinda set the tone for the rest of our journey, as we soon realised this isn’t a holiday its a chance to see and sense the reality of places around the world!

From ancient ruins and colourful streets to coconut palms and spontaneous dips in choppy waters, Quintana Roo did give us our first taste of slow travel, of living intentionally, and of experiencing the world together—not as tourists, but as curious wanderers. It also blessed us with wildlife, exotic birds and delicious tasting food…. the food and wildlife definitely set the bar for the rest of our travels.

And then… there were the tacos. Every. Single. Corner. seemed to have a taco stand, and Joe, bless him, could not walk past a single one. Whether it was 10am or 10pm if a taco was within sniffing distance, we stopped. Multiple times. Daily. Let’s just say we all got very familiar with the phrase “seis tacos, no picante, por favor.”

This blog is where we’ll share the memories, moments, and lessons that started here—and continue to unfold across borders. Join us as we look back on where it all began, and follow along as the road keeps calling us forward.