In the words of Jimmy Buffett, “Fins Up!” Last week I visited Cancun, Mexico for my first post-vaccination work trip! I know, I know… tough work, right? The purpose of my trip was to get certified in booking large groups like destination weddings, a family reunion or just you and your friends with multiple rooms. It felt SO good traveling internationally again! While the main goal of this work trip was training, I also wanted to experience Mexico and all of the changes to return to the U.S. People have expressed concerns about international travel right now, and so did I previously. My trip went very smooth and the testing part was made so easy by the resort – but there are a lot of steps and I was prepared. I am excited to equip and share these details with my traveling clients.
Traveling to Mexico:
In order to enter Mexico, there are a few specific steps you’ll need to follow. Of course, you’ll need your passport and customs forms like always. One of the new steps is a new Health Questionnaire that you’ll need to fill out in advance. When you arrive they will ask for your QR code.
Returning to the U.S. from Mexico:
In order to return to the U.S. you will need to schedule your COVID test upon arrival to your resort. We are only sending clients to resorts that will take care of this on-site! When you fill out your COVID test form you’ll need to be sure your name and details match your passport EXACTLY. I stuck around to wait for test results. Ask your testing site if you can collect your printed COVID test results there or if you’ll need to pick it up at another time or location. Confirm everything matches your passport and that all details are correct. If you have your passport, attestation form, customs form and passport you are ready to go home!
For a full walkthrough on international travel and COVID requirements, please set up a vacation consultation and allow me to assist you!
Resorts in the Riviera Maya
While there, I was able to see 3 resorts. I stayed at Moon Palace and visited Excellence Riviera and Margaritaville Island Reserve for site tours. Site tours give travel agents a chance to walk through to see a resort without staying there. We are able to see the rooms, beach and amenities the resort has to offer. As with all travel, not every resort is a fit for every client. Each one has a very different vibe, beach, pool experience and rooms and this helps us better understand how to pair our clients with a resort.
All of the resorts I visited are all-inclusive. All-inclusive usually means that the food and drink, resort-specific activities, entertainment and alcohol are included in your room price. Moon Palace and Margaritaville both cater to family and adult travel. Excellence Riviera is an adults-only property. Moon Palace is HUGE. They are known for hosting large groups for conferences, multiple families traveling together or those looking for great food and activities. It boasts over 20 restaurants and bars. Margaritaville opened in 2020 – and it is the only Margaritaville all-inclusive that exists. It features everything ‘Jimmy Buffett’ right down to the Spotify QR codes around the resort where you can listen to his music on your device in an instant. Margaritaville is a small boutique resort with many unique features like a blender-bike to make margaritas on (see pictures below), swim up rooms with a child-safety feature, a margarita machine for rent and their “stock-your-own” room bar coin program.
Excellence Riviera is a medium sized adults only resort. Excellence offers so many little hide away spots, a spa, several restaurants and bali beds/tiki huts for getting shade by the beach or pool. They offer an Excellence Club level room which has a separate check in and lounge for club level guests. Club level guests can enjoy their own bar, food offerings and happy hour. Honeymooners (or those celebrating an anniversary) can enjoy extra special attention with their Honeymoon packages.
I am grateful for a successful work trip! Being out there, exploring and seeing new destinations or hotels/resorts is so important in order for me to continue to deliver YOU the BEST vacation memories!
MOON PALACE
EXCELLENCE RIVIERA
MARGARITAVILLE
