We’ve Taken 3 Trips to Cancun Since the Pandemic Started and Here’s What to Expect
Our journey begins in February 2020 at the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic. The world knew little about COVID-19, yet it was quietly and rapidly spreading. During our trip to Cancun, it seemed like business as usual. People who have already booked flights have kept their reservations. Planes were 100 percent booked and the immigration and customs area was extremely crowded that we could have assumed it was Christmas week in Cancun. Little did my significant other and I realize, the pandemic was spreading fast and word-of-mouth fear had caused a decrease in Mexican immigration agents – the end result was an hour and 15-minute wait with no masks and social distancing of less than 6 inches.
Everything else seemed normal for travelers to Cancun. Tourists were lined up at the Cancun airport (CUN) for their cheap margaritas and beer while they waited for their shuttle transfer to the hotel. At the resort, guests were side-by-side next to the pool bars. It was just a typical vacation day at the beach for many. We stayed at the El Dorado Maroma Karisma resort. It was almost completely booked and business as usual, which meant waking up early to get a Bali bed was the “old normal.”
Meanwhile back in the U.S., many states had no idea what was to come – a full-blown pandemic that will shut their economies down. Businesses, restaurants, entertainment venues – and most importantly – travel came to a halt more than a month after this trip to Mexico. No more fighting for a position in line to board an already cramped aircraft. The world will now begin to usher in a new era of travel.
Starting in April 2020, many of the resorts in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, which include Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen (Riviera Maya area) closed. It wasn’t until late June 2020, that some hotels began to reopen after being COVID-19 safety certified. With air traffic still extremely low and travel deals high, it was time to book another trip for July 1 – reopening day for many of the Karisma resorts. This time we stayed at the El Dorado Casitas – about a 35-minute shuttle transfer from the Cancun airport.
Arriving at the Dallas (DFW) airport for the flight was a much different scene. Leaving on Wednesday morning, traffic to the airport was light since many corporate employees were still working from home. At the airport, there was a sense of quietness. It was definitely busier than when we flew to Flagstaff in May to visit the Grand Canyon. You might say it went from a strange sci-fi horror movie feeling in May to an “ok it looks like travel may be picking up a bit” in July.
The flight to Cancun was nice and easy. Everyone on board had to wear a mask. Boarding was quick and the plane was only 40 percent full, which gave us lots of space to spread out. When we landed at the Cancun airport, it too had a sense of calmness. It took less than 5 minutes to zip through immigration and customs – this time at a different arrival terminal – before being greeted by our Happy Shuttle transfer person. If you haven’t used their services before, we highly recommend it. Wearing a mask is a must until you’ve fully checked in to your resort. There were so many safety precautions at the resort that we felt safer than going to the grocery store back in the U.S. Right now, the resorts are only allowed 30 percent occupancy by the state of Quintana Roo. Imagine this … it’s like having the entire resort to yourself and it was AMAZING!
The Karisma resorts have always been known to have excellent service, but the service during this trip was through the roof. It was reopening day and we were the second couple to arrive. Everyone was ecstatic to see us and we truly felt like royalty. There were a few hiccups during our stay, but it was expected after the resort had been closed for three months.
It was time to head back to the states after a nice quiet and relaxing holiday. What stood out most about the flight home was that it was about 90 percent full. For once since the COVID-19 pandemic began, things felt back to normal, other than the damn mask. After returning home, we decided once again to take advantage of inexpensive flights and deeply discounted hotel offerings to Cancun – besides it’s the one place you can feel normal.
Our latest trip to Riviera Maya was in August 2020, almost six months into the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, we decided to stay at the El Dorado Seaside Suites by Karisma. Arriving at the airport on Friday morning, we immediately noticed that the airport had more pep in its step. It gave us the sense that airport travel was normal even though it still wasn’t producing the same traveler numbers as the year prior. The flight to the Cancun airport was full, as was the Wednesday return flight home – just don’t let this fool you. Travel is still below normal, but the airline industry is now doing a better job at maneuvering their fleet to maximize profits – if there’s any to be had at the moment.
Customs and immigration in Cancun still only took about 10 minutes, but the airport is starting to come alive. The shuttle scene outside was hopping, yet still nowhere near full. The resorts are now starting to get back into their groove and it’s noticeable that, even though still at 30 percent operating capacity, it looked like they were meeting that quota. All the safety measures are still in place at the resorts, but his time, the pools have come alive. Pool bars are starting to see lots of activity and each day you can catch a good game of pool volleyball with about 15 other guests. Restaurant reservations are booked, yet social distancing practices are still in place. Just like the airlines, resorts are doing a great job maneuvering when certain restaurants are open and closed. Welcome back America, Cancun is starting to gain traction.
If you’re thinking about booking a trip to Cancun, Mexico, book it. If you’re thinking about canceling your reservations, don’t. Everyone we’ve talked with had felt the same way about COVID-19 safety measures – it’s better than the U.S. Resort guests are once again having a great time drinking in the sun and eating delicious all-inclusive gourmet food. Our opinion is to not pass up this opportunity to experience Cancun at its least busy. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get away and relax from it all. Besides, we may never get another pandemic like this one again – let’s hope not. “¡Salud!” to Mexico for a job well done and thanks for welcoming us back to your country. We can’t wait to “sea” you soon!
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