Travelling to Mexico with the Heppells

Hola amigos! Get ready to venture on a family-friendly fiesta as we delve into co-founder Kate Heppells recent family trip to Mexico. 

Kate shares a recap of her incredible holiday, giving us the lowdown on places she visited like Mexico City, Tulum and Merida, all with her little travel companions. From tips on travelling with kids, to favourite restaurants, wardrobe must-haves and more, you won't want to miss learning about this unforgettable holiday experience for both young and old.

Kip&Co is born from an adoration of travel, so it's safe to say this unforgettable trip will see Mexican and Cuban influence trickle through in many future collections. 

Tell us everything! What places did you visit and how did you get around?

We landed into Mexico City (3 nights in Condesa Roma at an AirBNB), then flew to Merida (4 nights in central Merida at the most divine Casa Puuc). Here we hired a car for the rest of our trip. From Merida we did a day trip to Celestun to see the flamingos and another to Progreso for a beach day. From Merida we then drove down to Tulum via Chichen Itza. Tulum for 4 nights (Posada Margherita - love love love and really different to the OTT vibe of Tulum) , each day exploring all the Cenotes. We then drove up to Chiquila and took the ferry to Isla Holbox (3 nights). After Holbox we drove to Cancun and onto our flight outta there. And that was it for Mexico. Off to Cuba from there, but that is for another day! 

The trip was me, my husband Mal and 3 boys Zig (11), Fern (7) and Viv (5). And I had the gorgeous help of friend Georgia Hopkins from Its Beautiful Here who now offers a holiday planning service, and she did all my accom and eating recommendations. Very lucky to have had this help. I highly recommend Georgia for trips to … well anywhere!

If you had to narrow it down, what were your favourite three Mexican experiences?

To narrow it down to 3 is near impossible but here goes; 

Mexico City is absolutely brilliant. It is so alive and cosmopolitan, extremely stylish and oozing with creativity and culture. The pinnacle of this for me, was visiting the home of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera - Museo Frida Kahlo. Her spirit is literally palpable in the home, and as colour people you can only imagine the inspiration and utter delight I felt in their home. It was wonderful to learn about her political and personal and creative experience while entrenched in her special spaces. My whole family loved this. To visit the Museo requires booking months in advance!

Cenotes in Tulum. Each day we hopped around the different cenotes which are essentially crystal clear natural sink holes. Some had caves, some huge diving boards, some turtles and amazing wild life. All stunning! Really fun and really unique. Again, a fabulous time for the whole family. 

Swimming with the Whale Sharks off Isla Holbox. I could imagine that some days this experience wouldn’t be quite as enjoyable, particularly in peak times or when the whales are far far from the islands, but we had a really special day with the kids and they all jumped in (even our 5 year old) and had their very brief, but really breath taking, moment with a small pod of whale sharks. So close you could (but wouldn’t) touch them. Humbling and awakening to say the least.

Can you share your tips for fellow parents thinking about travelling with kids?

Mexico is the perfect place to take kids. From the weather, to food, easy moving around, to constant stimulation and heavenly beaches and cenotes - kids are covered. Our kids love wildlife so between turtles, whale sharks and flamingoes, Mexico delivers.

Give us the 411 on the incredible FOOD! Favourite dishes, go-to cocktails, restaurants you’ll never stop thinking about?

Incredible food is absolutely everywhere you look in Mexico! Whether you are eating from street vendors (some who have famously served on the same corner for 40 years), to elegant fine dining restaurants the food was amazing everywhere. We did the most brilliant food tour (recommended by Ken Done’s gorgeous daughter Camilla) with a group called Eat Like A Local. We did this day 1 in Mexico City and it was the best introduction to all the amazing street food and flower / food markets. The kids absolutely loved this and our guide Ale really made it such a special experience for them. This tour is HIGHLY recommended and was a great intro to all the different street foods - not just tacos. 

As for fancier restaurants, there are many. If that is your jam try these in Mexico City - Contramar (Roma Norte), Rosetta (Roma Norte), Mercado Roma. In Merida try - Apoala, Pizza Neo, El Gato and as for the thing I won’t stop thinking about - have the margarita at Ramiro Cocina. The best I have ever had, ever. This restaurant was my fave in Mexico actually. It is a daytime only restaurant, where you sit in a sunny garden, eat mole minguiche and squash blossom quesadillas. All to die for.

What were your top three items of clothing? Any tips on what we should pack for that time of the year?

I imagined that I would buy lots of fun embroidered cloth dresses in Mexico, but actually I did no shopping for clothes at all. All I needed was bathers, shorts, and a couple of silk shirts and our silk dresses for over bathers and then out to dinner. Shameless plug but the Kip&Co silk is the best travel pieces. Light weight, no space in the bag, easy wear, day to night, and I could give it a quick wash and dry on a hanger and they were ready to wear again.

What did you love most about the spaces / architecture and interiors and can we expect to see some shine through in future Kip&Co collections?

Yes yes yes! Travel is our ultimate inspiration at Kip&Co. Mexican style is clean, stylish, unique and casual, architecture always has a glorious connection between the interior and outside spaces. The materials are natural and sturdy, the gardens are lush. And (you saw it coming) their use of colour is brilliant. Some is punchy and jarring, but more-so it is there in a heart warming, energising and uplifting way. Always raising your calibration and giving the most wonderful feels all day, every day. Colour therapy is so incidental and part of every aspect of their lifestyle. AW24 and then into SS24 this year you will certainly see the Mexican and Cuban influence trickle through.