Mexico Travel Updates during COVID from Kira & Adam

By: Kira Martin & Adam Martin (PERX Vacation Consultants)
Posted on September 1, 2020
3 min read

Cancun, and many resorts in Mexico, re-opened for tourism on July 1 with new health and safety policies in place. On July 3, two PERX vacation consultants, Kira Martin & Adam Martin, traveled to Cancun for a family vacation! They're sharing their experience and what it was like for them to travel during COVID, from the airport to the resort!

Day 1: Airport Arrival

In case you're wondering about airports/travel: EVERYONE is wearing masks and they are constant reminders about hygiene, proper mask-wearing (cover your NOSE folks!) and social distancing. On Southwest, middle seats must remain open unless occupied by a family member, boarding is only 10 at a time and social distancing is enforced. No drinks or snacks provided on the short flight.

The airport is empty and everyone is purposely spaced. Hand sanitizer is available everywhere and I have thoroughly wiped-down every chair, nook and cranny, and repeatedly doused my family with hand sanitizer. We've just finished hand washing for the 10th time and are hunkered down in our sanitized seats for now.

Visit the PERX Facebook page to see a video of the airport.

Day 1: Arrival in Cancun

We have to do some serious bragging on Cancun! They are going a great job with COVID precautions!

Every person has a face mask and nearly all also wear a shield. While in the airport, they're enforcing social distancing and have sanitizer widely available. When we met our transportation team, Best Day, they required we sanitized and they took our temperature. When we entered the vehicle, we were required to sanitize and wear masks, and before handling/loading our luggage, they sanitized our bag handles.”

Tip: When you book a resort with PERX, you can book transfers to and from the airport before you travel. This will save you the time and trouble of finding transportation once you arrive. Ask your vacation consultant about airport transfers next time you book!

Day 2: Resort Check-In

We are staying at the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres in Cancun and once we arrived at the resort, our bags were sanitized, we were required to use sanitizer and step on a mat to sanitize our shoes. At check-in, we wore masks, our temperature was taken and we were handed a new pen for signing. Also, our towel cards were sanitized before being given to us.

Signage, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing shoe mats are located all throughout the resort and there are direction markers in the hallway to indicate walking direction.

When we got to our room there was a seal on the door showing the room had been sanitized and they had even provided a bottle of hand sanitizer in the room. Housekeeping wears masks/shields and sanitizes as they move throughout the room. They also sanitize all the pool chairs.

They have every other table closed for dining, and reservations are required to ensure social distancing (it's easy to get reservations). You must wear your mask to your table. The servers are in masks and shields, menus are digital and they use tongs to move utensils. You must also wash your hands before being seated at your table.

Occupancy is at about 10%, so social distancing is not at all a problem. We have the best of everything with no lines or crowding. The staff is incredibly kind and grateful to have the business.

We are here for a few days before moving to another resort, but we are so very impressed and feel incredibly safe.

Day 3: New Resort!

We are now at the Riu Palace Riviera Maya and here are the COVID-19 procedures we have noticed so far:

All of the staff members are in masks, few face shields. Upon arrival, we used sanitizer, then I thought they were taking a picture, but it was actually a no-touch thermometer! At the reception, guests are required to wear masks, plexiglass barriers, and use hand sanitizer.

Directional markers are located throughout the resort to help enforce social distancing. Each room gets a separate envelope with the resorts App information, 2 door tags ("Do not disturb" and "make-up room”), and a bottle of hand sanitizer. This resort usually has in-room liquor dispensers, which have been removed, along with magazines, coffee makers, and other "non-essential” items.

The 24-hour lounge has an attendant to serve items, which you'd previously self-serve."

To order any food or drink or have staff/guest interaction, you MUST wear a mask. Room service is suspended and the swim-up bar is closed (pool bar open).

They take your temperature every time you enter a restaurant. Three restaurants are open at night, and so far, no dinner buffet option. Disposable placemats and paper menus are used and the napkins are sealed in a package with sanitized silverware. Breakfast is offering a buffet, but everything is covered and has plexiglass barriers, and masked/gloved staff serve your portion. They changed the plastic wrap covering the food during our breakfast, so I assume this is happening regularly.

Some tables are "closed" to keep social distancing.

The 24-hour lounge has an attendant to serve items, which you'd previously self-serve.

Day 4: Exploring Playa del Carmen

We went into the town of Playa del Carmen today to 5th Avenue (Cinco Avenido), and they are doing a great job with COVID precautions! They have roped off entry points where everyone must step on shoe sanitizing mats, use hand sanitizer, take temperatures, and wear masks. They are actively cleaning surfaces and there are direction markers.

Once inside, a majority of the shops are closed, but those that are open have COVID signs and require masks. There is quite a bit of construction going on, and although I am all about supporting the local economy and people, I would wait for construction to finish and shops to reopen before returning

Day 5: Final Update

A majority of the resorts, and Cancun in general, started re-opening on 7/1, so we came at the start of this. In order for staff to return to work, they had to take 4 online courses in addition to 3 in-person courses (this is what hotel staff has shared.) The staff was trained on safety protocol, monitoring guest's health, and quarantine procedures to follow if they come across sick guests. In addition, the maximum occupancy is between 30-50%, but the resorts are nowhere near that.

We are being very diligent (as are all the other guests.) It's very different from many prior vacations, and in many ways better. The staff is so happy to have employment and guests, and there's quick access to most things due to the low occupancy. We are missing a few things, but we feel safe, well-cared for, and very happy to be here!

.

WRITTEN BY

Kira Martin & Adam Martin (PERX Vacation Consultants)

Ready to plan your next vacation? Find a vacation consultant here!

Plus find more travel content like this as soon as it happens on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!